TREASURES IN EARTHEN VESSELS

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6

A. "FOR GOD, WHO COMMANDED THE LIGHT TO SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS HATH SHINED IN OUR HEARTS TO GIVE THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST. BUT WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF GOD AND NOT IN US"
  1. The context shows very clearly:
    1. That the treasure in earthen vessels is the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ
    2. To Paul that treasure surpassed anything else he could think of
  2. The earthen vessel is, of course:
    1. The human instrument chosen to carry the divine treasure
    2. Such a means for such heavenly values was too awe-inspiring for Paul to think of
B. LET US ATTEMPT TO ANALYZE THE GREAT TRUTHS OF OUR TEXT
  1. "Earthen vessels"
    1. God has chosen as ministers of the gospel "earthen vessels" not angels or other celestial beings - not heavenly vessels - but "earthly"
    2. He began this choice when the Son of God became, also, the Son of man, taking upon Himself the seed of Abraham - Heb. 2:14-17; Gal. 4:4
    3. "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth" - John 1:14
    4. "Earthen vessels" - men - frail - Ps. 103:14; imperfect - Ps. 62:9; lowly - I Sam. 9:21; weak - John 15:5; and unimposing - Is. 53:1-6
  2. The earthen vessels are held in the Divine Hand:
    1. That makes all the difference - "He had in His right hand seven stars" - Rev. 1:16
    2. Paul was by trade a "tent maker" and the world saw nothing on him or about him that would mark him as bearing the great treasure of Heaven, the plan of salvation
    3. The earthen vessel of Paul was exposed to many mortal dangers - Satan, who knew of the treasure Paul had been entrusted with, sought on many occasions to destroy it, but he failed; not until it finished its mission
C. IN CLOSING LET US NOTE TWO VERY GLORIOUS POINTS IN OUR SUBJECT
  1. A great treasure is committed to earthen vessels:
    1. That treasure is the truth as it is in Jesus - the gospel of Jesus Christ; "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace to reveal His Son in me that I might preach Him among the heathens" - Gal. 1:15-16
    2. Said Jesus to the early disciples, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the ends of the earth" - Acts 1:8
  2. Note these points:
    1. Ministers do not have to originate what they carry, their vessel is filled with the Divine source of light and truth
    2. They are in the hand of God to be poured out to men
    3. There are times when God allows the vessels to be shaken, only to make known the treasures of divine grace more fully
    4. The vessel must be the servant the means as the alabaster box was to carry the ointment
  3. The object of the "earthen vessel" is clear:
    1. To bless and enrich other earthen vessels with the divine truths; the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ; even Christ became poor to make us rich - 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 8:20; Luke 9:58
    2. Let us keep in mind, that no earthly vessel possesses any glory in itself; it is the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ that shines brightly in and through the life of God's messenger - Is. 52:7-9
    3. And we must not overlook the promise that these earthly vessels will someday soon be changed into the glorious likeness of the glorious body of the Lord Jesus Christ - I Cor. 15:45-58
    4. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" - Phil. 3:20-21


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