Text- Jeremiah 18:6 – “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel”
People go to Church with different mindsets as to what God will do in their lives. Some go simply because they want God to give them something, others go because they want God to use them (probably even, for His glory), and some others go to Church, trusting God to make them; to mold them and to form them just as they ought to be. I believe that the third is the group of people that get the best out of Church.
As you go to Church today, I want you to approach Church as clay, going to the Potter’s house. And in the same way that a potter works his clay, allow God to work on you. How do you do this?
1. Be stable,
firmly rooted and grounded It is counterproductive if a child is made to change school every now and then. The same way, you can’t make the best out of the local Church experience if you change Church as if you are changing clothes. You must be firmly rooted in a local Church family and stay there to be made by God.
2. Be attentive to the Word
Firstly, like the standard of Paul for Timothy, your Pastor must have studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. When this word of truth is being rightly divided, you must pay close attention to what is being said. Don’t chat away or sleep off!
Be like the Jews at Berea, Bible says they “Received Paul’s message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said.” Receive the word gladly; make yourself available at every Church service, then go back home and do your personal studies!
3. Be submitted to the leadership of the pastor
Take the position of a sheep under the shepherding staff of your Pastor. “Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, and don’t make things harder for them.” (Hebrews 13:17).
4. Make positive changes
As you continually expose yourself to the truth of God’s words, the Holy Spirit will prompt your heart to make certain changes. At times, it is your pastor, or a leader that motions you to work on certain areas of your life. You must take these very seriously and put in everything at your disposal to make those changes without delay.
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