In The Hands Of The Potter

1. Here is a bible truth illustrated. A truth that every Christian needs to learn.

2. John 10:27-29; Romans 8:28, 35-39

3. There comes a time in the life of every person, family, and church, when you need to know where you are.

4. There will come a time when you must have a word from the Lord. There are times when we desperately need a word from the Lord.

5. I can’t think of a feeling any more of despair, than to need a word from the Lord and can’t find one.

6. We are living in an age when people seek for a word from the beyond.

a. Politician, they have a word.

b. Doctors, they have a word.

c. Cults, they have a word.

d. What we need is a word from the Lord.

7. Jeremiah was facing this situation; the nation of Israel was in desperate need. The enemy was at the gate about to overtake them. Total destruction was upon them.

8. Jeremiah went to the Lord seeking a word from Him.

a. I need light in the hour of darkness. Isaiah 50:10-11

b. Some hope in the hour of helplessness.

9. God says, “Go visit the Potter’s house.”

10. God said, “There will I speak to you.”

a. It may be a physical place: Potter’s home.

b. It may be a spiritual place: Moses.

11. Jeremiah saw these things when he went to the Potter’s house.

a. Clay: symbol of human life. Isaiah 64:8

b. Wheel: symbol of human history. Human circumstances, everyday things of life.

c. Potter: represents God.

12. Now: what was God saying to Jeremiah? 3 Things.

I. A Divine Presence at Work in Every Life

1. This is a great statement concerning the sovereignty of God.

a. Sovereignty: God can do what He wants.

2. This is what God is saying. Verse 7-10

a. With a nation

b. A kingdom

c. A church

3. Bless them or curse them.

4. God is still in control of the wheel, circumstances.

a. God is not sitting.

b. He is watching.

5. One of the greatest things a Christian can learn is to see the hand of God working in everything in my life.

6. Bible Examples:

a. Joseph; Genesis 37-45

b. Job; Job

II. A Divine Purpose at Work in Every Life

1. Verse 4, “as seemed good to the Potter not the clay.” Conflict between good and bad.

a. God works on a different thought level.

b. God works on a different method level.

c. Isaiah 55:8

2. Have you ever said, “If I were God?”

3. Have you ever wanted to tell God what to do?

4. God never asks for my advice about anything. I am so glad!

5. What does a lump of clay know any way?

a. It’s ignorant of its purpose.

b. Its ignorant of what it can be.

6. Ephesians 2:10

7. The smartest thing a lump of clay ever done is to be submissive to the hands of the potter.

a. Nail scared hands

b. The clay was molded by.

8. You need not fear the will of God for you.

9. Song writer say’s, “Have thine own way Lord.”

III. A Divine Patience at Work in Every Life

1. Jesus says, “I am patient in that work.” I am not going to let you go.

2. Marred in the hands of the potter.

3. God has been trying to work out His purpose in your life.

a. A hard spot, sin; Proverbs 28:13

b. A pace of rebellion; Hebrews 12:3-8

4. God is patient: I am glad God never lets me go or gives up on me.

a. It is not 3 strikes and you’re out.

b. I am glad God does not put me out with every failure. He is patient.

5. Verse 4 made it again.

6. You cannot bargain with God.

7. God is the only one who can remake you.