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It is not fitting that a man should put a beautiful photograph or painting in some tawdry frame – or a priceless jewel in a cardboard box. That would not be appropriate – would it? Yet, Paul sees that this is precisely what Almighty God has done in Jesus Christ.

2Corinthians 4verse 7 – We have this treasure in earthen vessels or jars of clay.

What a contrast – the magnificence of Jesus Christ and his mercy and grace and love and power – and the apparent worthlessness of these sinful human hearts – infallible truth imparted and committed to fallible men – amazing good news given to fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots, and the like of us.

Is this not all so very wrong – and yet it must be right, because it is God’s doing!

Paul is writing this and his reason is that no matter what the Church of Jesus Christ might do – the work cannot be explained by any human skill or ability or virtue or prowess – the only valid explanation is that it is God at work. It is to show that what lies behind all this is Almighty God.

I have found that so comforting over these weeks and months.

We have this treasure – that is Paul’s evaluation of the Gospel – is it our evaluation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Ttreasure.

In this world of computers and electronics and so-called progress – and walking on the moon – and global travel – God places His treasure in earthen vessels – which can be easily cracked and sometimes even broken.

Paul borrowed this picture from Jesus. Jesus spoke about that treasure found in a field. Jesus spoke about that pearl of great price. Matthew 13verse 44 .

That merchant went and sold his whole collection of pearls to buy this pearl of great price. Jesus explained that that is what it means to find the Kingdom of God.

Faith in Christ – what is it – it comes to someone who may be a total nobody – it may come to someone who is struggling with life – it may come to someone who feels so insignificant and worthless – and Jesus says, I want you!

Faith comes to someone who is weary and frustrated and tense and afraid and shy and sinful and aware of it – and offers treasure and riches and forgiveness and peace and blessing – and courage and power – and so much more.

Paul writes about “unsearchable riches” – and “unspeakable gifts” – we have this treasure! It was this treasure that transformed Paul into a missionary and preacher and pastor and writer – and prisoner.

Why did he write this to Corinth – it was the worst of cities – it was the byword for going to the devil. The church was in one mess after another – and he says we earthen vessels have this treasure!

Our cities and church situations today are no worse than they were then!

“I must declare this thing or die – necessity is laid upon me – woe is me if I preach not the Gospel!” All this man did was to share the riches he possessed. All the springs of missionary evangelistic power can be summed up in three words – Jesus, priceless treasure!

But we must look at the container! Dare we? To attempt to launch a Church in Corinth was humanly speaking just daft – wrong place – they are not interested – too much sin and pleasure - and yet our God chose this unlikely man and this unlikely city.

The world would not have given this city a second look – what for, faith and morality and cleansing and forgiveness and witness and light – that crowd? Never! Do we see ourselves in this?

They were worse than the dust beneath Caesar’s chariot wheels!

Paul had no illusions – not many wise – not many mighty – not many noble – are called and chosen. God, why do you want to work with such an odd selection of rather useless vessels? “Ah, because my ways are not your ways, dear world!”

Take heart from this – especially when we see the crippling stupid divisions in the church – and all its flaws and blunders and complacency.

Is this really the instrument of Christ? “How much more of an earthen vessel would you like to be?”

Paul was an earthen vessel himself – same letter – his bodily presence was not very much and his speech contemptible. He never forgot that he had been a murderer!

Who am I to be an ambassador of this royal Redeemer? Who am I to be a specimen of the mercy and grace and love of the crucified and risen Son of God?

This has been the unlikely story of the Church down through these past 2,000 years! – treasure in earthen vessels.

Do you know what can happen at times – one man can want the treasure without the earthen vessel! That is not on! Give me Jesus Christ, but not the Church – NO!

I just want this drink of water without the cup – impossible! Such a man scorns the very thing for which Jesus Christ thought it worthwhile to die.

Of course, there is another man who says – if you are all God can choose and call and use – some God – what would I want to be part of you lot for? Do not speak to me about your great treasure unless you have something better than a clay pot to show.

Another may say – come on then – if you want to house this great treasure, then let us have the most magnificent building possible – commensurate with your great commission and commander.

Men once though that the church should be so grand and imposing that its top would reach to heaven – but God flung down that tower of Babel! Listen to Jeremiah ( Chapter 5 verse 10 ) – Take away her battlements – for they are not the Lord’s.

The treasure has been put into this clay pot – not by mistake – and not because nothing better was available. It has been put there deliberately – because it is upon human weakness and not human strength and ability and prowess that God chooses to build His Kingdom.

Is it not a great thing to know that God can use us not merely despite our disqualifying infirmities but because of them?

God will use the Church when it stops aiming at prosperity and prestige, and stops being infected by the world’s ideas and standards – and stops wanting to be strong as the world counts strength.

“Lord, take this earthen vessel – this clay pot – and let the world see the excellency of the power is from You.”

Moses – Isaiah – Jeremiah – knew all about being unusable – but God used them.

Why would any man arise to speak and preach and teach seeking to win and influence the world – if it were not that Almighty God was behind him and that in his clay pot there was spiritual treasure? This applies to the whole range of our Christian life and witness and testimony.

If you see the truth in this – then you will also see that the Church of Jesus Christ can be irresistible, anywhere, and the empowered and anointed believer undefeatable.

This Church in Corinth ought to have been, humanly speaking, in a chronic state of doom and despair – “the offscourings of the earth” they were called.

When we are at the end of our tether and surrounded by so many who oppose and criticise and ridicule and laugh and persecute – remember they are only laughing at a clay pot, because they are unaware of the treasure within – or are they – and that is why some react the way they do?

Peter and John were recognised as unschooled ordinary men – but who had been with Jesus.

Our faith is not a vague abstraction called “the Christian life” – but living treasure. Why Oh God did You put it in these earthen vessels? You will understand more fully one day – just be glad and grateful that you have this treasure.

“Lord God – take this earthen vessel – this clay pot – let the world see that the excellency of the power is from You. Take these weaknesses – these areas where I feel vulnerable and about to break at time – may the treasure of the gospel of Jesus Christ continue to be contained – but not only contained – but rather shining through the many cracks. Thank you Jesus for this precious treasure.” Amen.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Renew a Right Spirit