A Treasure In Earthen Vessels Series

2 Cor 4:7-15 A Treasure in Earthen Vessels

2 Cor 4:7-15 ESV

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11For 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. 12So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

We have come to know of the Gospel because of God’s mercy and now we are carriers of this message. [Gospel (4:3) = “good news”, concerning Christ and the way of salvation.]

• As Paul said in the preceding section, we preach the Gospel as it is, authentically and without deception, not trying to trick anyone nor distorting the Word of God.

• We tell it truthfully and honestly, so that “we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (v.2).

We do not need to “trick” people into believing; we just present the truth and let God shines the light and enlightens the people.

• Will some people reject the Gospel? Yes, Paul said. Some will reject because “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel fo the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (4:4)

• Hopefully, only for a time being, until the day they are enlightened and believed.

But we preach Jesus Christ, Paul says, and not ourselves. 4:5 “…with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

• We preach it for the sake of the people because we have come to know it first.

• 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

It is the work of God. He revealed to us the knowledge of Himself through Christ.

• Frankly, there is no other way. If Jesus had not come, we would never know.

• If He has not revealed Himself, we would still be guessing and speculating today.

• John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God; the only God [only Son, who is God], who is at the Father’s side, He has made him known.”

We are blessed with the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ and now we have the responsibility to share it.

• In today’s text, Paul encourages the Corinthians to share the Gospel, even though they are facing difficulties in their ministry.

• We might be earthly vessels or jars of clay (ordinary mortals) but given the treasure of the Gospel about Christ. So let the light of the Gospel shines!

Paul paints here the paradox of the awesome value of the Gospel message, with the apparent unworthiness of the Gospel carriers.

• We have this treasure in jars of clay! Something precious that is kept with us now.

KNOW THE TREASURE WE CARRY

Paul is not demeaning the value of the human body. He is contrasting the seemingly insignificant bearers of the light with the greatness of the value of the Gospel.

• We are ordinary but now carry with us something extraordinary; someone from God.

• 4:7 “… we have this treasure in jars of clay, TO SHOW that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

• God first shines His light in the darkness of our hearts and gives us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (4:6).

• Now He is doing that through us, as instruments in His hands and ambassadors for Christ.

And when the people come to know Christ and experience the same, it has little to do with the messengers but everything to do with the message. God shines the light.

• What makes us important is the treasure we carry. We are given this awesome privilege and responsibility.

True greatness is in the Gospel, not in us, a perspective the Corinthians need to learn, given the context that we have come to know in Corinth.