Father, Into Thy Hands

“Father, Into Thy Hands”

Luke 23:46-49

Intro.

We are called Christians, which means “little christs” or Christ like.

We are followers of Christ in all that He teaches and shows us.

Paul talks about what it is to be a Christian and follow Christ.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

And Paul writing to the Romans:

Romans 6:3-13 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (8) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

So we should be like Christ, willing to take and commend our lives and spirits unto the Father for Him to complete the work in us that He has started.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

I) To Be Molded

a) to become clay in the potter’s hand

Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (2) Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. (3) Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. (4) And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. (5) Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (6) O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

b) To be used in service he chooses

Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

i. He may use you in the spot light

1. you may have a large congregation

2. you may have a small congregation

ii. He may use you in the background

1. you may be helper of one who is moving up

2. you may be the prayer warrior of one on the mission field

iii. But wherever He puts you serve to the best of your ability

II) To Be Matured

a) Just as pottery is cured for service by heat, God will bring heat into your life to make you usable to Him

James 1:1-4 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (2) 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.

i. when – means that he will do it.

ii. His desire to bring patience in our lives

1) staying power

2) heroic endurance

3) toughness

iii. to make us perfect, mold us into the correct vessel

b) Just as those vessels that can make it through the ages, so will you be it stand the tests. Just as a 400 year old Ming vase is of great value due to the beauty and age, verses one that I would make today.