Sermon
Shaped by God
Theme
God shapes us into what he wants us to be.
Object
Balloons for making animals. (I was fortunate to have a professional clown in my church. I had her make some really neat balloon animals before I did my part. This sermon could also be done using clay or play dough.)
Scripture
Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand. Jeremiah 18:6
How many of you have ever seen someone who could take balloons and shape them into different kinds of animals? I was watching Sassy the clown do that the other day and I thought, "I'll bet I can do that." I think I'll try it. (Take out a balloon and blow it up, then go through some gyrations as if you were trying to make it into the shape of an animal.) Oh look,I've made a snake. That is pretty good, isn't it! I think I'll try another one. (Blow up another balloon and go through the same process again.) Hey, look, I've made a worm. Well, maybe this isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. Maybe Sassy the clown knew a lot more about it than I do.
This reminds me of the way God works in my life. If I will let Him, God can take my life and shape it into whatever He wants me to be. But every time I try to do it myself, I turn out to be a snake or a worm. What I need to do is just put myself in God's hands and let Him shape me into what He wants me to be.
Dear Lord, every time I try to take control of my life, I wind up as a snake or a worm. Help me to let you to make me into what you want me to be. Amen.
