Systematic Theological Growth: Encouraging and enabling students/disciples of Christ to
implement the principles of the Bible in our lives.
I think we all struggle with the
thought that we can't serve God because of some flaw in ourselves. But the
Master has a plan and a purpose.
A water-bearer in India had two
large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One
of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream
to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went
on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pot full of water in
his master's house. Of course,
the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which
it was made. But the poor cracked
pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to
accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it
perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water-bearer one day by the
stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer.
"What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these
past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side
causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of
my flaws, you have to do all of this work,
and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The
water-bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he
said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the
beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the
old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on
the side of the path, and this cheered it some.
But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked
out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot,
"Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path,
but not on the other pot's side? That's
because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.
I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we
walk back from the stream, you've
watered them. For two years I
have been able to pick these
beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the
way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique
flaws. We're all cracked pots.
But each has a gift to give, accept yourself as you are.
You are perfect for your life's purpose.
Scripture Text:
2Tim 2:15 (KJS) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But
shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more
ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is
Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that
the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord
knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity. 20 But in
a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of
wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man
therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good
work.
Why should we not be ashamed of Christ and the gospel
story?
AWANA is a Workman Always, Not Ashamed.
We don’t have to be embarrassed, uncomfortable, self-conscious, or
feel ashamed to say that we are Christians.
We can be confident in our new life with the Lord.
This confidence will be shown in our lives.
If…
1.
We are studying to show that God approves us.
How do you know that God is approving of you.
He loves you show much that He died for you. When he died for you he
knew who you would become. He
loves you and wants you to remember. We aren’t ashamed because we know the
truth and the truth of who God is will set you free from worry, embarrassment
about your relationship with the Lord.
2.
We are working to please the Lord who loves us.
Our life with the Lord goes beyond a Sunday morning service.
We are working to show that we are on our way to heaven.
We have a home beyond this world.
We are giving ourselves to God who gave himself for us.
We are following Him in baptism and giving ourselves to God in the
church. This is His house and His
work. We are serving Him.
We aren’t ashamed because we are following Him.
3.
We know that God knows us as His children.
Therefore we are his and depend on Him who is the only true living God.
We have given our lives to him. We
have decided to follow him. We
love the Lord and we choose to be His.
We aren’t ashamed because we know that God is real and He is our
Father. Heb. 2:11 (NIV) Both the one who makes men
holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not
ashamed to call them brothers.
4.
We have departed from inquity or sin.
We have called on Christ and called ourselves Christians.
This means that we are going with God.
Sin is the time in our lives that we have not gone with God.
We are purging ourselves from the sin that is in our lives.
God is going and invites us along; therefore when we go with Him we are
not ashamed of whom we are or whom He is.
He is the Lord and we are proud to go with Him.
5.
We will not be ashamed if He should come right now.
We aren’t perfect but we are His.
He loves us and has accepted us as we are, but then God continues to
mold us as the potter molds the clay. He
is shaping us into his new creation.
1Joh 2:28 (NIV) And now, dear
children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and
unashamed before him at his coming.
Mark 8:38 (NIV) If anyone is
ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son
of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the
holy angels.