Vessels Of Service

Vessels Of Service VESSELS OF SERVICE B2-23-6P 2 Cor. 4:7; Jn. 2:1-11

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

INTRODUCTION:

1. Christians want to be used of God
2. But we are seldom prepared to accept the costs
3. The stone pots in this story are a parallel
4. THE POTS RECEIVED NO CREDIT (vv. 9-10)
5. The Bridegroom was the one commended
6. Pots were taken from Jesus’ presence before their use??? (to be filled)
7. “Persecuted, but not forsaken” (4:9) NEB, “Hunted, we are never abandoned”
8. “Cast down, but not destroyed” NEB, “struck down, we are not left to die”

II. THE POTS HAD TO BE PREPARED (v. 6)

1. Had to be in the right place for service
2. Had to be consecrated for service
   1. Had to be filled before service
      1. 130 gals was more than enough
      2. World gives a cup–Jesus gives fountain
      3. Moses’ first miracle was water to blood (Blood – judgment / wine – rejoicing)
   2. Contents–not pots–were changed
3. “We are perplexed, but not in despair” (4:8)

   NEB, “bewildered, we are never at our wits’ end”

III. THE POTS WERE ONLY PART OF THE TOTAL WORK (vv. 7-8)

1. Five other pots were used
2. Servants did most of the labor
   1. “Gospel of the Blessed Virgin” (“Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”)
   2. Servants do the possible– –The Savior will do the impossible
3. Jesus performed the miracle
4. “Troubled on every side, yet not distressed” NEB, “Hard-pressed…never hemmed in” (4:8)

IV. RESULTS OF PROPER SERVICE

1. Wedding was furnished–Best came last
2. Disciples believed
3. Christ was glorified before man