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Tuesday, June 09, 2009

THE DIVINE POTTER


My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, God is truly our all in all. I say that because everything and anything we should ever need comes from our Maker, and that’s non other than the Mighty God we serve. There are so many metaphors that are used to describe who God is to us but one of my favorites is God as “The Potter”. I say that because in actuality, only a certain potter knows what he’s creating, why he creates it and his finished work is not complete until he can see himself in his creation.

Doesn’t that sound so much like our Heavenly Father, our Spiritual Potter? I do indeed. Let us now go into the Word of God together, break bread and breakdown this Awesomely, Divine Potter. So kick off your shoes, sit back, relax and get yourselves ready for a glorious ride into the mind of a willing vessel created by the Hands of a Potter unlike any other Who took this clay named it Andres and called him, a preacher.

Now, the Word of God says, “We are the clay, and thou are Potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8b and it also says, “Hath not the potter power over the clay,” Romans 9:21a. And with that said we can clearly see that according to the usual method of scripture metaphors, we find the Lord God set forth under the metaphorical notion of a Potter, which I shall now illustrated in the ensuing parallel and to further give God the total glory He deserves, I will followed those metaphors and parallels with an illustration of metaphors but this time instead of using parallels, I will use disparities of an earthly potter versus our Heavenly Potter. Amen.

A Potter is an artificer, an artisan or workman, one skilful to work in earth, or to form and make pots, and other vessels of clay. This tells me that God is the Maker of all men and things that ever were, or shall be.

A Potter prepares his clay or matter first, of which he intends to make his vessels; and when he hath made it fit, and ready for the wheel, he goes to work. This tells me that God created or prepared the earth, the clay, before He formed man, and out of it was He made: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, “ Genesis 2:7

A Potter projects before-hand, what kind of vessel he will make of such clay; he hath the form and fashion of it in his mind, before he goes to work; nay, (and it may be) makes known what a vessel he will make. This tells me that “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18. He contrived in His eternal counsel, what kind of creature He would make man; nay, at the time of his formation, He declared what a rare vessel he should be: “And God said, Let Us make man in our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26

A Potter makes vessels of divers sorts and sizes, and for several uses; some are for more honorable and noble services than others. This tells me that God makes vessels of divers sorts and sizes; all men are not of the like stature and beauty in their first formation; neither are they so, as they are made or formed anew in Christ Jesus; for some vessels are designed by the great Potter to contain the golden oil, and soul-enriching treasure, for the emptying of them unto others.

A Potter takes great care of the vessels he hath made, and bestowed his labour and pains upon, that they may not be broken; for they are brittle ware, and he is greatly offended with such as strive to dash them to pieces. This tells me that God takes great care of those pots or vessels He hath made, nay, twice made, or formed for Himself: he gives a charge concerning them, and rebukes kings for their sakes; “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” 1 Chronicles 16:22. The devil and wicked men shall one day go to wreck, for that violence offered to those curious vessels that God hath prepared to glory: “But he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.” Galatians 5:10.

Now here comes the fun part. Here’s where we breakdown metaphors the world of unbelievers would use in order to diminish the uniqueness of our Heavenly Potter and further discourage those who love God dearly, to them who are the called according to His purpose. I know… I just quoted Romans 8:28. I just love His Word and can’t help myself sometimes. Just taste and see and I promise, you’ll understand where I’m coming from.

The world may say that a Potter hath not his skill in making vessels from himself, but is taught by some other man. But they must realize that God hath his wisdom of, and from himself.

The world may say that a Potter many times wants skill in framing of some curious vessels, and not only so, but care; and by this means the vessel is marred, and spoiled in his hand. But they must realize that God is infinite in wisdom, loveth all things He goes about, and His care is accordingly; a God that is never unmindful of the work of His hands; so that if any vessel is broken, the fault is not in Him, but either in themselves, or some cursed enemy.

The world may say that a potter makes not all the vessels which are upon the wheel for his own use and profit, but for the use of others. But they must realize that God makes all things for Himself, “The LORD hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Proverbs 16:4.

The world may say that a potter cannot make vessels, unless he hath clay or matter to make them with, or to work upon. But they must realize that God first made the clay, He created the dust of the earth, and then out of it made or framed man.

The world may say that a potter makes vessels that are very defective, as they first come off the wheel. But they must realize that God never made or framed any vessel, but as it came out of his hand it was well done, without fault or blemish: “And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

Now last but not least, let’s apply it all into our hearts, our minds and our lives in order to better understand and serve the Lord our Creator as His beloved creation. Many of us may wonder if God is truly the Potter, and man the clay. There’s nothing wrong with wondering, pondering and questioning because the moment God reveals Himself as so, His manifestation alone will teach us to lie low before the Him Who is in heaven humble us to each moment we realize what this clay is in the hands of a mighty Potter. We may conclude that we are not made for ourselves, but for some particular use. And since the glory of God was the principal thing He designed, in the making and forming of us; let us see we do not rise up against Him in a sinful way, to His dishonour. Lastly, we may know from for this reason how frail and brittle we are, sooner broken than a Potter’s vessel.


Amen

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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.