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"This treasure in earthen vessels..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:7

TREASURES OF OUR HEART

It is almost innate within us as human beings to have “treasures”. Some treasure wealth. Others consider experience. The greatest challenge is to have “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). For where our treasure is our heart would be there too (Matthew 6:21).

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power may be of God
and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7

1. “We have this treasure”

a) Paul did not elaborate on what this treasure is.

b) What were some possible treasures he had in his heart?

i) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

ii) The Lord Jesus Christ Himself

2. “In earthen vessels”

a) Paul was conscious of the frailty of the human body.

b) He called the body an “earthen vessel”.

c) But in our earthen vessels we have

i) The Lord Jesus Christ.

ii) A wonderful living faith.

3. “That the excellence of the power”

a) The power of God is needed for effective ministry.

b) That power is made available to all who seek to serve the Lord.

c) We have a great new covenant ministry (2 Corinthians 3:1-11).

d) The power of God made available to us is truly “excellent”.

4. “May be of God”

a) The power seen in our life should cause people to think of God.

b) This was something that Paul kept emphasising in his writings (Ephesians 1:19; Colossians 1:11).

c) This power of God must be sought humbly in prayer.

5. “And not of us”

a) The sinful tendency of human beings is to take credit instead of giving glory to God.

b) We are reminded that we are but earthen vessels and thus weak.

c) May all glory be given to God for the power that He grants to live for Him and to serve Him.