2 Corinthians 4:7 -- “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
l. INTRODUCTION -- THE CELLIST OF SARAJEVO
On May 27, 1992, in Sarajevo, one of the few bakeries that still had a supply of flour was making and distributing bread to the starving, war-shattered people. At 4 P.M. a long line stretched into the street. Suddenly, a mortar shell fell directly into the middle of the line, killing 22 people and splattering flesh, blood, bone, and rubble.
Not far away lived a 35-year-old musician named Vedran Smailovic. Before the war he had been a cellist with the Sarajevo Opera, a distinguished career to which he patiently longed to return. But when he saw the carnage from the massacre outside his window, he was pushed past his capacity to absorb and endure any more. Anguished, he resolved to do the thing that he did best: make music. Public music, daring music, music on a battlefield.
For each of the next 22 days, at 4 P.M., Vedran put on his full, formal concert attire, took up his cello and walked out of his apartment into the midst of the battle raging around him. Placing a plastic chair beside the crater that the shell had made, he played in memory of the dead Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor, one of the most mournful and haunting pieces in the classical collection of the ages. He played to the abandoned streets, smashed trucks and burning buildings, and to the terrified people who hid in the cellars while the bombs dropped and bombs flew. With masonry exploding around him, he made his unimaginably courageous stand for human dignity, for those lost to war, for civilization, for compassion and for peace. Though the shellings went on, he was never hurt.
After newspapers picked up the story of this extraordinary man, an English composer, David Wilde, was so moved that he, too, decided to make music. He wrote a composition for unaccompanied cello, “The Cellist of Sarajevo,” into which he poured his own feelings of outrage, love, and brotherhood with Vedran Smailovic.
When the piece of music was played at the opening night of the International Cello Festival in Manchester, England, it was then that the power of the actions of Vedran were really crowned. A world renowned master cellist played the piece on that opening night. The music began, stealing out into the hushed hall and creating a shadowy, empty universe, ominous, and haunting. Slowly it grew into an agonized, slashing furor, gripping the audience before finally subsiding at last into a hollow death rattle, and finally, back to silence.
When the master cellist finished, he remained bent over his cello, his bow resting on it=s strings. No one in the hall moved or made a sound for a long time. It was as though the audience had just witnessed the terrible bombing that occurred that fateful day in 1992.
Finally, the cellist looked out across the audience and stretched out his hand, beckoning someone to come to the stage. An indescribable electric shock swept over the audience as it realized who it was: Vedran Smailovic, the cellist of Sarajevo!
Vedran rose from his seat and walked down the aisle. The master cellist and Vedran flung their arms around each other. Everyone in the great hall erupted in a chaotic, emotional frenzy--clapping, shouting, and cheering. And in the center of it all, two men wept unashamedly. An elegant prince of classical music, flawless in appearance and performance and Vedran dressed in clothes that were far less in quality. But his clothes, even his appearance, went unnoticed. The man’s presence seemed to lift him to a level beyond that of any man in the hall that night. For here was a man who shook his cello in the face of bombs, death and ruin, defying them all. (Adapted From Reader’s Digest – December 1997)
-Chosen vessels have that quality about them. The treasure that is on the inside of the earthen vessel has the capacity to lift you beyond the destruction that exists around you.
ll. DAVID, A CHOSEN VESSEL
-The life of David remains one of the clearest illustrations to the power of the selection of God.
A. The Lord Hath Sought a Man (l Samuel 13:14)
-The words of Samuel to Saul are frightening in the full grasp of what is being offered.
1 Samuel 13:14 -- “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
-The Lord hath sought a man. . . . . . . . what a powerful statement to know that God is seeking for men. No one can really know the day or hour when God passes by, seeking for precious vessels and beautiful pearls.
-When one least expects it, God is watching. He scrutinizes those whom He calls. He watches them carefully in the day-in and day-out moments of life. He watches carefully how we act in the hours of boredom. He looks carefully too, in our hours of busy-ness.
1. God’s Testing Places
-God’s testing places are often not those that we expect. Some have dreams and visions of being a martyr for the cause of Christ. The thought enters the mind of how they will stand in front of the firing squad with a hood over their head awaiting the bullet to strike the heart. Others envision dying in some obscure jungle at the hands of the natives after attempting to spread the Gospel.
i. The Trolley Test
After his Sunday messages, the pastor of a church in London got on a trolley Monday morning to go back to his study downtown. He paid his fare, and the trolley driver gave him too much change. The pastor sat down and fumbled with the change and looked it over, counted it eight or ten times. And, you know, the rationalization, “It’s wonderful how God provides.” He realized he was tight for money that week and this was just about what he would need to break even, or at least have enough for his lunch. He wrestled with himself all the way down that old trolley trail that led to his office. And finally he came to the stop and he got up, couldn’t live with himself, walked up to the trolley driver, and said, “Here, you gave me too much change. You made a mistake.” The driver said, “No, it was no mistake. You see, I was in your church last night when you spoke on honesty, and I thought I would put you to the test.” (Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations)
-God’s testing places are often not those that we expect.
-Dare not to allow yourself to believe such. God’s testing places generally are not in that form or shape. Never allow your heart to destroy the magnitude of the small things (Zechariah 4:10). God concerns Himself with sparrows and lilies. It is the small things that God often tests men in.
-Great doors swing on small hinges in comparison to the door. Great character reaches it’s height by progressive development. Character cannot be painted on life. It has to be worked into the soul by the testing ground of life.
-Men often despise little things and think them beneath us. Our thoughts and measurements are so different from God’s thoughts and measurements. And this results from pride, which makes us think so many things beneath us, not worthy of care, of our best, nor of finishing.
-Such thinking arises from a certain ignorance of the value of little things.
-Large and small are not the words that drive the conscience. The words that bring focus to the conscience are “right” and “wrong.” Every small act of obedience smooths the road for all that comes after it.
-God works on chosen vessels by degrees. The fool says, “Oh, this is just a small matter. . . . .I can get by with it.”
• It was David waiting in the pasture.
• It was Joshua who was a servant during the exodus.
• It was Elisha who was a servant to Elijah.
• It was the small and feeble remnant left in Babylon that returned and rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls and temple.
• It was Josiah quietly being readied for the throne amidst the great sin of his father and grandfather.
• It was Barnabas, of whom little is known, that ushered the greatest missionary into the early Church.
-It is the small things that God looks for in His chosen vessels:
• He finds those who can turn away from the theft of company tools or money when no one would know.
• He finds His men among those who are able to resist the peer pressure of worldly friends who really aren’t friends.
• He finds His men among those who give forgiveness when they rightfully deserve apologies of others.
• He finds His men among those who refuse to lower themselves to tale-bearing.
• He finds His men among those who do not deal with others deceitfully.
• He finds His men among those who follow the stern paths of righteousness.
• He finds His men among those who do not expect blessings for their sacrifice.
• He finds His men among those who resist the urges of the flesh that would lead to moral failure.
• He finds His men among those who pray when no one else prays.
• He finds His men among those who love the unlovable.
• He finds His men among those who fast when on one else is fasting.
• He finds His men among those who sacrifice when there is no recognition for their sacrifice.
• He finds His men among those who shoulder the load without complaint.
-This is the picture of God’s testing grounds.
-The man who is God’s chosen vessel is the man who is always alert and vigilant against lethargy and sin in his life. God’s chosen vessel is the man who keeps his armor in constant working order. God’s chosen vessel is the man who always has his lamps trimmed and burning with a steady supply of oil. God’s chosen vessel is the man whose nets are always freshly washed and neatly mended.
B. I Have Found David, My Servant (Psalm 89:20)
-Psalm 89 gives a powerful description of the servant whom God is seeking.
Psalm 89:20_29 -- “I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:” “With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.” “The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.” “And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.” “But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.” “I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.” “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.” “Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” “My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.” “His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.”
-There is excitement in the voice, like that of the Shepard who found the lost sheep in Luke 15. There is joy in the voice, like that of the Widow who found the lost coin in Luke 15. There is ecstasy in the voice, like that of the Father of the Prodigal in Luke 15.
-It is the voice of God in Psalm 89, “I HAVE FOUND DAVID MY SERVANT!!!!” David had long been found before Samuel had ever sent for him.
• When was that moment of blessed discovery?
• Was it one dawn, when in the first flicker of daylight the young shepherd led his flock from the fold out into the damp pasture?
• Was it one morning, when in an outburst of heroic faith he rescued a trembling lamb from a lion or bear?
• Was it one afternoon, when the first conception of the shepherd psalm stirred from the depths of his soul as he sat and watched his flock?
• Was it one night, when David heard the silent speech of the heavens declaring the glory of God?
• Was there a secret, glad response to the Master’s call, like that which the disciples gave when Jesus found them at the nets and said, “Follow me”?
-The magnitude of our calling should awe us. When we stand in the presence of God, responding to His calling, we should stand reverently and honestly before Him. Not only have we been found, we have been chosen.
-Sometimes God uses mysterious ways to accomplish His purpose. Nona Freeman, the great missionary, once related this story about something that happened in Ghana:
A student from a college in Carbondale, Illinois gave another student from Ghana a tract. In Ghana when a student goes away to college everyone in their tribe contributes something but when they come home they all expect something in return. The student handed the tract he received to someone as a gift. As a result of that anonymous person who passed out a tract. The man who received the tract found God and his family also. Missionaries were sent when the family wrote requesting them and over 600 people were baptized in the name of Jesus in Ghana. You don’t see immediate results from your labor many times but you will be rewarded.
Psalm 78:70 -- “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:”
-The people chose Saul, God chose David. To know that God has called and chosen you will strengthen you. There is great power found in the fact of understanding that God has marked you for His purpose. To be conscious of the purpose of God in your life will give stamina to endure the fiery darts of the wicked.
2 Timothy 2:19_22 -- “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
-The purpose of God will always give stability to your life. The purposes of God become weakened when they become mixed with the alloys of worldliness, carnal appetites, and lack of commitment.
In the Word of God, gold at it’s height, at it’s premium was when it was beaten into shape by the craftsmanship of Bezaleel and Aholiab. They were the makers of the Ark of the Covenant. Beaten gold is far superior to molded gold. The reason: For gold to be molded and melted in ancient times it had to mixed with lesser metals. The flames created by wood could not reach a high enough temperature to mold and melt the gold which led to lesser metals being introduced. A lesser metal than gold will melt at a lower temperature because of the mixture but it drastically lowers it’s value. It was beaten gold that formed an Ark but it was molten gold that formed a golden calf.
-The choice is clearly mine. I can add all sorts of alloys to my calling, to my purpose in the Kingdom, to the anointing that rests on my life, but in the process I rob the power and ability of God to work with a pure vessel.
C. The Lord Provides Himself With Kings (l Samuel 16:1)
-The greatest work of the Lord comes when spiritual maturity begans to reach it’s height.
1 Samuel 16:1 -- “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”
-That is the process of the Kingdom of God, His servants always become kings. Equip yourself for God’s service and be faithful. God will appoint you in His time and you will know that promotion comes from above.
-God’s provision meets every need and silences every anxiety. Although the arrow may now rest in the quiver or remain in the shadow of His hand, at the precise moment when it will accomplish it’s greatest effect, it will be produced and launched in the air.
Psalm 139:15_18 -- “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” “If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
-The Spirit of God carefully broods over His choices: teaching, quickening, and ennobling him. Opening to him the books of nature and revelation and pervading his heart with such an innocent trust as the dumb sheep have toward their shepherd.
lll. CONCLUSION -- A CHOSEN VESSEL
The Master was searching for a vessel to use,
Before Him were many, which one would He choose?
“Take me,” cried the gold one, “I’m shiny and bright.
I am of great value, and I did things just right
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be best.”
The Master passed on with no word at all,
And looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall,
“I’ll serve you dear Master, I’ll pour out your wine,
I’ll be on your table, whenever You dine
My lines are so graceful, my carving so true
And silver will certainly compliment you.”
Unheeding, the Master passed on to the vessel of brass,
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
Though fragile I am, I will serve you with fear. . .”
The Master came next to the vessel of wood
Polished and carved, it solidly stood
“You may use me, dear Master,” the wooden bowl said,
“But I’d rather you use me for fruit, not for bread. . .”
Then the Master looked down on 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.
“Oh, this is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,
I’ll mend it and use it and make it all mine,
I need not the vessel with the pride of itself,
Nor one that is narrow, to sit on the shelf,
Nor one that is big-mouthed and shallow and loud,
Nor one that displays its contents so proud.”
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day,
Spoke kindly to it, “There’s work you must do,
Just pour out to others, as I pour into you. . . .” (Unknown)
Philippians 2:3-4 -- “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (The Message)
Philip Harrelson
May 4, 2003
