“Why God Uses Clay Pots”

2 Corinthians 4:7–18 CSB

7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. 14 For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

PRAYER

Scripture uses many METAPHORS to describe believers in Jesus Christ.

Many are BEAUTIFUL:

“Children of God” – (John 1:12), “Children of Promise” – (Galatians 4:28), “Children of Light” – (Ephesians 5:8), “Friend” – (John 15), “Salt and light” – (Matthew 5), “Chosen” – (1 Peter 1:1), “servants, soldiers, farmers, athletes, heirs, saints, treasured possession…”

Some are beautiful to only SOME:

“Good fish” (a keeper) – (Matthew 13:48) - ‘You look prettier than a largemouth bass on a Saturday morning!’

“Ox” (a reference specific to pastors) – (1 Corinthians 9:9)

OTHER metaphors are intended to convey REALITIES of who we are:

“Sheep” – (John 10)

Our tendency to WANDER – “We all went astray like sheep!”– (Isaiah 53:6).

Our need for PROTECTION and GUIDANCE – (Psalm 23; Acts 20:28)

“…you are Christ’s letter” – (2 Corinthians 3:2a)

Your life declares to the world what it means to have the Spirit of God in residence!

And believe me, the world has its reading glasses on!

THIS MORNING we come to another metaphor that is not particularly flattering, but nonetheless true:

2 Corinthians 4:7 (CSB)

“Now we have this treasure in clay jars…”

Think about this picture presented to us: You are a clay pot containing a priceless treasure!

A good question now would be, “Why earthen vessels? What is this picture intending to convey?”

One preacher talked about the difference between clay pots and bronze ones…

He pointed out that clay pots, often had cracks and that they leaked!

Unless the owner, or seller of the pots filled the cracks with bee’s wax, they would leak, and even if they were repaired, the repair didn’t last very long (thus his message title, “Why God Uses Cracked Pots!”).

While I enjoyed his message and agreed with his premise that we are damaged goods, I do not believe that is the intended understanding of this metaphor.

The thrust of (2 Corinthians 4:7-18) is not our sinfulness, but rather the fragile nature of a clay jar!

Imagine what Satan must have thought when God chose to use US as “…ministers of a new covenant” (3:6).

“Why? Why would God use us with all our imperfections and flaws?”

We are sinners by nature and by choice!

While Jesus’ death and resurrection has delivered us from the penalty and power of sin, we will deal with the presence of sin until our deaths or Jesus’ Return!

Apart from the work of God in our lives, we are NOT qualified to be used!

2 Corinthians 2:16 (CSB)

To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things?

It is GOD who makes me a SAINT!

It is GOD who made us “…competent to be ministers of a new covenant” (3:6)!

WHY then does God place “…this treasure [which is the Gospel of Jesus] in clay jars?”

(v.7) answers that question – “…so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.”

(Romans 1:16; 4:1-2)

Romans 1:16 CSB

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

Romans 4:1–2 CSB

What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God.

FOLKS, don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that ‘Christianity’ has its origin in, is dependent on, or enjoys success because of the people involved!

Apart from the “extraordinary power […] from God,” Satan would smash these “clay jars” into a million pieces!

SO, what do we learn from the metaphor of “clay jars?”

There are at least THREE lessons:

I. As a Clay Jar, I WILL EXPERIENCE Difficult Times! – (vv.8-9)

It is NOT going to be EASY! In fact, three phrases indicate that it’s going to be TOUGH!

“We are afflicted in every way…” – (v.8a)

“…we are persecuted” – (v.9a) – Lit. ‘pursue, or follow after’

“…struck down” – (v.9b) – Lit. “cast down.”

2 Timothy 3:12 CSB

12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Back to (2 Cor 4:8-9)

The GOOD NEWS is that you will NOT be overcome!

“…but not crushed” – You’ll still be in one piece!

“…but not in despair” – “Never will I leave you…”

“…but not destroyed” – Even your DEATH is a victory (5:1-2)

II. I Will NOT Always Understand WHAT is Happening, or WHY it is Happening! – (v.8b)

“…we are perplexed but not in despair.”

III. I Must be WILLING to FOLLOW JESUS to the CROSS! – (vv.10-12)

If I were to pick TWO WORDS to describe what these verses are trying to convey, it would be SUBMISSION and SURRENDER!

Matthew 16:24–25 CSB

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.

Dying for Jesus means I must also LIVE for Him!

Am I willing to lay down my life for others, “…so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body […] so that Jesus’ life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh.” – (vv.10-11)

Mark 10:45 CSB

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”