Treasures in Jars of Clay

-last week-we are to shine for the Lord’s sake. Note: for the Lord’s sake. Many people get caught up in the limelight, spotlight.

2 Corinthians 4:7–15 NKJV

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

This weekend we had some of our family over to enjoy swimming. Down at their play area where they swim we keep an old blue bucket that they retrieve water from the lake and load their squirt guns to squirt each other. The interesting thing about this old blue plastic bucket is its on its last leg. It has dry rotted and there are cracks in it and it empties out as quick as you fill it. Now, don’t ask me why of all the buckets we have that one has stayed at the bottom for them to enjoy.

The bucket is fragile, not very aesthetic, but we still keep it around because its useful.

Interestingly, that was Paul says about us. We are like a jar of clay, common, fragile and breakable. Listen closely: It’s what’s inside us that is the treasure. We have the greatest treasure-the gospel message to pour out on people’s souls.

Let me ask you a question tonight:

Why do you think God chooses to use us, fragile and ordinary people to carry something so important?

Do you think it would make better sense for God to use the strong, the powerful, the wealthy to carry His message?

The Treasure in Fragile Vessels (v. 7)

Paul is saying that we are weak containers, but that is by design. God didn’t choose us because we are impressive. He wants His power, not our personality, to shine through.

Think about the Declaration of Independence. The paper it’s written on isn’t what makes it valuable. It’s the message. The same is true with us — it’s not the “jar,” but the treasure inside.

1 Corinthians 2:5 “that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

So, if we are to be a good jar-we all know what a Mason Jar is. From canning, to sweet tea to holding marbles they have many purposes.

If we are to be a good jar, what comes to your mind of the things to maintain a jars effectiveness, and think about its traits?

What sticks out about a jar or any vessel, a cup for that matter, what sticks out about a cup to perform at its best?

It can’t be broken

It must be clean

It keeps impurities out and the treasure inside-coffee, milk, honey or syrup, etc.

Is the mason jar enjoyed at its best if all it does is hold the treasure or must it have the ability to effectively dispense the treasure?

As we think of the ordinary nature of a jar or cup, its fragileness....

Can you think of a time when in your weakness...not your strength...actually gave God more glory?

This should humble us and be an encouragement to you. If you feel ordinary, maybe you feel overlooked, or “not good enough”, you are exactly the kind of person the Lord wants to use.

2. Pressed but Not Crushed (vv. 8-9)

Paul has a rhyme or a rhythm to his words:

Paul lists four hardships:

hard pressed

perplexed

persecuted

struck down

But notice the balance or counter weight:

not crushed

not in despair

not abandoned

not destroyed

He’s honest about pain. 2 Corinthians 1:8 “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.”

2 Corinthians 7:5 “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.” -you have a ministry-wife, children, family, neighbors, etc

Let’s admit that the ministry is not easy. Oh yes, there are days that serving the Lord has blessings untold and the service of the Lord is with such great pleasure; it comes easy. Other days, attempting to lead God’s people or evangelizing the lost can be a struggle like pulling teeth.

Even though in Paul’s case the ministry came with great suffering at times, He was confident in God’s help.

Ill. Paul describes a scene like a boxer that is knocked down and the Referee counts 4, 5, 6, 7 but the boxer gets back up from the matt. Paul was hit hard but he always got back up because God was in His corner of the ring.

When life has pressed you down, what has kept you from giving up completely?

Dear brothers and sister, God never promised us a pain free life, but we are promised God’s presence. Suffering doesn’t mean God has left you , it just means you are suffering the same road Jesus walked.

Psalm 34:19 “19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Isaiah 43:2 “2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

James 1:2–4 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

3. Death at Work, Life at Work (vv.10–12)

Illustration: Jim Elliot and the Auca Indians

“Some of you may remember the story of Jim Elliot, a young missionary in the 1950s. He and four other men felt called to reach the Auca Indians — now known as the Waorani people — in the jungles of Ecuador. These were a remote, isolated people known for violence, and no outsider had ever successfully made contact with them.

For months, the missionaries prepared. They flew over the tribe’s village and dropped gifts from an airplane to show friendliness. Eventually, they set up camp on a riverbank, hoping to begin face-to-face conversations. But one day, a group of tribesmen attacked and killed all five men with spears. Jim was only 28 years old. He left behind a wife, Elisabeth, and a 10-month-old baby girl.

From a human perspective, it looked like tragedy and failure. But Elisabeth Elliot and other widows of those missionaries later went back into the jungle — not with revenge, but with the gospel. Over time, many of the Waorani, including some of the very men who had killed their husbands, became Christians. One of those men, once a spear-wielding warrior, later baptized Jim and Elisabeth’s daughter, Valerie, in the same river where her father had died.

Jim Elliot once wrote in his journal: ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.’ His suffering — his very death — became the seed that brought eternal life to an entire tribe.”

That’s exactly what Paul is describing here in verses 10–12. He carried the death of Jesus in his body so others could experience life in Christ. Jim Elliot’s life reminds us that when we are willing to surrender — even to the point of death — God can use that sacrifice to multiply His kingdom. Death at work in us, but life in others.

Luke 9:23–24 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

Colossians 3:3 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

John 12:24–25 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

How have you seen God use someone else’s hardship or sacrifice to bring life to you or others?

Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”

Our suffering is never wasted. If we let God use it, it can be the very thing that draws others to Him.

Romans 8:17 “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Ill. Mrs. Robbie Gibson-her engagement in VBS for the children

4. Faith in the God Who Raises the Dead (vv.13–14)

Paul quotes Psalm 116: “I believed, therefore I spoke.” His confidence wasn’t in himself but in the God who raises the dead. If God raised Jesus, Paul knew God would raise him too.

It’s like putting your trust in a bank that’s already proven it will never go bankrupt. If God has already raised Jesus, then our future is secure.

What difference does it make in your daily struggles to know that resurrection is our guaranteed future?

Ill. Have you noted how people that get to their retirement period at work do not have the stress on them that they had in the early years? Why is that?

Romans 8:11 “11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

This helps us live boldly. We don’t have to fear what the world can do, because the worst thing — death — has already been defeated.

5. All for Your Benefit, All to God’s Glory (v.15)

Paul ends by saying everything he endured was so others could receive grace, which would result in thanksgiving and glory to God. His sufferings weren’t wasted; they multiplied worship.

Think of it like planting seeds. One seed may look insignificant, but when it dies in the ground, it grows into something that blesses many. Paul’s sacrifices became thanksgiving in the mouths of countless believers.

“Who in your life sacrificed so you could hear the gospel? And who might benefit if you’re willing to sacrifice for them?”

Our lives should be funnels of grace — what we endure, how we live, should ultimately point people to Jesus and cause more thanksgiving to God.

Colossians 1:24 “24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,”

This passage reminds us that weakness isn’t failure; it’s the platform for God’s power. Suffering isn’t wasted; it’s the soil where faith grows. And sacrifice isn’t loss; it’s the way others come to know Christ.

Invitation for response:

What area of your life feels most fragile right now? What if that weakness is actually where God wants to show His strength?