-
The Vessel God ...
Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009 (message contributor)
THE VESSEL GOD USES
The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
on the shelf there were many--which one would He choose?
"Take me", cried the gold one, "I’m shiny and bright,
I’m of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!"
The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall.
"I’ll serve You, dear Master, I’ll pour out Your wine,
and I’ll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You."
Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
it was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view."
"Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear,
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I’m sure I’ll be happy in Your house to abide."
The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
"You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said,
"But I’d rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!"
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
to cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
"Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might."
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,
mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. "There’s work you must do.
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."
Someone said, "I wondered why somebody didn’t do something; then I realized that I was somebody." Serving men is troublesome, even torture. Serving men is a worthless, thankless and hopeless job, but serving God is a worthwhile, thankful and honorable experience. While serving God may not be pleasant, it is sweet, because God is deserving and desirous of our service.
(From a sermon by Victor Yap, "Built to Serve" 1/22/2009)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Max Lucado Says, "The Bible Has Been Banned, ... PRO
Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 5, 2004
Max Lucado says, “The Bible has been banned, burned, scoffed, and ridiculed. Scholars have mocked it as foolish. Kings have branded it as illegal. A thousand times over, the grave has been dug and the dirge has begun, but somehow the Bible never stays in the grave. Not only has it survived, it has ...read more
-
Bill Hybels In, The Christian In The Marketplace, ...
Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 3, 2005
Bill Hybels in, The Christian in the Marketplace, says, "Dignity is available to every person in every legitimate profession. The farmer who plows the straight furrow, the accountant whose books balance, the trucker who backs a 40’ rig into a narrow loading dock, the teacher who delivers a ...read more
-
An Ingenious Teenager, Tired Of Reading Bedtime ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 28, 2004
An ingenious teenager, tired of reading bedtime stories to his little sister, decided to record several of her favorite stories on tape. He told her, "Now you can hear your stories anytime you want. Isn’t that great?" She looked at the machine for a moment and then replied, "No. It hasn’t got a ...read more
-
A Young Man Was Apprenticed To A Master Artist ... PRO
Contributed by Dan Steadman on Jun 11, 2004
"A young man was apprenticed to a master artist who produced the most beautiful stained glass windows anywhere. The apprentice could not approach the master’s genius, so he borrowed his master’s tools, thinking that was the answer. After several weeks, the young man said to his teacher, ’I’m not ...read more
-
It Is Easy To Become A Slave To Hatred In Our ... PRO
Contributed by Shawn Rose on Nov 28, 2004
It is easy to become a slave to hatred in our hearts. A good friend of mine, "Roy", became angry with another friend of mine, "Lee", several years ago. "Roy" has never forgiven "Lee" for the trespass, and "Lee" has never known that "Roy" is angry with him. Recently, I bumped into "Roy" and asked ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Fools For Christ
Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Jun 8, 2010
Genuine Christian servanthood is expressed in sacrificial and exemplary living.
-
Do The Small Thing To Show The Main Thing
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Apr 13, 2016
What is servant evangelism: It is demonstrating the kindness of God The Love God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached. Do the small thing to show the main thing -- God's Love.
-
Will You Work Until Jesus Comes?
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Dec 14, 2014
A sermon about the importance of service and stewardship.
-
Knowing And Doing God's Will
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jan 27, 2010
A sermon examining how to know God's will for our lives and how to respond once His will is revealed.
-
The Benefits Of Submission Series
Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jun 19, 2012
God has established the authorities that exist and that Christians should submit themselves to their authority. Paul gives several reasons why we should submit to the governing authorities, some of them practical, some of them moral or spiritually driven,