The Treasure in Earthen Vessels | Spiritual Authority – Restored In Christ

“The excellence of the power is of God and not of us.”

The Treasure in Earthen Vessels — Living From the Power Within

In this message, Chad Everett unpacks the biblical truth of the Treasure in Earthen Vessels. Throughout Luke 4, Luke 9, Philippians 2, and 2 Corinthians 4, he answers a critical question:

How did Jesus function when He walked the earth, and what does that mean for us today?

Although Jesus was fully God, He chose to lay aside divine privilege. Instead of operating independently, He humbled Himself and lived as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. As a result, His authority flowed from relationship with the Father, not self-exaltation.

Understanding the Treasure in Earthen Vessels begins with understanding this pattern of dependence.

Dependence Defined His Ministry

Philippians 2 reveals that Christ emptied Himself and embraced the form of a servant. Rather than grasping equality, He chose obedience. Because of this humility, His life displayed strength through surrender.

In Luke 4, Scripture shows Jesus returning in the power of the Spirit. He taught with authority, rebuked demons, and healed the sick. Yet even in power, He declared, “I can of Myself do nothing.” Over and over, He aligned His words and actions with the Father.

Therefore, the Treasure in Earthen Vessels does not produce self-reliance. Instead, it calls believers into Spirit-dependence.

Authority That Is Given

Later, in Luke 9, Jesus gathered His disciples and gave them power and authority. He did not instruct them to generate it. Nor did He require them to earn it. Instead, He delegated it and then sent them to preach the kingdom and heal the sick.

Second Corinthians 4: 7 clarifies this reality: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

While the vessel remains ordinary, the source remains divine. Because of this, the Treasure in Earthen Vessels describes Christ dwelling within His people today.

Living From the Treasure

So what does this mean for us?

Many people measure life by talent, personality, or experience. However, Scripture teaches us to measure by Christ in us. When believers live from the Treasure in Earthen Vessels, pride loses influence and fear loses control. Instead of striving, we begin trusting. Instead of performing, we begin obeying.

Ultimately, the question does not concern whether the treasure exists. Scripture already confirms that. Rather, the real question asks whether we live from it.

The excellence of the power belongs to God — and that truth changes everything.

Key Scriptures

Luke 4: 14–19, Luke 9: 1–2, Philippians 2: 5–8, 2 Corinthians 4: 7, Ephesians 3: 20