Just a Lump of Clay
E.A. Johnston teaches that God, like a potter, lovingly shapes and reshapes our lives through trials and grace, transforming us from marred clay into vessels fit for His purpose.
In "Just a Lump of Clay," E.A. Johnston explores the profound metaphor of God as the potter who shapes believers through life's trials and grace. Drawing from Jeremiah's vision, Johnston emphasizes how God lovingly molds us despite our brokenness, inviting listeners to surrender and trust His transformative work. This devotional sermon encourages a deeper faith and reliance on God's sovereign hand in our personal journeys.
Full Transcript
The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there will I cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels, and the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter, so he made it again, another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it, just a lump of clay, marred by sin, scarred by life, emptied of self, purged of pride, take me in your hands, and bend me, break me, shake me, stripped by loss, reduced by ruin, forsaken by many, remembered by few, work a work on your wheel, and search me, mold me, use me, filled with pain, heavy with grief, maligned by liars, scolded by priests, take me in your hands, and heal me, soothe me, love me, haunted by past, weighted with present, scorned of men, alone again, work a work on your wheel, and strengthen me, sharpen me, use me.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Potter's House
- God calls Jeremiah to observe the potter's work
- The clay vessel is marred and reshaped
- God's sovereignty over His creation
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II. The Condition of the Clay
- Marred by sin and scarred by life
- Emptied of self and purged of pride
- Stripped by loss and reduced by ruin
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III. The Potter's Hands at Work
- God bends, breaks, and shakes us
- He heals, soothes, and loves despite pain
- Transformation through trials and grace
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IV. Our Response
- Surrender to God's shaping
- Trust His purpose in suffering
- Allow God to mold and use us
Key Quotes
“Just a lump of clay, marred by sin, scarred by life, emptied of self, purged of pride.” — E.A. Johnston
“Take me in your hands, and bend me, break me, shake me, stripped by loss, reduced by ruin.” — E.A. Johnston
“Work a work on your wheel, and strengthen me, sharpen me, use me.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Surrender your life fully to God's shaping hands, trusting His purpose even in hardship.
- Recognize that suffering can be a tool God uses to refine and strengthen your faith.
- Allow God to break down pride and self-reliance so He can mold you into His vessel.