Clay Jars

SUMMARY:

Pastor Ron DeMoss, in his sermon at Mapes Baptist Church, discusses the metaphor of humans as clay jars, emphasizing the transformative power of faith, the role of God as the potter, and the importance of sharing personal faith stories.

IDEAS:

  • Humans are likened to clay jars, each with a unique story.
  • The treasures within these clay jars represent the presence of Christ.
  • God, as the potter, is constantly shaping and remaking us.
  • The process of being remade by God can be likened to being on a potter's wheel.
  • The concept of being a bond servant to God, choosing to serve out of love and respect.
  • The importance of sharing personal faith stories to inspire others.
  • The contrast between the earthly vessels (clay jars) and the heavenly treasure (Christ) within them.
  • The idea that God's power is made evident through our weaknesses.
  • The concept of God's sovereignty and His will for our lives.
  • The metaphor of light shining out of broken clay pots, representing God's glory revealed through our trials.
  • The idea that we are not just surviving in our relationship with God, but thriving.
  • The importance of seeking God's purpose for our lives.
  • The concept of being wounded by a sense of sinfulness, compassion for the world, and love for God.
  • The idea that our outward man may perish, but our inward man is renewed daily by God.
  • The concept that we are hard-pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair.
  • The idea that we are persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.
  • The concept that we do not lose heart even though we face trials because we are being formed by God.
  • The idea that we are clay jars with a purpose to live out and a story to share.
  • The concept that we are clay jars being formed by God.
  • The idea that we can become clay pots filled with the treasure of Jesus Christ.

INSIGHTS:

  • The metaphor of humans as clay jars emphasizes our transformative journey in faith.
  • God's role as the potter signifies His active involvement in shaping our lives.
  • Sharing personal faith stories can inspire others and strengthen communal faith.
  • The contrast between earthly vessels and heavenly treasure highlights the divine presence within us.
  • God's power is often most evident in our moments of weakness and vulnerability.
  • Our relationship with God is not about mere survival, but about thriving and growing.
  • Recognizing our sinfulness, compassion for the world, and love for God can lead to spiritual growth.
  • Despite external trials, our inner selves are constantly renewed by God's grace.
  • Our purpose and story as clay jars are intricately tied to our relationship with God.

QUOTES:

  • "We are clay jars with a story to share."
  • "We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
  • "We are hard pressed on every side yet not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair."
  • "We do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and ourselves your bond servants for Jesus's sake."
  • "We do not lose heart even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
  • "God is in the business of remaking us."
  • "God has put his mark on our hearts and on our lives."
  • "God desires that we have life and that we might have it more abundantly."
  • "God is doing a work in my heart, God is doing a work in my life."
  • "We are clay jars with a purpose to live out and we are clay jars being formed by God."
  • "You can leave here today with a clay pot as a clay pot filled with the treasure of Jesus Christ."

HABITS:

  • Regularly reflecting on personal faith stories.
  • Seeking God's purpose in life.
  • Embracing the concept of being a bond servant to God.
  • Regularly reading and reflecting on scriptures.
  • Praying for spiritual growth and renewal.
  • Acknowledging God's sovereignty and His will for our lives.
  • Recognizing and confessing sinfulness.
  • Cultivating compassion for the world.
  • Nurturing love for God.
  • Embracing trials as opportunities for God's power to shine through.
  • Encouraging others to share their faith stories.
  • Regularly attending church as part of spiritual growth.
  • Embracing the idea of being formed by God.
  • Recognizing the divine treasure within oneself.
  • Sharing the gospel with others.

FACTS:

  • The metaphor of humans as clay jars is used in the Bible.
  • The concept of being a bond servant to God is rooted in biblical times.
  • The treasures within these clay jars represent the presence of Christ.
  • The process of being remade by God can be likened to being on a potter's wheel.
  • The metaphor of light shining out of broken clay pots is used in the Bible.
  • The concept of God's sovereignty is a fundamental belief in Christianity.
  • The idea that our outward man may perish, but our inward man is renewed daily is a biblical teaching.
  • The concept that we are hard-pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair is from 2 Corinthians 4:8.
  • The idea that we are persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed is from 2 Corinthians 4:9.
  • The concept that we do not lose heart even though we face trials because we are being formed by God is from 2 Corinthians 4:16.

REFERENCES:

  • 2 Corinthians 4
  • Jeremiah 18
  • Judges Chapter 7
  • John 10:10

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY:

We are clay jars, each uniquely shaped by God, carrying the treasure of Christ within us, and called to share our faith stories.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Reflect regularly on your personal faith journey.
  • Seek to understand God's unique purpose for your life.
  • Embrace the concept of being a bond servant to God.
  • Make reading and reflecting on scriptures a daily habit.
  • Pray regularly for spiritual growth and renewal.
  • Acknowledge God's sovereignty in your life.
  • Regularly confess and repent of your sins.
  • Cultivate a compassionate heart for the world.
  • Nurture your love for God through prayer and worship.
  • View trials as opportunities for God's power to shine.
  • Encourage others to share their faith stories.
  • Attend church regularly as part of your spiritual growth.
  • Embrace the idea of being formed by God.
  • Recognize and cherish the divine treasure within you.
  • Share the gospel with others whenever possible.