Message of the Week

The Little White Community Church

Scripture: II Cor. 4: 1-17 May 5, 2024

Message: “Jars of Clay!”                 

by Pastor George Gnade

Intro.: 1. Last week we talked about the glory of the Lord that shines in our hearts through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s point was it would shine brighter and brighter the longer we knew Jesus and allowed His Spirit to transform us into His image.

2. In II Cor. 4: 5-6, Paul explained it this way: “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.”

A. Let us take a few minutes to explain what Paul meant.

1. At the creation of the world, God made His light shine into the darkness of space as He began His work of creating the world. Now as God remakes us into new creations in Christ Jesus, He does an even greater miracle by allowing the glory of Christ that He places within us to shine through us.

2. If you remember, when God gave Moses the Law on Mt Sinai and often talked to Moses as He led the people of Israel through the wilderness on their way to the promised land of Canaan, Moses’ face would shine for a long time as it slowly wore off. In the meantime, He would wear a veil over his face as he interacted with the people.

a. But when Jesus came into the world to live among us, the glory of the Lord was revealed in everything He did.

And when Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, the glory of the Lord increased and will never fade away. 

b. That glory – what Paul called the “light of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord in the face of Christ” – is the glory that can also shine through our faces as we do our best to stay close to Jesus and grow in our knowledge of Jesus, and learn to live through the power of Jesus.

3. So the first question we need to ask ourselves is: “Am I allowing Jesus to shine through me?” Do people know I am a Christian and can they see the difference that Jesus is making in my life? As we pray about this, it should motivate us to stay as close to Jesus as we can.

B. In the process, we can’t help but notice another contrast that Paul brings to our attention. In II Cor. 4:7, he writes: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

1. Having Jesus in our hearts is a fantastic treasure. The amazing thing is His willingness to live inside of us! Paul reminds us that we are like jars of clay in comparison.

a. Notice Paul said “we”. He was especially talking about himself and the other apostles. They were given the treasure of God’s Word and the gift of Christ in their hearts, not so they could brag about themselves, but so they could brag about Jesus and share Jesus with us.

b. Consider how Paul described himself and his fellow workers. In II Cor. 4: 5- 8-9, he writes: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.”

2. Have you ever felt that way? Being a Christian does not necessarily mean life is easier. Sometimes having this treasure makes us even more vulnerable. The world rejected  Jesus, not because He was so bad, but because He was so good. They couldn’t help but realize that He made them look bad. Therefore, they hated Him without a cause.

That happens to us too! In fact, it is happening to Christians all around the world even now.

3. But that is not the only problem Paul had. He was also very human and his body was growing older and he realized he was wearing out!

a. In vs, 16, he writes: “Outwardly we are wasting away!” Surely we can all identify with that too. When we look around us and see our friends and loved ones growing older and even dying, it makes us realize how vulnerable we ourselves really are.

b. So when Paul called himself a jar of clay, implying we are also just jars of clay, clearly we are not very impressive!  I like to say we are all like cracked pots made of clay! Why would God in Christ ever choose us? Why would He put the greatest treasure in all the world inside of us?  

4. But that is exactly what God has done! This miracle changes how we as Christians can look at life. In fact, it even changes how God wants us to look at ourselves!

a. Listen as I read what Paul says in II Cor. 4: 16-17.

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and temporary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

b. Based on this promise that we claim in faith, he writes in vs. 18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is not seen. What is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.”

5. Yes, Jesus wants us to live with our spiritual eyes on the world to come, not on the world around us.  

C. Finally this morning, consider why God has put His treasure inside of people like us who are like jars of clay.

1. The answer is found in vs.7. Paul writes: “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

a. In plain words, our humanness, our tendency to make mistakes, even our helplessness to help ourselves, all make the light of the glory of the Lord more obvious. 

b. In Paul’s case, when God used him to do a miracle, his own weaknesses proved the credit did not belong to Paul but to the Lord Jesus working in and through Paul.

2. The same is true for each of us. As I turn 80, I find myself going momentarily blank or saying the wrong thing or being unable to do the chores I use to do.  So when the Lord puts me in the right place at the right time and gives me the right words to say, I know He deserves all the glory.

3. I have heard many stories of people who did not know the Lord refusing to listen to their Christian loved one until he or she got sick. But when the Christian’s faith shined through even in their illness, then the unbeliever was far more open to what they had to say.

a. Add to that the non-Christian’s own limitations and illnesses as he or she grows older is often used by God make them realize they need the Lord. And that is when they remember the testimony of the one who tried to point them to Christ when they were younger.

b. That is why prayer and a consistent Christian life are so important, especially as we ourselves grow older.  Since we are all like jars of clay, when we are truly saved, the power of Christ shines through and Jesus gets the glory He deserves, and not we ourselves.

In Conclusion: 1. Next time you feel like Paul felt, perplexed, depressed, or frustrated by life’s problems, keep reminding yourself that that is exactly when the Lord can use you the most.  

2. The more you need His help, the brighter the light of His glory will shine. If you pray for grace in the midst of these problems, you will be surprised what God can do.

Before you know it, you will “fly away” and be with Him.

3. And besides that, keep reminding yourself that this world is not your home. You are just passing through. So all your problems are just temporary.