Embracing God's Guidance: The Potter's Purpose
Summary
Welcome to Courageous Worship Church, where we believe God has called us to care, inspire, and restore faith through creative teaching and outreach. Today, we gather to reflect on the profound message of letting God use us, as illustrated in the Book of Jeremiah. God called Jeremiah to the potter's house, a place of creation and transformation, to reveal His divine purpose and love for His people. This imagery of the potter and clay serves as a powerful reminder that God is constantly shaping and molding us, even when we feel marred or broken.
In our lives, God acts as the ultimate GPS, guiding us through familiar and unfamiliar territories, warning us of dangers, and providing alternative routes to reach our destination. Just as Jeremiah was obedient to God's command, we too must be willing to follow His guidance, trusting that He knows the best path for us. God uses various images and relationships in the Bible to express His love, but the potter's wheel is particularly significant. It shows that God can use any situation, place, or person to demonstrate His love and purpose.
As we navigate our spiritual journey, we must allow God to use us to preserve His name, image, and likeness. This involves recognizing and celebrating the diverse attributes of God, such as Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Nisi, and ensuring that these names are not forgotten. Additionally, we are called to preserve the legacy of our community, particularly the African-American heritage, by honoring the contributions of those who came before us.
God's call to let Him use us extends beyond our personal growth; it encompasses our responsibility to impact our community and the world positively. By embracing our unique gifts and talents, we can contribute to preserving God's legacy and the legacy of our forefathers. Let us be encouraged to live courageously, allowing God to work through us to bring about His divine purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. God as Our GPS: Just as a GPS guides us through familiar and unfamiliar paths, God directs our lives, warning us of dangers and providing alternative routes. Trusting in God's guidance ensures we reach our divine destination, even when the path seems uncertain. [58:34]
2. The Potter's Wheel: The imagery of the potter and clay illustrates God's continuous work in our lives. Even when we feel marred or broken, God does not give up on us. He shapes and molds us into vessels of His purpose, demonstrating His unwavering love and commitment. [01:14:23]
3. Preserving God's Name: We are called to preserve the diverse attributes of God, such as Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Nisi, ensuring that these names and their meanings are not lost in today's society. This preservation helps us understand the fullness of God's character. [01:10:19]
4. Community Legacy: Beyond personal growth, we have a responsibility to honor and preserve the legacy of our community, particularly the African-American heritage. Celebrating the contributions of those who came before us ensures that their names, images, and likenesses continue to inspire future generations. [01:27:28]
5. Living Courageously: Embracing our unique gifts and talents allows us to contribute to God's legacy and our community's legacy. By letting God use us, we can positively impact the world, fulfilling His divine purpose and living courageously in our faith. [01:33:02]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - Communion Preparation
[01:45] - Offering Time
[03:00] - Small Groups Announcement
[04:50] - Testimony Sharing
[06:30] - Introduction to Jeremiah
[08:00] - The Potter's House
[10:19] - Preserving God's Name
[12:47] - Obedience and God's Commands
[14:23] - The Marred Clay
[16:02] - God's Unwavering Hand
[18:18] - Preserving Likeness
[21:07] - Trust and Giving
[24:13] - Growing Where Planted
[27:28] - Community Legacy
[31:25] - Call to Action
[33:43] - Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 18:1-6
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the specific location God instructed Jeremiah to visit, and what was its significance? [55:27]
2. How does the imagery of the potter and clay illustrate God's relationship with His people? [01:14:23]
3. What are some of the attributes of God mentioned in the sermon that we are called to preserve? [01:10:19]
4. How does the sermon describe God's guidance in our lives, similar to a GPS? [58:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the potter's wheel serve as a metaphor for God's work in our lives, especially when we feel broken or marred? [01:14:23]
2. How does the sermon suggest we can preserve the diverse attributes of God in today's society? [01:10:19]
3. What does it mean to let God use us to preserve the legacy of our community, particularly the African-American heritage? [01:27:28]
4. How can embracing our unique gifts and talents contribute to God's legacy and our community's legacy? [01:33:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like marred clay. How did you experience God's shaping and molding in that situation? [01:14:23]
2. How can you actively trust God's guidance in your life, especially when the path seems uncertain? What steps can you take this week to follow His direction more closely? [58:34]
3. Identify one attribute of God, such as Jehovah Rapha or Jehovah Nisi, that you want to focus on preserving in your daily life. How can you incorporate this into your interactions with others? [01:10:19]
4. What is one way you can honor and preserve the legacy of your community or heritage this month? Consider a specific action or event you can participate in. [01:27:28]
5. Think about a unique gift or talent you have. How can you use it to positively impact your community or church this week? [01:33:02]
6. How can you ensure that the names and attributes of God are not forgotten in your family or community? What practical steps can you take to teach others about them? [01:10:19]
7. Consider a situation where you need to let go and allow God to use you. What fears or hesitations do you have, and how can you overcome them to live courageously in your faith? [01:33:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Guidance
In life, God acts as our ultimate GPS, guiding us through both familiar and unfamiliar territories. Just as a GPS warns us of dangers and provides alternative routes, God directs our lives, ensuring we reach our divine destination even when the path seems uncertain. Trusting in God's guidance requires faith and obedience, much like Jeremiah's willingness to follow God's command. By allowing God to lead, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He knows the best path for us. [58:34]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel lost or uncertain? How can you actively seek and trust God's guidance in this area today?
Day 2: The Potter's Transformative Work
The imagery of the potter and clay in the Book of Jeremiah illustrates God's continuous work in our lives. Even when we feel marred or broken, God does not give up on us. He shapes and molds us into vessels of His purpose, demonstrating His unwavering love and commitment. This process of transformation is ongoing, and it requires us to be pliable and open to God's touch. By embracing this divine shaping, we can become the people God intends us to be, fulfilling His purpose in our lives. [01:14:23]
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV): "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Reflection: In what ways do you feel God is currently shaping you? How can you remain open and receptive to His transformative work in your life?
Day 3: Preserving the Names of God
We are called to preserve the diverse attributes of God, such as Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Nisi, ensuring that these names and their meanings are not lost in today's society. This preservation helps us understand the fullness of God's character and His multifaceted nature. By recognizing and celebrating these attributes, we can deepen our relationship with God and ensure that His name and character are honored and remembered in our communities and beyond. [01:10:19]
Psalm 9:10 (ESV): "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."
Reflection: Which attribute of God do you feel most connected to right now? How can you actively preserve and honor this aspect of God's character in your daily life?
Day 4: Honoring Community Legacy
Beyond personal growth, we have a responsibility to honor and preserve the legacy of our community, particularly the African-American heritage. Celebrating the contributions of those who came before us ensures that their names, images, and likenesses continue to inspire future generations. By acknowledging and valuing this legacy, we can foster a sense of pride and identity within our communities, ensuring that the sacrifices and achievements of our ancestors are not forgotten. [01:27:28]
Deuteronomy 32:7 (ESV): "Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you."
Reflection: What is one way you can actively honor and preserve the legacy of your community today? How can you involve others in this effort?
Day 5: Living Courageously in Faith
Embracing our unique gifts and talents allows us to contribute to God's legacy and our community's legacy. By letting God use us, we can positively impact the world, fulfilling His divine purpose and living courageously in our faith. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He has set before us. By living courageously, we can inspire others and bring about meaningful change in our communities and beyond. [01:33:02]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What is one courageous step you can take today to use your gifts for God's purpose? How can this step impact your community or those around you?
Quotes
"God will tell you which way to go and also let you know about the dangers that you can see, but also the dangers that you have not seen yet. And I don't know about you, but I'm glad God told me to avoid certain jobs, certain people, or certain situations, because he understood if I go that route, it will cause danger. It will cause danger and harm in my life. And that's why we got to thank God, dear brothers and sisters, because God is the best GPS that you could ever have in your life." [01:01:07]
"God discusses through his word the shepherd and the sheep to display his love. God describes, dear brothers and sisters, the husband and wife relationship to display his love, as well as how God even uses a father and a child. To display his love. But all these things, dear brothers and sisters, are wonderful and phenomenal ways to describe his love. But here we find one of the most important things that God does. God uses a potter. Come on. God uses a potter to describe his love for us." [01:02:14]
"He had to get Jeremiah to a place to where he could hear from God. Come on. And what's messing some of us up is we are in too many places that are too loud, too noisy, and we're trying to figure out why it is that we can't hear because you got too many voices speaking into your life. And you can appreciate certain people's voice, but folks in your lives' voice cannot be more dominant than the voice of God." [01:03:38]
"Jeremiah fully followed the commands and was obedient. Come on. And by Jeremiah being obedient, he is able to witness something powerful taking place. He is able to see the potter actually working. He is able to see the potter doing only what the potter does. He is able to see the potter make something out of nothing. Come on. And what I like about the Scripture. Dear brothers and sisters, it's the intentionality of the Scripture, but because it doesn't say what the potter is making." [01:12:24]
"The Hebrew word for marred is ya ka. It means destroyed or corrupted, it is the same word that is used for ruin. come on so in other words what you will see is that the image that was in the hand of the potter was being manifested through the clay but while the clay was being formed it was somehow getting messed up while the potter was working messing with this clay the clay was sometime somehow kept it getting destroyed somehow kept messing up but yet the potter did not give up on the clay." [01:14:23]
"God is helping them see, helping them or Jeremiah see. If you think the way this potter is doing things, then wait to see what I do. He said, wait a minute. He said, hold on. you think that's good? Wait till I come in and lie. He says, you think they're doing a great thing? You ain't seen nothing yet. He says, just test and wait. Just test and wait. Test and wait. Test and wait. Hold on." [01:19:21]
"God was helping Jeremiah see that they were to grow where they were planted and use their gifts for his glory. He said, hold on, you can be successful right where you are if you allow me to use you. Too many of us are waiting on next. I can't wait till I get the next this. I can't wait till I get the next now. But you ain't being faithful where you are." [01:23:31]
"God is calling you, dear brothers and sisters, to preserve names, and I hope that you help ensure that. His names don't die. hope that you do your part to ensure that names don't die. So, not only is he using you to preserve names, but he's also using you to preserve images. Come on. Let him use you to preserve images. It says this, Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel." [01:10:19]
"Because if their names, their images, their likenesses are preserved, then guess what? So is mine. I'm trying to keep, I'm trying to keep our legacy going. And they use the name of God to get it done. And dear brothers and sisters, as I wrap this up, are you going to let him use you? How are you going to allow God to use you?" [01:30:20]
"At some point, you got to take a stand and sit there and say, you know what? My family name on the line. You can't do this. This is about my family. Watch this. My kids are depending on me. My children's children are depending on me. Come on. When you're not just thinking about yourself, then you move differently. When you're thinking about legacy, you operate differently." [01:33:02]
"However it is, O gracious Father, you've called them to be used. However you've called them to make an impact in the community, an impact at work, an impact at home, O gracious Father, I pray that they yield, O gracious Father, to your orders, your commands. And I pray, Lord, that they would follow you wholeheartedly. Lord, we just thank you for this time of sharing. We thank you for this message." [01:34:21]
"Listen, do not walk this Christian walk by yourself. You need somebody to encourage you, strengthen you, and that's what the church does. It encourages you to be the person that God has called you to be. Listen, I hope this message bless you. Thank you so much, all of you all, for being here. Thank you for watching online. And as we get ready to get out of here, remember to do what we always say do. Remember to live courageously." [01:36:39]
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