The Anatomy of an Apostle God s Treasure in Jars of Clay Winter Quarter - 2017-2018 1. Introduction - 2 Corinthians 4:6 a. We are blessed in the modern world to have safe places to store our valuables. a.i. Many of you probably have a safe deposit box at your bank to store important papers like deeds, life insurance policies and financial records. a.ii. Or you may have your own safe secretly placed in your home to store those types of papers or you may keep priceless jewelry in them. a.iii. We do this to protect our valuables from thieves, fire, or to keep something valuable from deteriorating. b. Some of you may also have security systems in your homes to protect against break-ins or in case of a fire. c. Security is very important to us because we want to protect our valuables. c.i. c.ii. We want to keep our treasures safe. And the Lord feels the same way.
d. The title of this lesson is God s Treasure in Jars of Clay. e. What is God s treasure? And what are the jars of clay? e.i. We read in (2 Cor 4:6-7 N.V.) {6} 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 the glory of God in the face of Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. e.ii. Heaven s treasure is the light of the God that shines out of our hearts and yet the Lord keeps His treasure in these bodies which are called jars of clay. f. The eternal Creator doesn t keep His treasure in a safe deposit box but rather He stores it in jars of clay, our created mortal bodies. f.i. f.ii. Why did Paul pick this analogy to describe us? Why did he call us jars of clay? g. In Bible times there were no safe deposit boxes at a local bank. Why? because there were no banks and no safe deposit boxes. g.i. People did not have secret safes stashed in their homes.
g.ii. Nor did they have security systems to protect their valuables. h. So, one of the means of protecting their treasures was to keep them in jars. h.i. Generally, the more expensive the treasure, the more expensive the jar. h.ii. However, some people would put their treasures in plain, ordinary jars to disguise what was inside in case a thief broke in to steal their goodies. i. A jar of clay would be the least valuable container in the ancient household. i.i. Notice what Paul says in (2 Cor 4:7 N.V.) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. i.ii. The jar of clay Paul references here were small pottery lamps that were cheap and fragile. i.iii. They were bought in the shops of Corinth. j. Often, the people of the ancient world would use those cheap and fragile pots to store some of their most valuable treasures.
j.i. They would use those cheap jars to disguise the prize inside. j.ii. A thief would see that common ordinary jar and think there was nothing valuable inside. k. The jars of clay in Paul s day were especially thin and delicate to allow light to penetrate from them. k.i. This way, you could light the oil inside and it would illuminate a dark room...until you cracked or shattered it. k.ii. k.iii. Why do think Paul called us jars of clay? (Gen 2:7 N.V.) The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. k.iv. (Isa 64:8 N.V.) Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. k.v. We sing that song with the song Take Time to Be Holy and it has this line, thou art the potter, I am the clay. l. I believe Paul picked this analogy of fragile clay jars because that is truly the nature of our bodies.
l.i. Ladies, do you ever get discouraged when you discover a new wrinkle, a new varicose vein, a new ache or a new pain? l.ii. Men, do you ever get weary of seeing more of your hair in the shower drain than on your head? l.iii. We are indeed, fragile jars of clay. m. No one knew that better than the Apostle Paul. m.i. This man had seen his skin pickled in the Mediterranean sea when he was shipwrecked three times! m.ii. He had been beaten with rods, stoned and left for dead and many attempts had been made on his life. m.iii. He had been shackled in prison with no food or clothing to comfort him. m.iv. Yet, he also had what he called a thorn in the flesh he mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:7 which was some sort of physical ailment but didn t tell us what it was. n. Paul was all too familiar with the fact that we are nothing more than jars of clay. n.i. That s the bad news about our bodies.
n.ii. n.iii. Yet, there is also great news in v.7. What is it? We are vessels for God s treasure in this world. o. Let s stop ands get a framework for why Paul was calling himself and us jars of clay. o.i. o.ii. Remember, Paul had enemies in Corinth. (2 Cor 2:17 N.V.) Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. o.iii. There was a group of Jewish preachers who had come to Corinth for two purposes. (o.iii.1) First, they wanted to uncut the ministry of Paul. (o.iii.2) Second, they wanted to make sure the Corinthian Gentile Christians were also obedient to the law of Moses. p. I believe they came to town with great pomp and circumstance. p.i. (2 Cor 3:1 N.V.) Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
p.ii. These peddlers had come to Corinth waving around their letters of recommendation to build up themselves and tear down Paul. p.iii. They wanted to make themselves appear strong while pointing out the weakness of Paul s ministry. q. In a way, Paul agrees with his enemies in v.7 by calling himself a jar of clay. q.i. One of the most admirable traits about this man was that he never beat his own drum and he never tooted his own horn. q.ii. q.iii. Instead, Paul always gave credit where credit was due. (2 Cor 4:7 N.V.) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. q.iv. Yes, we may be just jars of clay that are fragile and weak but what makes us valuable is the treasure inside. q.v. We have an all-surpassing power that resides inside that is from God Himself. r. This letter was written to the Corinthian Christians.
r.i. It s like Paul was in a boxing match with the peddlers for profit. r.ii. The Apostle was in one corner and the peddlers were in another. r.iii. And the Corinthians were the judges keeping score to see who would win the fight. s. And Paul used some very unexpected tactics that proved that he was the one who was truly genuinely concerned about these brethren. t. The first thing I want you to see is... 2. God s Power in Us a. Let s see Paul making his case beginning in (2 Cor 4:7-12 N.V.) {7} But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this allsurpassing power is from God and not from us. {8} We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; {9} persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. {10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. {11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death
for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. {12} So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. b. If this had indeed been a boxing match between Paul and the peddlers, and you looked at the two combatants at the end of the fight, you would think that Paul had lost. b.i. He s got two black eyes, one ear looks like a head of cabbage and he s covered in blood figuratively speaking. b.ii. Paul said that he had been hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. b.iii. b.iv. Does that sound like a man who had the won the fight? No, he sounds like a jar of clay that had been smashed to pieces! c. Yet, it s not the condition of the jar that matters; it s the treasure inside that counts. c.i. (2 Cor 4:7 N.V.) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
c.ii. Do you remember what his opponents said about Paul later in this letter in 2 Corinthians 10:10, In person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing. c.iii. I think Paul was a very average or below average looking man. (c.iii.1) A woman wouldn t twice at him. (c.iii.2) He didn t have a mountain of muscles or an angelic face. (c.iii.3) In person, Paul was unimpressive. (c.iii.4) And, he didn t have a great speaking voice either and his enemies said his speaking amounts to nothing. c.iv. I believe his opponents were just the opposite. (c.iv.1) They were handsome, well built and well spoken. (c.iv.2) They a perfect contrast to Paul. (c.iv.3) Outwardly, this didn t look like a fair fight. d. Do you remember how Rocky would always look at the end of his fights? d.i. He never looked like the winner did he?
d.ii. Yet, victory is never determined by external appearances but rather by the power that comes from within. e. Paul had an ace in the hole that perfectly trumped the preaching peddlers. e.i. e.ii. What was it? It s found in (2 Cor 4:7 N.V.) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. f. Yes, Paul may have been hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted and struck down but he was not crushed. f.i. He was not in despair, he was not abandoned and he was not destroyed. f.ii. Why? He had God s all-surpassing power in that little clay jar of a body. f.iii. Today, nearly everyone in the world knows the name the Apostle Paul. f.iv. Yet, nobody even knows the name of those peddlers. g. Who do you think won the fight? h. It s not the jar that counts. What really matters?
h.i. It s the all surpassing power of God that works within us that matters. h.ii. h.iii. h.iv. Are you hard pressed on every side by some enemy? Are you perplexed about some problem? Are you being persecuted for your faith in Christ and feel as if you have been struck down in the boxing ring of life? h.v. h.vi. h.vii. Do you feel like a clay jar that has been smashed? Just remember this: it s not the jar that matters. What really counts? It s God s all surpassing power that is in us. i. (Eph 3:20-21 N.V.) {20} Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, {21} to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. j. Do you believe that God s power is at work within you? k. What event in your history convinced you that you had the Creator of the Universe working His surpassing power in your life?
k.i. Yes, you may only be a jar of clay but it s not the container that counts. k.ii. k.iii. It s the treasure inside that matters most. You have the light of the glory of God working within you to shine in the darkness of this world. l. In recent years, I have become a fan of the UFC. l.i. Do you know what that is? UFC stands for Ultimate Fighting Championship. l.ii. It s where those men and women get into an octagon cage and they box, wrestle, and kick their opponent until one of the two submits by tapping out. m. Any time those men are being interviewed before a fight, notice all the scars they ve accumulated through the years in competition. m.i. Their left ear will nearly always be twice it s normal size because most people are right handed and it hits the left ear. m.ii. Notice the scars on their foreheads and their cheek bones where they have hit year after year. m.iii. They will have those scars for life.
n. If you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you are going to have some scars too in your spiritual battles. n.i. (2 Cor 4:10-12 N.V.) {10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. {11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. {12} So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. n.ii. Paul said that he carried the death of Jesus with him everywhere so that the life of Jesus was revealed in Paul s scarred body. n.iii. People were constantly trying to kill him because of his work for Jesus Christ. n.iv. He had scars from beatings, stonings and shipwrecks. o. If you saw all that happening to Paul, what conclusion would draw about this man? Don t answer yet. o.i. Suppose you were a Corinthian and you were trying to decide who was telling the truth: Paul or the persuasive peddlers for profit, what would you conclude?
o.ii. What would his scars in his clay jar for the sake of Christ say to you? p. This man preached the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ at all cost for the lost. p.i. p.ii. Yet, when Paul did it, he paid a heavy price. And he told the Corinthians who trying to make up their minds whether to choose him or the peddlers... p.iii. (2 Cor 4:12 N.V.) So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. q. It you saw that little man risking his life day after day so that you might have eternal life, who would you chose? the persuasive peddlers with their spit and polish or this little unimpressive man with a weak voice? q.i. That s easy. (2 Cor 4:12 N.V.) So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. q.ii. Look at what he told these people in (1 Cor 15:31 N.V.) I die every day--i mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
r. Paul called himself a fragile jar of clay but that s not what mattered because inside was the all surpassing power of God at work within him. s. And so it is with you. s.i. s.ii. Yes, we are fragile. We are fallen and we are tempted to forget that it s not the jar that counts but rather the all surpassing power from God that works within us that matters. s.iii. Questions or comments? t. The second thing I want you to see is not only God s Power in Us 3. God s Purpose Through Us a. What is the Lord doing through these little jars of clay with His treasure inside? b. (2 Cor 4:13-15 N.V.) It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, {14} because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. {15} All this is for your
benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. c. I ask you again, What is the Lord doing through these little jars of clay with His treasure inside? c.i. God s purpose is revealed to us when Paul said in (2 Cor 4:15 N.V.) All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. d. Why does God put His treasure in these clay jars called human bodies? d.i. d.ii. What is the purpose for giving us His unlimited grace? It is for the reaching of more and more people for the one who lived, died and was raised to life again, Jesus Christ. d.iii. And when the Lord uses these clay jars for this purpose, it causes us to give thanks so that it overflows to the glory of the Father in Heaven. e. Notice again what Paul said in (2 Cor 4:13 N.V.) It is written: I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.
e.i. Any time you see the phrase in the New Testament, It is written... that is a reference to the Old Testament which was the written Word of God they had. e.ii. When he said, It is written... Paul was quoting from Psalm 116:10 where David was critically ill but the Lord had delivered him from death. e.iii. King David believed that God would restore his health and it was. e.iv. Therefore David spoke in bold praise of the Lord! f. Have you ever been really ill? Deathly ill? Has God ever allowed you to be taken right up to the very brink of death? g. Sometimes we are just like Humpty Dumpty. g.i. g.ii. Do you remember that nursery rhyme? Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall and all the kings horses and all the kings men, couldn t put Humpty Dumpty together again. h. Have you ever felt broken beyond repair but then you cried out to God for deliverance and He did?
h.i. Did it make you want to speak a good word for the Lord to anyone who would listen? h.ii. It s so wonderful when God puts these little broken jars of clay back together again. i. Brothers and sisters, Paul was Humpty Dumpty every day. i.i. It seemed like he had enemies knocking him off the wall constantly. i.ii. i.iii. Yet, Satan couldn t shut him up. (2 Cor 4:13 N.V.) It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak. j. Paul knew God had purpose for everything that happened to him including this attack from his enemies in Corinth. j.i. j.ii. He knew God had a plan for him. Therefore, Paul refused to be shamed into silence saying in (2 Cor 4:14 N.V.)...because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
k. Paul had been beaten, bloodied and was nearly broken but he always remembered God s purpose for it. k.i. Just as God the Father raised His Son from the dead, He will also raise us with Jesus and present all of us before the throne of God for eternal life. k.ii. It s so easy to take you eyes off the prize when you re suffering. k.iii. When Satan has you in a choke hold, all we see is the devil s armpit rather than the face of our loving Father in Heaven. l. Remember, Paul is doing his best to convince the Corinthians that he was the one who was working in their best interests rather than the peddlers for profit. l.i. He points out for them in (2 Cor 4:15 N.V.) All this is for your benefit... l.ii. All his suffering, all his sorrow, all his supplications to God was for their benefit. m. And the Lord s ultimate purpose for all this is reveal in the later part of the verse where it says in (2 Cor 4:15 N.V.) All this is for
your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. n. What was God s purpose for all that had happened to Paul according to this verse? Reaching more and more people which would cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. n.i. What happens when people see Satan throwing stones at you the little jar of clay and yet you refuse to crumble? n.ii. What happens when they see the all surpassing power of God s power being revealed in the way you respond to those who attack your faith in Christ? n.iii. What happens when you continue to speak a good word for Jesus Christ even when the people of this world want to silence you? More and more people will be reached by the grace of God which makes it all possible. o. That s God s purpose being revealed in your life. o.i. When they see you, just a normal, every day Christian who refuses to retaliate when persecuted, but rather you respond with kind to those who are being cruel to you, it causes people to want that same grace for their own lives.
o.ii. When you are persecuted but don t respond in kind, God gets glory. o.iii. (Mat 5:10-12 N.V.) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. o.iv. (Mat 5:16 N.V.) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. p. This is why Paul, the little jar of clay that held God s treasure, said to the Corinthians in (2 Cor 4:15 N.V.) All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. q. Questions or comments? r. The last thing we see in this text is... 4. God s Promise to Us
a. What if you are under assault for your faith? b. What if you are weary underneath the weight of your load as you struggle to serve Jesus? c. Someone has said that facing adversity is like staring at the knees of a giraffe. c.i. c.ii. The problem seems so big and you seem so small. You remember that you are just a jar of clay and forget the all surpassing power of God within you. d. What is God s promise to you? e. (2 Cor 4:16-18 N.V.) {16} Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. {17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. {18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. f. And all of God s people said... g. In spite of being attacked by the very congregation Paul planted, he said in v.16, We do not lose heart.
g.i. g.ii. Would you? If you were Paul and you had spent a good portion of your life living and dying to get these people to Heaven and then they turned on you like this, would you be tempted to lose heart? h. Is there someone you have fathered in the faith who has now turned on you? h.i. Have you raised a child in the faith but has now turned from the faith? h.ii. I have. And it is devastating when it happens. i. Yet, we don t lose heart. i.i. Yes, outwardly we are getting older and time is running out on reaching the person who has turned from the faith and has died spiritually. i.ii. i.iii. But what is happening to us who are faithful? Paul said in v.16, Inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
j. Even though Paul s body, his jar of clay, had been beaten, bloodied and pickled in the open sea, inwardly he was being renewed day by day. j.i. Brothers and sisters, for every new gray hair you get, for every new ache and pain you endure, for every new wrinkle you get in your skin, God makes a little stronger in your soul. j.ii. Let s compare what we are enduring with what we are getting and what we will receive. j.iii. (2 Cor 4:17 N.V.) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. k. When we see Jesus, it will have been worth it all. Amen? l. That s God s promise to His little jars of clay. l.i. You may be a cracked pot today but you are achieving an eternal glory that will far outweigh all the troubles you ve endured in this life. l.ii. l.iii. We don t look back at what has plagued us. We look forward to what God has promised us.
m. (2 Cor 4:18 N.V.) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. n. Do you remember all the horrors that Paul had seen? n.i. Persecution, prison, beatings, stoning, hunger, and being shipwrecked in the open sea. n.ii. Now, he was seeing his own spiritual children in Corinth turn on him. n.iii. n.iv. Yet, that still wasn t the place where his eyes were focused. (2 Cor 4:18 N.V.) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. n.v. n.vi. Paul refused to focus on the turncoats. His eyes remained fixed on getting as many of his faithful children to Heaven as possible. n.vii. n.viii. n.ix. All those troubles had a time limited stamped on them. All his difficulties would end. Yet, now he sees in eternity that which was unseen while he was on earth.
n.x. All of God s promises have now been delivered to that great man of God. o. That jar of clay truly understood that he possessed the all surpassing power of God and used for the glory of God even though he wasn t impressive physically or vocally. p. He continued to see the unseen even though Satan desperately wanted to blind him with all those troubles. q. I would to God that we could all remember that even though we are just jars of clay, it s what s inside that counts. r. Satan wants to blind us to this reality just as it says in (2 Cor 4:4 N.V.) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. s. Don t let Satan blind you to the all surpassing power of God that is within you. t. You keep your eyes focused on God s promise of the unseen world of eternity. u. Questions or comments? 5. Conclusion
a. You are God s jar of clay who have been given His all surpassing power to face whatever Satan throws at you. b. God s purpose for your life is to reach more and more people through the grace He has given us. c. God s promise is even though we may be wearing out and winding down in our bodies as we do His will, we are being renewed day by day in the midst of troubles and trials. d. Let s fix our eyes on not what is seen but rather what is unseen. e. Harry Winston was a famous diamond broker and he had a crowd gathered around him because he had purchased one of the most famous diamonds in the world and he was expecting it to be delivered to him at any moment. In the crowd were friends and news reporters and curious onlookers, all anxious for the first glimpse of the famous stone. While they waited, Mr. Winston entertained them with stories from the diamond s past history. The crowd buzzed with excitement. The people kept watching for the armored car and police escort that would make the delivery. Security was to be tight. At the edge of the crowd a man in a postman s uniform tried to make his way through, but he was
shoved back. The people wanted nothing to distract attention from the arrival of the fabled gem. The crowd grew. Selfappointed sentinels kept their eyes on the roadway, ready to shout the arrival of the armed escort. Again the postman tried to push through the crowd. In his hand he clutched a brown paper parcel tied with string. He said he had to deliver it to Mr. Winston. Finally, with more irritation than courtesy, they let the stubborn postman through. Mr. Winston took the parcel, glanced at the return address, and gave a short cry. With trembling hands he torn the paper away from a small box. Then he opened it and tenderly lifted the precious diamond for all to see. He held it up to the sun and let the gem s reflections play over the amazed crowd. For a few moments they stood in stunned silence. How could such a fabled beauty arrive in such a common wrapping? And they burst into a loud spontaneous cheer! But no one in that crowd ever forgot how they had almost rejected one of the world s most precious diamonds. f. 2000 years ago Heaven s most precious gem was also delivered in a very usual fashion as well.
f.i. God in flesh was born in a barn with animal droppings on the floor. f.ii. He was entrusted to a pair of young Jewish parents who were so poor they could not even offer a lamb in sacrifice to God as the law commanded when a child was born. f.iii. He grew up in a poor town called Nazareth where his father had a blue collar job as a carpenter. g. You ve all seen pictures of Jesus. g.i. How do you think he looked? g.ii. The Bible tells us this about His appearance in Isaiah 53:2, He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. h. Do you know what that means? h.i. Jesus came into this world a in very plain wrapping but inside was Heaven s gem of perfect beauty. h.ii. When God became one of us, He came as a plain jar of clay that contained Heaven s greatest treasure. h.iii. Yet, He was the light of the world and now that light lives within you.
h.iv. h.v. It s the light that made Paul the powerful Apostle. And it is the all surpassing power that God has placed with each one of jars of clay to accomplish His purpose so that in eternity we will be given all of God s promises. i. And all of God s jars of clay said...