"It’s Time to Get on the Wheel"

Introduction Jeremiah is an incredible book in our Bible. Jeremiah is called by God to call the people of Israel out of their sin and back to God before it is too late. Throughout the book, Jeremiah passionately preaches to the people, begging and crying for them to return to God. He leaves no questions about what he believes. Now, in chapter 18, God gives Jeremiah a specific message for a specific purpose.

Jeremiah 18:1-10 Let's read it together and focus on verse 6: "God says Israel needs to get on the wheel."

Key Message: "Let’s Get on God’s Will"

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV): "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

God doesn't want His people to be like everyone else. He wants to produce a change in their lives. If you are saved, God will change you. If there has been no change in your life, you need to check yourself—2 Corinthians 13:5: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith."

Many Christians never reach the full potential of the Christian life because they refuse to get on the wheel. God says, "Can I not do it?" Many people don't trust God, so they won’t get on the wheel. You may wonder, What does it mean to get on the wheel?

What Does "Getting on the Wheel" Mean?

The Bible explains this through the process of pottery.

• Pottery involves shaping clay into a vessel for a specific purpose.
• 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (KJV): "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour."
• Are you an honorable vessel?
• The Holy Spirit lives in you—what does His living space look like?

Why Must We Get on the Wheel?

1. The Wheel Will Challenge Us

• The wheel challenges us to trust God, even when it is hard.
• The wheel will influence us to do what He intends.
• It will help transform us into His image.

Romans 12:2 (KJV): "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV): "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

2. The Wheel Will Convict Us When God’s word comes to us, it will convict us.

• 1 John 2:6 (KJV): "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

Conviction can be uncomfortable because it calls us to surrender things we like or desire. But sin is nothing more than a lustful want, and God gives us everything we truly need. We don’t need sin.

The Potter spends time on the wheel—sometimes subtracting from us.

3. It Shows God’s Concern for Us (Jeremiah 18:7-10) The Potter can build up and break down.

• He’s concerned for us, and everything He does is for our good and His glory—even when it hurts.

Conclusion

We sing "Just As I Am" because Jesus always takes us as we are. But He loves us too much to leave us that way. Everything God does in our lives is for His glory and our good.