2 Corinthians 4:5-7

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (NKJV)

“Treasure in Earthen Vessels”

I. What does this mean?A. Vessel = body (1 Thess. 4:3-5;

Rom. 9:21-23).B.Treasure = knowledge (2 Cor. 4:6).C. Treasure = Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 5:5;

1 Cor. 6:19-20; 3:16-17).D. How does He dwell in us? (Eph.

3:14-19).

“Treasure in Earthen Vessels”

II. “Is not life more…” (Matt. 6:25).

A. Is there a difference between the inner man and the body?

B.The body without the spirit is dead (James 2:26).

C. The spirit returns to God (Ecc. 12:6-7).

“Treasure in Earthen Vessels”

III. Though the body decays, the spirit may not.

A. Inward renewal (2 Cor. 4:16; 5:1).B.Spiritual building (1 Pet. 2:4-5).C. Different perspective (Matt.

10:28; 2 Cor. 4:17-18; Rom. 8:18-21; James 1:2-4).

“Treasure in Earthen Vessels”

IV. “Groaning to be clothed” (2 Cor. 5:2-4).

A. Like childbirth (Rom. 8:22-23).B.Our bodies like His (Phil. 3:20-

21).C. “Not found naked” (2 Cor. 5:3;

Gal. 26-27; Col. 3:1-10).