TREASURE IN CLAY-2 COR 4:7
Text:- 2 Cor 4:1-18
Introduction
Treasure in Clay Isa 64:8, Rm
9:19-24
While we were worthless,
shapeless, formless, lifeless and dirty, the Lord stooped low to where we were,
with His hands he fashioned us out and put His very precious treasure no. 1
(the breadth of life) in us to become living souls and so we become active. He
did not stop there, He also blessed us each with gifts with which He wants us
to perform our earthly activities-Lk
8:16
Treasure- Mt 19:21, Lk 12:21,
Mt 6 19, Col
According
to Oxford
Clay- stiff sticky earth, used for
making bricks, pottery, etc. 2. substance of the human body.
Without
God, we would have been just stiff and sticky earth.
Earthen- made of earth or baked clay
Characteristics of Clay a
vessel- Jer18:1-5
Fragile –if it falls, it scatters to
pieces; If not well burnt, it wears easily chops off and breaks up at the
slightest pressure.
The strength of a clay vessel is determined
by how hot the fire that burns it is and how long it spends in the fire.
By implication of the meaning
of clay, it is useless, supposed to be walked upon, common, dirty and shapeless
in it natural form.
Why Treasure in Clay?
Judges 13:5, Jer 1:5, 1Sam 15:17 , Luke 1:13-16, Matt 1:21
·
So that we will not boast of our achievements
·
So that we should not boast or be discontent how we are made.
·
So that we don’t condemn other people.
·
So that self realization will lead us to thank God more and more
·
So that the Excellency of power will be of God alone
·
So that clay can manifest extraordinarily, do the impossible, withstand
pressures and the heats of life, smile at the storm
and
show forth the glorious workmanship of the Porter.
Treasure in clay is always for
a special purpose-you are not common but you are unique, uniquely formed for a
special assignment. You carry something on the inside of you which no one else
carries.
Why are We So Afflicted?
We are
not afflicted by satan because we are clay; rather he is out to squeeze out of
us the treasure of God without which he knows we are clay-useless, worthless…Jn 10:10, but God says the temptations
we are passing through are common to man-1Cor10:13
Why would God Allow Affliction
As
clay we need some fire to be strong Isa
48:1&10
Forms of Afflictions-
Pressed so hard- when
situations that seem to press us so hard confront us, it is to make us give up.
On our own we will give up but because God is holding this fragile clay
carrying His treasure, we are not crushed.
Perplex- 1 puzzle, bewilder, or
disconcert(disturb the composure of). 2 complicate or confuse (a matter).
The
enemy brings this condition so that we may lose hope. Naturally perplexed clay
would despair. You have not despite being perplexed because of Jesus
in you-the hope of glory.
Persecuted –deliberately
pushing someone to force him to change his mind or back out of what he believes
in possibly by intimidation (Your decision to follow Jesus can earn you
persecution from your family, your friends, relations, or even at your work
place)
Persecution
comes our ways with the aim of causing us to possibly curse God and die but
because of Jesus who on our side and will not abandon us, we are able
to endure.
Struck down
A
believer who is struck down by the devil’s expectation is supposed to be destroyed.
However it is the aim of God to after bringing the clay though fire, keep him
in his royal place of the King’s palace, sited with Christ Jesus far above
principalities----Eph 1:17-21.
To
carry the dieing of Jesus is to conduct ourselves in such a way that we know
always that we live not for ourselves but for Jesus who died for our sake.
Excellent Treasure Clay (In
Earthen Vessels)
Apostle
Paul-2Cor11:22-27,32, Rm8:35-39
Stephen-Acts7:54-55,59-60
Peter-Act 2:14,40-46
What Are these Treasures?
Spiritual gifts-1Cor 12:1-12
Faith
in God, Love, Zeal for God, physical strength, spiritual strength, courage,
spiritual gifts.
You Need Revival
Stir
up the gift - 2Tim 1:6
Break
up Your fallow ground – Jer4:3
Awake
from Sleep-Rm13:11-14, 1Cor 15:34
Decide
finally for Jesus quit the valley of decision for it is dangerous. Joel 3:13-15
Conclusion
If we
safely contain this treasure that God has put in us, He is able also to raise
us up with Jesus Christ on that day, therefore, let us focus on eternal things
for our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory. Get up and begin to work the work our Lord Jesus Christ has called you
to knowing that you are a treasure in clay(earthen vessel)
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