Jeremiah 18:1—12 (re)shaping the

future

18:118:1 The Lord gave another  The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, message to Jeremiah. He said, 22 “Go down to the potter’s “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you shop, and I will speak to you there.” there.” 33 So I did as he told me So I did as he told me and found the potter working and found the potter working at his wheel. at his wheel. 44 But the vessel But the vessel of clay he was making was of clay he was making was spoiled in his hand; so he spoiled in his hand; so he remade it into another vessel, remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to as it pleased the potter to make. make.

18:518:5 Then the Lord gave me this  Then the Lord gave me this message: message: 66 O Israel, can I not O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. you in my hand.

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had planned. planned. 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had planned. planned. 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical reality

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had planned. planned. 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realityIsrael’s failure & consequencesIsrael’s failure & consequences

18:718:7  If I announce that a certain If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyeddestroyed, , 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had planned. planned. 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realityIsrael’s failure & consequencesIsrael’s failure & consequences• God will enforce CovenantGod will enforce Covenant

18:718:7  If I announce that a certain If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyeddestroyed, , 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had planned. planned. 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realityIsrael’s failure & consequencesIsrael’s failure & consequences• God will enforce CovenantGod will enforce Covenant• God will judge the nationsGod will judge the nations

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to?

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!

fickle & fickle & capriciouscapricious

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!

““The Lord, the Lord God, The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in slow to anger, and abounding in love and kindness and truth; love and kindness and truth; who keeps love and kindness who keeps love and kindness for thousands, who forgives sin; for thousands, who forgives sin; yetyet he will by no means leave he will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” the guilty unpunished.” Ex. 34:6,7Ex. 34:6,7

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!• God’s intentGod’s intent

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!• God’s intentGod’s intent

““Do you think that I like to Do you think that I like to see wicked people die?” see wicked people die?” says the Sovereign Lord. Of says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways turn from their wicked ways and live.and live. Ezekiel 18:23Ezekiel 18:23

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!• God’s intentGod’s intent

I urge you, first of all, to pray I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for behalf, and give thanks for them… This is good and them… This is good and pleases God our Savior, who pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.and to understand the truth. I Timothy 2:1,3I Timothy 2:1,3

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!• God’s intentGod’s intent• God pursues God pursues

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!• God’s intentGod’s intent• God pursues God pursues

reassessing the Biblereassessing the Bible

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!• God’s intentGod’s intent• God pursues God pursues

reassessing the Biblereassessing the Bible 400 years for the Canaanites400 years for the Canaanites 12 plagues for the Egyptians12 plagues for the Egyptians Jonah’s mission to NinevehJonah’s mission to Nineveh prophets to Babylon & Persiaprophets to Babylon & Persia

18:718:7 If I announce that a certain  If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, destroyed, 88 but then that but then that nation renounces its evil ways, nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had I will not destroy it as I had plannedplanned. . 99 And if I announce And if I announce that I will plant and build up a that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, certain nation or kingdom, 1010 but then it turns to evil and but then it turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. bless it as I said I would.

the historical realitythe historical realitythe all important “but” clausethe all important “but” clause

what’s God up to? what’s God up to? • God is not Zeus!God is not Zeus!• God’s intentGod’s intent• God pursues God pursues

reassessing the Biblereassessing the Bible 400 years for the Canaanites400 years for the Canaanites 12 plagues for the Egyptians12 plagues for the Egyptians Jonah’s mission to NinevehJonah’s mission to Nineveh prophets to Babylon & Persiaprophets to Babylon & Persia

God pursues you too! God pursues you too!

18:1118:11 Therefore, Jeremiah, go  Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, “This Jerusalem. Say to them, “This is what the Lord says: I am is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.” and do what is right.” 1212 But But the people replied, “Don’t the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own stubbornly following our own evil desires. evil desires.

18:1118:11  So turn from your evil So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do ways, each of you, and do what is rightwhat is right.” .” 1212 But the But the people replied, “Don’t waste people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own stubbornly following our own evil desires. evil desires. the historical realitythe historical reality““turn back”turn back”

18:1118:11  So turn from your evil So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do ways, each of you, and do what is rightwhat is right.” .” 1212 But the But the people replied, “Don’t waste people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own stubbornly following our own evil desires. evil desires. the historical realitythe historical reality““turn back”turn back”• agree with Godagree with God

18:1118:11  So turn from your evil So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do ways, each of you, and do what is rightwhat is right.” .” 1212 But the But the people replied, “Don’t waste people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own stubbornly following our own evil desires. evil desires. the historical realitythe historical reality““turn back”turn back”• agree with Godagree with God• trust in God’s mercytrust in God’s mercy

18:1118:11 So turn from your evil  So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do ways, each of you, and do what is right.” what is right.” 1212 But the But the people replied, “Don’t waste people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own stubbornly following our own evil desiresevil desires. . the historical realitythe historical realitydon’t live in your pride!don’t live in your pride!

18:118:1 The Lord gave another  The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, message to Jeremiah. He said, 22 “Go down to the potter’s “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you shop, and I will speak to you there.” there.” 33 So I did as he told me So I did as he told me and found the potter working and found the potter working at his wheel. at his wheel. 44 But the vessel But the vessel of clay he was making was of clay he was making was spoiled in his hand; so he spoiled in his hand; so he remade it into another vessel, remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to as it pleased the potter to make. make.

18:418:4 But the But the vessel of clay he vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his handhis hand; so he remade it into ; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. the potter to make. the personal realitythe personal reality

18:418:4 But the But the vessel of clay he vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his handhis hand; so he remade it into ; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. the potter to make. the personal realitythe personal realityIsrael mirrors individual livesIsrael mirrors individual lives

18:418:4 But the But the vessel of clay he vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his handhis hand; so he remade it into ; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. the potter to make. the personal realitythe personal realityIsrael mirrors individual livesIsrael mirrors individual lives

are you a broken vessel?are you a broken vessel?

18:418:4 But the But the vessel of clay he vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his handhis hand; so he remade it into ; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. the potter to make. the personal realitythe personal realityIsrael mirrors individual livesIsrael mirrors individual lives

are you a broken vessel?are you a broken vessel?• shattered visionshattered vision• cracked up relationshipscracked up relationships• empty as a broken clay pot empty as a broken clay pot • fragile & afraid of exposurefragile & afraid of exposure

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so heso he remade remade it into it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so heso he remade remade it into it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God is God is notnot glue to fill cracks glue to fill cracks

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so heso he remade remade it into it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God is God is notnot glue to fill cracks glue to fill cracksGod God isis offering offering metamorphosismetamorphosis

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so heso he remade remade it into it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God is God is notnot glue to fill cracks glue to fill cracksGod God isis offering offering metamorphosismetamorphosis

inner revolution of the Spiritinner revolution of the Spirit

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so heso he remade remade it into it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God is God is notnot glue to fill cracks glue to fill cracksGod God isis offering offering metamorphosismetamorphosis

inner revolution of the Spiritinner revolution of the Spiritnot better, but not better, but newnew

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so heso he remade remade it into it into another vessel, as it pleased another vessel, as it pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God is God is notnot glue to fill cracks glue to fill cracksGod God isis offering offering metamorphosismetamorphosis

inner revolution of the Spiritinner revolution of the Spiritnot better, but not better, but newnew

please please welcome welcome

Kelly KlineKelly Kline

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so he remade it into so he remade it into another vessel, as itanother vessel, as it pleased pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God has no “second best”God has no “second best”

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so he remade it into so he remade it into another vessel, as itanother vessel, as it pleased pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God has no “second best”God has no “second best”

““I know the plans I have for I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11Jeremiah 29:11

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so he remade it into so he remade it into another vessel, as itanother vessel, as it pleased pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God has no “second best”God has no “second best”• don’t live in the what might don’t live in the what might have been, live in the nowhave been, live in the now

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so he remade it into so he remade it into another vessel, as itanother vessel, as it pleased pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God has no “second best”God has no “second best”• don’t live in the what might don’t live in the what might have been, live in the nowhave been, live in the now

your life can glorify Godyour life can glorify God

18:418:4 But the vessel of clay he But the vessel of clay he was making was spoiled in was making was spoiled in his hand; his hand; so he remade it into so he remade it into another vessel, as itanother vessel, as it pleased pleased the potter to makethe potter to make. . the personal realitythe personal realitywhat is the Potter up to?what is the Potter up to?

God has no “second best”God has no “second best”• don’t live in the what might don’t live in the what might have been, live in the nowhave been, live in the now

your life can glorify Godyour life can glorify Godhe has a pleasing use for he has a pleasing use for you you where you arewhere you are