Cracked Pots

The Cracked Pot

---

THE CHOSEN VESSEL

By R. Cornwall

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many--which one would He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You.

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was widemouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy Your house to abide.

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. "There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

 --Author Unknown
========================
A man can counterfeit love, he can counterfeit faith, he can counterfeit
hope and all the other graces, but it is very difficult to counterfeit
humility.
   Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899)

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 pots 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 are all cracked pots. But if we
will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.

In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.

So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks
He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them,
and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of
beauty in His pathway.
Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that

"In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."
(Either by Stephanie Allen or sent in by her)
"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God has chosen the
foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the
weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and
the base things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are
not, to bring to nothing the things that are." 1 Cor. 1:26-28

"I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,
in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2
Cor. 12:10

"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.
For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God
toward you." 2 Cor. 13:4
To the Semitic mindset, a waterjug was like one's soul. For a woman to break
her water vessel would bring her great shame. It would be as if she broke
her own soul. She guarded her water vessel as if it were her very life. That
is why the fact that the Samaritan woman on the Book of John who left her
water jug at the well was so significant. It was a completely un-Se

The Unity Of The Spirit

                              Bible Study Number 2: 

                

A        WHAT is "The Unity of the Spirit"?

        1.  It is a Unity generated by God's Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers:

             It is spiritual in origin, spiritual in nature and has very little to do with doctrine:

          (a) John 17:21                               (b)  Psalm 133 (precious anointing ointment

     

          (c) 1 Cor 6:17         (d) Origin 2 Tim 1:9 and  Cor 2:7  (e) Luke 1:44: Discuss

          2.   Unity is the opposite of discord, or the absence of strife, a place where

                love reigns and truth is valued.  Man can desire it but never create it:
                

                (a) 1Cor 1:10          (b) Phil 1:27              (c)  Phil 2:2

                (d) Acts 4:32           (e) 1 Peter 3:8           (f) Romans 14:19 /15:5

                    New Testament                   Old Testament

 B   Is  U.O.T.S the same as  "Unity Of The Faith"?

 No! U.O.T.S comes prior to Unity Of The Faith {UOTF}

In Ephesians 4:3 & 4:13 Paul makes reference to two different kinds of unity.

• Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (verse 3)
• Till we all come in the unity of the faith. (verse 13)

It is not coincidental that Paul refers to the unity of the spirit first. Without Unity of the Spirit we will never realize the unity of the faith.

U.O.T.S is gifted to us and we are instructed to "maintain it"

U.O.T.F. is something we come to as we attain maturity and appreciate the 
seven ones in Eph chapter 4 

(a) One Body.
(b) One  Spirit.      
(c) One  Hope           
(d) One Lord 

(e) One  Faith        
(f) One  Baptism              
(g) One God and Father     

Historically we have seen many attempts at the unity of the faith, which have all resulted in greater disunity as the above 7 ones are major and must be arrived at over time. Differences on those 7 doctrinal issues should be no hindrance to Unity Of The Spirit.

C       Is U.O.T.S. the same as Having Fellowship?

Not exactly: Fellowship is a decision we make ourselves following Biblical instructions,

Man puts great obstacles in the path of having fellowship: God puts very few!

According to Scripture we can enjoyfellowship with all who:

(a) Believe the Gospel as in 1 Cor 15: 1-3, 2 Cor 5 :16--21

(b) All who follow the Lord Jesus Christ out of a clean heart

Personally I want and long for fellowship  with all believers on the above basis, be it on the streets, cafés,  house meetings, any place and any time of any dayor night. If we refuse to have fellowship with a believer based on any other criteria than (a) and (b) above then we are on very shaky and probably very ungodly ground. God help us!

N.B Having fellowship is different than coming under their teachings or authority in a "Fellowship"

D   What Does U.O.T.S. look like?

     Psalm 133!

            "How good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity."

                   Discuss emphasis on togetherness & brethren in this psalm

                 How is unity like the precious anointing oil? {Is 10:27}

                   How is it like the dew of Herman?

                  Psalm 133:3 ends on a very strong note;

                  Discuss  words "command" "blessing"  and "life for evermore"

                 {See also Acts 4:32: and 2 Tim 4:10 (In negative sense)}
                   

  E    What is U.O.T.S. based on?

What is the Unity between Jesus and The Father founded on?

1 Cor 8:6     Only begotten son    Jesus knew who He was

How did this Unity between Jesus and the Father work itself out?

(a) Submision 

(b) Togetherness

(c) Love / Respect / Peace

How might this apply to us?

   D   Who can I enjoy Unity Of The Spirit with?

Its not your decision    not based on denomination, creeds or pet beliefs or your own revelation from God  Our part is 100% expectation of this UOTS in all we meet 

Story:  Years ago I heard Campbell McAlpine tell his story of how God dealt with this matter in his life. The Lord spoke to Campbell and told him to fellowship with another brother who had a totally different doctrinal perspective. He argued with God, even using the scriptures to make his point. "You see Lord, it says right here in Amos 3:3, Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Waiting for the Lord's response, and feeling certain that he had convincingly made his point, Campbell rested his case. The Lord responded to Campbell's bulletproof defense, "I disagree with you on a lot of things."

How is it that God can walk with us even though we fall so short of his glory? If we were to take an accounting today, we would find like Campbell, that God disagrees with us on a good many of things. Why do we withhold from others what God has so graciously extended to us? Though we individually fall short of God's glory we nonetheless expect perfection from each other. God's Holy Spirit is grieved at the untold number of fights spawn from this inordinate ambition to impose our individual perceptions of "the truth" upon others.

           brethren   call on the Lord   Gospel 1 Cor 15:1-3  Clean heart?

I don't know if Elizabeth believed in Angels bringing special messages ......

Early church never put out someone for crazy doctrine  but yes for lifestyle

.  

 

In Ephesians 4, Paul makes reference to two different kinds of unity.

• Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (verse 3)
• Till we all come in the unity of the faith. (verse 13)

It is not coincidental that Paul refers to the unity of the spirit first. Without the unity of the Spirit we will never realize the unity of the faith. Historically we have seen many attempts at the unity of the faith, which have all resulted in greater disunity. Evidence of this is strewn throughout our cities in the form of cathedrals, temples, and "church buildings." Truth is not something, which can be realized by mental ascent. According to Paul, Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies. And if any man think that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know (1 Corinthians 8:1-2).
If we cannot love one another, keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, we will never see the unity of the faith. I am sure we all have seen the damage done by people-imposed, rather than Spirit-wrought unity. Someone gets their feelings hurt because the rest of the group fails to enthusiastically embrace their pet doctrine, so they take their ball and leave
.
We cannot have truth without a Spirit-wrought revelation of Christ. This is one of those things that simply cannot be known except through experience/encounter. In fact, all truth about Christ remains theory to us until we taste and see. Paul knew that there is no true knowing of truth, without a Spirit-wrought revelation of Christ, and thus he prayed, "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him . . ." True knowledge is not the fruit of scholastics; it requires the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Paul knew that there were things, which could only be taught by God, and so he prayed,

That he (God) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us . . . (Ephesians 3:16-20)

What Paul is referring to here is knowledge which is beyond knowledge. It is to know experientially, what can be known in no other way. It is an experiential communion with Christ. This communion with Christ, manifests itself in a comprehension of love, with all the saints. This is true Spirit wrought unity. We can point to this, but we cannot teach it into existence. We cannot mandate this unity. It is birthed by God in the "inner man." I suspect that we Christians know a lot about things of which, in reality, we know nothing. May we take this to heart, and pray one for another that we might experience together, the only ground of unity, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. To the end, that we might truly be "filled with all the fullness of God"!
God scattered the masses at Babel who were attempting to be unified around a cause other than His. It is the same today. God still scatters every effort to unify by any other means than His Spirit. Denominational churches that are unified around creeds, doctrines and programs are a good example of this. Ironically, their attempts at doctrinal unity are the source of their division. Having rejected the unity of the Spirit, they must be held together purely by the force of human organization. The harder they try to unify on that ground the more divided they become.
In every area of life we place a high premium on expertise. We employ the most experienced mechanics to work on our vehicles. We seek out the most experienced doctors, lawyers, etc. We would never dream of trusting our cars to a mechanic who had only read the manual. Those possessing head knowledge only, may argue freely among themselves until someone who has "been there," "done that," walks into the room. Why? Because the latter knows experientially what the former can only imagine. An expert witness is a person possessing knowledge as the result of experience! John was such a witness.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. (1 John.1:1)

May we take on Paul's burden of prayer and commit to pray for one another that God would grant us according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; so that we might, be "rooted and grounded in love," so we can comprehend and know, with all saints, the "love of Christ" in order that WE might be filled with all the fullness of God."
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Part 1 .... The appetizer!    (15/11/2017)

Suggestion:  Round Table Discussion on questions below:

(1) Is Unity Of The Spirit {UOTS} simply another name for fellowship?

(2) What about organised meeting of various  groups and religions?

( 3) Why is it called a "Unity (or oneness) of the Spirit"?

(4a)  Is Doctrine relevant at all to UOTS? { Psalm 133 , Bretrhren: Also 2 Tim 2:22}

(4b)  Should Ephesians 4:13 be placed before Ephesians 4:3 then? God forbid!

        New Testament                   Old Testament

(5) Where is it referred to in the Bible? (Eph 4: Psalm 133: John 17:)

( 6) What is man's role in setting it up  on a scale of 0 to 9?

(7) Has man any continuing role n UOTS  according to Eph 4:3?

(8) What is the significance of mentioning the Bond of peace?

(9) How does Jesus define UOTS in John 17:21?

(10) What are the effects of UOTS on a,b and c below?

(a) Believers themselves {3 things}

(b) Unbelievers (John 17:21)  Conviction?

(c) Those who submit themselves under it (Psalm 133)

• Above could be used as handout with space after each topic for comments

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Second Week:  Discussion if you wish on Unity Of The Spirit 

                   New Testament                   Old Testament

A        WHAT IS The Unity Of The Spirit?

        1.  It is a Unity generated by God's Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers:
             It is spiritual in origin,  and spiritual in nature

          (a) John 17:21                               (b)  Psalm 133 (precious anointing ointment
     
          (c) 1 Cor 6:17         (d) Origin 2 Tim 1:9 and  Cor 2:7  (e) Luke 1:44: Discuss


          2.   Unity is the opposite of discord, or the absence of strife, a place where

                love reigns and truth is valued.  Man can desire it but never create it:
                
                (a) 1Cor 1:10          (b) Phil 1:27              (c)  Phil 2:2

                (d) Acts 4:32           (e) 1 Peter 3:8           (f) Romans 14:19 /15:5

  B   What Does UOTS look like? Psalm 133!

            "How good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity."

                   Discuss emphasis on togetherness & brethren in this psalm

                 How is unity like the precious anointing oil? {Is 10:27}

                   How is it like the dew of Herman?

                  Psalm 133:3 ends on a very strong note;
                  Discuss  words "command" "blessing"  and "life for evermore"

                 See also Acts 4:32: and 2 Tim 4:10 (In negative sense)
                   

  C    What is UOTS based on?

What is the Unity between Jesus and The Father founded on?

1 Cor 8:6     Only begotten son    Jesus knew who He was

How did this Unity between Jesus and the Father work itself out?

(a) Submision  (b) Togetherness  (c) Love / Respect / Peace

How might this apply to us?

   D   Who can I enjoy Unity Of The Spirit with?

Its not your decision    not based on denomination, creeds or pet beliefs or your own revelation from God  Our part is 100% expectation of this UOTS in all we meet 

Story:  Years ago I heard Campbell McAlpine tell his story of how God dealt with this matter in his life. The Lord spoke to Campbell and told him to fellowship with another brother who had a totally different doctrinal perspective. He argued with God, even using the scriptures to make his point. "You see Lord, it says right here in Amos 3:3, Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Waiting for the Lord's response, and feeling certain that he had convincingly made his point, Campbell rested his case. The Lord responded to Campbell's bulletproof defense, "I disagree with you on a lot of things."

How is it that God can walk with us even though we fall so short of his glory? If we were to take an accounting today, we would find like Campbell, that God disagrees with us on a good many of things. Why do we withhold from others what God has so graciously extended to us? Though we individually fall short of God's glory we nonetheless expect perfection from each other. God's Holy Spirit is grieved at the untold number of fights spawn from this inordinate ambition to impose our individual perceptions of "the truth" upon others.

           brethren   call on the Lord   Gospel 1 Cor 15:1-3  Clean heart?

I don't know if Elizabeth believed in Angels bringing special messages ......

Early church never put out someone for crazy doctrine  but yes for lifestyle

.  

 

In Ephesians 4, Paul makes reference to two different kinds of unity.

• Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (verse 3)
• Till we all come in the unity of the faith. (verse 13)

It is not coincidental that Paul refers to the unity of the spirit first. Without the unity of the Spirit we will never realize the unity of the faith. Historically we have seen many attempts at the unity of the faith, which have all resulted in greater disunity. Evidence of this is strewn throughout our cities in the form of cathedrals, temples, and "church buildings." Truth is not something, which can be realized by mental ascent. According to Paul, Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies. And if any man think that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know (1 Corinthians 8:1-2).
If we cannot love one another, keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, we will never see the unity of the faith. I am sure we all have seen the damage done by people-imposed, rather than Spirit-wrought unity. Someone gets their feelings hurt because the rest of the group fails to enthusiastically embrace their pet doctrine, so they take their ball and leave
.
We cannot have truth without a Spirit-wrought revelation of Christ. This is one of those things that simply cannot be known except through experience/encounter. In fact, all truth about Christ remains theory to us until we taste and see. Paul knew that there is no true knowing of truth, without a Spirit-wrought revelation of Christ, and thus he prayed, "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him . . ." True knowledge is not the fruit of scholastics; it requires the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Paul knew that there were things, which could only be taught by God, and so he prayed,

That he (God) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us . . . (Ephesians 3:16-20)

What Paul is referring to here is knowledge which is beyond knowledge. It is to know experientially, what can be known in no other way. It is an experiential communion with Christ. This communion with Christ, manifests itself in a comprehension of love, with all the saints. This is true Spirit wrought unity. We can point to this, but we cannot teach it into existence. We cannot mandate this unity. It is birthed by God in the "inner man." I suspect that we Christians know a lot about things of which, in reality, we know nothing. May we take this to heart, and pray one for another that we might experience together, the only ground of unity, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. To the end, that we might truly be "filled with all the fullness of God"!
God scattered the masses at Babel who were attempting to be unified around a cause other than His. It is the same today. God still scatters every effort to unify by any other means than His Spirit. Denominational churches that are unified around creeds, doctrines and programs are a good example of this. Ironically, their attempts at doctrinal unity are the source of their division. Having rejected the unity of the Spirit, they must be held together purely by the force of human organization. The harder they try to unify on that ground the more divided they become.
In every area of life we place a high premium on expertise. We employ the most experienced mechanics to work on our vehicles. We seek out the most experienced doctors, lawyers, etc. We would never dream of trusting our cars to a mechanic who had only read the manual. Those possessing head knowledge only, may argue freely among themselves until someone who has "been there," "done that," walks into the room. Why? Because the latter knows experientially what the former can only imagine. An expert witness is a person possessing knowledge as the result of experience! John was such a witness.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. (1 John.1:1)

May we take on Paul's burden of prayer and commit to pray for one another that God would grant us according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; so that we might, be "rooted and grounded in love," so we can comprehend and know, with all saints, the "love of Christ" in order that WE might be filled with all the fullness of God."
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)