Sunday 29th January 2012

Cell Word Notes 29th January 2012 - Ken Davis

Treasure in jars of clay

On Sunday Ken spoke from 2 Corinthians and looked at the passage where Paul says we have treasure in jars of clay. The treasure is the glorious truths of the gospel and of Jesus, and we are the containers of that gospel; plain ordinary clay jars. This is a great paradox that the most precious of treasure is contained in such poor vessels.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-12

This is a paradox because:

1. Clay jars are not a secure container and treasure is usually held in something secure.

2. Clay jars are not an attractive container. We are ordinary people; there is nothing to mark us out as special.

3. Clay jars are not a worthy container, treasure is usually held in expensive containers.

Why does God do this?

There are three reasons why God wants us to be clay pots:

1. So people can focus on the message not on the messengers. (v7)

2. So we can ‘leak’ the gospel. In adversity we ‘crack’ and our contents are spilled. (v8 -9)

3. So we can realise how important this gospel is; containers contain something and  our sole aim in life should be to ‘carry’ this gospel. (v10 – 11)

Questions:

1. Are there time when we ‘get in the way’ of the gospel? What stops people seeing the treasure because they are too busy looking at the pot?

2. What can we do to be ‘clearer channels’ for the gospel to flow through?

3. Have you found that a difficult situation, or a situation where you have been hurt, has enabled you to share the truths about God is a way that you wouldn’t have been able to if everything had been going smoothly?

4. How well do you react to adversity and difficulty? How would you like to react?

5. We all can identify with verses 8 & 9. They are both positive (in that we are ultimately victorious) but can also be negative (in that they highlight the difficulties we can often face). What do these verses mean to you?

An Mp3 of the Sunday preach is available for download for Church members.