Embracing the Treasure Within Imperfect Vessels

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound distinction between the treasure and the vessel, a concept drawn from Dallas Willard's "Renovation of the Heart." The treasure represents the eternal, spiritual essence that unites us, while the vessel is the physical, temporal container that often divides us. This distinction is rooted in the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who reminds us that we possess this treasure in earthen vessels, highlighting the contrast between the divine and the mundane.

The treasure is the transformative power of God's love and the light of the knowledge of His glory, which we experience through Jesus Christ. It is the beauty, wonder, and purity of God that transcends our earthly limitations. In contrast, the vessel is our human frailty, our physical bodies, and the traditions and practices of our local congregations. These vessels, though imperfect, are the means through which the treasure is carried and shared.

Paul's own life exemplifies this principle, as he acknowledges his weaknesses and the challenges he faces. Despite being pressed, perplexed, and persecuted, he remains resilient because of the treasure within. This resilience is not due to his own strength but to the surpassing greatness of God's power.

In our churches, we often become preoccupied with the vessel—our traditions, practices, and denominational differences. These can lead to division and distraction from the true treasure. Yet, it is within these imperfect vessels that the treasure of God's love and grace is revealed. We are called to embrace the vessel, recognizing its limitations, while cherishing the treasure it holds.

As followers of Jesus, we are invited to love the church, despite its imperfections, and to see the treasure within each person. Every human being, though flawed, bears the image of God and is worthy of love and respect. By focusing on the treasure, we can transcend the divisions and inadequacies of the vessel, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us.

Key Takeaways:

- The treasure is the eternal, spiritual essence of God's love and glory, while the vessel is the physical, temporal container that often divides us. Recognizing this distinction helps us focus on what truly matters. [03:18]

- Paul's life illustrates the resilience that comes from the treasure within, despite the challenges of the vessel. His strength is not his own but is rooted in the surpassing greatness of God's power. [04:16]

- Our churches, though imperfect vessels, are the means through which the treasure of God's love is shared. We must embrace the vessel, recognizing its limitations, while cherishing the treasure it holds. [08:02]

- We are called to love the church and see the treasure within each person, despite their flaws. Every human being bears the image of God and is worthy of love and respect. [09:19]

- By focusing on the treasure, we can transcend the divisions and inadequacies of the vessel, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us and into the world. [10:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:32] - Introduction to the Treasure and the Vessel
- [01:05] - The Formation of Human Character
- [01:39] - Distractions from the True Treasure
- [02:15] - Paul's Teaching on Treasure and Vessel
- [03:06] - The Eternal Treasure vs. the Temporal Vessel
- [04:00] - Paul's Resilience in Weakness
- [05:10] - Application to Local Congregations
- [06:02] - Denominational Differences and Distractions
- [07:14] - The Challenge of Church Divisions
- [08:02] - Embracing the Imperfect Church
- [09:19] - Loving the Church and Its People
- [10:06] - Seeing the Treasure in Every Person
- [10:55] - Conclusion: Treasure in Earthen Vessels

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NIV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by referring to the "treasure" and the "vessel" in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7? How does this relate to the sermon’s theme? [02:28]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between the eternal treasure and the temporal vessel? [03:18]
3. What examples from Paul's life illustrate the concept of being "pressed but not crushed" and "perplexed but not in despair"? [04:00]
4. According to the sermon, how do our church traditions and practices sometimes distract us from the true treasure? [05:10]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize that the treasure is in "jars of clay"? What does this metaphor suggest about human frailty and divine power? [04:00]
2. How does the sermon suggest that focusing on the vessel can lead to division within the church? What are some examples given? [06:02]
3. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to see the treasure within each person, despite their flaws? [09:19]
4. How does the concept of the treasure and the vessel challenge the way we view our own weaknesses and the imperfections of the church? [08:02]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you focused more on the "vessel" (traditions, practices) rather than the "treasure" (God's love and glory). How did that affect your spiritual life? [05:10]
2. How can you actively seek to see the treasure in others, especially those you find difficult to love or respect? [09:19]
3. What are some practical ways you can embrace the imperfections of your church while cherishing the treasure it holds? [08:02]
4. Consider a personal weakness or challenge you face. How can you rely on the treasure within to find resilience and strength? [04:00]
5. How can you contribute to reducing divisions within your church community by focusing on the treasure rather than the vessel? [06:02]
6. Identify one tradition or practice in your church that you feel might be a distraction from the true treasure. How can you address this concern constructively? [05:10]
7. Think of a person in your church who embodies the treasure despite their imperfections. How can you encourage and support them this week? [09:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Distinguishing the Eternal from the Temporal
The treasure within us is the eternal, spiritual essence of God's love and glory, while the vessel is our physical, temporal container. Recognizing this distinction helps us focus on what truly matters. The Apostle Paul teaches that we possess this treasure in earthen vessels, highlighting the contrast between the divine and the mundane. This understanding encourages us to look beyond our physical limitations and see the transformative power of God's love that transcends earthly boundaries. By focusing on the treasure, we can appreciate the beauty, wonder, and purity of God that unites us, rather than the vessel that often divides us. [03:18]

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."

Reflection: In what ways have you been focusing more on the vessel than the treasure in your life? How can you shift your perspective to prioritize the eternal treasure within you today?


Day 2: Resilience Through Divine Strength
Paul's life illustrates the resilience that comes from the treasure within, despite the challenges of the vessel. His strength is not his own but is rooted in the surpassing greatness of God's power. Paul acknowledges his weaknesses and the trials he faces, yet he remains steadfast because of the divine treasure he carries. This resilience is a testament to the transformative power of God's love and the light of His glory, which empowers us to endure hardships and remain faithful. By relying on God's strength, we can overcome our human frailties and live out our faith with courage and conviction. [04:16]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you need to rely more on God's strength? How can you invite His power to work through your weakness today?


Day 3: Embracing Imperfect Vessels
Our churches, though imperfect vessels, are the means through which the treasure of God's love is shared. We must embrace the vessel, recognizing its limitations, while cherishing the treasure it holds. Often, we become preoccupied with traditions, practices, and denominational differences, which can lead to division and distraction from the true treasure. However, it is within these imperfect vessels that God's love and grace are revealed. By focusing on the treasure, we can transcend the divisions and inadequacies of the vessel, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us and into the world. [08:02]

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your church community, despite its imperfections? What practical steps can you take to focus on the treasure rather than the vessel?


Day 4: Seeing the Treasure in Others
We are called to love the church and see the treasure within each person, despite their flaws. Every human being bears the image of God and is worthy of love and respect. By focusing on the treasure, we can transcend the divisions and inadequacies of the vessel, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us. This perspective invites us to look beyond the surface and recognize the divine essence in others, fostering a spirit of love, acceptance, and unity. As followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to love others as He loves us, seeing the treasure within each person and treating them with dignity and compassion. [09:19]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Who in your life do you struggle to see as a treasure? How can you intentionally show them love and respect today, recognizing the image of God within them?


Day 5: Transcending Divisions Through Christ's Light
By focusing on the treasure, we can transcend the divisions and inadequacies of the vessel, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us and into the world. This focus on the eternal treasure within us empowers us to rise above earthly limitations and reflect God's love and glory to those around us. As we embrace the treasure, we become vessels of His light, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to a broken world. Our calling is to let the light of Christ shine through us, illuminating the darkness and drawing others to the beauty and wonder of God's love. [10:55]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can let the light of Christ shine through you today? How can you be a beacon of hope and love in your community, transcending divisions and inadequacies?

Quotes

"He's talking in this chapter about how the most important process in the universe is the formation of human character, and really what the church stewards above all else is the offer that came uniquely through this person of Jesus through his life and his message, for human beings to become truly good and to do that together with God to be loved by God and to create a little community and that's what matters and so to help people grow in that direction, that's why the church exists but we always seem to get distracted from that." [00:66:56]

"Of course we don't think we're distracted, the things we're investing our efforts in seem absolutely primary. They're usually the things that make up being a good and proper whatever Protestant, Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, just good Christian in that particular place, but the people on location have actually mistaken the vessel from the treasure, and this now is a crucial distinction that comes from the Apostle Paul." [00:107:439]

"For God who said, let light shall shine out of darkness, is the one who's shown in our hearts to give us light of the knowledge, and that's participation in the glory, that's beauty, wonder, purity, goodness of God in the face this is someone we know our friend of Christ. So now all of this is unbelievable treasure, but we have this treasure in earthen vessels." [00:152:56]

"The treasure is eternal, it is spiritual, it brings us together, it unites us, it is deeply deeply powerful, it is transcendent, it is invisible it can't really be seen versus the vessel and the vessel is physical, the vessel is temporal, the vessel is earthly, vessel issues often kind of divide us, there's the treasure and there is the vessel." [00:195:76]

"Paul actually goes on to say we have this treasure in jars of clay in earthen vessels he goes on to say so we are pressed down but not crushed we are perplexed but not in despair we are persecuted but not abandoned we are struck down but not destroyed and I think in particular how amazing it is that Paul would say he's perplexed." [00:240:64]

"Churches have always had to wrestle with this issue of vessels and getting attached to the vessel and getting divided over this. There's an old story about a man who had lived for years on a desert island when they pick them up, they say what's that building because there were several buildings so you say oh that's where I live what's that building that was my store what's that building that's where I went to church what's that building that's where I used to go to church." [00:406:16]

"Churches always are a combination of this vessel what are the particular practices how do we do things and yet within them there is the treasure, now you might think to yourself well I'd like to have just treasure no vessel but that's not the offer, it doesn't come that way, and God is the one behind this arrangement and Paul tells us why we have this treasure." [00:482:72]

"We have this treasure, transcendent goodness, light, hope, love from Jesus, in jars of clay earthen vessels, broken churches, broken communities led by broken people, in bodies that are falling apart, with weirdness and embarrassments and inadequacies, so that the surpassing greatness will be seen to come from God and not from us." [00:510:319]

"If you're a follower of Jesus if you want to know God then love the church, I'm so grateful for the churches that I have gotten to be a part of, so grateful for the ways that they have enriched my life and wish that I could have served them better, but I'm part of that vessel part of that goofiness and the weakness and inadequacy but I'm so grateful for the church." [00:559:2]

"Remember what is true about the church is also true of every human being every human being a tattered coat on a stick I think it was the way that Yates put it portable plumbing and yet God has made them a little lower than the angels, they contain within them within that vessel within that strangeness within that weakness there is the image of God." [00:620:72]

"There is the breath or the spirit breath or the ruach of God in them, there is a person upon whom Jesus looked and said I will gladly die for this one, so today we have this treasure in earthen vessels, accept the vessel and see and revere the treasure." [00:645:68]

"Accept the vessel and see and revere the treasure, till next time." [00:662:72]

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Transcript
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