Elements City Church
Foundational Faith week 5: Jars of Clay (2 Cor. 4)
In a world that seeks out treasure, the Apostle Paul is going to remind us of the immense and incredible treasure that’s deposited within ordinary people like us through faith in Christ. We’re ‘jars of clay’ but with the unimaginable treasure of the gospel given to us. A treasure that makes us strong, even though we’re fragile, it makes us endure even when we face pressure and it guarantees that God will never abandon us. Thanks to Jesus (the treasure) we are secure, strong and can remain steadfast.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 4:00 PM
Welcome to Elements City Church
We're excited you've chosen to join us in worship for The Holy Roar at Four! Whether you're on-site or online, we are praying that this time will be an encouragement to you! If you're new and want to get connected, we'd love to hep you do so. Click the link below to fill out our Connection Card.
https://connect-card.com/yr4Y0g8VLBSqzKXeubjbHow might we pray for you?
If you have a prayer request you'd like our Elders and Prayer Team to pray for, click the link below to share it with us.
https://elementscitychurch.snappages.site/prayer-requestWhat's the best treasure hunting movie series?
Lots of treasure maps say it’s the X that marks the spot — the treasure is there!
The Apostle Paul (2 Cor 4) is going to help us discover the greatest treasure that’s ever been given — and it may not look like you think it does… but he’s going to point to the immense and unfathomable treasure of the gospel; the gospel of grace that makes us right with our Creator and it’s the Cross that marks the spot - in this treasure of Jesus!
Lots of treasure maps say it’s the X that marks the spot — the treasure is there!
The Apostle Paul (2 Cor 4) is going to help us discover the greatest treasure that’s ever been given — and it may not look like you think it does… but he’s going to point to the immense and unfathomable treasure of the gospel; the gospel of grace that makes us right with our Creator and it’s the Cross that marks the spot - in this treasure of Jesus!
The treasure he's talking about is the gospel; not just the message of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the power behind the message—the very life of God available through faith in Christ.
Paul creates this great juxtaposition: God has taken this great treasure, the life of Christ, and placed it in people like you and me, who are as common and fragile as jars of clay…(harkening back to how we’ve been made: dirt that God breathed in)
=Why would God store something so valuable in a container so ordinary?
God stores his treasure in fragile containers—like us—to display His life-giving power. That way, it is clear that whatever we accomplish is done only by God's power.
=Why would God store something so valuable in a container so ordinary?
God stores his treasure in fragile containers—like us—to display His life-giving power. That way, it is clear that whatever we accomplish is done only by God's power.
It doesn't make sense to place something so valuable in a container so ordinary, unless, of course, you want people to notice the treasure and not the container.
How did Paul say it??
We are pressed against - but we are not crushed (thanks to Jesus)
We are perplexed - but we don’t despair
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God
We get knocked down, but we’re not destroyed
We are pressed against - but we are not crushed (thanks to Jesus)
We are perplexed - but we don’t despair
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God
We get knocked down, but we’re not destroyed
What God deposits his treasure within - will never be forgotten, cast aside or destroyed. He’s got too much invested in you to abandon, neglect or forget you…His love will never quit on you!
Because of who’s with us and what he’s deposited within us —We face difficulties and adversity differently because of what’s inside of us!
That’s what Paul is getting at!!
Because of who’s with us and what he’s deposited within us —We face difficulties and adversity differently because of what’s inside of us!
That’s what Paul is getting at!!
God was so smart to choose the ordinary to display his extraordinary grace through! When we’re the ordinary - it seems silly to try to steal the show or the limelight; we exist to point to the real deal! ===God gets the glory in and through our lives!
Key thought:
“Each moment of adversity is an opportunity to reveal the reality of the strength of Jesus active in your life!”
Let Him take all the broken parts, damaged parts of your life and let His light shine through you to heal you, transform you and keep shining his light through you to bless and impact others.
Key thought:
“Each moment of adversity is an opportunity to reveal the reality of the strength of Jesus active in your life!”
Let Him take all the broken parts, damaged parts of your life and let His light shine through you to heal you, transform you and keep shining his light through you to bless and impact others.
Is the treasure of Jesus the greatest treasure on display in your life?? Or have you put other lesser treasures to be what shines brightest and most through your life? What you pursue more than Jesus?
We are just clay pots. Jesus is the treasure.
That was an important word for the Corinthians for the same reason it's an important word for us today. The Corinthians were creating a culture of celebrity around some of their leaders. They were concerned about which was the most eloquent, which attracted the largest following, and which was recognized by the society as successful or powerful.
—We are prone to make the same mistake today.
Paul was pointing out - it’s ALL ABOUT JESUS!
It’s about the treasure - not the clay pots
Jars of clay are not meant to be displayed on pedestals for people to admire. Jars of clay are common, ordinary objects meant to be used.
They can be appreciated, perhaps, but not admired.
==It's the treasure within them that deserves attention.
How does Paul finish this chapter?
16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. --2 Cor. 4:16-18
We are just clay pots. Jesus is the treasure.
That was an important word for the Corinthians for the same reason it's an important word for us today. The Corinthians were creating a culture of celebrity around some of their leaders. They were concerned about which was the most eloquent, which attracted the largest following, and which was recognized by the society as successful or powerful.
—We are prone to make the same mistake today.
Paul was pointing out - it’s ALL ABOUT JESUS!
It’s about the treasure - not the clay pots
Jars of clay are not meant to be displayed on pedestals for people to admire. Jars of clay are common, ordinary objects meant to be used.
They can be appreciated, perhaps, but not admired.
==It's the treasure within them that deserves attention.
How does Paul finish this chapter?
16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. --2 Cor. 4:16-18
Thank you for partnering with Elements City Church
Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings to Elements City Church. They enable us to be the church, and they help us to fuel the mission and vision. Our capacity to function on a daily basis is a direct result of your support, and we are so grateful for it! You can give online at the link below, or through the Elements City Church app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/giveAren't you glad you came to church tonight?!?
We're grateful you joined us for The Holy Roar at Four! We'll continue our Foundation Faith series through 2 Corinthians next Sunday at 4pm.
See you there!
As always, you can keep up on all of the upcoming events in the Elements app or online, including:
RSVP for:
- Chili Cookoff and After Party, Sunday October 26th
-Wear your favorite football jersey on October 26th (or other jersey if ya want:)
- Child Dedications, Sunday October 26th
We're grateful you joined us for The Holy Roar at Four! We'll continue our Foundation Faith series through 2 Corinthians next Sunday at 4pm.
See you there!
As always, you can keep up on all of the upcoming events in the Elements app or online, including:
RSVP for:
- Chili Cookoff and After Party, Sunday October 26th
-Wear your favorite football jersey on October 26th (or other jersey if ya want:)
- Child Dedications, Sunday October 26th