Last Weeks Message – “Jesus Only” II Cor. 4:1-6 A. Paul was not discouraged B. Paul’s message was veiled to unbelievers C. Paul’s message was the Lordship of Jesus D. Only the Lord Jesus can penetrate the veil

This weeks Message The Pot, The Possession, The Power, and the Pressure II Cor. 4:7-12

The Pot “ But we have this treasure in pots of clay ” II Cor. 4:7a The commonalities of clay pots 1.Each is made by a potter 2.Each is made of clay 3.Each is designed to contain something 4.Each come in various sizes, shapes and decor

If you were a pot, what kind of pot would you want to be? Question

The Possession in the Pot “ But we have this treasure in pots of clay ” II Cor. 4:7a The possession in the pot is called a “treasure”. The treasure is a person "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. “ Col. 1:27

The Power in the Pot “to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” II Cor. 4”7b The power is all surpassing The power works best where there is death “….we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death and does deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver [us];” II Cor. 1:8-10

The Pressure on the Pot We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. II Cor. 4:8-9 The pressure of Stress The Pressure of Confusion The pressure of ill-treatment The pressure of traumatic circumstances

The by-product of these Pressures We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. II Cor. 4:10-12 The Life of the Lord Jesus operating in us The Life of the Lord Jesus to Others

Summary We are all clay pots We are all clay pots The treasure in the pot is a person The treasure in the pot is a person The power in the pot is all surpassing The power in the pot is all surpassing Every pot faces pressure Every pot faces pressure God uses the power and pressure to bring forth the Life of Jesus God uses the power and pressure to bring forth the Life of Jesus