He's Still Working: The Potter, The Clay, and The Process

Today we tend to like finished products. We look for it in almost every aspect of our lives.

If we have been a part of the construction of anything we know how we become impatient in seeing its completion.

We struggle with the process and in most cases our frustration is in that we do not understand the plan.

Israel as a nation is in rebellion as the people of God. His chosen special ones.*

God wishes to communicate to them in a way that they would understand, that regardless of all they have done, their failings and their rebellion that “He Still Working”.

He send the prophet to a place where he can receive the most accurate object lesson in human experience of what God is up to.

It is a message of Hope, a message that would convey His commitment to them and that what He has in mind for them to become.*

It is not easy to shape a human. The chorus says “It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars, how loving a patient He must be cause He’s still working on me”

We must know who we are in this entire engagement.

Two characters one desire

• The Potter who has control of the plan.

• The Clay that has control of the process

1. The Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

• Every potter has a plan. He may not be able to articulate it in very descriptive terms but it is His vision.

• The plan is not the desire of the clay but the one who is fashioning it.

2. The Process.

James 1:2-4 KJVS “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

• It’s a patient game of wait and see.

• The piece of clay is selected from a larger lump.

• That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

• The clay is soaked

  in water to extract air bubbles.

Ephesians 5:26 KJVS “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”

• The clay is slapped

  violently to remove foreign bodies in it.

  
  

• The clay is spun

  on the wheel where it has no control of it self.

  
  

• The clay is shaped

  by the strong hand of the potter until what He has in His mind is manifested in that clay.

  
  

• The clay that is shaped is subjected to fire.

• The clay is decorated in the potter’s own fashion

• The clay is consecrated for use as a trusted vessel

3. The Problem. Vs 4.

• The Clay is uncooperative

• Lack of obedience deforms the vessel

• The process must start over because He would not display what does not meet His approval.

Why all this process?

• That vessel is a reflection of the potter

• That vessel is representation of the potter

• That vessel is a receptacle of grace

• That vessel must be resilient in hardship

1. He is prepared to go through the same process over and over until we become who He wants us to be.

2. He has the vision for our lives beyond what we can imagine but we must trust the process and not be distracted by other vessels who are under process as well.

3. We waste time resisting the process and risk never becoming what He desires us to be.

4. Every vessel is unique. Psalm 139:14-18

Listen to the The First Cup Podcast here:

Encountering God: Changed by the Spirit

By: Pastor Terrence Sobers

“A New Life”

Main Points:

• The Damage of a Deceived Heart (Error in Ignorance)

• The Impact of an Encounter with God (A moment of Discovery)

• Explore and learn from what Occurs (Choose to Engage)

• An Encounter is Personal (The change to you is most important)

• An Encounter can be Destabilizing (Change is not always straight forward)

• In Divine things there are Destiny Helper (Nothing Divine is ever done Alone)

• Change is a Double-Edged Sword (Growth has Challenges)

• Spiritual and Natural Change (Revelation and Growth)

• Restore-Strengthen-Learn (Choose to Develop)

• God Gets Glory (your encounter should have an impact)

• Change will be Opposed (resilience is required)

The Damage of a Deceived Heart

(Error in Ignorance) 

Acts 9:1-2 NKJV Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

• Zeal is a great gift of God but when applied in error can cause great damage to the thing or One whom you are seeking to Honor

• Parents, spouses, friends, Christians all with good intention but in ignorance can cause great hurt to the ones they are seeking to Bless or honor

• It is critical to seek to ensure you are correct before you act

The Impact of an Encounter with God

(A moment of Discovery) 

Acts 9:3 NKJV 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

• Divine Encounter - Paul met God

• Change usually starts with an encounter. You have a new experience, meet someone else, and are exposed to new information

• Where nothing changes…nothing changes

• Insight and awareness, are key to any change that occurs in our life

Explore and learn from what Occurs

(Choose to Engage) 

Acts 9:5-6 NKJV 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

• Divine Purpose - Paul was given instruction from God

• Seek to understand what you are experiencing. Having a new experience and not engaging deep enough to benefit is pointless

• An encounter without engagement is an opportunity lost

• Use the opportunity to find out how your life can change or improve as a result

• God always is seeking to get our attention and direct us towards better, but He is usually waiting for an engaged Heart.

John 4:23 - "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him"

God is seeking those who are genuinely interested in Him and His purposes

Jeremiah 29:13- 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

This speaks of an intentional, active, persistent process

2 Chronicles 16:9(a) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

This is an instance where the seer Hanani had to remind King Asa, that dependance on God was better than dependance on man. His dependance on the King of Seria was an affront to God.

An Encounter is Personal

(The change to you is most important) 

Acts 9:7 NKJV 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

• Do not expect everyone to fully understand what’s happening to you, you yourself may not fully understand

• If you have a genuine encounter, people should notice some difference even if they don’t comprehend everything that is happening

An Encounter can be Destabilizing

(Change is not always straight forward)

Acts 9:8 NKJV 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

• Sometimes things seem to get worse rather than better when you have an encounter with God

• You may have to lose things you treasure

• You may need help in ways you didn’t before

• It may cause a change in how you function for some time

• But it is all apart of transitioning to better

In Divine things there are Destiny Helper

(Nothing Divine is ever done Alone)

Ananias Baptizes Saul

Acts 9:10-12 NKJV 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

• When your encounter is genuine, you often need helpers to get you to your next stage

• God works best in community; we do not do it all alone

Change is a Double-Edged Sword

(Growth has Challenges) 

Acts 9:13-16 NKJV 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much [b]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children[c] of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

• All will not accept that you have changed based on your history

• The change can expose you to new levels of life, opportunity and authority

• Change will bring new responsibilities and challenges and often pain and pressures

  
  

Spiritual and Natural Change

(Revelation and Growth)

Acts 9:17-18 NKJV 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [d]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

• You will be embraced by those who understand, not everyone will understand

• Divine Revelation- Encounters can cause physical and spiritual change. Paul was delivered from spiritual and natural blindness

• Encounters require a response. Paul got up and was baptized. He became committed to God

Restore-Strengthen-Learn

(Choose to Develop) 

Acts 9:19 NKJV 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

• Just because God Has Changed you or created opportunity. It doesn’t mean you are fully ready for the journey or know all that is necessary

• Take time to develop in the way God is leading you

• Seek to become stable, before seeking to expand

• Be humble enough to learn from others

God Gets Glory

(your encounter should have an impact)

Saul Preaches Christ

Acts 9:20-22 NKJV 20 Immediately he preached [e]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

• Paul preached Christ boldly- Active Service

• Genuine change always produces fruit and Glory to God

• It is usually testified by others, if no one notices the change is questionable

• Consistency breads development and increased impact

Change will be Opposed

(resilience is required) 

Acts 9:23-25 NKJV 23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

• Divine Empowerment - Paul persisted despite attacks and persecution

• All will not approve your change; many will resist it and reject you

• Resilience and Dependence on God and often other is Essential

Declarative Prayer:

• We Declare that we will seek Divine Encounters

• We Declare that we will accept Divine Direction

• We Declare that we will fulfill Divine Purpose

• We Declare that we will depend on Divine Empowerment

IN JESUS NAME

Listen to this sermon Podcast:

Graced to Lead, Called to Serve - Empowered for Purpose

1 Peter 4:1-2, 7-11&

“A vessel of Glory”

Main Points:

• You are Saved for God’s Glory

• Salvation is a mechanism for Glorification

• Transformation - focused on the will of God

• You must Serve for God’s Glory

• Prayer and Vigilance - Keys to Glorification

• A Loving Nature is the means to Overcoming -Keys to endurance and

  forgiveness

• Hospitality is an Expression of Love- A Tangible way to care)

• The Purpose of a Divine Gift- Service & Stewardship - It is other focused

• Be a Voice for God- Speak with Divine focus

• Serve from a place of Dependance - expect Divine help

• Serve with the Motive to show God’s Glory- God is the focus not you

• You must Suffer for God’s Glory

• Trials are a part of the Process - suffering is a form of glorification

• Sanctification is evidence of Transformation - suffering for evil doesn’t

  glorify God

  
  

The Call of a Minister - You are Saved for God’s Glory

Salvation is a mechanism for Glorification

(Transformation - focused on the will of God)

1 Peter 1-2 NKJV Therefore, since Christ suffered [a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

• Your salvation was not just so that you would avoid Hell

• Your Salvation was not just so you can have your sins erased

• Your salvation was so that you can manifest the will of God

• God is glorified when others see what salvation has wrought in your life

• True salvation is mutually beneficial; you are transformed and Gods will is done

• The Call of a Minister-You must Serve for God’s Glory

Prayer and Vigilance

(Keys to Glorification)

1 Peter4:7 NKJV But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

• Without focus and consistency there is little divine communication

• Without healthy communication, there is little transformation and limited empowerment

• Without transformation and empowerment there is little glorification

A Loving Nature is the means to Overcoming

(Keys to endurance and forgiveness)

1 Peter4:8NKJV And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

• This verse is often used to emphasize the importance of love and forgiveness within a community, as love is seen as a way to overcome and forgive the faults and mistakes of others.

• Emphasis on love: The verse's opening phrase, "Above all," highlights that love is the most important virtue, taking precedence over other qualities.

• "Covers a multitude of sins": This phrase means that a deep and sincere love can overlook and forgive many offenses and shortcomings, just as love overlooks and seeks the best for others.

• A call to action: It's a command to actively and consistently show a deep and earnest love for one another, which is the foundation for creating a more forgiving and merciful community.

Hospitality is an Expression of Love

(A Tangible way to care)

1 Peter4:9NKJV 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

• Offer hospitality without grumbling: This instruction emphasizes that hospitality should be offered willingly and with a cheerful attitude, rather than reluctantly or out of obligation.

• Hospitality's context: The verse is part of a larger passage urging believers to take on Jesus' attitude toward suffering and to live differently from the world, which can sometimes make hospitality feel burdensome.

• Hospitality's purpose: Practicing hospitality is an act of love and stewardship, serving others as good stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

• Broader application: the principle of hospitality can be applied more broadly to serving and caring for others in any circumstance, as well as within the community of faith

• Rooted in love: hospitality as a keyway to express love for fellow believers.

The Purpose of a Divine Gift

(Service & Stewardship - It is other focused)

1 Peter4:10NKJV As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

• Use your gifts to serve others:

• Each person has received a unique gift and should use it to minister to others in the church and community.

• Act as a steward of God's grace:

• You are a steward, or manager, of the "manifold grace" (varied gifts) that God has given you, and you are responsible for using them wisely for the benefit of others.

  
  

Be a Voice for God

(Speak with Divine focus)

1 Peter4:11(a) NKJV If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [a]oracles of God.

• Speak God's words:

• When speaking, speak as if you are conveying the very words of God. The

• emphasis is on the message being divinely inspired, not just your own opinion.

  
  

Serve from a place of Dependance

(expect Divine help)

1 Peter4:11(b) NKJV If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies,

• Serve with God's strength:

• When serving, do so with the strength that God provides, not with your own limited ability. This means relying on divine power to fulfill your role.

  
  

Serve with the Motive to show God’s Glory

(God is the focus not you)

1 Peter4:11(c) that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [b]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• Give glory to God:

• The ultimate purpose of using these gifts is so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. This points to the glory and power belonging to God forever.

  
  

The Call of a Minister - You must Suffer for God’s Glory

Trials are a part of the Process

(suffering is a form of glorification)

1 Peter 4:12 -14 NKJV Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [e]reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [f]On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

• Trial are a normal part of divine living in a fallen world

• Some Persons will persecute you for you faith once it is genuinely expressed

• To be insulted for God is a blessing

• To suffer for Him is an Honor that brings God Glory

  
  

Sanctification is evidence of Transformation

(suffering for evil doesn’t glorify God)

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a [g]busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this [h]matter.

• Suffering for dishonorable acts or attitudes doesn’t Glorify God

• Only suffering because of your transformed nature is Honorable

• Salvation without Sanctification dishonors God

Declarative Prayer:

1. We Declare that we are Saved for God’s Glory

2. We Declare that we will Serve for God’s Glory

3. We Declare that we may Suffer for God’s Glory

4. We Declare that we will be Sanctified for God’s Glory

   
   

   IN JESUS NAME