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The Potter And The Clay
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Introduction:
A. The Bible is filled with illustrations that show the power
of God. Most of them we usually discuss are in the New
Testament, but God used very practical illustrations to
teach the nation of Judah lessons about their relationship
to Him in the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 13, the Lord
had Jeremiah bury a sash in the wet ground until it rotted
to show that He would ruin the pride of Judah.
B. In Jeremiah 18, we see God using another illustration to
show Jeremiah and Judah that He has the power to do accord-
ing to His good-will. This appeal should have caused them
to turn from their evil ways. Instead the people schemed
against the life of this preacher of repentance.
C. Some tell us that Jeremiah did not actually do the things
recorded in chapters 13 and 18, but whether he did or not
the principle is still taught. This illustration has
lessons that we can learn today.
I. The Potter - Isa 45:9
A. God almighty is the potter
B. He has an abiding interest in all human affairs
II.The Potter's Clay - Isa 64:8
A. Man, like clay, is pliable
1. We go through variable shapes and pass through many
changes
2. We can be molded by the Potter or by the spirit of
this world
a. Rom 12:2
b. Rom 6:16
B. Youth is the most pliable period of life
1. You have heard it said, "You can't teach an old dog
new tricks."
2. Like clay, character becomes less plastic as time
passes
3. It is very important to train and teach children and
to encourage them to obey while young.
a. Eccl 12:1
b. Prov 22:6
III.The Potter's Pattern
A. The potter
1. Places the pattern he wants to use in front of him
2. He takes the raw material in his hands - shapes it
into the likeness of his pattern
B. God's Pattern is the Christ
1. He takes man into his hands, and begins to fashion
him into the likeness of the Christ.
a. Rom 8:29
b. Col 3:10
2. God desires to make every man like the Christ - a
vessel of beauty and usefulness
a. Jn. 3:16
b. 2 Pet 3:9
IV.The Potter's Patience
A. When the vessel made of clay is marred in the hand of
the potter, he never throws it away in disgust, but
makes it over
B. Though Israel was marred - God continued to work with
her.
C. Though Peter twice denied Him, Jesus didn't give up on
him - Luke 22:61-62
D. Though we may be marred, the Potter does not cast us
aside - Rom. 2:4
V. The Potter's Product
A. The kind of vessel he makes depends largely on the way
the material responds to touch.
B. Two Kinds of Responses:
1. Impenitent
a. He who hardens himself against God cannot find
improvement
in his life.
b. Pride, stubbornness, selfishness resist God's touch
c. God changes his intentions accordingly as a nation
or individual changes his behavior - Jer 18:7-10
2. Penitent
a. God works wonders with the penitent - makes him
into a vessel of honor.
b. He takes the clay and converts it into object of
beauty and usefulness
c. When the vessel is made into likeness of the
pattern, the Potter places his own signature upon
it as his own workmanship
(1). Eph 2:10
(2). Rev 3:12
C. God calls all men to repentance - Lk 13:3
D. Man has a choice
1. God has granted to man the freedom of choice. That
makes man responsible for his conduct.
2. If man were not allowed to exercise his own will
power, then God would be responsible for all that
man does.
3. Rom 9:19-24
a. Notice several things about this passage
(1). God has absolute power over all people.
(2). He desires that all man be righteous.
(3). But he will only bless those who obey - or
are righteous.
(4). He must reject and punish those who disobey.
(5). Man makes his own character - either according
to God's directions and with his help, or
else he makes a character against God's teach-
ing and willingness to help.
(6). God is righteous in acting in this way.
(7). Whether a man is a vessel unto honor or unto
dishonor, he and he alone is responsible!
(8). God does not by any direct power make people
either good or bad.
b. But God "would have all men to be saved" -
1 Tim.2:4
Conclusion:
A. Clay, in the hands of a skilled potter, has the possibili-
ties of becoming an object of usefulness and beauty. There
are possibilities in all of us that are capable of being
realized, if we are willing to place our lives in the hands
of God. If we do not respond to God our life will be marred.
B. But the Great Designer or Potter can redeem us from that
unfortunate situation and make us into a useful being if we
will but let Him - Rom 8:28
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