What Treasure do You Hold?
Back "in the day," I used to listen to a lot of contemporary Christian music. One such group was Jars of Clay. Depending on which website you go to find out how they chose that name, it is clear the phrase meant a lot for this band.
One website is quoted as saying they took the name from a passage of scripture in 2 Timothy 2:20 (NKJV) — " But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor."
The other passage of scripture is 2 Corinthians 4:7 — "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Regardless of which scripture is the "correct choice," they both speak of jars that serve as vessels that hold treasures. Unfortunately, sometimes the "treasures" we possess within our bodies (dust to dust, ashes to ashes, and formed of clay) are either ignored or used to bring glory to one's self instead of God.
In June I will be doing a sermon series called Holy Containers. Each one of us holds within our being, treasures that can be used to point people towards God and away from us. The Apostle Paul makes that abundantly clear in this Sunday's passage of scripture — 2 Corinthians 4: 5-12.
I hope you can join us in worship during the month of June to acknowledge the treasure in each one of us that God has gifted us with to make a difference in the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
I am asking a favor of the congregation. If you have a clay jar or pot, would you bring it to worship this Sunday to use in our altarscape for the month. If you can't be here this Sunday, please bring it in when you are here. We will label each one and return to you after the service on June 24.
Pastor Steve
June Sermon Focus: Holy Containers
June 3
Holy Containers Hold Treasures
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
June 10
Holy Containers Hold Eternal Treasures
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
June 17
Holy Containers Have an Unobtrusive View
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
June 24
Holy Containers Hold the Peace of Christ
Mark 4:35-41