Are You An Empty or Overflowing Vessel For God?
07/01/21 • 25 min
Do you feel like what you are doing for God is not having an impact or recognition?
Maybe, You got to that point where you felt completely empty and dried up.
Well, you aren't alone.
I will share how an image from an old movie about the desert revealed to me how God uses men and women throughout the Bible as a vessel for Him.
In John Ch 4: 7-15, Jesus spoke about the living water that He had to the Samaritan woman, and it is that same water that flows in those that are saved.
Jesus said we would have rivers of living water flowing from our belly (John 7:37-39).
This is a representation of the Holy Spirit that is poured out in us and flows through us.
Jesus said that we as Christians would do greater things than He. Not because of our abilities and power, but from the Holy Spirit working through us.
We are the vessel. When the Holy Spirit moves through us to speak into someone or over them (prophecy) or a message of tongues and interpretation, We are simply being a willing vessel. Jesus told those that followed Him to go to the upper room . (Acts 1:8)
What God showed me was a water canteen? Just as a canteen carries water to refresh and bring life to a thirsty soul, so are we a vessel that brings living water (the Word) to a lost and thirsty world.
II Corinthians 4:7-10
II Timothy 2:20-21
It is the water that brings life and gets the honor, not the vessel. The same goes with us. It is Jesus who gets the glory and honor by the Holy Spirit working through us as the willing vessel.
Like in those movies, like the westerns or others where they are stranded on the desert with only that one canteen. It is great for them while there is water in it, but Once the vessel runs dry it is worthless till they find an oasis or water supply to refill it.
The same applies with us. While we have the Spirit living in us to help uplift others, we too need a refilling of the Holy Spirit to continue on and refill our vessel so that we don't run dry and become worthless.
Jesus talked about that in the parable of the old wineskin in Luke 5:36-39. This same parable is mentioned in Matthew 9:17 and in Mark 2:22
In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus even called out the Pharisees about their outer appearance
But again it is the Holy Spirit flowing in and through us that the world needs to see.
Even in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was placed on men and women at special times to prophesy and speak judgement from God.
In Ezekiel, God shows the prophet of an example of how the Holy Spirit can bring life to dead souls when in Ch 37 God commands him to speak to the valley of dried bones.
Then we see when Jesus is with the disciples at the Last Supper and he begins to wash their feet. In John 13:5-9, Peter tells Jesus not only to wash his feet by his hands and head.
Finally the Holy Spirit gives us an unlimited supply source that never runs dry. However, at times we may become tired, discouraged, run down or overwhelmed, but that is when we need to go back to that water source to refill.
The same thing with those movies when the character finally finds a well or oasis. They drink as much as they can to get refreshed and regain their strength and then they also refill that canteen for the journey.
That is with us as we are refilled, it allows us to continue the path that God has for us to share His Gospel to others for encouragement also.
Luke 6:38 NKJV
Do you feel like what you are doing for God is not having an impact or recognition?
Maybe, You got to that point where you felt completely empty and dried up.
Well, you aren't alone.
I will share how an image from an old movie about the desert revealed to me how God uses men and women throughout the Bible as a vessel for Him.
In John Ch 4: 7-15, Jesus spoke about the living water that He had to the Samaritan woman, and it is that same water that flows in those that are saved.
Jesus said we would have rivers of living water flowing from our belly (John 7:37-39).
This is a representation of the Holy Spirit that is poured out in us and flows through us.
Jesus said that we as Christians would do greater things than He. Not because of our abilities and power, but from the Holy Spirit working through us.
We are the vessel. When the Holy Spirit moves through us to speak into someone or over them (prophecy) or a message of tongues and interpretation, We are simply being a willing vessel. Jesus told those that followed Him to go to the upper room . (Acts 1:8)
What God showed me was a water canteen? Just as a canteen carries water to refresh and bring life to a thirsty soul, so are we a vessel that brings living water (the Word) to a lost and thirsty world.
II Corinthians 4:7-10
II Timothy 2:20-21
It is the water that brings life and gets the honor, not the vessel. The same goes with us. It is Jesus who gets the glory and honor by the Holy Spirit working through us as the willing vessel.
Like in those movies, like the westerns or others where they are stranded on the desert with only that one canteen. It is great for them while there is water in it, but Once the vessel runs dry it is worthless till they find an oasis or water supply to refill it.
The same applies with us. While we have the Spirit living in us to help uplift others, we too need a refilling of the Holy Spirit to continue on and refill our vessel so that we don't run dry and become worthless.
Jesus talked about that in the parable of the old wineskin in Luke 5:36-39. This same parable is mentioned in Matthew 9:17 and in Mark 2:22
In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus even called out the Pharisees about their outer appearance
But again it is the Holy Spirit flowing in and through us that the world needs to see.
Even in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was placed on men and women at special times to prophesy and speak judgement from God.
In Ezekiel, God shows the prophet of an example of how the Holy Spirit can bring life to dead souls when in Ch 37 God commands him to speak to the valley of dried bones.
Then we see when Jesus is with the disciples at the Last Supper and he begins to wash their feet. In John 13:5-9, Peter tells Jesus not only to wash his feet by his hands and head.
Finally the Holy Spirit gives us an unlimited supply source that never runs dry. However, at times we may become tired, discouraged, run down or overwhelmed, but that is when we need to go back to that water source to refill.
The same thing with those movies when the character finally finds a well or oasis. They drink as much as they can to get refreshed and regain their strength and then they also refill that canteen for the journey.
That is with us as we are refilled, it allows us to continue the path that God has for us to share His Gospel to others for encouragement also.
Luke 6:38 NKJV
Previous Episode
The Importance Of A Father's Affirmation
In this episode, I talk with Clifford Hare, my dad and President of Faithful Men Ministries; and David Hare, my brother.
We talk about the importance of a father's blessing of affirmation in a child's life. The meaning of affirmation and where we first hear of the father's affirmation, or blessing, in the Bible.
Cliff shares about how he grew up in a non-christian home and had caring parents, but never had that affirmation of you are a good son.
Many people grow up with an image of the only way we get affirmation, or love, is out of fear unless we accomplish goals in life. Other times we may have a fear that we never measure up to receive that love and affection.
As men, we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable in front of our children and those we mentor. This isn't to show weakness, but that we have difficult time and how we work through them.
The origin of the father's blessing goes back to the book of Numbers 6:23-27 when God speaks to Moses and shares with him the Aaronic Blessing. Later we see when Jesus is being baptized by John that as He comes up from the water that God speaks and tells Him, "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I AM well pleased." This comes before Jesus has done the first miracle, sermon or teaching; yet God was affirming him as his son.
Our identity in society come from the father. This comes with us going back to learn to hear the voice of the Lord.
The way to truly know of that love is not just by having a conversation with God, but having those intimate times with Him; whether in prayer, praise, both or simply just resting in His presence.
Even for Jesus after was affirmed by God, he went into the wilderness that brought a time of testing a walking by faith that we see that Jesus had confidence in His heavenly Father.
Clifford Hare has been married to Patricia Hare for 48 years. They have 2 sons, 1 daughter-in-law, 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. Cliff took over Faithful Men Ministries for Jack King in 2016. He serves as an elder and pastor at the Springs Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
David has works for the Florida State Corrections 6 years and has also is an ordained minister for almost 10 years.
Next Episode
Chris Newton: A Road To Damascus Experience
In this episode, I have the privilege of talking with Chris Newton. He is a firefighter/Engineer for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Chris shares his testimony of growing up and not really experiencing church till around the age of 10.
He tells how the message was of Heaven or Hell and felt more of a pressure to not choose Hell. Even with this decision, he still lived a reckless life for the next 28 years.
Finally in September of 2015, Chris hit a low point in his life going through a second divorce.
It was during this time that he found an old Bible someone had given him and fell down on his knees in a spare bedroom and sincerely gave his heart to God.
Chris has a wonderful wife, Arline, of 2 years, and has 2 sons from his previous marriage and 2 step-daughters.
Chris has been in the fire service for almost 25 years and shared how a ride along at fire station inspired him to pursue a career in the Fire Service.
He shares about the moment in November of 2015 how he has a "Road To Damascus moment" with God will on a hunting trip with his dad.
He tells about those that have been a mentors and influence in his Christian walk and how his desire is to see the needs of those on the job as well as in the community and be there to help.
Verses Reference:
2 Corinthians 5:17
John 15:5
John 10:10
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/the-318-project-180043/are-you-an-empty-or-overflowing-vessel-for-god-15651714"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to are you an empty or overflowing vessel for god? on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy