July 12, 2012
WE'RE JARS OF CLAY AND THAT'S OK
2 Corinthians 4
James Stewart
Central Truth
Too often, we're drawn to the shiny vessel and that keeps us from seeing the contents. Big personalities and strong wills can get in the way of God's best for us. God in that vessel is the thing that makes an eternal difference.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. (2 Corinthians 4:7)
2 Corinthians 4
The Light of the Gospel
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, 1 4:1 Greek having this ministry as we have received mercy we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice 2 4:2 Greek to walk in cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants 3 4:5 Or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Treasure in Jars of Clay
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self 4 4:16 Greek man is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 4
Shortly after I graduated from high school, my mom's sister had a debilitating stroke. Where there was once a strong, sometimes intimidating force, there now sat a woman in a wheelchair with speech and emotions more childlike than commanding. Both of these people answered to the name Aunt Helen, but there was no doubt a massive change had occurred. As an 18-year-old, and an immature one at that, I was pretty uncomfortable with this change. I wanted a change for the "better," for recovery and a return to the Aunt Helen we all knew and loved. But God had a different plan.
Aunt Helen spent the final third of her life with very little in the way of physical recovery. In fact, the crippling stroke kept her in a wheelchair. As other parts of her body started to fail, her physical care became even more challenging. What never failed was her love. According to 1 Corinthians 13:8, love never fails. Yep.
If there was one word for Aunt Helen before her stroke, it could have been "passionate." She sang loudly (and very well) in the Baptist church. She loved her Louisville Cardinals, and she adored Elvis. In fact, when she talked about "the King," she'd claim it was Jesus, but I was never too sure. On the other hand, she also got crosswise with Grandmother (her mom) from time to time, she'd be hard on my Uncle Jim, and she sometimes wished failure on the Kentucky Wildcats . . . and many of their fans, passionately.
She was passionate and strong-willed. But God had a different plan.
Sometimes, God uses terrible things like strokes and illnesses to bring about good things that transform our lives in ways we never could have accomplished on our own. For Aunt Helen, what remained after her stroke was all the love for her Cards without the venom for the Cats. She even cooled toward Elvis. Jesus was her King. When God called her home, I had the opportunity to mention 2 Corinthians 4:7. I was just an earthen vessel trying to share a treasure. And even though her earthen vessel had been compromised by the stroke, her dependence on Jesus gave Him all the glory.
Discussion Questions
1. Why did Paul choose a clay pot as the metaphor for us? Why not a gold pitcher?
2. How often are you impressed by the state of other people's "earthen vessels"?
3. Do you think the treasure described is the same for everyone? Does this influence how you look at yourself and others?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
2 Corinthians 1-5 (July 9-13)
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.
• Verse 7 talks about our bodies being like fragile clay jars, what do you think this means?
• How do you see your body being fragile (both physically and spiritually)?
• Have you ever watched someone else experience verses 8 & 9; that is, go through really hard times, but not be "crushed"?
• What did you see in that person? What helped that person to continue to trust Jesus and show others He is faithful?
• What are ways that you might be "crushed" or "pressed"? (Think about school, work, sports, friends.)
• How can you trust the "treasure" inside of you to shine through even in the hard times?
Activity: Take time to write an encouraging letter to a person you have seen stay faithful and shine for Jesus even in hard times. And then write a letter to someone you know who is in the middle of hard times. Be sure to encourage them with Scripture, reminding them of the treasure they have and who is faithful. Now mail the letters to each of them.