OTW Preachers

HIDDEN TREASURE: THE PRESSURE AND THE PRESENCE

Charity Chastain

August 2, 2026

Main Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Additional Scriptures: Genesis 3:5, Galatians 2:20, Luke 22:42, Philippians 3:10, Matthew 16:25, 1 Peter 5:10

POINTS:

• If the vessel looked strong enough on its own, people would assume the power came from the vessel itself.

• Surrender is trusting that the Potter sees something we cannot yet see.

• The “manager” in us wants to be the Potter. But surrender is returning to the wheel.

• Paul’s address in today’s world would sound like:

  • “I feel overwhelmed… but I’m still standing.”

  • “I don’t understand what God is doing… but I’m not giving up.”

  • “I’ve been wounded… but I know I’m not alone.”

  • “I’ve been knocked down hard… but this is not the end of my story.”

• There is no life poured out unless something first breaks open.

• Paul no longer measured his life by comfort. He measured it by the weight of the Cross.

• In the Kingdom of God, brokenness is not the end of usefulness. It is the beginning of it.

• The life of God is not meant to stay contained within the one who is carrying the weight. It is meant to flow outward into the body of Christ.

• Returning to the wheel happens in the life of the church, where surrendered people are reshaped and become life for others.