Topless Jars.
2 Corinthians 4:7AMP
Peter Marshall, in a sermon entitled, "Disciples in Clay," pictured the apostles before an examining board which was appointed to choose Jesus' close associates. Peter stood there smelling of fish, unkept, with bad behavior, plus he was uncultured, and impulsive. Andrew, James, and John also reeked of fish and lacked refinement. Philip appeared to be indecisive. Thomas seemed cynical. Matthew was considered a traitor. Simon the Zealot was a dangerous patriot. Judas was a thief.
The NT tells it like it was. This was a group not likely to succeed. It is most likely they would- not have been chosen by a board for Jesus, but they were chosen by Jesus. (Peter M.)
2 Corinthians 4:7AMP “But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.”
When I was saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and called to preach, 10 years later at my class reunion, I was asked to pray. -This precious treasure changes everything. P.H
According to 2 Corinthians 4, verse 7, We have this precious treasure, this Salvation, this good news living within our (unworthy vessels of clay)!
Therefore, this grandeur, this greatness of power is shown to be (all) God, and none of ourselves,
II Corinthians 3:2NIV “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.”
When you live with the top-down, you become a letter or living epistle, for the wayward and lost to see. PH
Psalm 8 begins and ends with the answer. Just listen.
Psalm 8.1NKJV “O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!”
The question arises, How can my (clay) earthen vessel show the greatness of God?
Answer, live with the top off. Be an open book before God, and try to before men.
Isaiah 64.8ESV But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Again, I want to read this text in its complete context.
2 Corinthians 4.7-12MSG “If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. 8 As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. 9 We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, 10 but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. 11 What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! 12 Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!”
For every clay pot (vessel) the best is yet to come! -We’re getting in on the best! PH
As Peter and John told the lame beggar. To look at them... This question came to me to ask you, “Are you filled with Jesus enough for others to note it and possibly be healed?”
When Israel disobeyed and many died, Moses was instructed to build a special cross, and all that looked up lived, or were made well!
“I tell folks all the time to keep looking up!” P.H
Hebrews 12:1-2NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There are several things that becoming a topless jar produces:
1. Living as a topless clay jar produces, life.
This vessel is like a sponge, he or she is always taking in and giving out!
Remember, a closed vessel can never contain anything larger than its own size!
However an open vessel has no limitation’s.
It can now contain the blowing of the wind or outpouring of rain. It could even contain the flowing of a river!
In, Acts 2, When those 120 followers of Jesus received the out pouring, and the infilling of the spirit, it’s because these clay vessels decided to live life with their lid off.
2. When you live with the top off of your vessel of clay, you’re so enlightened- you want others to get your infection!
That is why Paul ask this question to 12 disciples of John the Baptist, Acts 19 “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?”
Living with the lid off produces sensitivity and discernment, for a chaotic world. P.H
God gave Ezekiel a power word for Israel, a word of life, looking for a person to change.
Jeremiah 18.1-4ESV The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear[a] my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
This is an analogy of Israel. Given time and time again, because of their hardness of heart. Most of Israel live with their top or lid on! P.H
3. When you live with the top off of your clay vessel, You stand ready.
You’re more watchful of the Spirits leadership. Your Spiritual antennas are up.
These verses are a good analogy of how Christians should fight, or rest.
Ephesians 6:10-16ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
What is the apostle Paul saying, “As a clay vessel live with your lid off.” P.H
Paul writes to the church of Ephesus in verses 10-18, And gives them every offense and defenses weapon, they would ever need.
What the key? Stand... The Word of God, Faith in God, Righteousness, Helmet of salvation and, prayer with all supplication.
4. Living with the top down, makes you soul unmeasurable.
John 3.34AMP For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaiming the Father’s own message]; for God gives the [gift of the] Spirit without measure [generously and boundlessly]!
Here’s the key, If you let it, God’s Spirit wills to flow through you! P.H
Say with me, “Wind blow, Waters flow!
You can get God’s best with a sealed top. Take the top off. PH
The caption of my Bible say’s about Isaiah 55: An Invitation to an Abundant Life.
Isaiah 55.1-3NKJV “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,?Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you [spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David.
5. Living with the top down, or lid off of your vessel of clay opens your mind to the, unlimited.
Listen, the truth is always greater than our knowing. Your mind and heart are finite, clay jars. But the truth has no end. God has no end. The eternal is infinite… Always flowing.
Therefore, I say, again, open now, your mind and heart and life to that which you don't yet know. That you might contain that which is greater than yourself.
1 John 4.4NKJV You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Benediction. The waters are flowing, the blessing were created for you. Begin today, to live live with the lid off! P.H
