But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV

How does the gospel spread?

Does God need willpower? Crush 70 hour weeks for the gospel?

Does God need wealth? Fund the gospel with more dollars? 

Does God need powerful leaders? Gather the top influencers?

These endeavors aren’t inherently wrong, but the unspoken strategy is. All of these tactics have to do with power. Specifically, our own willpower. What we can muster up.

We think more power equals more influence and more influence equals more success. This was exactly what the leaders in Corinth thought: power/success is found in societal wealth. So Paul calls them out by telling them they are Tupperware containers or waste bins. Jars of clay. Easy to crack, break, and dispose of. Fragile…but filled with a power greater than we could imagine.

We are jars of clay and that's good news because the spiritual laws of the kingdom are:

Weakness overcomes strength (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Little faith overcomes mere wealth (Matthew 17:20)

Foolishness overcomes the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Jesus experienced the greatest weakness. God strengthened him. 

Jesus didn’t own a thing on earth. He’s the King now.

Jesus looked foolish on the cross. Then he rose again. 

So what does God need to spread the gospel? 

Nothing. He doesn’t need us. He invites us. 

We may never know or claim the most powerful Gospel moments of our lives, because it’s God working in us in more ways than we could ever imagine. 

God’s grace shines brightest through the broken vessels carrying the Gospel. His light shines through the cracks. When we embrace this, we recognize our weakness, see God's grace fully, and get on our knees. Then, just as light overcomes darkness, light shines through us, revealing that the power belongs to God and not to us.