Jars of Clay
Strength in Weakness • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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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.
We have been given a valuable treasure.
We have been given a valuable treasure.
The treasure we have is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The treasure has been placed in frail, ordinary humans.
The treasure has been placed in frail, ordinary humans.
Jars of clay, plain earthen vessels.
Why would God put the most precious treasure He gave in something so plain and fragile?
God works through us to show His power.
God works through us to show His power.
We are afflicted (troubled from without by physical or psychological difficulties) but we are not crushed.
We are perplexed (confused and discouraged) but not in despair ( we haven’t lost hope) - our hope is found in Christ.
We are persecuted but not abandoned - God never leaves us.
We are struck down (knocked down, set back) but was are not destroyed - there are times when battles seem to be lost but final victory is ours.
Any temporary suffering we encounter is preparing us for the glory of eternity.
Any temporary suffering we encounter is preparing us for the glory of eternity.