May 13, 2007 Sunday Evening, Mother's Day

Bro. Dillow continued the Ephesians study tonight, but from a different approach.  He first started with Jerimiah 18:1-6, the lesson on the potter and the clay.  He talked about our life and how God is perfecting it.  Just as a potter molds and shapes the clay (even reworks it at times), so God is shaping our lives by His hand.  Romans 9:21 says “Hasn’t the potter power over the clay…”   Even so, we see that an unregenerate life is like a pile 

of stiff, dried out, old clay – it is unyielding in the hands of the potter.  But when sprinkled with the water of the Holy Spirit, that clay can become moist and pliable again.  If we allow God’s Spirit to work on us, He can take an “old dried out lump” of a sinner and fashion it into a vessel he can use.

Jumping over to Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave some …. for the perfecting of the  saints”, Bro Dillow illustrated how an artist painting a picture on canvas will use different size brushes for the different effects he wants to create.  Likewise, the Great Artist, God, is using each one of us as “brushes” to paint His divine purpose for all time and eternity.  Each brush has its unique purpose; so it is with us as Christians.  We all have our own place, our own ministry gift, given to us by the Holy Spirit to use for Him to encourage and perfect one another. 

What an encouraging teaching lesson this was.  Many of us had much to add to the lesson.  May we all fill our role, or be the brush God wants us to be. 

May he find me in my place,
When my King shall call for me.
With a loyal heart; doing well my part,
When my King shall call for me. 

We ended the meeting with the song I Am Only An Earthen Vessel. The sweet Spirit of God descended on our gathering in a very special way as this song became a living reality to each of us.  Much shouts of praise were offered up to Our Great Potter!

I am only an earthen vessel, that Jesus may use as He will;
Whether much I may be in His vineyard, or small be the place that I fill. 

I am only an earthen vessel, but cleansed by the Master’s dear hand.
He hath placed me just where He would have me, and ready for service I stand. 

I am only an earthen vessel, all excellence is of the Lord;
For alone I am worthless and empty, and nothing of profit afford. 

I am only an earthen vessel, the graces within are not mine;
For the love and the power and glory belong to the Savior divine.

 I am only an earthen vessel, but Jesus has pleasure in me;
While I gladly submit to His purpose, a vessel to honor I’ll be.