Jars Of Clay

Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

I. Apostle Paul equates himself to “jars of clay” (verse 7)

II. Besides his internal vulnerability, he is not exempt from external attacks (8-12) (a few of them)

1. Pressed on every side by troubles (verse 8)
2. Hunted down (verse 9)
3. Knocked down (verse 9)
4. Live in constant danger of death because of his service to Jesus (verse 11-12)

III. These attacks put so much of pressure on the “jar of clay,” but God preserved Paul time and time again (verse 8)

1. Pressed on every side but not crushed
2. Perplexed but not in despair
3. Hunted down but not abandoned
4. Knocked down but not destroyed

IV. The reason why Paul continued His work despite being a vulnerable “jar of clay” (13-18)

1. Unshaken hope in the resurrection (verses 13-14)
2. Instead of seeing the momentary glitches and difficulties, Paul sees what he becomes out of them (verse 15-18)
a. His spirit is being renewed every day (verse 16)
b. He knew that the present troubles would not last too long (verse 17)
c. Paul is becoming something through his situations (verse 17)
3. Paul fixes his eyes on the future rather than the present (verse 18)

V. Why did God choose an earthen pot for His purposes?

1. All surpassing power of God is not from the pot, but from God
2. So that, no one boasts before God
3. The glorious power of God is borne about by those who are inferior, weak vessels/agents

VI. Theology/Principles

God uses what is fragile, yet willing to be used by Him so that “the jar of clay” does not take credit, but God does
When God entrusted the treasure into the clay, He did not promise complete immunity from struggles
This passage does not deny our self-worth, but it teaches that our worth comes from God
The worth of the treasure increases the value of the pot/container
Treasures come in weak clay pots, but not necessarily in expensive vases

Take Away

Let not your present struggles keep you from bearing the “treasure;” but keep your focus on the future