The passage touches on several of the topics we've studied in the series, like light shining in the darkness, and death to life; as well as some of the subtopics like focusing on our calling, ultimately giving glory to God, etc.
Also, the last verses, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (vs 17-18), basically give the reason why we have Hope and "do not lose heart". We believe that God can raise beauty from the ashes, based on the eternal perspective and the blessings that we have through salvation.
In vs 7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."; essentially, Paul is saying that even if we have weaknesses; God can use weak vessels and it only makes it more clear that any great results are from God and not us.
And, vs 8-9 have always been encouraging verses in the midst of troubles: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." This illustrates the trust that God is able to deliver and save.
To summarize the series: Essentially, in this fallen sinful world, we inevitably face Ashes (i.e. mourning, broken hearts, darkness, death, etc); but, in the midst of it all, believers have the HOPE that God is able to raise Beauty (i.e. dancing, healing, light, life, etc). When God bestows Beauty for Ashes, it is ultimately for His Glory, and our natural response is to PRAISE Him, because of WHO HE IS.
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