Title: Earthenware containing the treasure / / 2004.2.1
Content silver earthenware
2 Corinthians 4:7-10, Isaiah 43:1-3
The Apostle Paul referred to Christians as earthen vessels with treasures. Earthenware, in our way, refers to a pot or a clay pot. Earthenware can be seen all around us. Earthenware is used by everyone, but it is not a precious or expensive vessel. But the apostle Paul called our saints earthen vessels. There are many names of bowls such as gold bowls, silver bowls, bronze bowls, and celadon bowls, so why did they say cheap earthenware?
When the Apostle Paul said that life is a vessel of earthenware, it is a metaphorical expression that our life is not a noble being by itself. Life is just like earthenware in the flesh, it's a being of little value.
It is saying that something that is not an earthen vessel--the word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and faith in eternity must be contained in that earthen vessel-like body to become a truly valuable existence, a truly noble existence, and a truly beautiful life.
Actually, the vessel exists to contain something, not for the vessel itself. A container becomes a useful container for holding something. And depending on what it contains, its value will be completely different. When it contains rice, it becomes a bowl of rice, when it contains filth, it becomes a bowl of filth, and when it contains treasure, it becomes a treasure trove.
Our reality is nothing more than earthenware, which is of little value and is easily broken. However, just as the value changes when we put it in a clay vessel, our identity changes when we have Jesus, who is treasured in our difficult life, in us.
To those who receive it, to those who believe in his name,
He gave the right to become children of God John 1:12
Power and authority are different. Even if you don't have the ability, if you have authority, you will show more power than your ability. The president has no ability or skill to fly airplanes. But there is power. Even if the president does not have the ability, if he gives orders with his authority, he can have fighters all over the country take off at the same time. We do it by authority, not by ability. We are like earthenware. Fragile, fragile. But to those who received Jesus, those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Therefore, as the treasure of Jesus Christ contained in the earthen vessel, we are able to overcome the world.
The apostle Paul said:
We have this treasure in earthen vessels
For the exceeding greatness of power belongs to God,
so that we may know that we do not have it.
Although we are afflicted on every side, we are not crushed.
Do not become discouraged even when faced with perplexity
Persecuted, but not forsaken
Even though they are overthrown, they do not perish
that we always carry in our bodies the death of Jesus
that the life of Jesus might also be revealed in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
When we live in the world, how often do we get bullied? How often do you get frustrated when things don't go the way you want them to? There are even times when we fall and stumble as if we are being knocked over. But the people of God can always arise anew through Jesus who is in them. Through the grace of Jachin, we are rebuilt. We receive new power through the grace of Boaz. Thus, even though we are stricken in all directions, we are not crushed, we are not discouraged even when we are frustrated, and we are thrown down but not destroyed. Because the life of Jesus works in him.
King Ben-hadad of Syria made a plan to capture the prophet Elisha. Secretly all night long, Dothan Castle, where Elisha was, was surrounded by secrets. When the morning came, Elisha's servant went out and saw this scene, and ran in astonished to inform Elisha of the situation. Then Elisha said to the servant. “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16) and prayed. "God, open my eyes so that I can see." Then God opened the servant's eyes and he could see that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. In the end, the Syrian army returned without taking Elisha as a prisoner.
In our lifetimes, there are times when we are surrounded by the same problems as the Syrian army around us. It's not just once or twice when you're surrounded by all sorts of things. Sin, the temptations of the world, and disease surround us. Or the worries and worries of life, anxiety and despair surround us and attack us. At that time, if we try to fight with our own strength, our earthenware will inevitably break. But things are different when we rely on Jesus in us. We need to know that Jesus is in us. We must believe that the Holy Spirit is within us. We must trust and rely on God. Never look back at the environment and look back in fear.
Your body is what you received from God.
Don't you know that it is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you?
You are not yours, but you were bought with a price.
Therefore glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Those who believe in Jesus Christ are earthen vessels that contain the treasure of the Holy Spirit in their spirit. People who believe in God are silver and earthen vessels that are renewed day by day, even if their outer man is decaying. The earthen vessel with this treasure of faith can overcome all the tribulation and suffering of life, even if it is weak.
Fear not, I have redeemed you
I have called you by name; you are mine.
I will be with you as you pass through the waters.
When you cross the river, the water will not sink you.
You will not be burned when you walk in the fire.
The flame will not consume you, for I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your savior Isaiah 43:1-3
Our lives are like earthenware, but when God is with us, we become people of power. Life is weak like the grass of the field, but when we hold onto the promises of God, we become courageous.
The Jesus you believe in--believe that He is the Treasure.
The faith you have--believe that it is a treasure.
The Word at work in you--believe that it is a treasure.
The Holy Spirit that moves your hearts--He is the treasure in you.
With this treasure, I hope you will overcome the world, change the world, solve problems, and become saints who make the world new.
Today we participate in the Lord's Supper, where we put the food of God back into our souls. I hope that you will become saints who become holy vessels by eating the heavenly food by containing this treasure of grace, the treasure of faith, and the grace of the Holy Spirit in us like earthen vessels.
One of my favorite hymns is this one.
The manna of heaven for the bread of life
Give your heart to the poor.
Have mercy on us low and lowly
Lord, Lord, feed me. Lord, Lord, feed me.
As the Lord breaks bread on the seashore
Give me the bread of heaven.
Have mercy on us low and lowly
Lord, Lord, give me food. Lord, Lord, feed me
(From Frank's 'Bread of Life')
God's Blessing Time I pray that this will be a blessed time when your soul is once again purified, the authority of God's children is restored, and new powers are gained through the Holy Communion.
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