Treasure in Clay Jars
2 Corinthians 4:1-6:13
1 Therefore, seeing that we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have cast from us the cloaks of shame, and walk not in craftiness, neither handle we the word of God deceitfully, but in declaration of the truth we approve ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 If our Gospel be then hid, it is hid to them that are lost. 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds, that is, of the infidels, that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should not shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, is he which hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of that power might be of God, and not of us. 8 We are afflicted on every side, yet are we not in distress; we are in doubt, but yet we despair not. 9 We are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but we perish not. 10 Everywhere we bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in our bodies. 11 For we which live, are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, and life in you. 13 And because we have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak, 14 Knowing that he which hath raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise us up also by Jesus, and shall set us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the most plenteous grace by the thanksgiving of many, may redound to the praise of God. 16 Therefore we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed daily. 17 For our light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth unto us a far most excellent and an eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen, are temporal, but the things which are not seen, are eternal. 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be destroyed, we have a building given of God, that is, an house not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens. 2 For therefore we sigh, desiring to be clothed with our house, which is from heaven. 3 Because that if we be clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For indeed we that are in this tabernacle, sigh and are burdened, because we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 And he that hath created us for this thing, is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are alway bold, though we know that whiles we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 7 (For we walk by faith, and not by sight.) 8 Nevertheless, we are bold, and love rather to remove out of the body, and to dwell with the Lord. 9 Wherefore also we covet, that both dwelling at home, and removing from home, we may be acceptable to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every man may receive the things which are done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil. 11 Knowing therefore that terror of the Lord, we persuade men, and we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also that we are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we praise not ourselves again unto you, but give you an occasion to rejoice of us, that ye may have to answer against them, which rejoice in the face, and not in the heart. 13 For whether we be out of our wit, we are it to God; or whether we be in our right mind, we are it unto you. 14 For that love of Christ constraineth us, 15 Because we thus judge, that if one be dead for all, then were all dead, and he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh, yea though we had known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, let him be a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, which hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 For God was in Christ, and reconciled the world to himself, not imputing their sins unto them, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then are we ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you through us, we pray you in Christ's stead, that ye be reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we should be made the righteousness of God in him. 6:1 So we therefore as workers together beseech you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee; behold now the accepted time, behold now the day of salvation. 3 We give no occasion of offence in anything, that our ministry should not be reprehended. 4 But in all things we approve ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labors, 6 By watchings, by fastings, by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand, and on the left, 8 By honor, and dishonor, by evil report, and good report, as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 As sorrowing, and yet alway rejoicing; as poor, and yet make many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 11 O Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is made large. 12 Ye are not kept strait in us, but ye are kept strait in your own bowels. 13 Now for the same recompense, I speak as to my children, Be you also enlarged.
1 Corinthians 14:8
And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
"Let not Geneva be forgotten or despised. Religious liberty owes it most respect." John Adams, the second president of the United States