“Treasures in Jars of Clay,” by Rev. Mike Holly

Sermon Series: Community – Letters to the Church in Corinth

Clay pots and jars were very important in the everyday lives of folks in Israel. They used clay pots for baking over a fire and clay jars for storing oil and other precious possessions. Clay vessels were widely used because they were relatively easy to make and were quite versatile. The problem with clay vessels then is the same problem with clay vessels today: they are fragile.

Paul mentions in 2nd Corinthians that Christians have a treasure in clay jars. We like clay are fragile, but God’s love and Spirit within us are like a precious treasure. We can’t boast because we’re simply the vessel. It’s the one who gave us this treasure that deserves the respect, honor and worship. During times of trouble and suffering, early Christians kept their minds set upon God, His love and His power. They endured and persevered because God’s light shined in the darkness.

The media has revealed to us for quite some time now that our brothers and sisters in Christ find themselves threatened and persecuted overseas. We must pray for them and hope that God’s light shines for each and everyone of them. At the same time, we must also consider in our own lives – are we willing to step out of our comfortable lives and dare to do the radical, loving and grace-ful things that God asks us to do in His name?

—Mike Holly

The Word

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light 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 clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from 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; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

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“IN-formation,” by Rev. Mike Holly
Sermon Series: Community – Letters to the Church in Corinth

The human mind is a marvel. Our brains are capable of storing memories, comprehending complex information, and expressing a range of emotions. Human minds have contributed to amazing feats such as the building of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, human flight, and life-saving medical procedures. However, the human mind has also conjured up schemes and atrocities that we would much rather forget.

The human mind is a source of immense creativity when it is well utilized and we should thank God for the gift of free will and imaginative thought. But within each of our minds are tendencies towards selfishness and pride. This is wired into us for good reason developmentally, but it becomes an issue as we mature and find that our lives depend upon healthy relationships.

“Knowledge puffs up,” Paul tells us. Now, he is not saying that intellectual pursuits lead to vanity. Instead, he points out that when someone has knowledge that others do not have there is a tendency for that person to feel superior. “Love builds up,” Paul continues. The point of knowledge and information — particularly that which we find in our Christian faith — is that it is free and open to all. We do not withhold or force upon others the knowledge that we have been given because to do so would damage our relationship with God and others. Instead, we are to build others up with what we have learned. I believe that God does not want us to check our brains at the door when we come to church or when we read Scripture. But I do think that God desires us to see that there is more to this faith than knowing doctrines and memorizing answers.

—Rev. Mike Holly

The Word

1 Corinthians 8:1-6

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

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