We Have This Treasure
2 Cor 4:1-7
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Illus.: Flea Market Treasure
A while back, there was a story in the news about a rock collector in Chattanooga, TN. He was at a flea market, browsing through the items on display, when he came across a big blue rock for sale as a paperweight. He thought it was attractive, so he bought it for a couple of dollars. Later he decided to have it checked out to see what kind of mineral it was. To his astonishment, he was told that this was, in fact, a massive sapphire worth tens of thousands of dollars. What had been valueless the day before was now understood to be of tremendous value.
In this passage (II Corinthians 4:1-7), Paul wants the believers at Corinth to understand the incredible treasure that had been placed in their hands. What was this treasure that he wrote of in verse 7?
In one sense it was the GOSPEL itself–the gospel truth received and experienced. The reason it is a treasure is obvious:
❏ Buying power (redemptive)
❏ Priceless
❏ Thieves cannot break through and steal it
❏ Abundant–enough for everyone
❏ Can be enjoyed now!
❏ Has a beauty beyond description
❏ We can take wherever we go–even beyond this life!
This gospel is to be SHARED and yet it REMAINS–like the loaves and fishes. In fact, it derives most of its value from the fact that it is shared–given away.
So then, we can also say that this treasure is the believers status as ministers of the Gospel. That’s what he meant when he said in verse 1 that “we have this ministry.”
If you have received Christ as your Savior, you have this treasure–this ministry in your life. What does it mean for us to be ministers of Christ? Four things
1. WE HAVE A DIVINE CALL
There are 3 things we need to understand about this call:
1) It is not optional
- a teacher teaches
- a soldier soldiers
- a doctor practices medicine
- a Christian ministers
2) It is not deserved. There is nothing in us that makes us worthy. God bestows this privilege on us. That’s why Paul says in verse one, “Since through God’s mercy we have this ministry...”
3) It is not temporary. We are called to persevere in Christ’s service. That’s why we “do not lose heart,” as it says it verse one. We keep at it
- When the going gets tough, we keep at it!
- When obstacles arise, we keep at it!
- When results seem few, we keep at it!
- When opposition batters us, we keep at it!
Why? Because this is our calling. This is our life!
Illus.: “If You Don’t Run, You Can’t Win!”
In the film, Chariots of Fire, young Harold Abrams, a champion sprinter, had just suffered his first-ever defeat. After the race he sat alone in the bleachers, pouting. When his girlfriend tried to encourage him, he bellowed, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!” She wisely replied, “If you don’t run, you can’t win!” He went on to win the 1924 Olympic Gold Medal in the 100 meter run.
In the call of God to be ministers, we can’t win if we don’t keep running.
Two frogs fell into a can of cream,
Or so I’ve heard it told.
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
The cream was deep and cold
“O, what’s the use? croaked number one,
“‘Tis fate, no help’s around
Goodbye my friend! Goodbye sad world!”
And weeping still he drowned.
But number two, of sterner stuff,
Dog-paddled in surprise
The while he wiped his creamy face,
And dried his creamy eyes..
“I’ll swim awhile at least,” he said,
Or so I’ve heard it said;
“It really wouldn’t help the world,
If one more frog were dead.”
An hour or two he kicked and swam,
Not once he stopped to mutter,
But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked,
Then hopped out via butter!
What does it mean for us to have this treasure? It mens that we have a divine call. Its not optional. Its not deserved. Its not temporary. So we keep swimming, even against the current when necessary.
Not only is this treasure mean we have a divine call. It also means that...
2. WE HAVE A TRUSTWORTHY LIFE
1) We are transparent– open for all to see. What you see is real. Look at verse 2a: “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways.” Have you ever gone to your kitchen at night and turned on the light, only to see an insect scurry about, looking for cover, trying to flee from the light? We live our lives in such a way that even upon close examination, we are what we say we are.
2) There’s altogether too much scandal in the church today! We are the people of God! We are the Bride of Christ! We are called to live a life of holiness. Consequently, we...
- pay our debts
- pay our taxes
- don’t steal from employers
- don’t call in sick if we’re not sick
Illus.: “Hypocrisy”
During a coffee break, a small group of workers were coaxing one of their number to have a cup of coffee, but he refused saying he gave it up for lent and that it was a religious principle for him. But as the group stood to leave, he turned to the supply clerk standing next to him and said, “Say, I’d like another pair of work trousers. How about stealing me a pair some time this week?”
The Christian understands how important it is to live a consistent life–to be genuine–to be God’s child all the time!
3. WE HAVE AN AUTHENTIC MESSAGE
Look at the second part of verse 2: “we don’t use deception or distort the word of God.”
The Greek word for “distort” comes from a term referring to dilution of wine–adding water, for example, but selling the wine as if it were undiluted.
There are those today who are willingly distorting the gospel by...
❏ reducing its demands (watering it down to fit into popular culture
❏ increasing its demands by saying you have to follow a certain style, method, or program. It’s the message that remains changeless, not the method.
❏ by preaching another gospel: two examples:
- a homosexual Pentecostal church
- Superman has come
We have an authentic gospel
- convicts of sin
- offers forgiveness and eternal life
- calls us to holiness, service, and accountability
Yes, to minister to a lost and dying world means understanding that we have a divine call, a trustworthy life, and an authentic message. But that’s not all. There is one more characteristic found in verse 5...
4. WE HAVE A CLEAR FOCUS
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Our focus is not on ourselves, our beliefs, or our church. Jesus Christ is our message!
Paul’s critics attacked his personal appearance and his speech, thinking they would discredit him in the churches.
But, instead of retaliating, he says “If God can use me, weak and ugly s I am, then certainly he can use anyone as a minister–even us!”
That’s the meaning behind the image of clay jars. They were inexpensive and plentiful. But they were also fragile and easily broken. Yet these cheap, fragile vessels could be used to store precious things. The Dead Sea Scrolls are an example.
We are not the message, but the messengers; we are the jars through which the gospel is carried to the ends of the earth. We may be weak and frail but that’s okay. We rejoice because Jesus is our focus.
Did you hear about the family that went on a vacation to the beach? When they got home, mom was looking at the pictures that dad had taken. She was puzzled at why so many of the photos were fuzzy, out of focus. She finally realized though that in every picture something was always in focus–a bikini-clad young lady in the background. Dad had focused on the wrong subject!
Its easy to do. We can focus on money, ambition, position–even tradition, or simply maintaining the status quo. If we’re going to be effective ministers, we’re going to have to keep our focus on Christ.
What a treasure God has placed in our hands–the privilege of sharing in the work of His kingdom–of leading others to faith in Christ and nurturing them as disciples.
We have this treasure. The question is, Will we use it?
