It was a stunning glass vase at the centre of a living room, light went into it in one direction and sprayed out from it, illuminating the whole room. You are a carrier of the Divine Substance. With your focus and expectations on His purpose, you have real confidence, because you know that you are among His greatest possessions. He took our sin and Satans power away, giving us treasure in return. . And He ate nothing during those days; and when they had ended, He became hungry. After Jesus returned to God, He came back and revealed Himself to Saul, a persecutor of Christians. Paul was given permission to speak, and he shared his testimony. In other words he cannot treat us as if we were his own, because that preacher is hundreds of miles away and have a someone on his prayer line that will pray with you. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man . I have news for you today: You are a chosen vessel. Oh, may the glorious doctrine of unconditional election election unto mercy! We are God's Chosen Vessels. never, never, never lead to pride, or cliquishness, or bigotry, or provincialism, or smug indifference to the perishing. 48:1; 48:12). God says in his word, it is not his will that any should perish, with that said, a person can obtain unto the truth of God's word and inherit eternal life; in the same manner, a chosen vessel of God can lose his or her salvation by willfully sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. | 233 N Walnut St, Lansing MI 48933. ~Andrea & Ken. Ananias went to meet Saul, and Saul became the man God had said he would be. Key Verse: Ananias went to the house. In the text we find the Lord God choosing a leader for His people. Got dents? . 9:21, 23). There was a reason the Lord chose him and it was the same reason the other apostles recognized Peter's authority and standing. Heres an example. Interactive Philosophy Games, C.S. You are His Chosen Vessel. This Psalm continues the tradition of passing on the record of Gods marvelous works from one generation to another. Watch the video above or here for Rebeccas full message on Gods Chosen Vessel. A vessel is not a fountainit is not a creator of the waterbut a container and holder of that which is poured into it. God will create the faith and desire for iteven if you dont have it yetwhen you simply ask. What we perceive as defects are actually His brilliant and planned marks of potential. It is all mercy. Undeserved. Paul said these riches are unimaginable: What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined . These are intricately intertwined, and it is important to approach our need for guidance in the present world, which seem so urgent, in the context of God's larger purposes. You can hardly find a story in the New Testament where an individual comes to faith apart from the involvement of another person. Note how Isaac was an ordinary man with ordinary problems: A. When God showed Joseph his destiny, we see no evidence in Scripture that God told him about the suffering that awaited him in the process (Genesis 37:5-11, 18-28; 39:20). Amen. One of the biggest pitfalls is when we compare ourselves to otherswishing we were more attractive and impressive. Mary's part, like that of Israel, was not easy. . And if nature had never awakened certain longings in me, huge areas of what I can now mean by the love of God would never, so far as I can see, have existed. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I concluded that it was either the Devil who spoke to me about a husband so I could end up confused, or, I was mad. But looking at this list of God chosen men, I wonder how many of them would qualify to pastor a church today. Not one day without the accumulated weight of old glories ripening in memory, and the thrill of new glories breaking on our sight every day. In fact, the world is riddled with examples of persons who are even suffering because they have rejected Christ. Theme: You are a chosen vessel of Christ. Daniel 5:2 Verse Concepts The people of the Christian community are vessels of mercy, prepared before hand by the Divine Potter to be filled with glory. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11). The theme of the service was: "God's Chosen Vessel for His Purpose and Direction." ADVERTISEMENT Responding, the Pastor, who has been in Anguilla for one year thus far, and hopes to spend many more years on the island, thanked the congregations of the two churches, on behalf of his family and himself, for their kind expressions of . Read the thirty-eighth verse: "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.". It would mark you as a vessel of wrath. God doesnt create each of us to be like some superhero, without flaws and weaknesses. I am blessed to be afflicted because I get with it an equivalent level of consolation. And the best place to get your heart tuned is at the cross of Jesus Christ. Man is a vessel (Rom. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. This issue is: do you hear in this message the call of God? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." In St. John 21:15-19, Jesus instructs His chosen vessel to feed my lambs and sheep and to follow me. He gives comfort that keeps us in peace. The suffering is real, the pain too, but God gives grace to go through. In this book Rebecca provides a road other women can follow in helping to restore the black family to a biblical foundation." From the Foreword by Dr. John M. Perkins "Chosen Vessels gripped my heart like no . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The Light Within, written by Rebecca L Matthews, Little Birch Finds Peace, written by Rebecca L Matthews, illustrated by Hannah Forcier. 3. Youre Gods First Choice. Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee.(Jeremiah 1:5a). You may sometimes feel like God imposed Himself on you and now has you suffering for it. The suffering of the world is a common suffering. Isnt it great to know you are chosen? He uses Satan and the demons, even . For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org, Then I said to them, You are holy to the, and the pails and the shovels and the bowls; even all these utensils which Hiram made for King Solomon in the house of the, All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the, Also King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the, Within two years I am going to bring back to this place all the vessels of the. That is what you were made for. No. You have heard echoes of Gods glory everywhere; tune your heart to the original music. Imagine the flannel graph with me. The phrase "chosen by God" is used in a variety of ways. Luke 22:23 "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not . Another level to being confident is in facing the dragon and his angels mentioned in Revelation 12:17. Also King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and put in the house of his gods; Within two years I am going to bring back to this place all the vessels of the Lords house, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. And mercy itself will be supremely pleasant to taste and know. Having trouble logging into your account? We even admire those who we see the Lord using and enjoy being fed by what God pours out through them. Ken & I are still finding out what God has planned for us. The gift is complete and experienced within a relationship with our Creator. According to Genesis 6:9, This man was a just man and perfect in his generations, and walked with God. God Sent The Storm. Did you know that you were Gods ideacreated with a specific purpose in mind? Do you wish that you could be holy for God? god's chosen vessel for his purpose and direction. Many discover the call on their life, and are obedient to God's will while others ignore the call. . Yet, God was testing and downloading obedience into His elect by granting them repentance. God recognized these traits, which are called out throughout the Bible. (Please note I said start off! I dont ever want anyone to feel like youre losing your mind. I may not get to meet any of them, but I can share the comfort of God with them through intercession. . 2 Timothy 1:1-18 Monday, 18 October 2021 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. By calling Paul a vessel, Jesus declared that it was not Paul's abilities or status but God's power that enabled him to do the . This is the context in which your calling is embedded the Devil is at war and has a host that he commands, but God also has an army and He is enlisting soldiers. Well, without meaning to sound disrespectful to God, I have to say it: God actually doesnt have any choice! Remember the words of Paul, Beholding the glory of the Lord, [we] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18), and glory-reflecting people are not fruitless. God bless you. I plead with you: dont throw your life away. HE IS CHOSEN BECAUSE HE HAS THE PEOPLE AT HEART (v. 72), In the previously discussed verses it is noted that God took David from the sheepfolds and placed him among His people to shepherd them. While being carried away by Roman soldiers, Paul asked to address the crowd. Lord, Send Me. Your Life Within the Labyrinth In his writing of the "Faithful Admonition to the Professors of God's Truth in England" of 1554, Knox expressed his support for the "elect and chosen vessel of God," whom Knox believed was King Edward VI, due to their similar religious beliefs and Knox's high view of royalty. (2 Corinthians 4:7) The only thing a vessel can do on its own is to simply exist, and be available. Love is the only context in which Spiritual gifts can fulfil God's purpose in the church . Jesus said that Saul, who was an enemy to His message initially, was a chosen vessel to reach many people. God's purpose according to His choice will stand. "God called King David a man after God's own heart even though he was an adulterer and a murderer," Falwell said in 2016, defending his choice to endorse Trump. It is an embrace so tender, and is hidden from and inaccessible to those who have never been tried. Pursue that with all your heart and above all else. Survive the anointing by calling on God. Then He formed a powerful and intimate relationship with him. May the Lord strengthen you and empower you to move to the direction where your divine purpose can be located. Staying conscious of the fact that you are a carrier of the Life-giving, Living Water is essential for the fulfillment of your purposeHis purposefor you. We know that because Christ is said to be the Savior . It cant pour, move, or even come up with the idea on its own. Know this: you may not have the overflow you would like to have or even once had, and all because you have stepped out in obedience to the call of God on your life. They werent doing it for God, but they suffered! . Truth be told, many of us fall into Josephs categoryGod shows us the glory but never mentions the pain. Have you ever been hugged? Keeping your mind attached to God, while maintaining an attitude of expectancyfor His plans to play out in your lifefrees you from the worlds shallow and impossible expectations. Trust Him in the process. Like Paul, let us rather glory in our infirmities that the power of Christ may rest on us. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. In fact, all the trials that I have been through in Gods will have tenderized me. God is God and He works all things, including your life, according to his purposes. He now lives for God's purpose. sometimes changes the direction of God's chosen instruments (Matt. It was to provide water for strangers and . And today, in the same way, God wants to use us. If not, I wonder why. (2 Corinthians 12:7). God chose David because He knew that David would care for the sheep as if they were his own. As being called by God brings authority over the Devil, so ongoing submission to God and His will help to maintain that authority. Know here cannot mean be aware of intellectually while feeling indifferent. That would not mark you as a vessel of mercy. There is an intimacy with God that is reserved for only those who suffer. But God worked through a person to bring someone to faith. A truly converted person is no longer his own; he has been bought with a price. When I was a university student, my low financial status meant that I would buy a cheap pack of biscuits, sip some water from the water coolers, and call that lunch! God has chosen the foolish, to put worldly wisdom to shame. Despite the futility, he seeks to run "away from the presence of the Lord" (Jonah 1:3). Lets look at (1) vessels of mercy, and then (2) prepared beforehand for glory, and then (3) knowing the riches of glory., Gods purpose in verse 23 is to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory.. Acts 9:15 says - "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." Destiny is that magnet which pulls your life along to fulfill the mission/assignment. His life would be nothing less than extraordinary. When you move in the direction and will of God, rest assured there will be provision. A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder, never likely to reach home port . The text speaks of God's chosen ones as being "vessels." Why Doesn't My Crush Like Me Quiz, Now thirdly focus for a moment on the word riches. Verse 23: Gods final goal is to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory.. But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Whatever we may not fully understand about the way God works in this world, one thing is clear and wonderful in verse 23. And the apostle Paul, who was not even five feet tall, might have been even tougher. And he did it out of the same lump of clay that others came from who do not see or love the glory of God (Romans 9:21). [19] That's the point. We need to combine the message of the Bible with actions so that we are a relevant church in this time. Scevas sons couldnt do this because they took something upon themselves that can only work when we are sent! Old Netflix Kid Shows That Were Removed 2010, But the true shepherd knows that the sheep does not belong to him, so he have to take extra care in dealing with the sheep. Your emptiness inside can be filled to the brimbut you must believe it, seek it, and allow it. In other words, because the riches of glory are infinite it will take ages for us to know it fully eternal ages! As Paul was busy going about his own affairs, even so many of us were minding our own business when God stepped in with His call. I struggled between choosing to go where I knew God was leading me, versus wanting to please my parents and trying not to feel rejected by them. Its easy to lose sight of that, in a world that is insistent on telling us what our purpose should be. Its a horrible feeling. It seemed like madness at the time. But to proceed. Why does he use that word? God planned out the prophet Jeremiah, and knew himhis strengths and weaknesses, qualities and imperfectionseven before he was formed in the womb. Christians talk about men being God's creatures or men becoming God's people. So lets not be wimps when it comes on to suffering. So here comes God seeking vessels to use and what does He do? There is a way you must possess (take charge of, and maintain) yourself, as a Chosen Vessel, that brings honor to our Lord Jesus Christ. The tour over, the guide asked if anyone had any questions. Can God use your enemy for good? In Acts 9:15, God said, "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is . Sometimes the rationale God uses for selecting His vessels defies worldly wisdom. . (Romans 1:18, 23). "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." You were made to know the riches of the glory of God. He placed his hands on Saul (Acts 9:17) Purpose: To recommit to God's call to share the gospel Hearing the Word The "Adult Bible Studies" writer begins this week's lesson by emphasizing this quarter's exploring of God's call. And therefore, so will our joy. Mary Finds Favor with GodLuke 1:26-28. And David knew that, and that is why David was Gods choice, because David knew something about shepherding. Both Paul and Timothy in our reading today are fine . Thats the nature of the call: God takes us out of the kingdom of darkness, drafts us into His kingdom of light, then uses us to fight against that kingdom out of which He took us. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. I know God wanted me to marry, and to marry a pastor, and to specifically marry my husband. This is done through the act of repentancethe confession of, and turning away from, all that does not please Him. Paul had a dear price to pay for serving His new master. Acknowledge daily that you are holythrough the saving and cleansing work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He also had both patience and wisdom, and was introspective in his thoughts. Many people value their characters by some of their deeds that shows that they can be trust . Now David knew something about leading sheep and that qualified him according to Gods standards. After his conversion Paul spent some days with the Christians in Damascus. That's the point. Most of them knew Peter and his past. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21), That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; (1 Thessalonians 4:4). God's purpose in verse 23 is "to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory." As a Christian, you are a vessel of mercy. He desires to communicate with us and provide us with direction, inspiration, and encouragement. Paul was a chosen vessel unto Christ (CP Ac 9:15-16; 22:21; 26:19-23). Discard and leave the desire for or attachment to earthly things behind, and God will give it all back to you a hundred times in this age and the next, through eternity. Have you been battered by the world, broken and glued back together? Posted By : / actual instructions in flowcharting are represented in / Under : . However, when Christ is your focus, these lesser things really arent important anymore. Make the decision to separate yourself from sin. . If we look back or look around us, we have seen, and some of us have even experienced, suffering in non-Christian circles. If you see and savor the glory of God today, you didnt get to be that way on your own. Do you live for this? Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. In Chosen Vessels we hear a voice from the inside. The suffering of the world is comfortless; the suffering that comes with obedience to the call, purpose and will of God comes with consolation. Psalm 57:2 says, "I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me." This is key in understanding God's purpose for your life. Certainly, Gods will is always being done. I tell you some churches, not all, like their pastors supplied not chosen. 3. My fellow laborers of the kingdom, it is getting harder to identify those who lead the Church of God. Our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, puts every chosen vessel through the following process: Every chosen vessel is sanctified (pronounced clean) by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, through His saving and redeeming work on the cross. "And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory" - Romans 9:23. We tend to think that God does everything for us, but we have a part to play in this too. So it was because of Israel disobedience God refused the Tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim, but He chose the tribe of Judah, as found in verse 68 and He called this tribe the Mount Zion that He loved. Dont let the state in which God calls you prevent you from graciously accepting it, humbly saying yes, and obediently yielding to the process that will prepare you for it. description: ( hide) God alone chooses the servants through whom He works His will. You see, God is in the generation of the righteous. 4. He meets us in our mess! There is a war between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. He would go to great lengths to follow God and pursue his destiny. We only need to gird up our minds with the expectation that there will be a cost to being called. The chosen vessels is the one that God choose to carry and bring His glory. You see a good shepherd pay close attention to the little things, he knows when one of the sheep is missing, he knows when they are sick with parasites, he knows the sheep by name and they know his voice, in discipline he even know the right amount of force to use with his stave. It was sometimes a bit precarious, and we had some rough patches where our utilities were cut off for a while, but faithfully, God kept on providing. I am not alone! That is how powerful God is in our lives today. That keeps the vessel from taking any credit for itself, when it is used mightily for life-changing purposes. The servant now speaks, declaring his purpose and reciting what the Lord told him. And just when Paul had gone through such intense suffering for Jesus sake, He prepared a thorn just for him too! In fact, those who do not know any better are easily fooled by Holy-looking people. We find a synopsis of this prophecys fulfilment in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. We did not make ourselves fit to know Gods glory. We become merciful by being shown mercy. God is able to convert the most unlikely of sinners and use them as His chosen instruments in the cause of the gospel. I now have a compassion and deeper sense of understanding for any ministers wife who is in my position. There will be a process!). Noah met grace because it was therein God's heart, in God's gaze, in God's eyes. I say this because verse 23 says the purpose of God is to make known the riches of his glory. That is what we are prepared for. Your email address will not be published. To start saving items to a SermonFolder, please create an account. I dare not give you the impression that this is easy. What kind of a holy, Supreme Being comes to unclean people seeking to draft them into His holy army with a holy cause?! Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. If you are a Christian today if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead this is what you are: a vessel of mercy prepared before the creation of the world for glory that is, to know the riches of the glory of God. Posted on September 21, 2020 by Sabbath School Lesson. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. So inspite of myself and my circumstances , im still going to lift him up on high . What an unabashed call! He had made a very clear choice. It commonly denotes a "cup or basin," such as is used in a house. God explained that Paul wasn't the man whom believers feared but a person whom God selected for a special ministry. (NKJV). Instead of us choosing a pastor that is saved, we choose a look, we chose a school, or we chose a puppet that will be used only when called upon. Here are a few other posts that may encourage you. The thing is, God wants to use youand everything that you arefor His purposes, which He planned for you. There are specific assignments that you are chosen to do. Were on a mission to change that. But God did not want just anyone ruling over His people. We all start off in sin and God knows it. Brochure #7 Edited 4-03-2004. You are lifted up and put in position. Revelation 12:7-9,17, Isaiah 14:12-15,Ezekiel 28:11-17, The Bible is a mysterious book. Christ, then, is the obedient-sent servant of his Father's will. So, when faced with a particularly stubborn demon, they were overcome. Keeping this mindset and attitude also makes yourself available to your maker, so that His intentions for your lifeand purpose for your beingmay be fully carried out. Heres a heads up: pain is coming with your calling! You are not your own: When you dedicate your life to God, you are surrendering your will to His will for your life. I tell you Pastor Streeter was chosen to lead Mt. Tuesday: Paul ~ God's Chosen Vessel. Some of the T.V. Open your heart to the wonder of this in your own case as you ponder with me three aspects of it. We are vessels of mercy. He is able to testify of a reality that the world does not understand- the possibility of peace in the storm; weeping with hope; comfort in suffering. People choosing themselves or being chosen by humans to be God's servants is what has brought false teachers, prophets, apostles, etc You can neither power yourself or be powered by humanity for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are God's "Out Called Ones" which is what the church is, a people that belong to the Lord. It begins with trusting in God's directions for a new life in Christ. So on this 17th anniversary of our pastor let us take a look at this lesson that we can identify Gods Chosen Vessel. Jonah God's chosen instrument is a leaky vessel. There was much sorrow and pain involved, but what a wonderful role to play in God's grand plan! Just as the ark was God's chosen vessel of salvation from the flood that destroyed the world the church is God's chosen vessel of salvation from the condemnation of sin. . The Substance within the vessel is infinitely more significant than the vessel itselfbecause the Divine Substance is the Life-Giverwith Life-giving properties. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7). His purposes for you are not for the beautiful peoplethey are for you. A holy vessel is special, unlike other vessels. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. He is still with me and is still consoling, comforting and strengthening me. Like the potter placing the clay on his wheel and fashions a vessel, God carefully fashions you on His wheel. The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. A servant of the LORD must display attributes of live for another, sincerity, loyalty, honesty rather than manipulation and self-deception. The called of God are his primary target. We relish the thought of being used by God. Not many Christians have paid adequate attention to the fact that we are vessels of God. All of that is good, but we also like to hide from the idea that affliction is a part of the calling. It means, their magnificence across the bow of the earth, and their spectacular array of colors, and their evocative power to awaken deep emotions are tiny reflections and mere shadows of the glory to which they point. When we stand before principalities and powers or even the Devil himself, we have all authority to say, Back up!. He is the full portion of our inheritance. Through the Holy Spirit's guidance, the apostle Paul proclaimed the Word of God to thousands throughout the Mediterranean world. Do you hear this design for your life and feel a passion to pursue it? Home; Products; About Us. God has chosen you to be His vessel. The word prepared underlines that this is all of mercy. It reminds me of Ernie Fields, who had a puppet named Cockroach that spoke only when Ernie spoke for him. For the enemy knows who they are and the vision of God they carry within their heart. He was "a chosen vessel." The story of Paul and his conversion reminds us that each of us is special to God. In other words, we will never know it fully, but will know it more fully every day forever and ever. 28 And the angel came in to her and said, Peace be with you, to whom special grace has been given; the Lord is with you. Sheep had no sense of direction, so they needed to be led, sheep would eat grass down to the rocks then would eat the rock and parasites, that is why they need fresh graving grass. Hello, Rose! PRAYER OF THE SOUL ASPIRING VESSEL OF SANCTIFYING GRACE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT