Jars Of Clay

Jars of Clay

TEXT

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Message

I. We live in an age that likes to make things that last.

a. plastic

b. non-breakable dishes.

c. Timex watches.

d. We buy a battery and are given a guarantee that it will last as long as we own our car.

e. We all would like a guarantee that we could last forever.

f. Maybe we would just love to live 89 years like Mrs. Faye did.

g. When someone reaches that age there is a sense that they are going to live forever just because it seems like they have already.

II. That is not the image that Paul gives us in this passage.

a. We are like a clay pot or earthen vessel.

i. Pottery can crack, get chipped and broken if dropped.

b. Paul is telling us that life takes its toll on our physical strength and stamina.

c. We wear out. The body is made of material that will not last forever.

d. It is like a vessel that is to be used.

e. It is meant to be filled and emptied for some constructive purpose.

f. It is the medium through which some good and needed element is made available.

g. As the vessel of life, the human body is used to benefit others, but is itself wasted away.

i. Like the candle that gives forth light, it grows shorter with each passing hour until all its resources are expended.

III. Mrs. Faye, was one who gave herself in service to others.

a. Ms. Faye raised a family of 3 children, loving and caring for them. She was committed to her husband. she was a grandmother to 12 grandchildren. She was great grandmother to25 great grandchildren and great-great grandmother to 5 great-great grandchildren.

b. Maybe you ate a meal that she cooked, or received a present she made, or was the person she lifted up in prayer. You each have those special memories of her life as a testimony to how she expended herself for others.

c. As Paul says, "Outwardly, we are wasting away." It is appointed to all people to die and the inevitable physical deterioration cannot be avoided.

d. We could see the physical changes in Mrs. Faye. We knew that it would inevitably happen, but it was still difficult to watch.

IV. If this is the end of the story, then indeed we would have reason for great despair.

a. We are told that there is a great treasure hidden within this clay pot or earthen vessel.

b. Within the hearts of those who have faith in Jesus Christ there is a spiritual treasure.

c. Paul encourages us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

d. When the temporary things pass away--and our earthly body is temporary--the eternal treasures of the heart remains. Our faith in Christ is eternal.

e. I believe Mrs. Faye indeed had a wonderful treasure of faith in Jesus Christ. She was most active in church work in her active days. And she had been a member of our church longer than anyone else still living.

V. Faith is not measured in the number of good deeds performed or church positions held, but in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.