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sermonette: In the Hands of the Potter

Ted E. Bowling
Given 14-Oct-14; Sermon #FT14-06s; 18 minutes

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Let's In my last sermonet, we saw how Satan is diligently working to lure us and tempt us with the attractions of this world. To cause us to stumble. And we can see how God has marvelously made us, programmed us in our brain that we can react to to temptation that comes upon us, and he's built in each one of us this ability to have this alert discernment and conviction to resist. And as you remember, I spoke. About James one, how it is Satan that is, who tempts us and not God. And I'd like to then go to Matthew. Chapter 6 and verse 13, breaking into the model prayer. In verse 13, it says, lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from the evil one. You see, Christ allows us to be tempted. But in no way does God tempt us Himself. You can look at Job, where God allowed Satan to tempt him to try him. But he did not do it himself. He let Satan do it, but it was for a purpose. As we look at the word temptation. It's 3985 and it means not only temptation, but it also means proof of, test, and trial. So the verse is saying, lead us not to temptation, trials and tests. And even though we realize that the trials and tests are necessary for our spiritual growth, it is not something to be desired. Even Christ, when he was in the garden, prayed, that this cup pass from me. Knowing all the while that he must go through this trial, but he prayed the prayer anyway. And that is the example for us today. That as we go through the trials and tests, we must pray God to let us pass, let them go quickly. But we do realize that we must go through them. Because Christ, excuse me, the Father is molding us. And as Christ walked the earth, he was being prepared for his position as well. The Father was molding him, forming him. To take over, to rule all creation, all eternity. And brethren, that is what our God is doing with us today, just like our other brother. We are in the hands of a master potter. Suffering through trials and tests and temptations. Why? Because he can mold us and fashion us into his great purpose. As we read in Genesis 2:7. God, the master potter formed and molded the physical man from the dust dust of the earth and breathed life into him. I just happened to notice debris from Sunday. And it was on Genesis 1:26. And made me feel pretty good seeing this. And so I want to quote a small section of it. This is from John Reitenbaug. Quote, Genesis 1:26 expresses the specific purpose statement of the Bible. God the Creator, the master potter is reproducing himself. This is the work of God. He is in the process of making man in his image. That project is completed in two stages, the physical and the spiritual. When the physical aspect was completed at creation, the spiritual one began. This is the overall project he was, he is supervising, unquote. Please turn to Genesis to Jeremiah 18. We'll read verses 2 through 6. Jeremiah. Verse 2, arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house and there he, he was making something at the wheel. The vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the, in the hand of the potter, and so he made it again in, into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this, this potter, says the Lord. Look, as the clay is in the potter's hands, so are you in the hands of, and so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. And today, we are the house of Israel. God is the master potter, and we are the clay. And God uses this example of the potter forming the clay vessels, and in fact, a, a century earlier, Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 64:8. But now, Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are Potter, and all we are the work of your hand. So God molded the first man there in the Garden of Eden. And as we saw in the video Friday night, wonders of creation, how wonderfully man was created physically. And so can we expect anything less? As God models and fashions us spiritually. God is not working with all mankind right now. But those only that who is calling. And this is a good example with the clay. A lump of clay cannot do nothing of itself. It requires the potter to choose it. To put it on the wheel and to be in the spin it. Able to develop itself. Just as we are not able to develop ourselves spiritually. So this is an honor that we have been given, not earned by a merciful God. So I, today, I'd like to look at the process of how the potter works with the clay and the, the analogy that fits so well with us. First, the potter seeks the clay. There are many types of clays that are in use today. Some potters just will buy it commercially. But the purists will go out and find the clay themselves. Oftentimes they will seek it in the banks of rivers and in the river in riverbeds. Every piece of clay that is gathered is different, just as you and I are different. And each one has its purpose, and each one of us has its purpose in God's family. And that's how we are being prepared today. Now, the first thing that Potter does is weathers the clay. He allows us to sit for a few months, weeks, whatever his purpose is. And even to the point sometimes where the clay will stink a little bit. And I hear that that is good with what I read. And then the potter washes it. Brethren, our sin, our sins are a stench in the nostrils of God. Not until we repent of our sins and transgressions, and that we are cleansed from our sins and we can be used by God. Revelation 1:5 says, to whom, to him whom he loved, to him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Then comes the next process. And that is removing the rocks, the lumps, and the impurities from the clay. If it doesn't do this, the clay has no value. And this is done by On a hard surface, the potter will pound the clay. He will roll the clay, mash it. And keep moving it over and over as the lumps and the rocks will come to the surface, and then he will remove them. And this is the only way he can prepare the clay that it may be used and formed. Now, brethren, many of us have experienced or are experiencing severe tests and trials. And how often do we feel pounded, smashed, and pulled apart? But it requires this to remove and open up the deep sins. And the impurities in us and bring them to the surface so we can see them. We must Buckle under the pressure. Learn that these are vital lessons for us, intended to teach us, to help us to grow. Now, there are those that Do fall under the pressure. And they do buckle, they do buckle. But this process is necessary. God cannot properly work with us until we have repented of our self-righteous, hardened hearts. There will be times it is necessary for God to rebuke us and to chasten us, but he does it all in love. And just about the time you would think the potter, after smashing, pounding the clay and rolling it, that would be it. Well, it's not. The, the, the potter will then next start cutting the clay. And then he will take a rubber mallet and he will start smashing it and smashing it and smashing it. What's the purpose now? It has removed all the air bubbles that are in the clay. You see, if he was to fashion the clay without doing this, once it was put into the kiln, The pottery would explode. And Father uh, we see in Hebrews 4:12, that we, the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. And so it is by God's word that we are being Cut it into pieces. And it is a lifetime process. He is preparing us from the day that we are converted and I think until the day that we die. He will do whatever it takes to prepare us. Because we are precious to him. And he wants us to be able to stand the test of time, a vessel that will be in service to him throughout eternity. Now, when I was a young man, When I first came into the church. I was very naive. When I was baptized, And I came up out of the water. Hands were laid upon me. Receiving that portion of God's Holy Spirit. I thought to myself, this is wonderful. The dentations of the world are not going to affect me no more. I thought that God was going to protect me from everything with His Holy Spirit. I learned quickly. That's not how it works. You see, the potter does not douse the clay with water. Instead, as he works with the clay, he'll have a basin next to him with water, and as he works with the clay, he'll dip his fingers into the water and then to make sure that there is always moisture between his fingers and the clay. So God is applying the living waters of His Holy Spirit into our lives in proper portion as we need. Because he does know exactly what we need and when we need it. And I learned Just as all of you have learned. To battle temptations of this world is not easy. And we have to go to God in prayer and supplication for his strength to overcome. I learned that the tests and trials would make me feel beaten and pummeled even though Um, even sometimes to the point that I felt that I may not be able to go another step. But I realized and learned all these things were for my good. To be molded means to means change in our lives. As we pass from test to test, trial to trial, there must be change. And you see, if we do not change, we are subject likely to go through that trial again and again. God needs to know our reaction to suffering. Before he will before he will give us the power to rule in his kingdom. Just as Christ suffered. II Timothy 2:12 says, if we endure, we will also reign with Him. So God will apply the exact pressure on us to get the results he is looking for. Because he is turning this lump of clay into a flawless piece of work to fulfill his good and pleasing will. Because he knows where he wants us to fit into his plan. We do not. He is looking for upright sons and daughters that are holy and righteous, full of love, full of compassion, patience, long suffering. Empathy for one another. Ready to stand beside each other as others go through these trials and tests. See this is what this process produces. Holy righteous character. Now there is work on our part to do. We must remain centered in God's truth. You see, if the clay is off center at all while the potter is working with it on the wheel. It will begin to wobble, and the potter must start over because he will not deal with this impurity. So, brother, we cannot, brother, we cannot become wobbly in the truth and be moved by the winds of doctrine, but be stable and strong in the commandments of God. We have to be willing to yield and trust our potter. We must be bringing the carnal man into subjection. Humbling ourselves, putting ourselves totally in his hands, holding fast under the pressures of life. Galatians 4:19 says, Christ is being formed in us. So, understanding this relationship between the master potter and the clay makes James 1:2-3 easier to understand. It says there, my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. As long as we are in the flesh, we will sin. But we must continually, daily repent and ask God for the help to fight the temptations that come our way, examine ourselves daily. So that we might grow and change. Life was meant to be full of tests, trials, and temptations, all intended to be the means of building a beautiful, God-like character in each and every one of us. And as we go through these tests. Again, we will be pounded and smashed down. We will feel like God is not nearby. We will cry out, Where are you? I'm going through this alone. But I want you to know And have a peace of mind that the Father is not afar off and that you are never alone. You see, remember, the potter is sitting at the wheel. His hands are in contact with the clay at all times. Remember, you are the apple of his eye. And he is focused on you, working patiently with you, preparing you. Just as our Heavenly Father prepared Jesus Christ for that great purpose. He also will finish a work in you. Revelation 21:7 says, He that overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall, and he shall be my son. The great potter has promised that those who endure and overcome trials, tests, and temptations will inherit everything.

TEB/aws+/

 

 

Sermon Topics

False Gospels

Jesus Christ's Return

Life after Death

Repentance

Resurrection

The Gospel

The Kingdom of God