Jars of Clay
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
2 Cor 4:7-12, ESV
Jars of Clay
(2 Cor. 4:7-12)
Intro:
A. It was near lectureship time and I was junior in college. Preachers from all over would gather on our campus for a week of classes, sermons, and lectures. Some of the most well-known preachers were invited to deliver the keynotes. As we Bible major prepared for that week, one of the kids asked a Bible professor who he thought the greatest preacher was in our brotherhood. Without much time elapsing, he simply said, “Probably some preacher in a little congregation that no one knows who is devoting his life to telling the saving story of Jesus to people the rest of the world would not find important.” We all were silent as we pondered the thought.
B. Paul makes a statement that some people just don’t like. READ 1 Cor. 1:26-31. The bottom line, is God didn’t call me because I was the greatest preacher. Instead, God took me from being not much of anything (according to the world’s standards of worth) and uses me to be a messenger of the greatest news ever told, that Jesus Christ wants to connect you to the Father.
C. Paul tells the church in Corinth (2 Cor. 4:7). I don’t’ want you to feel negative about yourself, but I do want you to realize that in comparison to the message of Jesus, we are simply jars of clay.
I. Examples of Jars of Clay
A. This chapter has a phrase used at the beginning and end. (READ 2 Cor. 4:1, 16). Don’t lose heart as a Christian or as messenger of Jesus Christ. I want us to see the value of the jars of clay, but more importantly, the value of what’s inside the jars of clay.
B. I have talked to several people who are simply hurting right now. They are hurting spiritually because this virus is keeping them from connecting in ways they need with other Christians. I know people who are hurting because of the issues in society between race, police and politicians are so inflammatory that deep bonds are beginning to fray. I know people who are hurting emotionally because of issues with their kids that say, “I don’t know how to pray anymore.” God sees the hurt that we are going through and begs of us, “don’t lose heart.”
C. Paul knows what it’s like to have the weight of problems in life upon you. Listen to Paul (2 Cor. 4:8-12). Did Paul have a difficult time? Yes. But giving up wasn’t the option. Running away from God wasn’t the answer. He saw that even in the trials, he still was alive. Even though the treasure in him may cost him his life, it would be worth paying the price, just to carry the treasure.
D. Growing up we had Gospel Meetings. We would invite friends, neighbors, acquaintances to the Gospel Meeting. One lady we called Aunt Ivy had a great heart for God. She could not do much, didn’t have much and often felt that God could do a whole lot more through other people. But she wanted people to come to this Gospel Meeting. So she took invitations and addressed them to as many people as she knew who lived in the area. As she was at the post office mailing those letters she died of a massive heart attack.
E. Richard Rogers loved to tell the story about a man he met in a gospel meeting in Texas. His name was Fred. In the 70's this mildly mentally challenged trash man was brought to Christ. Fred loved God with all his heart and wanted to tell others about Jesus. They only problem was that he couldn't speak very well, and, well, was a mildly mentally challenged trash man. But that didn't stop Fred. He left tracts at people's houses when he emptied their trash and whenever he had the chance would talk to them about Christ in his simple manner. When Fred died, 3000 people attended his funeral; many of them became Christians because of a mildly mentally challenged man who loved Jesus.
F. What are you? You’re a jar of clay. The better question is, “What is it that you, as a jar of clay, contain?”
II. Treasure We Carry
A. Last Sunday I talked about removing the veil so that the world could behold the glory of the Lord in us. Transformation at work in you and me. Paul now reminds us that the ministry is to let light shine in darkness. Here’s how Paul stated it (READ 2 Cor. 4:3-6).
B. Based upon those words, we get our phrase today that we have “this treasure in jars of clay.” The treasure we carry is the message of salvation.
C. God brought you here today for a reason. It may not be this sermon, it might be that there is someone here you need to reach out to or support. It might be that you are need of someone to reach out to you and support you. What I know is the Jesus Christ came to this earth, died upon a cross, rose up from the grave so that the debt of my sin could be atoned for and I could spend eternity with Him.
Conclusion:
A. The truest statement I can make today is “I am nothing, but Jesus uses me anyway.” In his affliction Job asks God, “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention?” (Job 7:17) David, as he considers the greatness and wonder of the Creator of the universe looking down upon him twice rhetorically asks, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Ps 8:4; 144:3)
B. I want you to leave here knowing that God so loves you that He desires to do great things in and through you. When God lives inside of you, you who are nothing more than a jar of clay, become a vessel through whom His all-surpassing power is shown.
C. The world is touched when they see flawed people who live in the confidence of grace. The world believes when they see people in pain leaning into and upon a God they don’t see, but fully believe is walking beside them. The world responds when they see people who see themselves as humble jars of clay, but speak a message that is the greatest treasure anyone could ever gain.
Because of Jesus,
Jeffrey Dillinger, minister of Jesus the Christ