Message Notes

APPRECIATION OF THE TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSEL

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,…”   2 Cor. 4:7

1. Earthen vessels

a. The imagery is a reference to our human body

b. It has many weaknesses

2. Treasure

a. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit

b. It is the Lord Jesus in our life

3. Learning to personally value this treasure

a. The preciousness of this treasure is to be valued

b. It has to be personally prized in our heart

THE POWER OF GOD TO BE EXPERIENCED

“That the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”   2 Cor. 4:7

1. When we appreciate this treasure in earthen vessel

2. We can see this power of God at work

a. There is the surpassing greatness of God’s dynamic power

b. There is no power like it

3. The way to experience this power

a. It depends on whether we grow in faith

b. It depends on whether self-diminishes

GROWING IN FAITH

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—”   2 Cor. 4:8-9

1. Cultivating a stronger faith in the Lord

2. Having an overcoming spirit in challenging situations

3. Experiencing the Lord’s hand of deliverance

4. Seeking to serve the Lord Jesus no matter what

IDENTIFICATION WITH THE LORD JESUS

“Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.”   2 Cor. 4:10-12

1. Strong sense of identification with the Lord Jesus

2. Suffering for Christ’s sake

3. Manifesting the life of the Lord Jesus as we identify with Him

4. The glory of the Lord Jesus seen in our life