Church of Christ Studies

The Gospel In Earthen Vessels

I am firmly convinced, my friends, that the great mass of humanity constitute an honest, earnest body of people, and that numbers and numbers there are upon the earth who really want to do God's will; but we are in a rather sad state of affairs, due to the fact that so many theories are extant. Too often we fail to appreciate the proper division of God's word, the various covenants and dispensations under which people have lived, and the result is that many honest souls are confused. it is my ambition and chief purpose to try to deal with lessons that are elementary, with principles that are primary in their nature, to help you who I have right and reason to believe are interested to see the simplicity of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

 

I want to read to you the first seven verses of 2 Cor. 4: "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined 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 earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

 

That last verse expresses a great truth that would help so much to relieve us of a state of confusion and vain expectancy, in which state numbers and numbers of human beings are still lingering. it is a very popular idea that in the matter of conversion one must wait until supernatural agencies move and powers Divine separate and apart from things of earth be brought to pass. Hence, the great mysticism, the miraculous conception, and the "better-felt-than-told" ideas that so many good people have.

 

Now, if you and I could just study this statement as we would any business proposition, I believe the scales would fall from our eyes and the clearness of God's manner of dealing with the people would dawn upon us. Let me hope that such efforts shall be ours. Paul has in mind something or other which he styles a treasure, a thing of great value, of wonderful price, and he says that we have that treasure in earthen vessels. Now, I believe that statement, rely upon that in tote, and want to do my very best to understand just what is signified thereby. A treasure, my friends, is something to be appreciated, greatly prized, and that toward which the hearts of men are ever directed.

 

In Matt. 13:44-46, Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." Why? He wants the treasure in it. Or: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." He is ready to sacrifice, give up, sell, and part with all that he has that he may buy just that one pearl of great price.

 

Now, that is what the word "treasure" signifies, and Paul said that we have just such a treasure. I wonder what it is. it is not a gold mine; it is not a great oil field; nor is it any of the precious minerals and the natural resources hidden away in the bosom of Mother Earth. But the context of this very declaration is exceedingly clear as to what Paul had in mind when he said we have this treasure. Listen at 2 Cor. 4: 3, 4: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." We have this treasure, this gospel, this scheme of human redemption, in obedience to which men are saved, washed and cleansed and made even whiter than the snow.

 

Now, that is what Paul is talking about when he styles the gospel a great treasure, and he would have us get the idea that if necessary we ought to be willing to Bell all that we have, make any sacrifice necessary in the way of financial affairs, earthly ties, or human relationships, that we might come into possession of this great treasure, this wonderful gospel, by which, and by which alone, men and women can be saved. But Paul said that we have that treasure not in heavenly vessels, but in earthen vessels. Now, what did he mean by earthen vessels? The word "vessel" is a container. it might be a bucket; it might be, by the way, a little brown jug; anything that is capable of containing something and by which it may be carried from place to place.

 

Now, that settles the question of what a vessel is. Well, what does the word "earthen" mean? it simply means pertaining to this earth, abiding upon or connected therewith; not heaven; terrestrial rather than celestial. So, then, we have this treasure, we have this gospel, in earthen vessels. But I do not think Paul meant that it was to be carried around in buckets, jars, etc. The word "vessel" is used figuratively; and so I want to point out just what he meant, and so clear is that presented there can be no doubt respecting it.

 

In Acts 9, when the Lord God Almighty appeared unto Ananias, having first appeared to Saul and directed him to the city, he said to Ananias: "I want you to go into the city of Damascus, into a street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one Saul of Tarsus; and here is how you may know him: Behold, he is praying." Ananias said: "Why, Lord, I cannot do that. I have heard of that man — how much evil he hath done to the saints at Jerusalem; and I understand that now he has letters of authority to bind men and women and carry them back to Jerusalem that they might be executed." Then the Lord, reproving Ananias, said: "Go thy way: for be is a chosen vessel." I understand now, when he said "in earthen vessels," he meant in the hands of men, chief of whom was Saul of Tarsus, a "chosen vessel." Well, for what? To bear. That is what a vessel is for—to carry things in, to bear it about. Now, Saul is a "chosen vessel" to bear my name, to carry the glad tidings, to carry this great treasure, this gospel, unto the earth's remotest parts. And so, my friends, when the text said we have this treasure, be it remembered that it is the gospel. When he said we have it in earthen vessels, appreciate the fact that it has been delegated into the hands of men—to those who dwell upon the face of God's earth.

 

The time was when God communicated with the people direct—by visions, shadows, and signs. But when the Christ appeared upon the scene, he said (John 9: 5): "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." "Bring all your troubles and all your problems; I am the light of the world." But having stayed with them for quite a while and having taught the disciples respecting the future status of affairs, he finally said, by way of anticipation, in the wonderful Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5: 14) : "Ye are the light of the world." When by and by he was crucified and rose from the dead, he led them out to the heights of a mountain in Galilee and said to them: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." Let me tell you: From that very moment until this hour the gospel plan of salvation, being transferred from the Ring and from the Prince Immanuel, has been in the hands of men. The apostles were guided into all truth. We are now commanded to follow in their steps, preach the same thing, and thus, as earthen vessels, carry on this priceless treasure.

 

Now, that explains and makes it easily understood why it is that in every single case of conversion under that commission the gospel is preached previous to the promise enjoyed by those who would become heirs of salvation. Now, then, if God Almighty under the gospel age carries on his work in bringing conviction and conversion to men separate and apart from human agencies or from the Bible, which is itself an earthen vessel, why is it that men cannot find just one case, just one, in all the Bible where some man was converted in the absence of God's power, the gospel? Friends, there is not a case.

 

Now, I am about to make to you what would be considered by thousands some very radical statements; but here they come, without any hesitancy and without any fear whatsoever of any living man's being able to contradict the principle therein involved. Listen: If an angel fresh from the courts of glory were to visit the city of Nashville to-day and a sinner upon the public thoroughfare or street of your city were to suggest to the angel, "What must I do to be saved?" that angel would not and could not give the answer thereto. There are people that would not believe that if they knew it were true, I am sorry to say. Well, now, why not? I appreciate the radical statement therein made; but upon what ground do we thus announce it? First, the angel is a heavenly being. Paul said we have this treasure in earthen vessels; and, therefore, the angel could not bear the glad tidings, or else that would upset, thwart, and turn topsy-turvy the entire philosophy of the scheme of redemption. But that isn't the only reason. There are examples that clearly demonstrate the correctness of the principle announced.

 

The angel of the Lord once saw an honest man who wanted to be converted to the truth and become interested in that man's salvation. But instead of going direct to the man to be converted, I want you to watch just what the angel did. Now, here was the man to be converted. He started from Jerusalem, went southwest down toward Gaze, and the angel, interested in that man, went thirty-six miles away to Samaria and said: "Philip." But who is Philip. An earthen vessel. "Philip, arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaze, which is desert." That earthen vessel arose and went, and the angel at Samaria bade him good-by. What is the point? The angel understood the principle of the text—that we have this treasure in earthen vessels. His purpose was to get Philip, a gospel preacher, in direct touch with the man to be converted. And when the messenger of the Lord, a man of earth, came in direct touch with the man to be converted, the gospel was preached, obedience was rendered, and a soul was saved.

 

Again, in Caesarea there was a man called "Cornelius," a splendid, good man, sailing on a sinking ship known as the "patriarchal dispensation;" and the angel of the Lord appeared unto him and said: "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: * * * he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." But wait a minute, angel. You are right here now. it is thirty miles to Joppa, and, according to our mode of travel, it will take me four days to send and to get that man up here. Angel, why don't you tell me and not defer my salvation? The angel said: "The time was when I might have revealed this to you; but when Christ, as the great Maker of the will, sealed it with his blood and turned it over to the hands of his executors, we have this treasure from that time until now in earthen vessels. So I bid you good-by. Send for Peter, a man of earth; and when he comes, he will tell you." Thus is the principle demonstrated. Well, if the Holy Spirit in person were right on the spot, the same results would follow; for when the angel bade Philip go from Samaria to the road leading toward Gaze, and Philip went, the angel's command had been obeyed. But the Holy Spirit was interested in that conversion; and instead of the Spirit's going to the sinner, the Spirit went to a preacher, an earthen vessel, and said: "Philip, go near and join thyself to the chariot." And so -the Spirit worked upon the preacher rather than upon the man to be converted. His purpose was identical with that of the angel.

 

Now, in order for a man to be converted, an earthen vessel must be present and the gospel, God's power to save, proclaimed.

 

Saul of Tarsus, on the way to Damascus, was arrested by Christ Jesus, our Lord. Of all men on earth that ever needed conversion, Saul was that character. When Jesus said to him, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest," without delay Saul cried out and said: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Was there ever a finer time for Christ to have given an answer? No preacher anywhere round about, out upon the public highway, a man whose hands had already been stained in the blood of Christian people and now on a death mission clothed with letters of authority, in direct contact with Christ Jesus, and the sinner put the straight question: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to dol" I want to ask you, friends, why didn't the Lord tell him s Let some man who believes in direct contact, in separate-and-apart conversion from the gospel—let some man in Nashville answer why. But the reason is evident. "Time was when I would have told, but I have given the power and the authority and the commission into the hands of men. Therefore, Saul, instead of my telling you direct, I bid you arise and go into the city, and there—not here, but there—it shall be told you of all things that are appointed." Led by the hand, Saul went on; and then the Spirit took part in bringing about his conversion. But where did the Spirit go? He went to Ananias, an earthen vessel, and said: "Ananias, I want to get you in contact with Saul. There is a man to be converted. The gospel is in earthen vessels, and hence go and tell him what he must do." When Saul was found by Ananias, he was a prayerful, penitent believer. So Ananias said: "Saul, why do you tarry? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sine, calling on the name of the Lord." Paul said he was buried in baptism and rose to walk in newness of life; and instead now of being Saul, the persecutor, he became Paul, the persecuted, the remnant of his days.

 

What about it? We have this treasure in earthen vessels. My friends, you and I need not hesitate to-day and wait for God to manifest some supernatural power. The glorious gospel by which men and women are saved has been delegated to us. it is in the hands of faithful men. it is God's word, a vessel or a bearer of this treasure. The word of reconciliation has been committed to men of earth, and in Christ's stead, I pray, be ye reconciled unto God.  

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If there be any, therefore, in this company who believe the gospel, who are willing to repent of all wrong, publicly acknowledge the Christ, and further that obedience in the name of the Trinity, to you we gladly extend the gospel cell while once again we together stand.

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