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Jars of Clay
Bible Reference: 2 Cor. 4:1-18
Date: 01/03/2010
Introduction:
A. The New Year has begun. For many, it is time of renewed desire to make positive changes in their life. For a few, it is a time to make resolutions, commitments, to do or stop doing something so that you are a better person, more fit person, or a more spiritual person. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make these changes. It is called repentance and it is demanded by God if we plan to live with Him for eternity. But even in repentance, we must be careful, let we place too much of our own self, our own works, as the center of this change and not realize the working of the Holy Spirit within our lives, drawing us closer to God as we flea Satan. Do I have things I control? Yes. Is it absolutely only in me that I live, and move and have my very being? No. It is faith and works coming together; a concept some refuse to believe.
B. The beginning of change does not lie within me, but stems from God Himself, calling, drawing, revealing and opening my eyes and heart. As I listen to His voice, I am compelled by His love to repent, to change my thoughts and actions.
C. I want you to have a Biblical concept of who you are. The simple statement is that “I am nothing.” In his affliction Job asks God, “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention?” (Job 7:17) David, as he considers the greatness and wonder of the Creator of the universe looking down upon him twice rhetorically asks, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Ps 8:4; 144:3)
D. The truth is, we are nothing, yet God has made us something. There is nothing so great or wondrous about any person in the world that God needs. God condescends to us, he desires for us to open ourselves up to him. I want you to leave here knowing that God so loves you that if you will but humbly serve him, he will lift you up. He will do great things in and through you. When God lives inside of you, you who are nothing more than a jar of clay, become a vessel through whom His all-surpassing power is shown. Are you ready for that power, no matter the cost? Are you willing to be the jar of clay in a world that wields hammers against you?
I. The Greatest Evangelist
A. It was near lectureship time when I was in college. A time when preachers from all over would gather on our campus for a week of classes, sermons, and lectures to help them grow. The names of some great preachers, educators and people were invited to come and deliver the keynotes. As we Bible major prepared for that week, one of the kids asked a Bible professor who he thought the greatest preacher was in our brother. I had a few names in mind, but I waited to hear whom this professor might say. Without much time elapsing, he simply said, “Probably some preacher in a little congregation that no one knows who is devoting his life to telling the saving story of Jesus to people the rest of the world would not find important.” We all were silent as we pondered the thought.
B. Paul says the church in Corinth, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Each of us has the ability to share our life, our salvation, our faith, our understanding, our example of what it means to be a Christian with those around us. No one is so great that the world believes based upon our eloquence of speech or human wisdom. The world believes because they see flawed people who live in confidence. The world believes because they see people in pain having a peace that surpasses all understanding. The world believes because they see people faith in a world of doubt.
C. Paul admits that living the Christian life and sharing the good news of Jesus has physical drawbacks. There is trials and persecution that can come when we live according to the teachings of God Word and not according to the society in which we dwell. The very first verse of this chapter begins, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” When you reach the last paragraph of this chapter we hear Paul’s pleading again to keep the faith (verses 16-17). Yes, we are hard pressed on every side, se we are perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. But listen to what Paul says in each of those situations (verses 8-9). And even, even if it would cause our death to stand up for our faith, listen to Paul’s words (verse 13-14).
D. You are a jar of clay, no matter what life brings to you. The bigger question is what is it that you contain as jar of clay? Do you contain God’s power or nothing more than man’s might?
II. Examples of Jars of Clay
A. Let me give you a few real life examples of what it means to be jars of clay. Growing up we would have Gospel Meetings. It was like a Friends Day only longer. We would invite friends, neighbors, acquaintances and also strangers through mass marketing the church services. One lady we called Aunt Ivy had a great heart for God. She could not do much, did not have much and often felt that God could a whole lot more through other people. But she wanted people to come to this Gospel Meeting. So she took invitations and addressed them to as many people as she knew who lived in the area. As she was at the post office mailing those letters she dropped dead of a massive heart attack.
B. Richard Rogers, one of our great preachers in the church loved to tell the story about a man he met in a gospel meeting in Texas. His name was Fred. In the 70's this mildly retarded trash man was brought to Christ. Fred loved God with all his heart and wanted to tell others about Jesus. They only problem was that he couldn't speak very well, and, well, was a mildly retarded trash man. That didn't stop Fred. He left tracts at people's houses when he emptied their trash and whenever he had the chance would talk to them about Christ in his simple manner. When Fred died, 3000 people attended his funeral; many of them Christians because of a mildly retarded trash man who loved Jesus.
C. David saw himself a simple shepherd that God lifted up to become king of all Israel. Paul saw himself as chief of all sinners that God sent out as messenger to the Gentiles and kings. Philip was seen by the church in Jerusalem as one of seven men filled with the Holy Spirit and the Bible says that he preached Jesus in Samaria, to an Ethiopian traveling home, and finally ended up in Caesarea preaching the good news of Jesus. Josiah was 8 years old when he became king of Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. When he was 26 years old He wanted to see some work done on the Temple of the Lord. During this time the high priest found the Book of the Law. The Book of the Law was read to the King. At this reading Josiah tore his robes. Then he took an action step. The king called together all the elders, and all the people – from the least to the greatest, and he read in their hearing the Book of the Covenant which was found in the temple.
Conclusion:
A. We too can experiences a spiritual renew when we come to read, study and fill our hearts with the Word of God. Take the action step of study. We too can be a clay jar filled with the power of God like Paul, David or others I have mentioned.
B. This is a new year and there is no reason why it cannot be a great year. Paul closed this section with these words (vs. 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.” Let us “fix our eyes” on what is eternal. Together with God all things are possible. We as a church can look forward to great things God has placed upon us to do, because we believe His power is at work in us.
C. This year can be a year of personal spiritual growth for you. All you must do is learn to be a clay jar and let God work in and through you. Don’t deny his power, don’t quench his Spirit, but humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up. If you are in need of his lifting and our prayers, then come as we stand and sing.
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