Broken Vessels
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Earthen Vessels
Earthen Vessels
The Scripture often describes the believer as being vessel prepared for use. Our verse this morning encourages us to clean the vessel in preparation for the “special purpose” God has created! The book of Jeremiah gives us a great picture of the gift of Salvation.
The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,
“Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.”
So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel.
But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.
The picture here is clear. The potter is God who notices that His vessels have become damaged. The response of the potter wasn’t to through away the material and begin again. NO! He takes the time to remake the vessel according to the plan of His purpose!
In the truest sense, the vessel was “born anew” in the original image of the potter! What a great picture of our salvation! God in in the purpose of enacting His plan! The question is, “What sort of vessel do we desire to be?”
No one will put fresh water into a dirty container!
We painstakingly care for the condition of our physical container but generally lack care of our spiritual containers!
I’m not talking about eating right, exercising, reducing stress which are all good things, I am talking about the behaviors and attitudes that are the source of the “real” who we are!
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
Jesus put in real terms
“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.
A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Good fruit should be coming from our live, this means the outward tangible demonstration of the inward regenerated spirit!
The challenge to the disciples was
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.
It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
Part of the process of discipleship and sanctification is the emptying of the vessel (the flesh) and the surrender of control to the Holy Spirit
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
The emphasis isn’t the use of the vessel but its readiness!
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
It is for this very reason that we are on the road of sanctification! Who could have ever imagined that the God of the universe would be contained in such a vessel as me? The book of Psalms describes our broken condition perfectly,
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.
I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.
I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors— even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way.
I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.
A broken vessel! That is exactly what we were before the saving grace of our Lord and Savior restored us! Like the potter begining again, we have been given a second chance!
Now a vessel isn’t doing its job unless it is filled with something! The question then becomes how empty are you? The more of you that there still is the less of Him can occupy
That is 100% your choice!
Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One).
For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.
You see it is the power of the Holy Spirit working within us to empty the vessel of that which is occupying God’s space!
You see, surrender and freedom from sin comes from knowing Him! The Apostle Peter spoke about the importance of knowing Him in his second letter.
Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind].
But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!
You see it isn’t about what we can do for Hum but rather resting in what He has done for us. Once that is correct, out of our lives will flow rivers of living water!
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Do you want to be a vessel ready for the Master’s use? Prepare your vessel and stand at the ready for the call of the Master!