Parable of the Potter and the Clay

Introduction:- 2.Cor.4:1-18, v7. Treasure in jars of clay (earthen vessels)

n.b. O/T custom to conceal treasure in clay vessels, which had little or no value or

beauty, these did not attract attention. i.e., The Dead Sea Scrolls - Qumran

Treasure in scripture passage quoted is the Gospel -Message of the Good

News - Deposited in the earthen vessels of those who proclaim it, true

believers in Christ. Ref:- 2.Tim.2:20-21.

1. Jeremiah.18:1-6. The message of the Potter’s house.

v.1-2. Obediently Jeremiah goes to the Potter’s house.

` a. Although Jeremiah is familiar with the Potter’s house - It is where God will

Reveal His message. Practical illustration!

b. Lord is taking Jeremiah back to basics:- Psalm.11:3 & Hebrews.6:1-2. (We

need to regularly return to the basic foundations of our faith.)

c. To the creative act of the Potter - God Himself is the Potter of Eden. Gen.2:7,

where He created/formed man from the dust or clay of the earth. To form =

The Potter’s work.

v.3 Jeremiah watches the potter working at his wheel.

3- things he sees:- a. The Willing Potter

b. The Willing wheel

c. The unwilling clay

Note:- Pottery making is hard work - The material is difficult to mold to shape.

a. Potter knows in his mind what he wants to produce.

b. Clay has an inbuilt power to accept or resist! Potter adds water to change its

Constituency, make it more easily worked with - Water = Holy Spirit.

v.4a. First attempt not acceptable - Potter starts from beginning, stretches, beats the clay

to remove and impurities (self will etc) Hebrews.12:1-13.

b. Second attempt - another vessel - Potter is determined, this one will be better - It

has cost him extra time and effort.

Note:- Have some missed their call and anointing to first ministry, through resistance?

Patience of the Potter is revealed - The second chance is given.

Usually clay was discarded after second attempt, thrown away in the Potter’s

Field, in the Valley of Hinnom, Zech.11:13, Matt.27:3-10 and Acts.1:15-19.

v.5-6. Message given to Jeremiah - We are in the Lord’s hands, He can do with us

whatever He wishes to do.(God holds nations in His hand - who is man to resist

Him)

Lesson:- Stay on the wheel yield to the Potter’s hand until He has finished His work!

a. Potter is not the problem

b. The wheel is not the problem

c. The clay is the problem - The old self nature - the old man in us.

d. Choice is ours - The Potters Wheel or the Potter’s field(discarded)

2. 1.Peter.1:3-9, v7. “The Firing Process” -All vessels must go through this

experience. Part of the manufacturing process.

a. The wheel and the Potter’s hands.

b. The fiery furnace - seals or finalizes our shape

c. The glazing process - purpose to make the vessels more attractive, presentable , and equipped for the owners use. Bought with a price. 1.Cor.6:19-20.

d. The shelf life - on show until chosen. Can be a trying/testing time.

James.1:4. “Let patience have its perfect work”

Why am I not being used? God often “PARKS US” somewhere, perhaps behind other

vessels, out of sight! Hidden away! Until He chooses us for His purposes!

Illustrate:- Moses hidden away, on shelf for 40 years, Paul, Galatians.1:17-18, hidden

away for approximately 3 years in Arabia, following conversion, Acts.9.

They were literally on the Potter’s Wheel!

Continuation, part 2, called “On God’s shelf”