The Pattern

Gtcotr/ws123009

Each New Year we are given another chance to make a resolution, start fresh, and begin again. So often the difference between those who encounter success and those who fail, is that those who are successful tend to take advantage of the opportunities they are given.

Wise people do take advantage of the chances they are given. Friday, January 1, 2010, will be your opportunity to make some needed changes in life. Never underestimate the power and affect of a decision.

People who make a commitment are 100% more likely to keep their commitment than people who never make a commitment at all. (That was meant to be funny but nonetheless it is true.)

Many people are commitment challenged. They remain reluctant to obligate themselves or pledge themselves for fear that they might fail. They never realize that where there are no definite goals, there are no definite winners. Commitments hold us true to our planned course.

Fear of failure will keep a person from making the very commitments that will help them succeed. Life is a battle and the battle in the mind and, the battle is for the mind.

Everyone has a tough day now and then. Everyone has something in life that concerns them, something that tries to control them through fear.

Jesus faced days like this: Days in which fear tried to get its ugly grip on His mind; Days in which the difficulties at hand consumed His time.

When Jesus was facing the most stressful situation of His life … the most difficult and harrowing decision He would ever encounter, He found strength. In doing so, He showed us how to handle our hard times. He overcame the fears which tried to capture His soul. He took His opportunity and what He did freed Him from the powers that were trying to control and ultimately defeat Him. What did He do? Look with me in:

Matthew 26
36 ¶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Matthew 26
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 "Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

Luke 22
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

This account gives us clear direction. What should we do? We should do what Jesus did. In troubled times remember the pattern.

1. We go to God
2. We get a Word from God
3. We do work for God

To God; From God; For God

We go to God in order to get something from God so that we can do something for God.

This will work providing we believe the truth that: God is Enough

If God is not enough, then things will never be any better.

If God is enough then - with Him, you will succeed.

We go to God in prayer, we go from God in Power, and we go for God in peace.

The peace comes with the confidence that we receive when we know we have gotten a word from God, (as long as we believe God is enough!)

So, let me suggest three New Year’s Resolutions for 2010

1. A Renewed Commitment to Prayer
* I will go to God in prayer
* I will pray every day in 2010
* I will pray when I pray – not lecture, not preach – pray!
* I will pray about every decision
* I will stop and pray before anger or excitement becomes my god

2. A Renewed Commitment to Power
* I will go from God in power
* Because I have a word from God
* I will leave prayer trusting God more than I trust myself
* A Scripture from the Bible will be my comfort and my courage

3. A Renewed Commitment to Participate
* Not a spectator, but a participator
* Confident in the grace which comes from God

This is the pattern Jesus demonstrated when He, in His troubled hour, went to God in prayer, got a word from God with peace, then got up and went forward for God in power. Jesus participated with power and peace.

Begin 2010 with a commitment to be more like Jesus.

2010 & The Final Frontier

Gtcotr/ss122709

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In a few days we will celebrate the New Year, 2010! Did you ever imagine it would one day be the year, 2010?

2010 will be your opportunity to conquer the final frontiers of your life.

What areas of your life are as yet unconquered, as yet un-tamed, and as yet un-yielded to the Holy Spirit?

Beginning with the first week of 2010 and continuing throughout the year, we are going to explore three major areas of life using the Bible as our guide. The goal is to assist each individual and every family in building strong spirits, souls and bodies, for the glory and service of our Lord.

Throughout the year we will discover truths which will help us focus on success. God knows that success is more than a one step process and that success most often belongs to those who are willing and able to endure that process.

We believe it is God’s will that each Believer take the Word of Life and use it to make a better living, build a better life, and make a greater difference.

The daily expression of our life should reflect the image of Christ in all we do. It is my job and I am here to coach us to victory and assist us as we conquer our final frontiers.

Experience tells us that every person is tested before they are blessed, then tested to see what they do with each blessing.

True worth is not determined by how much you have when you die, but rather how much you accomplish with what you have before you die.

This coming year we are going to tackle three major frontiers. Most likely one of these areas represents an unconquered and perhaps a final frontier in your life.

These three major areas are:

1. Health
2. Finances
3. Relationships

In order to make a living, make a life, and make a difference while preserving spirit, soul, and body blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we be physically and mentally healthy, financially secure, and fitly joined together with others according to the will and purpose of God.

Miss out on any one of these vital elements of life and one could forfeit their potential and fail to achieve their highest calling.

Don’t you want to be happy; fulfilled; productive; at peace; secure; a winner? Well if you aren’t right now… most likely it is due to not having conquered at least one of these areas of life. What is making you unhappy; insecure; unfulfilled? Is it:

1. Health
2. Finances or
3. Relationships

Let’s set the stage and begin our journey this morning. Turn with me to the book of Genesis as we begin to lay the foundation for success. Keep in mind: One must first believe in, before one can believe for …

Genesis 18 NKJV
17 And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."

God chose Abraham to represent Him in the earth partly, as this scripture implies, because God knew the type of relationship Abraham would have with his family and friends.

For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD …

God knew that whatever He told or taught Abraham, Abraham would tell and teach to others.

Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many …

Abraham was first a man who was right with God. The Bible says that Abraham trusted God. That trust placed Abraham in a right relationship with God. It became in God’s own best interests for God to keep Abraham healthy, make Abraham wealthy, and protect Abraham’s relationships.

Believe me, Abraham was a very healthy man. In a day and age when it was uncommon, Abraham lived to be 175 years old. When Abraham was 135 years old he walked three days into mountainous terrain, climbed Mt Moriah and built and altar. Abraham was a mentally and physically fit man.

Not only was Abraham healthy, Abraham was also wealthy.

Genesis 13:2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

The 14th chapter of Genesis gives the account of Abraham’s nephew, Lot, when he was taken captive by 4 kings and their armies who were raiding the city of Sodom. Already well in years, Abraham put together an army from among his own household servants and field hands and caught up with those 4 kings. There Abraham won a great battle commanding only 318 men against 4 whole armies of battle hardened soldiers.

After Abraham freed the captives and recovered all the spoil, he went on his way home. Passing by Mount Moriah the high priest of God came out to meet Abraham and to bless him. You know what Abraham did?

Genesis 14:20 … he (Abraham) gave him (Melchizedek) a tithe of all.

Later, when Abraham met and returned the spoil to the King of Sodom, the King attempted to pay Abraham for his help. He told Abraham to keep all of the spoil for himself. Abraham replied to the King:

Genesis 14
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth,
23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ –

It was neither man, nor man’s ways which made Abraham rich … it was God. Abraham was connected to the King of the Universe through the covenant of tithing. This covenant of tithing was in force more than 500 years before anyone even heard or ever thought of the Law of Moses.

Abraham was certainly healthy, and Abraham was very wealthy however, Abraham was also a man who cultivated dynamic relationships.

It would be hard to find anyone who didn’t like Abraham. He was really a very nice guy. Abraham was the kind of man who tried to please everyone he possibly could. He never seemed to make things all about himself, but instead, Abraham helped others and paid more than his fair share for everything he wanted. No wonder God chose Abraham to be His covenant friend.

Abraham was a nice guy but Abraham also had resolve. Abraham was committed to his relationships and he made sure that those who he was in relationship with were committed to God.

Genesis 18
19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."

Relationships take time: priority time, meaningful time, on purpose time. Let just one relationship get out of hand and it can rob a person of joy, peace, happiness, security and even health. So …

To begin 2010 off right, I have developed some tools and placed them as opportunities right in front of you and made them easily accessible for you in hopes they will assist you to develop and maintain the relationships God wants you to enjoy.

Here are the initial Priorities of relationship.

Your first priority is to cultivate your relationship with God
Daily Devotionals

Next your Family holds the priority
T-Nights

Then your commitment belongs to the household of the saints - Church
Church Family
Church Attendance
Church Growth

And finally to The World
Personal Witnessing
Church Work

There is time in every day for each one of us to work on all four of these priorities. We must be responsible for the relationships God has given us.

Also let me assure you that I am going to do my part this coming year to help you conquer the final frontiers in your life. Together we are going to explore the Word of God’s grace and find a way to apply truth to our lives in the areas of health and wealth as well. We will be successful.

It is my prayer and my trust that each of us will end 2010 healthier, wealthier and with deeper, more fulfilling relationships than when we began. So, make up your minds now and set your sails for this great adventure, 2010 and the final frontier.

Christmas Day

Gtcotr/ss122009

Matthew 17 NKJV
10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
11 Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.
12 "But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands."
13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

We do not know for sure the exact day Jesus was born, at least I do not and I question all who do. However there exist some strong indications from the scriptures which grant us the reason and the right to imagine. If you do not already have a strong position on these things, allow yourself to imagine with me the circumstances surrounding the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.

By no means will we exhaust all of the possibilities. However, as we study the scriptures together allow the Holy Spirit to stir your imagination and perhaps inspire you to further personal study.

Matthew 17:10 “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Malachi 4:5 prophesies that Elijah will come before the Messiah. Jewish tradition and practice has long held that Elijah will truly come at Passover to announce the coming of the Messiah. In fact each year a place is set at the Passover table for the expected guest of honor, a glass of wine is poured for him, and children attending the Passover are sent to open the door of the house so that Elijah may enter if he has come this year. What is not realized is that Elijah has already come and did come at Passover and did announce the coming of the Messiah. However, Elijah was like the voice of one crying in the wilderness … prepare ye the way of the Lord. Jesus said it, John the Baptist was Elijah if you can hear it.

How does this figure into Christmas? Follow me closely …

Passover is a set date, the 14th of Nissan each year according to the Jewish calendar which is based on lunar cycles. This correlates to late March to mid-April each year. For example: The date for next Passover is March 30, 2010. If we use this as a normative reference date for the birth of John the Baptist, then we would consider his mother Elizabeth to have conceived him in late June or early July of the previous year.

Keep on following as we investigate the scriptures and imagine together:

The scriptures tell us that Elizabeth hid the fact that she was pregnant for five months. In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy,

Luke 1
26 ¶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

Mary received a visit from the Angel Gabriel. If we assume that John the Baptist was born according to prophecy, as confirmed by Jesus, …

Matthew 11:14 "And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

… then we can reasonably imagine that Gabriel visited Mary sometime in the month of December of that year.

After Mary accepted the call of God upon her life and became pregnant with the Son of God, either immediately or within a few short days. Because the scriptures say that she immediately went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, whom she was told was already six months pregnant.

Luke 1
39 ¶ Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Mary traveled about 75 to 100 miles southwards from Nazareth to see Elizabeth who probably lived in the Levitical city of Hebron, 17 miles south of Jerusalem, and 20 if you walk it. We don’t know exactly when she arrived but the trip would have taken at least a week, maybe longer depending on the route she chose. It is also reasonable to accept that she stayed until after John was born and after the Passover was completed. At any rate we know that Mary was at least in her 4th, maybe her 5th month of pregnancy by the time she got back home to Nazareth.

Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

When Mary returned home, it was evident she was pregnant. Her fiancé, whom the Bible and Jewish custom of that day called her husband, Joseph, was a good, honorable, and kind man, who heard about her pregnancy and was of the mind to divorce Mary privately.

However, God had a plan … He had chosen Joseph no doubt for several reasons among which was that Joseph was a descendant of David and thereby of the tribe of Judah.

Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

Prophecy declared that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, in the land belonging to the tribe of Judah. As a result of God’s plan, an angel was sent to Joseph to comfort him, inform him, and direct him to marry Mary.

Matthew 1
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

So Joseph took Mary to be his wife and did as the angel commanded him.

Very soon afterwards, fitting all into God’s plan, a decree was made by the Roman government that every Jew had to be counted and added to the tax rolls. In order to accomplish this, the decree demanded that each family return to their ancestral home.

Luke 2
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

This meant that Joseph and his new wife, who was pregnant, were forced to travel back to Judah, to the city of Bethlehem.

Luke 2
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

While they were there the time came for Mary to deliver her child. In fact the scriptures say that the days were completed for her to be delivered. This simply indicates that she had now carried this child full term and her time to deliver was at hand. In other words – she had been pregnant for her 9 months and now it was time to deliver her son.

Now imagine with me that we have the story all put together like a puzzle … the pieces are in order and we are correct thus far. This means that Jesus, who was conceived six months after John the Baptist, has been carried full term and should be born six months after John the Baptist was born.

If John the Baptist, Elijah, if you will, was born as expected on Passover, around March, then Jesus was born in September of that same year. This scenario fits much more closely to what was expected of Messiah’s birth date. In fact, during that autumn season of the year there are a couple of Jewish feasts.

Of course there is the feast of Tabernacles, booths, which every Hebrew male was commanded to observe. This is a picture of the stable into which Christ was born. Perhaps this festival is one reason why there was no room in the inn. Every hotel would be full with the pilgrims who came to observe the feast in and around Jerusalem, to which Bethlehem is only 4 to 5 miles away.

Another important date during that autumn season is the first day of the seventh month, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, but also a very important day. This is the day believed to be the first day of the creation of the universe, the day on which Adam was created, the first of the high holy days each year. This coming year it will be observed on September 8th, 2010. It is believed to be the day of the year when Messiah will come or, in our faith, will come again.

We cannot know for sure the date when Jesus was born, but we can know sure that He was. Jesus, Messiah of the Jews and Savior of the world, born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem, wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a manger in a lowly stable tabernacle, worshipped by angels and wise men from the east, is alive today and wants to be your Lord and Friend.

For those who believe in Jesus as Messiah, every day is the day of Christ … Every day is Christmas. The question for you today is not “when was Jesus born?” But the question today is, “Are you born again?” Did His birth 2000 years ago mean anything to you?

Won’t you accept Jesus into your heart … Wise men still worship Him today!

The Potter & Clay 5

12/15/2009

This message by Pastor Kenneth Bent.

The Fire

Scripture:
Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NIV)
1 ¶ This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2 "Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message."
3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

Five Steps for a Potter Making a Vessel
Step 1: Choosing the Clay
Step 2. Preparing the Clay - Washing and Treading
Step 3. Centered on the Wheel
Step 4. Shaping
Step 5. The Fire
Review Last Week’s Teaching:

7 Points:

1) God’s Design, Not Ours

Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

God designs different vessels for different purposes.
Pouring, drinking, food storage, water storage, wine storage

Each one has a unique shape for God’s own choosing and specialized use.

2) God’s “5-Fold” Hand Molds Us:

The hands of the Potter work on us to make us into a vessel fit for the Master’s use.

The image of a hand is often used to represent God using what in our circles is called the “5 Fold” ministry to prepare God’s people for works of service.

Apostle - Thumb - can function within every other ministry, basic, flexible, foundational, functional
Prophet - “Pointy” finger - directional, purpose and guidance
Evangelist - the Long Middle Finger - Reaches out beyond, touches what others can’t
Pastor - “Ring” Finger - covenant compassion and love - tradition says it has a vein that flows blood directly to the heart, a Pastor is a shepherd, keeper of the sheep
Teacher - “Little Finger” - can get in your ears, prober, seeker, extractor of information

We need all 5 ministries in our lives to have a more complete development of our ministries.

3) Upward Pressure

The Potter applies pressure to the clay to mold it.

It is an “upward” pressure - God wants to lift us to higher capacity and usefulness.

Phil. 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

God does not push us down or condemn us, He wants to lift us up in His mighty hands.

He is trying to draw us to Himself.

He is trying to enlarge our capacity.

Without pressure, this would not be accomplished.

When we are under pressure, we need to keep our eyes on the eternal purposes that God is establishing in and through our lives.

2 Cor. 4: 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Affliction = “Thlipsis” = pressure

2 Cor 1: 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

1Th 1:6 -You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Th 3:3- so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

1Th 3:7 - for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

No Outward and Upward Pressure = No Development

4) The Heart

At this point in the formation of the clay vessel, the exterior, having had the upward and constant pressure applied, begins to take shape and look attractive.

You can begin to imagine what its ultimate shape might be.

You can begin to see what its intended use might be.

But then, something almost “cruel” begins to happen…

The Potter takes his fingers and forces them down into the center of the vessel.

The inside of the vessel is called, appropriately, “the Heart.”

If the potter doesn’t work on the heart, then the vessel cannot contain anything.

The vessel will only look good on the outside, but will have no usefulness.

The bigger it is ON THE INSIDE, the more it can contain and the more it can pour.

The potter at this stage has one hand inside the vessel, and one hand on the outside.
“God works on the whole man.”
**People observing a potter work on the inside of the vessel CANNOT SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE INSIDE UNLESS THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE POTTER TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WORK FROM THE POTTER’S PERSPECTIVE!**
**We might begin to criticize an unfinished vessel - and what they are going through unless we get close enough to the Potter to see what He is doing.**
To enlarge the capacity of the vessel, the Potter MUST WORK DEEPLY.
Our hearts are a repository for everything that will come out of us, and thus must be changed, having the Law of God written on them.

Pr 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

5) The Mouth
After the potter has shaped and molded the vessel both inwardly and outwardly, he must finish with the topmost part, which is called “the mouth.”
The mouth is vital - it is the final part that anything inside the vessel touches when it is poured out.

Lu 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

The mouth affects or influences everything that comes out of the heart. Even if what is coming out of the heart of the vessel is pure, if the mouth is broken or contaminated, it can change the nature and the way the pure substance is ultimately perceived or received.

Pr 18:21 ¶ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
2 Points not covered last week:

6) Always in His Hands

As the Potter works with the clay and the forming vessel, it never leaves the hands of the Potter. At least one hand is on it at all times, even when the other hand is reaching for some more water, or a forming tool.

God keeps His hands on us.

He will not let us spin out of control.

He gently and patiently forms us.

We are always in His hands.

He will never leave us or forsake us.

Even in times when we are being chastened by the Lord, He is putting His hand into our lives to form us increasingly into the image of Christ.

7) Water Poured on the Clay

Water is a type of the Word of God.
We must have the Word continually.
We must apply it to our hearts.

Ephesians 5: 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

This Week’s Teaching

The Fire:
- Shaped Vessels must be hardened through trials / fire or they will not stand up to normal usage
- Fire makes the raw clay vessel “stable”

Clay is hardened in 3 ways:

Hardening Clay

This type of clay hardens in one of three ways:

Air Dry – the simplest but creates the least durable end product

Oven Baked – Not as durable as Kiln Fired clay, but more durable than most Air-Dried clays

Kiln Fired – Kiln Fired clay produces the most durable end product
-requires special equipment to harden, and is the type
-used by many fine ceramicists.

Vessel was first Air Dried in the sun. - removed up to 30% of water content

Modern Kilns heat up to 2400 degrees F.

*Vessels only reach the “Fire” phase IF THEY HAVE YIELDED TO THE SHAPING AND SURRENDERED TO THE HAND OF THE POTTER.

WE BECOME THE PRODUCT BY THE PROCESS

The “trial” of the heat is part of the process.

1 Peter 4:

12 ¶ Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

2 Corinthians 4:
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
8 ¶ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

As God works to mold us and fire us, our original “glob” is hardly recognizable anymore

We are changed.

The Purposes of the Process:

2 Chron 24:14:
they made from it articles for the house of the LORD, articles for serving and offering

Vessel to minister - “serve”
Vessel to offer - “lift up”

Horizontally: - we serve one another
Vertically - we offer worship up to God.

Like Matthew 4:10 - WORSHIP the Lord and SERVE Him only.

Mending a Broken Vessel

Jeremiah says that when the vessel was marred, the potter made it again.

How do we become broken?

- in use - dropped, cracked, chipped
- in the fire - could not or would take the fire
- not enough preparation - only air baked or oven baked
o stressed above our ability to hold together

1 Tim. 3:6 - those desiring ministry responsibility should not be newly planted / novices / newly come to the faith, lest they become conceited and fall into the deception and condemnation of the devil.

Examples:

David -

Psalms 31:

11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbours; I am a dread to my friends—those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.

- because of slander, fear, plots against him, forgotten by others

Peter
- Luke 22:
54 ¶ Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.
56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."
57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don’t know him," he said.
58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied.
59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."
60 Peter replied, "Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed.
61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times."
62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Broken in the heat of the trial of his faithfulness at the time of Jesus’ trial.

He declared he was going to be faithful but wasn’t

He substituted the trial fire for the world’s fire and tried to stay warm.

When he denied Christ, the Lord looked directly at him, the rooster crowed, and Peter runs away weaping.

He “cracked”

How was Peter restored?

1) By a Fire that Jesus built - John 21:5

2) By a second “firing”

3) By the love of Jesus - “go tell the disciples AND PETER”

How are cracked vessels restored?

The blood from an insect / tick (some call it a “fasuka”) that clung to the back of oxen and bulls and goats.

The Potter would squeeze the bugs and drop the blood onto dried powder clay and make a paste.

He would then apply the paste to the crack in the vessel

He would then refire the vessel/ repeating the process until all the cracks were filled and repaired and the vessel made strong again.

When you crack:

Apply the blood:

1 John 1: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 ¶ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Additional Notes:

Genesis hints at the Potter/Clay relationship:

While God is not explicitly called a potter in the Genesis narrative, the presence of the verb yasar “to form, fashion” (which is the root of yoser “potter”) implicitly suggests that God is viewed as a potter. Furthermore, Gordon argues that the “God as the potter and man as the clay” motif occurs more explicitly throughout the rest of the Old Testament, especially in Job. Therefore, he concluded that the Old Testament implies that everyone has been formed out of clay by the Divine Potter.
( http://bible.org/article/genesis-1-2-light-ancient-egyptian-creation-myths )

The Lord's message to Jeremiah for the nation was that He had the right to deal with Judah as the potter dealt with his clay (cf. Rom. 9:20-21). Judah was like clay in Yahweh's hands. Yahweh was also like a potter (Heb. yoser) in that He created and shaped (Heb. yasar) His people.

The ancient Egyptian kiln was much smaller than the one used today (Wilkhinson, II, 192). Most of the kilns are of the crudest form of the "up-draught" variety, i.e. a large chamber with perforated bottom and a fireplace beneath. The fire passes up through the holes, around the jars packed in tiers in the chamber, and goes out at the top. An interesting survival of an early Greek form is still used in Rachiyet-el-Fakhar in Syria. In this same village the potters also use the lead dross, which comes from the parting of silver, for glazing their jars (compare Prov 26:23).
In firing pottery there are always some jars which come out imperfect. In unpacking the kiln and storing the product others get broken. As a consequence the ground in the vicinity of a pottery is always strewn with potsherds (see also separate article). The ancient potteries can frequently be located by these sherds. The potter's field mentioned in Mt 27:7,10 was probably a field near a pottery strewn with potsherds, thus making it useless for cultivation although useful to the potter as a place in which to weather his clay or to dry his pots before firing.
The chemical changes wrought in clay by weathering and firing render it practically indestructible when exposed to the weather and to the action of moisture and the gaseous and solid compounds found in the soil.
(http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/P/POTTER%3B+POTTERY/ )


There were several types of vessels made by ancient potters that are mentioned in scriptures. For example: a vessel
of honor (2 Timothy 2:20-21), an abominable vessel (Isaiah 65:4), a clean vessel (Isaiah 66:20), and a holy vessel (Isaiah
52:11). When we learn more about these vessels, represented in the context of Middle Eastern pottery making, we can
gain a fuller understanding of their symbolism.

Piles of broken vessels were frequently found on the floor of ancient potters’ shops. These were called vessels of
wrath and were useless to the potter. They appeared perfectly good until they were put into the furnace, but they
came out cracked because they could not take the heat. The potter, being unwilling to just cast them aside, would try to
repair them.

The potter prepared a certain kind of cement out of blood from a small insect called a fasuka which lived on
the body of a bull. The potter would take the blood of the fasuka and mix it with powdered broken pottery and ce-
ment the crack in his vessel. (The power of the blood to fix broken pottery also alludes to the power of the Savior’s
blood to fix broken hearts.) He would put more wet clay on it, reheat it, re-fire it, and if it held the patch, it was called a
vessel of mercy. A vessel of mercy was used to carry fresh water that was freely shared with stranger

The Game - The Blame Game

Gtoctr/ss121309

When I was a young boy I loved to play a game called chase – not chess – chase. I think it may be called ‘tag’ now, but it was chase back when I played it. Invariably I would find myself on the playground each school day just waiting for my crowd of kids to get out there. For as long as I can remember I have been strategic, or at least fore-thoughtful. So, I would wait as long as possible, waiting for someone else to say “let’s play chase”.
I couldn’t wait too long or someone might suggest something else and then I’d lose the group. So, if someone didn’t suggest what I wanted within the anxious window of allotted time, I would whisper it to someone nearby.

Boy, as soon as they said it out loud it was immediately followed up in the same breath with “NOT IT!” Then the frenzy began … kids yelling “not it … not it … not it” as they each took off and spread the circle waiting to see who was the last one to catch on, the one who would be forced to chase the others while they ran in circles trying to find a way to make it to the tree we had long established as base. (Base is that safe place where a person can’t be tagged. It is meant to be a temporary resting place to catch a breath before running back out into the game.) It always bothered me that so many kids stayed on base, or only an arm’s length away from it, for the whole game.

Some kids felt sorry for me or thought I was a bit slower to catch on than the others because I was always either the last one to say ‘not it’ or the first one to get tagged. I didn’t really think too much about what others thought about me, I just wanted to be ‘it’. I loved the chase … I loved that it was my choice who I was going to go after. I was it!

At that time in my life, and even today at 55 years old, I am still pretty quick. I could have caught so many, so quickly, but then my turn would be over and I’d just become one more of the crowd, trying to get somebody to chase me.

In the game of chase as well as in the game of life the main character, the main player, the one who is in command is always “it”. I can’t understand why more people don’t want to be it. Where is the thrill, where is the adventure, where is the feeling of accomplishment, the willingness to take responsibility for the game and the satisfaction seeing your team win?

I also loved the game of keep away … but I loved being the one in the middle … the one trying to get the ball …

In today’s world where almost everyone else is screaming “Not It!”, “Not Me!”, “Not My Fault!”, … where are those who say “I’ll do it … I’ll be responsible … You can count on me” … Where are those who run to the fire with confidence they can help, while almost everyone else is running away from the fire screaming “Not it! … I didn’t do it … don’t blame me … not my fault!”

So many people are willing to be in charge but they don’t want to be responsible. Just like those who scream ‘not it’ on the playground then stand around, safe on base, and say: “Chase John, catch Billy, tag Marsha”. Many would like to be it as long as they don’t have to do it.

Many want to ‘be it’ but not many want to ‘do it’ … in other words … not many want to do what it takes to ‘be it’.

For our initial scripture reading today let’s turn to the book of Genesis, chapter 3. While you turn let me catch us up on the story.

Sometime after God created man and planted a garden eastward in Eden, (probably just north of the Persian Gulf in the current nation of Iraq, near the Iranian border, a fair distance southeast of Baghdad), God gave them instructions commanding that they not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which was in the midst of the garden. Genesis 3 is the account of the serpent tempting Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit and the subsequent results of her failure to obey the Word of God.

Once she partook of the fruit, she presented it to her husband Adam, told him to eat some, and so he did. The account continues with their eyes being opened to the sin they committed. As a result they chose to hide from the presence of the Lord.

Why did they choose to withdraw from fellowship with God? Because they were afraid; they felt guilty, and reasonably so … they were guilty! However, neither of them wanted to be responsible for the failure.

You see, there is an eternal principle that says: “You break it, you fix it.” Only, they did not know how to fix this one and they certainly did not want to be seen as the one who broke it. So …

When God came walking in the garden in the cool of the evening to spend time with His children, He did not find them where He expected. So He called out to them and finally they came. When God asked them what happened, you know what they said? “NOT IT!!!!!” (Not me! Not my fault! Don’t blame me! I didn’t do it! I’m not responsible for it!) lol - Let’s read:

Genesis
9 ¶ Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
11 ¶ And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"
12 Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."
13 And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14 ¶ So the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."
16 ¶ To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."
17 ¶ Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.
18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.
19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."
20 ¶ And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Just a side note: Men, women, listen to me. Eve, not women, did this … Adam, not men, did this, satan, not snakes, did this. The results of sin being in the earth caused things to change as long as the earth remains. The results of sin are not curses of the law but rather God established guidelines for humanity. Work, pain, submission, and mortality are not things you have been delivered from through Jesus Christ. These are continuing realities of life on planet earth. Not accepting God’s guidelines is what caused all this trouble to begin with so we don’t need any more fanciful ideas of how to get around what God really said.

Now … back to the message: Adam and Eve’s response reveals a bit about the fallen nature of man. No one wanted to be responsible for their actions, their decisions or the outcome. No one wanted to be it! But someone had to be it … someone had to be responsible … someone had to take the lead and work on fixing this problem. Why? Because:

Bad things left to themselves don’t get better, they get worse.

Fallen man shirked his responsibility however, Jesus did the opposite. He became responsible for everyone. While many men and women today don’t want to be seen as the responsible party, Believers and those who want to be more like Jesus, are stepping up to the plate and accepting responsibility not only for their past but more importantly for their future. Not only their own future but also for the future of others, even others who have failed in their past and need someone to help them recover.

Come on … don’t you want to be more like Jesus? Don’t you want to be it! Why not? Why sit all of your life on the sidelines, safe on base, armchair quarterbacks, watching others be responsible, watching others embrace the adventures, watching others win the game. There is an old saying:

Everyone will die, but not everyone will truly live!

So what if you aren’t faster than everybody else, so what if you don’t fix everything, so what if you have to get help with the big ones … so what if others think you are slow, or gullible, or whatever … I bet those who talk about you are sitting on the sidelines, safe off base, afraid to get into the game themselves, the first ones to say “Not It” when it comes to taking responsibility. They’re trying to control the game from the sidelines … don’t listen to what they say … don’t let the voices of the ‘not its’ control you.

Remember the story of Peter walking on the water? The 11 other disciples, safe on the boat, probably remember him sinking … they might have even made fun of him, after all, Peter was the only one who got wet … but you know what Peter remembers and what all of the ‘its’ remember: PETER WALKED ON THE WATER ! Why? Because he got out of the boat, off base.

Some of you may remember the story I told about going to Pamplona, Spain and running with the bulls for my 50th birthday. How after running with the bulls the first day of the festival, I raced a couple of thousand runners on the second morning in an attempt to get into the bull fighting ring and participate in the Encierro. Perhaps it was because I was among the slim minority of sober people running that day or maybe it was due to strategically placing myself at the front of the crowd before the race began, but whatever, I was the first one to enter the bull ring after a long, long run through the streets of Pamplona.

I was excited, dressed in white with my red bandana around my neck and red sash tied at the waste. People in the bull ring screamed and shouted as I took my victory lap. Thousands of people shook their fist in the air and even threw things to me in the ring. They poured wine on me and came down to the edge of the ring to get closer with chants.

It turns out that after a while I noticed they were not throwing roses but cans, fruit, trash and other odd articles. Their chant was now in unison. I stopped my victory laps and asked another participant who spoke Spanish to translate … he said that they were calling me the ‘son of a whore’. Why? Because I was first and they saw me as a chicken that had run so fast only because I was afraid of the bulls … it turns out that I ran all the way to the ring before they even let the bulls go out of their pen that morning.

Now here I was deflated, ashamed, people making fun of me, calling me names. What these people, who I thought were my fans, were saying was not something I expected. I felt embarrassed and so misunderstood. How was I going to continue … I thought of leaving the ring in shame.

But, then again I thought … what have I got to be ashamed of? You know what saved me? I realized that not one of those thousands who were mocking me were out in the streets with the bulls yesterday morning or this morning for that matter. Not one of these people were out here in the bull ring with 10 angry bulls about to enter. None of these chanting irritants were about to face 5 fresh bulls in the Encierro like I was about to do. Which one of them wanted to come out here with me and touch the bull’s tail or slap one of these mean bulls on the nose? They could say what they wanted but they were all just spectators … I was a participator!
I was it!

The its in life will always give the spectators something to talk about, something to complain about, something to judge or criticize … but also … the its in life will as well give these same spectators a game worth watching and a world worth living in.

For me, Jesus is It and I want to be just like Him. What about you? Refuse to shirk your responsibility and commit to take responsibility for more than just you and your family. Decide to do all you can for as long as you can and then find a way to do more so that people here in our communities and people living in communities like ours all over the world are fed, clothed, educated, live in peace, and come to know Jesus, the Son of the living God, as their personal Lord, Messiah, Savior and Friend.

So, let the games begin … who wants to be it?

Motivations

Gtcotr/ws120909

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

What did God do? He gave! What motivated Him to give? For God it was the need … What would motivate you to give?

Sometimes there is just no other way that a need can be met without someone giving to meet that need. In fact … there are three basic reasons why anyone should be motivated to give. These three reasons are plainly detailed in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments.

I am going to teach these three reasons in such a way that I hope they will be easy for you to remember. The three reasons a person should be motivated to give are to:

1. Meet the Need
2. Sow a Seed
3. Follow the Lead

First let’s talk about being motivated to ‘Meet the Need’.

Again, based on the first principle of salvation, God was so motivated by love that He looked down upon a world of lost humanity in need of a Savior and decided to do something about it. God realized that He had in His possession what it would take to meet man’s need. Sure it would cost Him, and cost Him greatly … nonetheless God was moved to give out of what He had to meet the need. And remember:

God did not give His extra Son, but His Only Son!

But the giving didn’t stop there. Truly God gave His Only Son but Mary was also moved by the leadership of the Holy Spirit to give her Firstborn!

You see, sometimes we could be tempted to think that God, Who sees all needs and loves all people, will surely do something to meet the needs of those who cannot help themselves. That is a correct assumption but it does not go far enough into the equation. God will certainly meet real needs but, He will do it through some person who is willing to follow His leading. God works and even loves through others.

That’s what the scripture in 1 John means:

1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

This is exactly what Zacchaeus did in Luke 19:8. He was motivated by love to give and meet the needs of the poor. Only one chapter prior to this, in Luke 18, we find Jesus taking time to explain to His disciples why another wealthy man refused to give anything to meet the needs of others. This man, Jesus explained, never came to know the true riches God was willing to give to him because He would not give to others.

This speaks to one of life’s basic principles in that:

God will seldom continue to give to you what He cannot give through you.

A second Biblical motivation to give is to ‘Sow a Seed’.

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Such was the case of the widow in 1 Kings 17. Also to note is the story of Isaac who sowed in the land of famine and in that same year received a hundredfold increase. You can read about his faith in Genesis 26.

Just remember that God loves a cheerful giver and:

2 Corinthians 9:6 He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

The third motivation to give is to: ‘Follow the Lead’.

The Apostle Paul provides several platforms for us to understand that it is scriptural for church leadership to request offerings for special projects which require funding from time to time. One of the accounts of such a request to give is found in 1 Corinthians 16.

The history leading to this moment shows Paul much occupied with raising financial relief for the poor and persecuted Believers in Jerusalem. He evidently received a commitment from the Corinth Church while he was with them in person however, as of his writing the letter we know as the book of 1 Corinthians, they had not been forthcoming with their offerings.

It seems that the Churches in Macedonia and Galatia had already sent some relief and so Paul once again encourages the Believers in the Church at Rome and Corinth to do likewise. This would not be the last time Paul mentions this offering to the Corinthian congregation.

Now, after setting forth the Church doctrine, which he concluded with the close of Chapter 15, the Apostle Paul directs his attention to helping the Church by putting a plan in place which will assist them in receiving this collection for the saints in Jerusalem with their great need. Paul begins:

1 Corinthians 16
1 ¶ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:
2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Pleas from leadership which contain encouragement to give to a particular project or vision were not uncommon in Paul’s day or even in earlier times.

We see Moses making requests for the Children of Israel to bring their gold and silver to him so that the tabernacle in the wilderness could be constructed and furnished for worship. Listen to what Moses said when he needed money to do what he believed God told him to do.

Exodus 35
4 And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying:
5 Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze…”

What were the results?

Exodus 35
21 Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.
22 They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the LORD.

This offering was in direct response to Moses’ plea. Those who trusted Moses, believed he was hearing from God, were motivated to participate. Many hearts were stirred and everyone who was of a willing spirit followed Moses’ lead and brought the offerings he requested.

The response was so great that:

Exodus 36
6 So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary." And the people were restrained from bringing,
7 for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.

So, let me say it once again: The three major motivations to give are: To meet the need; To sow a seed; or To follow the lead! I hope this encourages you to connect with God and motivates you to be a cheerful and liberal giver to God’s work in the earth. May He give not only to you but also through you! Ask yourself: What would motivate me to give?

First Things First

Gtcotr/ss120609

Have you ever heard the saying: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

This is not just a cute saying … it’s a principle found in the Bible. In fact it stems from the first, and perhaps the most important, of the Ten Commandments - The First Commandment which is:

Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.”

God tells us to keep the main thing the main thing and He is the main thing. God deserves to occupy first place in our lives and He should be offered the first and very best we have.

1 Kings 17:13 … but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.

From requiring the hungry widow in 1 Kings 17 to offer Him a cake first, to laying claim on all of the spoil taken in the first battle for the Promise Land at Jericho …

Joshua 6:19 "But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD."

God demands we put Him first place in our life.

I am going to attempt to impact and motivate you this morning to trust God on a new level, by putting Him first place and offering Him the opportunity to prove Himself faithful in life.

What if I told you that God wants to bless you and increase your finances and that He is only waiting on you to make the first move. Would you want to know what He was waiting for? Would you at least listen to His plea?

Come along with me this morning and let’s visit the future as we turn our Bibles to the Book of Revelation, chapter 14.

Revelation 14 NKJV
1 ¶ Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

It is evident that these 144,000 are somehow special to God. In fact, verse 5 says that “they are without fault before the throne of God.” This means that when they stand before God, He sees no blemish, no imperfection, and no fault in them at all. Only the grace of God can cover a man to that extent. God has accepted these 144,000 as “firstfruits”. This is why they are without fault in His eyes.

Firstfruits – this is a term which we are not readily familiar with in these days. However, today we are going to take a look at what the Bible has to say about firstfruits and see how we might apply this powerful principle in our lives today. So, what does firstfruits mean? Simply: First Fruits!

The Apostle Paul referred to Jesus as being a First Fruit:

1 Corinthians 15:20 ¶ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

The first ripened fruit of the field each year is the promise of more fruit to come – a potential recognized later in the harvest. Paul even counted those who were first born again in each church to be firstfruits of that church.

1 Corinthians 16:15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—

The Word of God also counts the whole of mankind as a type of firstfruit of God’s creation.

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

This makes mankind special in the eyes of God, holy unto God, in an accepted position with God. When man offers himself to God through Jesus he finds himself before God without fault in God’s eyes. Why, because of this special position we hold as a kind of first fruit, which belongs to God.

Jesus came as a man, not as a dog, or a cow, a bird or some locust on the great wheel of reincarnation. When Jesus matured, fully ripened if you will, as the Son of Man, victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave … He became the first ripe, firstfruit unto God from among mankind.

God accepted Jesus as a firstfruit offering, which insured a blessing from heaven on the rest of the harvest yet to come. When God accepts a sacrifice or offering it becomes holy. When a part of anything is blessed, the whole becomes blessed.

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Since God accepted Jesus as a firstfruit of mankind, all men who come to God through Jesus stand before God without fault, holy and accepted by Him. Jesus was the first, fully given to God, and His blessing is now on us.

Jesus opened a door of blessing to all men. It is the principle of firstfruits.

If the first fruit is given to God the whole harvest is blessed by Him.

God requires the first and best to be offered, dedicated, given to Him. If the first is blessed, there is a blessing on the rest.

So, how does this apply to our lives today? Throughout the Bible, God gives instructions concerning firstfruits. From guiding the Children while under the Law of Moses, to instructing New Testament Churches in every generation, God has not left us without instruction. Even Solomon in all his wisdom wrote:

Proverbs 3
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

A promise is attached to this principle of giving firstfruit offerings to God. If we honor the Lord with the firstfruits of our increase, our very first fruits, then the rest of our harvest will be blessed by Him throughout the year.

The first ripe or first harvested or first gathered-in fruit of the field you work in and depend on, belongs to God and, if given to the Lord in faith, God promises to protect the field, increase the harvest, and bless the rest of that year’s income from that field.

The Old Testament contains a law of firstfruits which has become the New Testament Principle of firstfruits. This truth affords us access to the same benefits that the Children of Israel enjoyed in their Promise Land. You can read more about the law of firstfruits in Deuteronomy 26. However, the intent of this Word is still plain and still pertains to Believers today.

God demands He be first place in our lives and He knows that He is not, when He is not, first place in our finances. God wants us to trust Him with our most valuable possessions, and with many people, that means money.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters … you cannot serve God and money.

As for me and my house, all of the very first paycheck of the new year is given as a holy firstfruits offering to God by faith. I trust the principles of God’s Word and know that He will accept our offering and bless the rest of our harvest much more than we could ever be blessed without His holy intervention.

Then, with each paycheck for the rest of the year we are committed to dedicate the first ten percent as a tithe and bring it to the house of God, for the work of God which goes on in and out from this place.

It has been my personal experience and the testimony of everyone I know who has trusted God in their finances and given firstfruits, tithes and offerings, that this particular area of faith so moves the hand of God.

I can tell you for certain that God will not forget your faith or your holy act of giving offerings in obedience to His Word. When is the last time you sacrificed something for the continuing work of God?

Many people need a financial miracle. However, God demands that we participate in our miracles. In every Bible story wherein God gave financial increase or met a financial need, the person receiving the miracle did something to show their trust in God first.

We don’t grow crops without first sowing seeds and we won’t get God’s blessings on our finances without first trusting Him with what we have.

Prayerfully consider starting 2010 off with God’s special blessing on your finances for the whole year. Remember what Solomon said:

"Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

And remember, the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing!

Keep God number one in your life!

The Potter & Clay 4

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Wednesday night teaching series.
This message by Pastor Kenneth Bent.

Shaping the Clay

Review of Previous Teaching:
Scripture:
Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NIV)
1 ¶ This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2 "Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message."
3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

3 things involved in making a clay pot:
1. The Potter
2. The Clay
3. The Process

Of course we easily understand:
1. God is the Potter
He gets to choose how He wants us to be when He is finished making us:
2. We are the clay
3. There evidently is a parallel process which is used by the Potter to make something valuable, useful, and desirable from the clay.

Five Steps for a Potter Making a Vessel
Step 1: Choosing the Clay
Step 2. Preparing the Clay - Washing and Treading
Step 3. Centered on the Wheel
Step 4. Shaping
Step 5. The Fire

Step 1: Choosing the Clay
We are dug out of the pit of sin by God’s gracious hand.

Psalms 40 NKJV
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.

Step 2. Preparing the Clay - Washing and Treading

God begins the work of Sanctification in our lives.
The clay must first be washed to remove the exterior dirt, mire and surface impurities. This initial washing will not be the last time the clay will see the potter use water to aid the process. Of course we understand the natural water of the potter to be a representation of spiritual water which is the Word of God.

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

Water was used not only to begin the cleansing process but also to soften the clay and keep it workable. Now begins the treading process.
The potter, and/or others assigned the duty by him, would begin to tread upon the clay, stomp it, and jump up and down on it. He does this to get the pockets of air out of the clay, mix it good within itself to bring about a balance in the consistency of the clay, and to help identify for removal any foreign objects dangerous to the process. All during the preparation process the potter is gauging the purity and consistency of the clay. It is the goal of the potter to prepare the clay mixture so that it is ready to be placed on the potter’s wheel for shaping. Perhaps this time of preparation is the most important step in the process of clay becoming the beautiful and useful vessel the potter envisioned when he first went down into the pit.

We must all be prepared for use and submit ourselves to the cleansing and kneading processes of God.

Step 3. Centered on the Wheel

Thus far the potter has taken the clay out of the pit, prepared it, placed it on the rock, and has now established its goings. After the potter places this lump, this glob of clay on the wheel and sets it to spin, he places his hands on the clay, not to shape the clay, but to center it. At first the clay fights with the potter’s hands, as you can imagine, uncentered on the rock, each time it comes around to the potter’s hands it finds resistance.

Clay is centered when it no longer resists!

We must not be:
Eccentric
Egocentric
Ethnocentric

We must be:
Christocentric

True capacity is created only after a person becomes Christ centered and stops resisting the hands of God.

Tonight’s Lesson:
Step 4. Shaping the Clay
Video: The CLAY
(Potter and Clay Video (silence the audio on the video please) with narration by Pastor Ken)
Scene 1 narration
There was potter, and in this potter’s studio, there were 3 lumps of clay.
The first lump was hard.
When the potter took this lump to his wheel, and began to center the clay, it would not yield.
When the potter pushed, the clay pushed back,
The stubborn clay would not be centered.
The Potter was not about to fight this lump of clay, so he threw it into a bucket of water so that it might soften up.

Scene 2 narration
The second lump of clay was very soft
When the potter put this lump of clay on his wheel, it centered easily.
As he began to fashion it, the clay was so soft, that it could not hold the shape it was given.
It wavered and flopped until it finally collapsed. It was, as the scripture says, “marred in his hands.”
Then the potter took this pile of clay and put it aside so that it might firm up.

Scene 3 narration
The 3rd lump of clay was not soft, yet neither was it hard.
The potter brought this clay to his wheel.
Without any resistance, it responded to the movement of his hands.
Once centered, the potter began to raise up this lump in the shape of a pot.
And the clay held this form firmly so that the potter might finish his work, shaping the clay according to his design.

Teaching:
7 Points:

1) God’s Design, Not Ours
Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

God designs different vessels for different purposes.
Pouring, drinking, food storage, water storage, wine storage

Each one has a unique shape for God’s own choosing and specialized use.

2) God’s “5-Fold” Hand Molds Us:

The hands of the Potter work on us to make us into a vessel fit for the Master’s use.

Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

The image of a hand is often used to represent God using what in our circles is called the “5 Fold” ministry to prepare God’s people for works of service.

Apostle - Thumb - can function within every other ministry, basic, flexible, foundational, functional
Prophet - “Pointy” finger - directional, purpose and guidance
Evangelist - the Long Middle Finger - Reaches out beyond, touches what others can’t
Pastor - “Ring” Finger - covenant compassion and love - tradition says it has a vein that flows blood directly to the heart, a Pastor is a shepherd, keeper of the sheep
Teacher - “Little Finger” - can get in your ears, prober, seeker, extractor of information

We need all 5 ministries in our lives to have a more complete development of our ministries.

“Perfecting” or “Preparing” here refers to mending (as in nets), perfect craftsmanship, restore to perfect working order.", "whipping something into shape."

We need to realize that those who teach the Word and minister to us are God’s molding hand upon us. We need to hear and receive the “Hand” of God working on us and molding us with the Word of God and the ministry of the Spirit to make us what He wants us to be, so we can work for the Lord.

3) Upward Pressure
The Potter applies pressure to the clay to mold it.

It is an “upward” pressure - God wants to lift us to higher capacity and usefulness.

Phillipians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

God does not push us down or condemn us, He wants to lift us up in His mighty hands.

He is trying to draw us to Himself.

He is trying to enlarge our capacity.

Without pressure, this would not be accomplished.

When we are under pressure, we need to keep our eyes on the eternal purposes that God is establishing in and through our lives.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Affliction = “Thlipsis” = pressure

2 Corinthians 1:8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

1Thessalonians 1:6 -You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

1Thessalonians 3:3 - so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

1Thessalonians 3:7 - for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

No Outward and Upward Pressure = No Development

4) The Heart

At this point in the formation of the clay vessel, the exterior, having had the upward and constant pressure applied, begins to take shape and look attractive.

You can begin to imagine what its ultimate shape might be.

You can begin to see what its intended use might be.

But then, something almost “cruel” begins to happen…

The Potter takes his fingers and forces them down into the center of the vessel.

The inside of the vessel is called, appropriately, “the Heart.”

If the potter doesn’t work on the heart, then the vessel cannot contain anything.

The vessel will only look good on the outside, but will have no usefulness.

The bigger it is ON THE INSIDE, the more it can contain and the more it can pour.

The scripture speaks of God “enlarging” our heart - enlarging our capacity for Him and to be used by Him.

Psalms 119:32 - I run along the path of your commands, for you will “make wide” ( enlarge) my heart
2Co 7:2 Make room for us in your hearts.

Our hearts must be changed,
Man looks on the outward, but God looks on the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7)
The potter at this stage has one hand inside the vessel, and one hand on the outside.

“God works on the whole man.”

**People observing a potter work on the inside of the vessel CANNOT SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE INSIDE UNLESS THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE POTTER TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WORK FROM THE POTTER’S PERSPECTIVE!**
**We might begin to criticize an unfinished vessel - and what they are going through unless we get close enough to the Potter to see what He is doing.**
To enlarge the capacity of the vessel, the Potter MUST WORK DEEPLY.
Our hearts are a repository for everything that will come out of us, and thus must be changed, having the Law of God written on them.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
5) The Mouth
After the potter has shaped and molded the vessel both inwardly and outwardly, he must finish with the topmost part, which is called “the mouth.”
The mouth is vital - it is the final part that anything inside the vessel touches when it is poured out.

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

The mouth affects or influences everything that comes out of the heart. Even if what is coming out of the heart of the vessel is pure, if the mouth is broken or contaminated, it can change the nature and the way the pure substance is ultimately perceived or received.

Proverbs 18:21 ¶ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

6) Always in His Hands

As the Potter works with the clay and the forming vessel, it never leaves the hands of the Potter. At least one hand is on it at all times, even when the other hand is reaching for some more water, or a forming tool.

God keeps His hands on us.

He will not let us spin out of control.

He gently and patiently forms us.

We are always in His hands.

He will never leave us or forsake us.

Even in times when we are being chastened by the Lord, He is putting His hand into our lives to form us increasingly into the image of Christ.

7) Water Poured on the Clay

Water is a type of the Word of God.
We must have the Word continually.
We must apply it to our hearts.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Next Week:
Step 5. The Fire

Firstfruits

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Come along with me and let’s visit the future as we turn our bibles to the Book of:

Revelation 14 NKJV
1 ¶ Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

It is evident that these 144,000 are somehow special to God. In fact, verse 5 says that “they are without fault before the throne of God.” This means that when they stand before God, He sees no blemish, no imperfection, and no fault in them at all. Only the grace of God can cover a man to that extent. God has accepted these 144,000 as “firstfruits”. This is why they are without fault in His eyes.

Firstfruits – this is a term which we are not readily familiar with in these days. However, tonight we are going to take at what the Bible has to say about firstfruits and see how we might apply this powerful principle in our lives today. So, what does firstfruits mean? Just what it says: First Fruits!

The Apostle Paul referred to Jesus as being a firstfruit:

1 Corinthians 15:20 ¶ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

Basically a first fruit is the promise of more to come, a greater harvest. Paul counted those who were first born again in the church to be firstfruits of those works.

1 Corinthians 16:15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—

The Word of God also counts the whole of mankind as a type of firstfruits of God’s creation.

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

This makes mankind special in the eyes of God, holy unto God, in an accepted position with God. When man offers himself to God through Jesus he finds himself before God without fault in God’s eyes. Why, because of this special position we hold as a firstfruits offering accepted by God.

Jesus came as a man, not as a dog, or a cow, a bird or some locust on the great wheel of reincarnation. When Jesus matured, fully ripened if you will, as the Son of Man, victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave … He became the first ripe, firstfruit unto God from among mankind, or any of God’s other creations for that matter.

Jesus offered Himself unto God as a firstfruit offering, thus insuring a blessing from heaven on the rest of the harvest yet to come. When God accepts a sacrifice or offering it becomes holy. God became recipient of the first fruit in Christ and therefore all of mankind when offered to God becomes holy.

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

What does this mean? Since God accepted Jesus as a firstfruit of mankind, all mankind now have the potential, if given to God, to be holy and accepted just like Jesus is holy and accepted, without fault before God.

Jesus got God involved in making man holy instead of just judging his ungodliness. God now extends this holiness and acceptance of Jesus unto every soul harvested in Jesus’ name. It is the principle of firstfruits.

The first fruit is given to God the whole harvest is blessed by Him.

God wants the first to be offered, dedicated, given to Him. If the first is given to God, the rest is blessed. If the first is blessed, there is a blessing on the rest.

So, how does this apply to our lives today? Throughout the Bible, God gives instructions concerning firstfruits. From guiding the Children while under the Law of Moses, to instructing the Churches in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world, God has not left us without instruction. Even Solomon in all his wisdom wrote:

Proverbs 3
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Here once again we see that there is a promise attached to this principle of firstfruits. If you honor the Lord with the firstfruits of your increase, your first fruits, then the rest of your harvest will be abundantly blessed throughout the year.

Deuteronomy 26 NKJV
7 ‘Then we cried out to the LORD God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression.
8 ‘So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders.
9 ‘He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, "a land flowing with milk and honey";
10 ‘and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O LORD, have given me.’ Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God.

A firstfruits offering is given yearly. It is given in the whole amount of the very first increase of the year. The first ripe or first harvested or first gathered in fruit of the field you work in and depend on belongs to God and, if given to the Lord by faith, God promises to protect the field, increase the harvest, and bless the rest of that year’s income.

The Old Testament Law of firstfruits has become a New Testament Principle of firstfruits which allows us access to the same benefits that the Children of Israel enjoyed in their Promise Land. God has not left us out of this opportunity and its potential to abundantly bless our yearly income.

As for me and my house, all of the very first paycheck of the new year is given as a holy firstfruits offering to God by faith. We trust the principles of God’s Word and know that He will accept our offering and bless the rest of our harvest much more abundantly that we could ever be blessed without His holy intervention.

Then, with each paycheck for the rest of the year we dedicate the first ten percent as a tithe, holy and acceptable unto Him, and we bring it to the house of God, for the work of God, in the place God has set us.

I can tell you for certain that God will not forget your faith or your holy act of giving sacrifice and offerings to Him.

Many people in today’s economy need a financial miracle. However, God demands that we participate in our miracles. In every Bible story wherein God gave financial increase or met a financial need, the person receiving the miracle first did something to show their trust in God. We don’t grow crops without sowing seeds and you won’t get God’s blessings on your finances without trusting Him with what you have.

Prayerfully consider starting 2010 off with God’s special blessing on your finances for the year. Remember Proverbs 3:9-10 …