Of course! Here’s your text with punctuation added: --- Hello, how are you today? I'm doing great.
I will do great things. And then there's the needle today. So hello, how are you?
I’m doing great, remembering God, and we sense something really cool happening here on the hill. And if you’re watching from home or on the go, or somewhere in between, we’re glad you’re here. At Harmony [music] Hill, our mission is simple.
Awakening people from death to life in [music] Christ. And we believe that begins with moments just like this. Coming together to worship, to hear God’s word, and to take steps towards [music] Jesus.
If this is the first time you’re here or you want to join in, you can fill out this next steps card, which is in the seatback right in front of you. Hop in your car, get a drink, and we’ll be in session. Let’s go ahead and start with a moment of worship together.
>> I love that tune. It’s so catchy. Boom.
Boom. That’s a good start. Good morning.
We are glad that you're here today. When I woke up, I looked outside and I see just the beauty of God's creation. All the rain that we've had, everything is green and lush and looks great.
The trees are are all out in their full bloom and look wonderful. It's hot outside, but that's okay, too. And I thought about, God, all of your creation is so beautiful.
It's wonderful. And yet we as your people are your crowning creation. I look in the mirror and I see one big ugly face looking back at me, you know, but God looks at us on the inside.
Aren't you glad he does? And I'm so glad he does. And he is worthy of our praise.
And he said, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, what is it? ” There I will be also. So he's here.
Aren’t you glad God does that? Let's turn our attention now to the announcement video. Hey church, [music] listen up for some exciting things happening here on the hill.
Have a heart for making people feel welcome? Join us for our first impressions training [music] on July the 19th from 11:30 to 12:30 in the middle school building. Whether you're a new volunteer, or have served before, this training will help you learn how to come into his presence and worship him.
From the parking lot to the pew, there's a place for you on the team. Grab your family and join us for movie night at the Pines Theater on [music] Wednesday, July the 15th. We'll be showing a great awakening, a true story of an unlikely friendship that led to one of the most influential spiritual movements in American history.
Doors open at 600 p. m. , and showtime is at 6:30.
Tickets are just $5 and concessions will be available at a discounted price. Come witness the beginning of God's profound plan on this hill. Good morning.
We are glad you're here today. When I look at this picture, God paints a picture of a restored home through the life and the family of Hosea. We've seen the spoiled vineyard in Isaiah that we should abide in Christ, so that we can bear good fruit.
And today, we're going to stick with Jeremiah who was also last week with the ruin belt. He had a lot of these object lessons. And today we're going to look at Jeremiah chapter 18.
And as I mentioned earlier, it has to do with the potter and the clay. And I didn't want to bring up a pottery wheel, but I thought a play-doh would be a fun approach. But in the hands of a skilled artisan, the possibilities are endless.
So let's get to demonstrate. And with this picture, we want you to explore what it means to be made by the potter. And then we'll unpack this image together.
This is what the Bible says. The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord. Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.
So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel, and the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me, "Oh house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done, declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hands, oh house of Israel.
If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will pluck up, break it down, and destroy it, and yet if that nation concerning which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. " God has the right to reshape the clay according to his wisdom.
He has the right to shape the clay however he determines. And one of the interesting things about the passage in front of us today is that it weighs out two heavy theological doctrines that we often think are at war with one another: God's sovereignty and human responsibility. But there is much more than what we easily understand.
God's teaching us a simple yet profound truth. God is the potter. We are the clay.
Just want to remind you: we are not the potter. We are the clay. And so, in this picture, Jeremiah is told to go down to the potter's house, and he comes to a particular potter's stall.
And he sees this potter working the clay. And yet something and it all appears to be spoiled in his hand. And so he begins to break it down and rework it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
This is an encouragement to us today—what we're seeing here is powerful. Sin, where we have resisted God, where we have been defiant and rebelled against God, that is what marks us as clay. And yet God did not just throw it out.
If you are willing, he will again shape and reshape you into a vessel for his good pleasure. This is an incredibly important encouragement. The second truth here is God's authority extends over every nation, church, family, and individual.
Probably one of the most surprising parts of this chapter is that it speaks plainly and unapologetically to us about God's sovereignty. First, God desires to be the God of every nation. Now, yes, this was written primarily to the people of Israel, as God was revealing his redemptive story and plan and using Israel as the vessel to follow the promised seed.
But over and over again, we see that God is a God of all nations, all peoples. Every single person. And he desires to be the God of every individual.
He is the God of every person. We were fashioned in the image of God. God is the potter.
He has the right to shape and reshape us. The second lesson here is God's patience. God's authority continues working on us.
We call this in the New Testament the process of sanctification. After you come to know Jesus as your Savior, He continues to mold and shape you more and more into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. Earlier in this service, we sang a song about what it means to be seen—not in appearance, but in spirit, just like Clint eastman would have written it.
That song is so true. And it’s perfect for the audience today. Let me show you a short clip so we can be sure it’s in our minds.
(Clip time will vary) But this is what it looks like to make pottery on a wheel, as Jeremiah would have seen it. This is an encouragement today. Number one: the potter determines the purpose of the clay.
The potter determines the purpose of the clay. Just like with the Play-Doh. I don't have a vision of what it will become.
But once it's in my hands, I have no idea what it will turn into. But when the people or the group I'm working with start to see its form and shape that matches what I envision, is that what the potter cares about? And the same happens with your spiritual life.
The second truth is the clay's response matters. God has a principle here. If I have desired a kingdom or a nation, and I'm going to break your evil plans, and yet you repent, God will relent from judgment.
What this passage brings to the forefront is the importance of our response. Repentance changes everything. Let's also give you two lessons.
Numbers one and two show God's grace in extension of his power and patience in his work. Now, as we think about this imagery today, remember the fourth lesson: Judah's response. They chose to be defiant.
God patiently worked on them. The principle is this: when people repent, God relents. When people rebel, God brings discipline.
From an individual perspective, God still loves us. He still says, "I have fashioned you for disaster because you've stopped listening to me. " But take heart, Judah before this week!
When you come today, let's pray for those who haven't repented. Because this is where our country is, the 250th anniversary. There's much to celebrate, much to learn.
Last month, the World Cup brought amazing lights to our nation. The simple things—our food, our hospitality, our faith—shone brighter than ever. At 250 years old, it’s a reminder of what it means to trust in God shaping you, not in your flaws.
Number three: the clay's response is everything. God asks us to be responsive. Let's be people of God—loving, repentant, and open to transformation.
God’s work is never finished. Now let’s conclude our service. This was such a powerful passage.
Let us not underestimate what God is doing in this picture. The potter has the right to reshape the clay. God’s love is unwavering.
Let's trust Him deeply. Let's pray for what He does today. In Jesus' name, I pray this service is a witness to His grace.
Amen. Have a great week ahead. Thank you so much for joining us.
Let's walk together through this day, knowing God is at work. ] --- Let me know if you want it formatted differently or any specific punctuation changes!
