TEXT:
Jeremiah 18:1-4
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Arise,
and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear
my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought
a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred
in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed
good to the potter to make it.
INTRODUCTION:
Sometimes it is difficult to see the work of God in our lives, but
it is there.
When a tapestry is embroidered, you may look at the back and wonder.
But, when you turn it over you can see the intended beauty of the artist.
I. GOD IS WORKING
ON YOU
Jer. 18:1-4
A. GOD IS THERE
1. When Jeremiah went to
the potters house God was there.
2. When the clay was being
broken and softened God was there.
3. When the clay was being
worked and molded God was there.
4. When you go through trials,
God is there.
5. If you are a Christian,
God will never leave you or forsake you.
6. He has promised to be
with you always.
B. GOD IS AT WORK
1. We like to think of God
as a master potter.
2. But, the Lord is more
than just a master potter, he is God.
3. Even a master potter
has flaws in his work.
4. God makes no mistakes.
5. Our potter is omniscient,
omnipotent, and loving.
6. Sometimes we look at
our lives and wonder how God can be in it.
7. When you ladies bake
a pound cake, not everything that goes in it tastes good.
8. If you taste the butter
that goes into a pound cake, it doesn't taste good by itself.
9. If you taste the flour
that goes into a pound cake, it doesn't taste good by itself.
10. But, after the ingredients
are mixed together when it comes out of the oven, it tastes great.
11. There are many ingredients
that don't taste good as they go into our lives.
12. We may wonder what God
is doing with those experiences we've gone through.
13. But, my God works all
things together for good to those who love
Him and who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom.8:28)
C. GOD IS WORKING ON YOU
1. It is you on the wheel.
2. You might look at your
life and think you are not worthy of being used by God.
3. But, notice what the
potter used.
4. The potter did not choose
to use gold, he used clay.
5. It is not what you are
made of that counts.
6. What counts is what God
is making of you.
7. A master potter can take
a lump of clay and shape it into a beautiful vase.
8. Many years from now,
a master potter's vase may be worth millions of dollars.
9. Chinese pottery from
the Ming Dynasty brings hundreds of thousands of dollars.
10. Our master potter can
cause our lives to have great value to our decendants in the faith.
11. If you live a godly
life in spite of the circumstances, you can make an impact.
II. GOD IS WORKING
THROUGH YOU
Esther 4:14 "...who
knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Jude 22 "...and
of some have compassion making a difference."
A. WE ARE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
1. If you will make a difference
in your own world, God will use it to make a difference in THE world.
2. Esther did what she could
with what she had.
3. She went before the king
and used her access to the king to save her people.
4. She didn't think it would
work.
5. She feared that she would
be killed for approaching the king.
6. But, she did what she
could, and God used it.
B. EVERYONE HAS A PURPOSE
1. I believe we all have
a "such a time as this" in our lives.
2. It is a defining moment.
3. It is a time when God
uses us to fulfill a great purpose for His kingdom.
4. Esther's "such a time
as this" was her opportunity to save her people.
5. We read of a widow in
the gospels who had only a mite.
6. Her "such a time as this"
was that moment when she decided to offer God all she had.
7. For 2000 years, her sacrificial
giving has been a written example for others to follow.
8. In John 6, there was
a young boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish.
9. It was his "such a time
as this" when he decided to give his meal to the Lord.
10. But, there was more
than just the boy involved in this.
11. There was also Andrew
who found the boy and encouraged him.
12. Perhaps your "such a
time as this" is as an encourager to a young boy.
13. We never know for sure
what our "such a time as this" was until we get to heaven.
14. Perhaps God will use
you to be the spark that causes some young boy or girl to live for God.
15. Perhaps God will use
your godly example and Christlike love to touch a generation for Christ.
16. Perhaps your purpose
is to give tithes and offerings so others can win 1000's.
17. Follow God's Word.
18. Pray for God's wisdom
and guidance.
19. Make a difference in
YOUR own part of the world and let God use it to make a difference in
THE WHOLE world.