The preceding 12 wks we have learned for eth scope of mankind how we came to be, the process and the intents that the Potter, the Lord himself had for us. Some of these options are up to us as to our obedience and surrender to the Son of God, filled with his Holy Spirit. Today we are going to examine the purposes of being a vessel in the hand of the Potter, remade into a better vessel to accommodate the intents he has for us.

The basis for this series is Psalm 139 & it’s NT counterpart Romans 9. Today the 13^th installment gives us the final understanding of life as a vessel. We discussed purpose previously, but what about the day to day? See as a vessel as was taught you are taught to hold something the Holy Spirit. This content is what moves you from common use to special purpose. Today we will examine the life of the author of Romans Apostle Paul. Paul is a picture of a vessel who was remade once containing Holy Spirit. A life renewed transformed and changed his direction.

Acts 9:15 “But the Lord said, ‘Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.’”

Notice here it says Saul, this is the initial stage of the life before filled with Holy Ghost, that will renew the vessel. It was a confirmation to someone who was a disciple of the apostles that he neede to go to a man who was an enemy to the people of Christ & pray with him. But the Potter saw him for what he was formed to be, what he could be if he surrendered, if he obeyed. Saul it says here before he was Paul was chosen. He was called, do not get me wrong, heck Jesus said in Matt 22 Many are called but few are chosen. What is the difference?

Many are called, as in the voice, the communication from the Spirit goes out. But while it may be acknowledge in a I heard from the Lord statement, but while it is acknowledged, it is not acted upon. That is how you get to chosen. It is about responding. Taking action, obedience to the call. It is not a request to these individuals it is a command. It is taken with an expectation that no matter what it is but somehow, someway, it was going to result in something good to the glory of the Son. He was going to see it through as long as you trust him and trust that no matter what is encountered on the journey he is going to take you to the finish line of the journey that he intends

Instrument is GR Skeuos It is the same word used in Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some vessel for special purposes and some for common use?

Saul was going to receive the gospel, see Jesus resurrected & be taught by him preparing him for his calling. See the Potter was at work here elevating the uses of the vessel by taking a deeply educated man & teaching him the truth of what is the good news aka the gospel.

The goal of the gospel is not to affirm you, celebrate you, & accept you. The goal of the gospel is to rescue you, transform you, & redirect you. What do I mean by that?

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7

All surpassing power, that means the world the devil may come against you but what is inside you is greater than what is coming against you. The world comes at us with greed anger lust malice depression jealousy anxiety & fear but what is inside you says I will not be held by these chains anymore. It stands against these because there is a new operating system inside no longer tied to these.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

These are your values, virtues & character traits in an age of people will be lovers of self & money. They set you apart. Look at the motivations & false virtues of the world. There is no bias, no political motivation with these unlike the chest thumping virtue signaling of today.

Working Gifts: Romans 12: Encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, teaching

& Spiritual gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:

• miracles,
• discernment,
• healing,
• interpretation of tongues,
• speaking in foreign tongues,
• prophecy,
• wisdom,
• faith,
• healing.

9 gifts to serve the Potter who enables you to operate at a level of divine endowment to show off who he is & how much he loves everyone.