Clay or Silly Putty?

Introduction:

Reference to the potter and clay is made on several occasions in scripture. These references are significant and have powerful spiritual implications. See Jeremiah 18:1-12; Romans 9:18-21; and Isaiah 45:8-9. There is a lot involved in the process of making a clay pot. In essence, the potter is an artist w/vision – vision in seeing what can come out of slimy mud. In scripture, God is the potter. We are the clay. But unlike the muddy clay we have on earth, each one of us is clay with a will. It has been said there is a difference between clay and silly putty. Clay conforms and can be molded. Silly putty wants to do its own thing. Are we like clay in God’s hands – or silly putty? How open are we to God in letting Him mold us into something useful and beautiful and precious in His sight?

I.  What kind of clay is unusable?

A. Clay that is bone dry.

1.     There is a time when people’s hearts are soft, moldable, and pliable.

2.     But over time, allow spiritual life to dry up. Become hard, bone dry. Nothing can penetrate it. Jer. 18:12 – wasn’t this the way Israel had become?

a)     These are those who have closed their lives off to spiritual truth. 2 Pet. 2:20-22; Heb. 3:13; 10:26-31.

3.     If you find yourself w/this kind of heart – humble yourself to Him. You don’t have to hit rock bottom before coming back.

B. Clay that lacks moisture.

1.     Clay that is soft enough to exist, but can not be used. Isn’t this the place that many believers are today?

a)     A superficial relationship? Not grounded.

b)    How many live life for themselves? Refuse to let the Potter mold them?

2.     Lack of moisture? Add water.  Water is associated with life.

a)     John 4:13-14 – the water that leads to life is found in God’s word.

b)    James 4:6-10 – draw near to God in humility and submission.

C. God cannot use clay with hidden air (sin).

1.     Only fire can reveal the last defect.

2.     There are many Christians who have the appearance they have it all together.  But may be harboring hidden sin.

3.     Mt. 10:26 - When God turns of the fire – the hidden things are revealed.

a)     Psa. 32:5; Pro. 28:13 - Hidden sin is nothing to play with.

II. What if you have been clay that God can’t use?

A.     Jer 18:4 – He remade it.

1.     Our first inclination would be to throw it out.

B.     Think of those in scripture who have been remade.   David; Jonah; Peter

C.    Think of yourself. Perhaps there is sin in your life & you feel broken.

1.     God will forgive you and make you again.

2.     As long as we’re alive – God is not finished with us.

D.    God is patient with us – the clay in His hands.  See Psa. 103:14.

E.     Psa. 40:1-4. To anyone else we may look like a pile of mud. But God sees a vessel of honor!

1.     The only difference in you and the you God sees is your willingness to be molded by Him!

Conclusion:

A.     Are you like clay or silly putty? Have you a heart that is willing to be molded or do you just want to do your own thing?

B.     Compare Jer. 18:4 with 2 Cor. 5:17-21

C.    Won’t you let him make you again?