Shining bright for Jesus

Shining through cracked pot

Its not what is about outside but the inside that matters.

2 Corinthians 4:6-12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken;struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.

Three ways to shine brightly for Jesus

1. His light received by us. v.6-7
We have the potential to release God's goodness.
Paul likened us to a earthen vessel or clay pot.
Beautiful but delicate; it cracks easily.
Some of us may be cracking easily.
Others are more rough and rugged. They are made of adobe mud, baked in the sun.
Some may treat Christianity as a accessory those born from well of families while those that are not may cherish Christianity differently.
Pangit pero matibay, maaasahan.
We were made to hold someone and that someone is God himself.
God places the treasure of his son into the clay pots of our lives.

Fills them with his glory. Chose fragile and flawed pots.
God's light has been placed into us. The Holy Spirit.

2. God desire that His light be reflected from us. v.6-7
Glory of God is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. Glory of Jesus Christ is revealed in the face of Christians. The spirit filled Christian mirrors the glory o God in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror theglory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Matthew 5:14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a [a]hill cannot be hidden;
2nd thing is once we have received God's light - His son it is God's desire that His light be reflected from us.

3. The Lord's light is revealed through us sometimes the most, through times of brokenness & suffering.  v.8-9
We see the weakness of the pot. But also the power of God. Whenever we go through hard times, there is a opportunity for god's power to shine forth through the breaking of the vessel.
So God allows us to be broken in order for the light of His son to be more clearly seen.
We cannot choose what trials or struggles we will accept or not. We get what God sends!

2 Corinthians 4:10-11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
- God's power is perfected in out weaknesses

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, forpower is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [a]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with [b]insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Don't hide the cracks in the clay that's the only way to let out the light.
God honors the weak. He seldom uses fine china it fears of being broken.