Gospel of water and Spirit in Pots of Clay
Introduction
During this deeper conference, we will be exploring the theme of the Gospel of Water and Spirit in Pots of Clay. Through this theme, we will be reminded that God has placed a precious treasure within fragile human vessels. The Gospel of Water and Spirit is not built on our strength or ability, but on Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished through His baptism, death, and resurrection.
Across the four sessions, we will be uncovering this Gospel as a treasure, a mystery, a truth that faces opposition from those who seek to dilute or distort it, and a light that must shine in the darkness. We are reminded of the importance of guarding the purity of the Gospel, recognizing the marks of false prophets, remaining rooted in Christ, and faithfully proclaiming the truth.
These teachings will encourage us to remain as humble vessels, carrying the precious Gospel of Water and Spirit and shining its light wherever God has placed us.
Session 1: Gospel Treasure
God has placed an exceeding and precious treasure inside ordinary people like ourselves. We may be weak, fragile and vulnerable, just like pots of clay, yet God has chosen us to carry something far greater than ourselves. The treasure is the Gospel of water and Spirit—the message of Jesus Christ, His baptism, death and resurrection. This is not a treasure we created or achieved by our own strength. It is something God has entrusted to us so that the greatness and power we carry may be seen as coming from God and not from ourselves.
The treasure within us is the divine light of the Gospel. The Gospel is Jesus Christ, who came from heaven, and this glorious message now lives within those who have been born again of water and Spirit. Through His baptism, death and resurrection, Jesus has saved us perfectly, completely and eternally. That is why this Gospel is such a precious treasure in our hearts. We may be earthen vessels, but we possess something of eternal value, and we are called to walk every day with the conscious realization that this treasure is within us.
There is a reason God places such a glorious treasure in fragile vessels. He wants us to know that the power does not come from us. We are not the ones who can redeem or save another person. We are simply spokespeople, tools and instruments in God’s hands, entrusted with the Gospel so that His power and glory may be revealed through us. This leaves no room for boasting in our talents, intelligence, abilities or determination. God deliberately uses ordinary and imperfect people so that we will learn to depend on Him, lean on Him and allow Him to work through us.
Carrying this treasure also means being prepared for hardship. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 that we may be pressed on every side, troubled, perplexed, persecuted and struck down, but we are not crushed, driven to despair, deserted or destroyed. When we carry the Gospel and seek to serve God, opposition will come, whether in our workplace, school, home or other areas of life. This is why serving the Gospel is also a matter of depending on God’s power. We are weak vessels, but God sustains us, and His strength enables us to continue even when we feel discouraged, disappointed or ready to give up. Paul also reminds us that this ministry has been given to us because we have received God’s mercy. To serve the Gospel is a privilege of mercy, and our response should be to faithfully carry what God has entrusted to us.
At the same time, carrying the Gospel means proclaiming it truthfully and without compromise. We are not called to use tricks, cunning or manipulation, but to state the truth openly, clearly and candidly, allowing it to reach the conscience of those who hear it. Some will oppose the message because the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of Christ. Their rejection does not mean the Gospel has failed. It reminds us that we are dealing with people who are spiritually lost and blinded, and therefore we must continue to love them, reach out to them and faithfully proclaim the truth. God has entrusted this treasure to us for a reason, and we must remain faithful to that calling.
Session 2: Gospel Mystery
The Gospel is not something that can simply be understood through human wisdom or intellectual ability. It is a mystery because what God has kept hidden through the ages has to be revealed by Him. The mystery is ultimately that Christ would dwell in the heart of man, that those who believe in the Gospel of water and Spirit would have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them as the hope of glory. What was not understood in previous generations has now been revealed through Jesus Christ, and we are called to recognize the treasure that God has placed within us.
This is why the condition of the heart matters. Matthew 13:9–16 shows that the mystery of the kingdom is not given to everyone in the same way. Some may hear the Word repeatedly with their physical ears, yet it never reaches their hearts. A hardened and proud heart will remain unable to receive what God is revealing, while a humble heart is able to receive His grace, mercy and pity. God is the One who opens the eyes, ears and heart to understand, just as He opened Lydia’s heart in Acts 16:13-15 so that she and her household could receive the Gospel. We can preach and proclaim the Gospel, but salvation is ultimately God’s work.
The Gospel of water and Spirit is therefore not a message created by man. Galatians 1:11–12 reminds us that the Gospel Paul preached was not according to man, but came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. We must not take only the parts of Scripture that are comfortable to us and build our own understanding around them. The Bible must be received in its wholeness, because the mystery of Christ is revealed through the whole counsel of God. When the heart is humble, we can receive what God has revealed rather than forcing His Word to conform to our own understanding.
The mystery also reminds us that simply doing religious activities does not prove that Christ is in us. 2 Corinthians 13:5 calls us to examine, test and evaluate ourselves to see whether we are in the faith and whether Jesus Christ is in us. We can organize, teach, lead, speak well and accomplish many things in the flesh, but these outward abilities do not establish that we have been born again. The Gospel of water and Spirit is essential because through Jesus’ baptism, death and resurrection, we receive the indwelling Spirit and Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Because this mystery has been entrusted to us, we must also guard it and live according to it. There will be opposition, confusion, deception and attempts to create division, but we are called to remain grounded in the Gospel, examine our faith and continue doing good. We are to be discerning without becoming quarrelsome, and we must protect the purity of the Gospel for those who will come after us. The mystery of the Gospel is not something we keep at the surface of our lives—it must be revealed in us, shaping the way we walk, serve and remain faithful to God.
Session 3: Gospel Enemy
Having seen the Gospel as a treasure and a mystery, we must also recognize that the Gospel enemies. Jesus clearly warned us in Matthew 7:15 to beware of false prophets who come dressed as sheep but are inwardly ravenous wolves. We are given three marks that help us recognize what is hidden beneath their outward appearance: the cloth they wear, the fruit they bear, and the fate they share. These three marks help us look beyond appearances and discern what is truly taking place underneath.
The Cloth They Wear
Jesus said that false prophets come in sheep’s clothing, meaning that they can appear to be part of the flock. They may look familiar, speak religiously, handle the Bible, and appear to belong among God’s people, which makes them difficult to identify at first glance. That is why we must look beyond the outward appearance and “rip off” the sheep’s clothing to see what is underneath. The danger is not always obvious because false teaching can come through people who appear convincing and acceptable on the outside.
Jude 11 gives us three categories that help us look beneath that disguise. The first is the way of Cain, which refers to perverting the Gospel. Cain came before God with his own works and efforts instead of bringing the blood sacrifice that God had established. His offering represented human effort and self-righteousness rather than faith in what God had provided. In the same way, those who follow the way of Cain can turn the Gospel away from Christ and make it about human righteousness, achievements, and what people can do for God.
The second is the error of Balaam, which refers to prostituting the Gospel and making money out of it. Balaam is described as one who ran greedily for profit, showing what happens when the things of God become a means for personal gain. Instead of faithfully proclaiming the Gospel with sincerity, the focus becomes profit, prestige, popularity, numbers, or what can be gained from people. The Word of God is not something to be trafficked for selfish advantage; it must be spoken from a pure motive and with sincerity before God.
The third is the rebellion of Korah, which refers to protesting the Gospel. Korah resisted the leadership God had appointed and rebelled rather than submitting to what God had established. The same kind of rebellious spirit can appear when people reject, mock, attack, or become angry against the Gospel of water and Spirit. The issue is not simply disagreement, but a deliberate resistance to the truth being proclaimed. In this session, the warning is especially connected to the Gospel of water and Spirit and the truth of what Jesus has accomplished through His baptism, death, and resurrection.
These three categories show us that false prophets may look different on the surface, but the same three patterns can be found underneath: perverting the Gospel like Cain, prostituting the Gospel like Balaam, and protesting the Gospel like Korah. One person may show one of these characteristics more strongly than another, but Jude gives us these three categories so that we do not examine only one outward feature and overlook the others. We need to understand what is beneath the sheep’s clothing and recognize what is truly being presented to us.
The Fruit They Bear
After showing us the cloth they wear, Jesus gives us another way to recognize false prophets: the fruit they bear. Matthew 7:16–20 teaches that a tree is known by its fruit. We cannot simply judge by outward appearance, because what is rooted within will eventually be revealed through the kind of fruit that is produced. A person may appear religious and may even be active in ministry, but the fruit of their life can reveal what is truly taking place within them.
When we are rooted in Christ, we should bear fruit that remains. The Gospel of water and Spirit brings us into Christ, and as we abide in Him, the Holy Spirit works in us and produces a life that reflects Him. This fruit is seen through things such as peace, harmony, humility, love, service, and the desire to bring people together and help them grow in the faith. It is not merely temporary or outward behaviour, but fruit that continues to remain because its root is in Christ.
The opposite is also true. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit, because the fruit reveals the root. When a life continually produces bitterness, slander, gossip, trouble, division, and other destructive behaviour, we need to recognize that these are not the fruit that comes from abiding in Christ. The issue is not that Christians will never struggle or fall, but that when a person is truly rooted in Christ, there should be transformation and an increasing reflection of God’s character in their life.
That is why we should not be impressed simply by outward activity, appearance, or spiritual claims. We need to look at the fruit being produced over time. When the root is right, the fruit will eventually show it; when the root is wrong, the fruit will also reveal it. As we remain rooted in Christ and in the Gospel of water and Spirit, our lives should increasingly bear fruit that brings glory and honour to God and demonstrates that we are abiding in Him.
The Fate They Share
Jesus then brings us to the fate they share in Matthew 7:21–23. He warns that there will be people who call Him “Lord, Lord,” who prophesy, cast out demons, and do many mighty works, yet Jesus will still say, “I never knew you; depart from Me.” This shows us that impressive spiritual activity does not automatically mean that a person truly belongs to Christ. What appears powerful outwardly can still be disconnected from the truth of the Gospel.
The warning is that people can become very active in religious work and still place their confidence in the wrong thing. The transcript emphasizes that works cannot be the basis of our standing before God. We cannot work for salvation or bring our own achievements as though they were enough. Instead, we come before God bringing Jesus, the perfect and righteous offering, and trusting in what He has accomplished for us.
This is why the Gospel must remain central. The Gospel of water and Spirit points us completely to Jesus and what He has done through His baptism, death, and resurrection. Our faith is not built upon how impressive our works are, how many people we gather, or how much spiritual activity we can display. What matters is whether we truly know Christ and whether the Gospel we hold to is the true Gospel.
So, when we consider the fate they share, we are reminded to remain rooted in the truth rather than being distracted by appearances. False prophets may wear the right clothing, produce impressive activities, and make great claims, but Jesus Himself is the one who knows the heart. Our confidence must therefore remain in Christ and in the Gospel of water and Spirit, continuing to know His Word, remain in Him, and hold firmly to the truth He has given us.
The danger becomes even greater because the enemy does not always attack from the outside. There are times when Satan seeks to infiltrate the church from within, introducing teachings that slowly pull people away from the Gospel. The modern flow of YouTube videos, social media, podcasts and other messages makes this especially important, because people can easily expose themselves to teachings that appear convincing while moving away from the Gospel of water and Spirit. A message may make you feel good, sound charismatic, or promise an easier Christian life, but that does not mean it is the truth. We must ask where the teaching comes from, whether it strengthens our faith and whether it brings us closer to God.
This is why protecting the Gospel requires vigilance. Paul warned the elders in Acts 20:28–30 to take heed and guard the flock because ferocious wolves would arise from among them, speaking distorted and corrupt things to draw disciples away after themselves. The enemy wants to suffocate faith, creating doubt, confusion and division until believers become weak in what they once believed. The attack is not merely against our possessions or circumstances; it is against our faith, which is more precious than anything we possess. Because cunning wolves may come in a sheep’s disguise, we must be careful not to act carelessly or assume that we are automatically safe simply because we have been in church for a long time.
Paul gives us another warning in 2 Corinthians 11:13–14, where false apostles are described as deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, while Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. This shows us the nature of the counterfeit. Satan does not need to present something that obviously looks evil. He can use people, teachings and appearances that seem good while quietly leading people away from the truth. That is why we must remain firmly established in the Gospel of water and Spirit, which is founded on what Christ has done through His baptism, death and resurrection. Anything that moves away from this Gospel requires us to stop, examine and discern rather than simply accepting it because it looks impressive.
Ultimately, we are responsible for guarding the faith that God has entrusted to us. We must continually ask whether what we are hearing is strengthening our relationship with the Lord or pulling us away from Him. We should not allow charisma, popularity, friendship or outward kindness to become the measure of whether someone is safe for our faith. The question is whether the person and the message are drawing us closer to God and strengthening us in the truth. Jesus has warned us to beware, Paul has warned the church to guard the flock, and Scripture has shown us how Satan works through deception and disguise. Therefore, we must remain alert, discerning and firmly rooted in the Gospel of water and Spirit, protecting the faith that has been entrusted to us.
Session 4: Gospel Light
There are two kingdoms in the spiritual realm: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Christ rules His kingdom through the indwelling of His Spirit in the hearts of believers, while those who have not been saved remain under the rule of the enemy. This helps us understand why the Gospel light is so important. We have been brought into God’s kingdom so that His light can shine through us into a world living in darkness. The Gospel of water and Spirit is that light, revealing Christ and bringing the message of life to those who cannot see it for themselves.
Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 4:1–7 that this ministry has been entrusted to us by the mercy of God. Because of that mercy, we should not become discouraged or lose heart when difficulties come. We are called to proclaim the truth openly, clearly, and candidly, without trickery, dishonesty, or hidden motives. The Gospel is too precious to be handled carelessly. Since we carry the Gospel light, we must also take seriously the way we live, the way we speak, and the way we present God’s Word to others.
The power of this Gospel is that it can bring a person from darkness into light and make the sinner righteous before God. Paul was deeply convinced of this because he himself had been transformed by the Gospel of water and Spirit. That conviction caused him to preach without holding back, because he understood that this Gospel is not merely another religious message. It is the power of God to make people righteous, holy, and pure. Through Jesus’ baptism, death, and resurrection, the Gospel reveals what Christ has done for us and calls us to believe in His finished work rather than depend on ourselves.
At the same time, 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 explains why the Gospel can remain hidden from some people. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. Romans 11:8 also speaks of eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. Spiritual eyes must be opened by God, and repentance must be granted by Him. Even when people do not respond immediately, we cannot stop proclaiming the Gospel. Paul continued preaching because the Gospel light must continue to shine into the darkness, and we must remain faithful to the work God has entrusted to us.
We also need to remember what kind of vessel carries this precious light. Paul says that we have this treasure in frail human vessels of clay. We are weak, ordinary, and insignificant, but God places the glorious Gospel within us so that the excellence and power will be seen to come from Him and not from ourselves. That is why we must keep our hearts clean and our consciences clear, renouncing secret and disgraceful ways and refusing to handle God’s Word through craftiness or deception. We may have different abilities and skills, but everything must remain submitted to God and used for His glory.
Because we have received this light, we are called to shine it into the darkness around us. We remain in this world to advance God’s kingdom through the preaching, proclamation, warning, and teaching of the Gospel. We are not here to draw attention to ourselves, but to point people to Jesus Christ as Lord. We are only His servants and vessels, while God is the one who saves and works through us. As we remain humble, hold firmly to the Gospel of water and Spirit, and faithfully carry this light, God can use these ordinary vessels to make Christ known in a dark world.
Living It Out
The Gospel of water and Spirit is the treasure God has placed within fragile vessels of clay. It is not a message created by human wisdom or sustained by human ability, but the revelation of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. We have seen that this Gospel is a mystery revealed by God, and that Christ Himself dwells within those who believe. Because this treasure is so precious, we must guard it carefully and remain rooted in the truth rather than allowing ourselves to be carried away by false teachings. We have also been warned that the Gospel has enemies. False prophets may come in sheep’s clothing, making it necessary for us to look beyond appearances and recognize the cloth they wear, the fruit they bear, and the fate they share. Jude gives us the way of Cain, the error of Balaam, and the rebellion of Korah as warnings of how the Gospel can be perverted, prostituted, or protested. We therefore need to remain discerning, holding firmly to the Gospel of water and Spirit and refusing to replace Christ’s work with human works, personal gain, or rebellion.
Finally, the Gospel is not a treasure that we keep hidden. It is the Gospel Light that God has placed within us so that it can shine into the darkness. We are only earthen vessels, and God is the One who saves, transforms, and works through us. So let us remain humble, keep our hearts clean, faithfully proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, and continue to carry the Gospel of water and Spirit wherever God has placed us. The treasure is too precious, the truth is too important, and the light is too necessary for us to keep it to ourselves.
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