SHOW OFF

Sm—“Show Off (We Have this Treasure)”

2 Corinthians 4:7-10; Matthew 13:44, 52

Psalm 107:1-2

Recently, a woman in California discovered after bringing home a set of sofas she found on Craigslist that more than $36,000 in cash was hidden inside one of the cushions. Vicky Umodu said she was never tempted to keep what she found. She said she immediately gave the money back to the family who gave her the furniture.

"God has been kind to me and my children, they're all alive and well, I have three beautiful grandchildren, so what can I ever ask from God?"

This Nigerian woman embodied the admonition of Biblical teaching regarding riches, like that found in 1 Timothy 6:17-19

She did not set [her]hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

[She was quick] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for [herself]as a good foundation for the future, so that [she] may take hold of that which is truly life.

(1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Vicky Umodu’s is a very wealthy lady. She is richer than Elon Musk, Michel Bloomberg, Jeff Bezos, and Warren Buffet. Her net worth is 100 times greater than Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin combined.

Today, I want to address our EGO. We must deal with our EGO.

EGO—Experiences, Growth (Our Operative Theme), Outcomes.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

E—Experiences (Problem or Project).

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay

We are jars of clay

1. We are Fragile, Imperfect, Mortal. This is the “Human Condition” punctuated by suffering—surrounded and troubled on every side, perplexed and don't know what to do, persecuted and bullied, knocked down, (2 Cor. 4:8-9)

2. We are Malleable, Flexible, like clay in the potter’s hands. See your experience, not as a problem, but as an experiment and a project. We created for utility—there is purpose in our created nature. Our minds and our bodies are vessels to serve as instruments used by God.

3. Our Value is determined by what we contain and not by our containers. Our being is determined by that within—Eden is within.

G—Growth.

Growth begins when we discover and capture true treasure.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay

A plant grows when it captures sunlight with its leaves and water with its roots.

My grandmother knew how to capture the fuel to sustain bodily growth.

My grandmother loved to “can”fruits and veggies—the produce from her garden.

Canning is a method of food preservation.

The canning process involves placing foods in jars and heating them to a temperature that destroys microorganisms that could cause the food to spoil. A vacuum seal prevents air from getting back into the product to contaminate the food.

Grandmom’s cellar was her storehouse full of delicious treasures—some were old and familiar to us; others were new and fresh with delights to make our palates go ga-ga for more:

· Canned Apple Sause

· Pickled Beets

· Blackberry Jam

· Marmalade

· Pickled Mixed Veggies

· Peaches

· Apple Butter

Capturing is Essential to Feed Growth

Jesus Spoke About the Importance of Capturing Treasure

Matthew 13:44-45

The Treasure: God’s Word / The Gospel of Yeshua, revealing The Light of God’s Truth—Divine Understanding, Knowledge, and Wisdom.

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 God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

2 Cor. 4:6

Colossians speaks of the treasures of understanding, wisdom, and knowledge.

Isaiah 33:6 adds to these, salvation and the fear of the LORD.

The Treasure brings Joy, Peace, Confidence (Faith), and Hope. The Treasure is both God’s Truth and God’s Love—Poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:4)

O—OUTCOMES.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. Hinah —Pronounce: hin'-ah Through the demonstrative idea In order that (denoting the purpose or the result); so that Use: Conjunction Psalm 107:2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

OUTCOME = SHOW OFF

Matthew 13:51–53.

"Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.

The role of a Scribe: To Capture the Moment to Show Off to Others ⁃ To preserve a record of an experience, or event of significance for others.

The Scribe says, “this is some good stuff that I’m witnessing!”

“I better write it down”.

Modern-day scribes record, video and audio… The role of a Scribe: To Show Off (Teach) ⁃ To preserve a record of an experience, or event of significance for others ⁃ We have FB, Tic-Toc, Instagram, and WhatsApp Scribes. Scribes capture moments of significance in time and space, to post for others. ⁃ We need the “Redeemed of the Lord” scribes to shout it out, to posts, to say so by any means necessary, the goodness of the Lord.

⁃ You have a treasure that needs to show off the glory of God. Hinah.

The Primacy of the Treasure in one’s possession—the anointed scribe, selling all to own. A Disciple of the Kingdom Shows Off, Says So, Witnesses to the Almighty—Yahweh-Yireh. We hear an abundance of evacuations over the human condition.

We need more Scribes (chronicles) notifying family members and strangers of the greatness of our possession.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that you by his poverty might become rich.