8. THE POTTER AND THE CLAY

8. THE POTTER AND THE CLAY

Galatians 5:1

When God sees us in bondage, His heart is broken. He did not set us free on the cross, so that we would be held in bondage thereafter. We have to stand firm and be alert, because there will always be opportunities for bondage. Our maintenance and liberty comes in being obedient to God’s Word; and we continue that obedience in His Word.

 Matthew 11:25-30

Jesus the only way to find rest, and that rest is in obedience (Galatians 5:1). The only way that we are to be free of slavery is to take off the yoke of slavery by the power of the Holy Spirit, and put on the yoke of Christ. There is no such thing as yoke-free living. We are to answer ultimately, safely, and securely to God and His yoke.

Romans 6:16

We are slaves to whatever, or whomever we obey. We are not vaccinated against rebellion; because we have to take off the yoke of slavery, and put on the yoke of Christ.

Considerations Concerning REST

1. Most of us are exhausted (Galatians 1:10).

We are either tired or burdened with something. Going for self-approval exhausts us, and also, living for the approval of others.

Galatians 1:10 – if you seek the approval of others, you maybe a Christian; but you are not His servant, because we are servant to the one whose approval we are trying to get. There is freedom when we realize we are only here by the mercy and grace, and appointment of God.

2. Perpetual activity is not God’s will for our lives (Isaiah 28:10-13; Mark 6:30-31).

Isaiah 28:10-13 – Perpetual activity causes perpetual exhaustion. It is the captivity of activity. God says “Come and rest in my authority, but instead, you want to kick against my authority; and you would rather have your list of things, so, I’ll give you the list. Drive yourself crazy with it.” What He asks us to do is see His authority as a place of rest.

Mark 6:30-31 – God’s authority is “get some rest.” He is not driving us into the ground. . Part of being obedient to the Scripture is knowing how to take a Sabbath rest. That is what it was all about.

3. Christ offers a remedy for rest.

Greek words which mean rest:

Epanapauo—to cause to rest

God can bring the hammer down, and He can cause us to rest, and put us to bed for awhile.

 Katapauo—to cause to cease

God can also cause us to cease activity. He can pull us out for awhile, or He can stop something dead in its tracks. God will cause something to cease so He can slam a door and open another one.

Anapauomai—to rest oneself

This is something we do not do well at all, and it is why God sometimes causes us to rest.

 Anapauo—to offer rest

In Matthew 11:28, Christ is talking about “an offer.” He can cause us to rest or cease, and we can lay there, and be just as rebellious as can be. We can refuse to cooperate even in the rest.

Matthew 11:28 – Rest is a word that can also mean “quiet, or recreate.” It is a place of recreation. Part of learning how to be obedient to the Savior is learning how to be in recreation with Him; to be refreshed in Him.

4. The need for this kind of “rest” is not rare for anyone.

All of us need it and we need it, fairly often. “Ana” mean “again” – to rest again. Look up at Christ and hear Him say to you “Come away with me.” Every now and then take a little time with Christ.

5. The kind of yoke in verse 29 is always and only worn by two.

It is the original kind of yoke that pulls two together. It is a time when we need to just get away with Him.

We are a captive audience to anything on the other side of our yoke (Genesis 5:21-23).

When we are in His yoke, He will bring us, and offer us the place of rest; we are a captive audience to Him. We are always students to that which we are yoked. We learn from the one with whom we are yoked. In Christ, when you walk together, you will have refreshment and find rest in His authority (Amos 3:3).

Genesis 5:21-23 – We have been created to the pleasure of Christ’s will (Revelation 4:), so we are here to please Him. Enoch completely fulfilled his purpose – he pleased God. He walked in the yoke with Him. The name “Enoch” means “to be taught and disciple.” It also means “to narrow.” If there are things that offend your walk with God along the way, there will be a narrowing in the walk, as He disciples and teaches you along the way.

6. Christ Jesus is the perfect yoke-mate.

The antonym of the Greek word for “gentle” is orgilos which means “prone to anger, soon angered.”

That is the opposite of Christ. Anger is in itself such an area of oppression, because you live controlled by it at times, and it is exhausting (Proverbs 29:9). Christ is the yoke-mate that never ignites into that kind of anger. He is gentle, humble, and sweet; and His authority is to keep us safe. Christ does not have an ego that needs feeding. He is the great I AM!

7. This kind of rest cannot be easily explained or described.

It must be discovered.

The Greek word heurisko means “to find out by inquiry, learn, discover … by

experience that a person or thing does a particular thing.”

Christ says “Come find out for yourself. Come to me and you find out.” Discover on your own what David called “lead me beside the still waters.”

8. The rest we discover in the yoke of Christ does not end when we return to full activity.

The Greek word anapausis means “rest, inward tranquility while one performs necessary labor.”

It is when we can come away with Christ – taking moments with Him. Come to Christ and find recreation and refreshment in Him; and it will linger on with you, when you go back into full activity.

Rest accompanies surrender. Nothing is more exhausting than being stretched between selfish ambition and surrender to Christ. The Holy Spirit is trying to take control for your sake, not against you.