Romans 9:19-24
Can the Clay Question the Potter?

Introduction
1. Chapters 9-11…Sovereignty. God is the supreme power of the universe. Ultimately, God is in
complete control of all things, though He may choose to let certain events happen according to
natural laws which He has ordained. Abraham: Isaac/Ishmael…God Chose! Verse 13:
Esau/Jacob…God Chose! Verse 14: Is God unrighteous? Is God unfair? God forbid!! What
about Pharaoh…God used Pharaoh for His purposes Verse 18.
2. Written by an agnostic in a daily newspaper: If God is omnipotent (all powerful) and
omniscient (all knowing), how can I be responsible for anything I do? It’s God’s fault!
3. Have you ever known better than God? Reversals. Trials, Pressures, Daily Living, the way you
look, your talents and abilities, your dissatisfaction with life and the things of life.
4. Subtilelly, we are being taught that we are god’s and it doesn’t take much to convince us!
5. Are you trying to play God in your life?
6. Romans 9:19-24 Paul makes the point: God is God!

Are you trying to play God in your life?
I. THE PROBLEM WITH THE POTTER 9:19
He hardens whom He wants to harden.
A. The Objection
1.Why does God yet find fault?
2.For who hath resisted His will? These are the same questions as the agnostic!
If Pharaoh did what was God’s will, why then was he punished? Can’t the hardened man say, “I am what You made me, and therefore, You shouldn’t find fault.”
B.The Observation
1.All the bitter charges that are brought against God are suggested.
2.God is responsible for all human evil! God is ultimately to blame not us!
3.A woman committing adultery: “Why did God make me like this?” An alcoholic or one addicted to drugs: “Why did God give me such an evil desire?”
4.There is a major question between God’s sovereignty and man’s will to choose. We assume things about God that aren’t right: It assumes that God determines to condemn some with no reference to what they do as sinners. It assumes that God creates some people only to damn them and send them to hell…and they have no say. To those whom God chooses not to save are sinners in rebellion against God. God does not condemn innocent people to hell!
5.He made us responsible: To Pray…To Witness…To Obey…To Yield and Surrender To Come.

Are you trying to play God in your life?
II. THE POSITION OF THE POTTER 9:20
He is far above us.
A. Man Is Frail
O man, who are you that replies against God? There is a contrast between man and God.
1.Let’s examine your credentials to say that God is unjust or unfair: Man (the thing made), God (the maker) do you have a right to complain?
2.Frail Man: finite knowledge (limited)…Limited Strength…He lasts only a short time and then he is gone!
B.Man Is Foolish
Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it.
1.Man, despite all of his logic is foolish. He makes giant blunders, even when he thinks he is right. We are cultivators of an elite society…Best, Beautiful, we get our worth!
Politicians, Hollywood, Rock Music Stars, Sports Celebrities, ‘Scientists’ are our
spokesmen!
2.Does this kind of man dare stand up against the God who is might, wise, absolute in power and majesty, infinite in knowledge, knowing all things from the beginning to end? This pipsqueak of a man dares to stand up and question the justice of God?!
C.Man Is Faulty
We don’t know enough to complain! Why hast thou made me thus? We don’t know what God has in mind!
1.Everyone struggles with worth. Every teenager needs to get this in their mind: “Nothing is right!” God…’Everything is just right.’
2.Who sets the standard? Who says what is ‘right’? Listen to everyone else, your peers you will always feel like a failure and you are never good enough!
3.We want to blame God for unyielded areas of our lives. God knows what He is doing! The unyielded vessel cannot be used. Stop gripping and complaining. Stop questioning God, and begin thanking Him for the very thing for which you complain.
4.Get to know God and you will never complain again!!

Are you trying to play God in your life?
III. THE PEROGATIVE OF THE POTTER 9:21
A. His Superiority
Hath not the potter power over the clay? What a ridiculous question!
1.The potter can do with the clay whatever He wishes.
2.All the clay can do is surrender absolutely to the touch of the potter.
B.His Selection
Of the same lump to make one vessel to honor and one dishonor.
1.He isn’t talking about salvation, but he is carrying out his illustration of the potter and the clay.
2.Honorable use and Common Use. One could be a beautiful vase for the king…a beautiful piece of china. Another may be a flower pot. The clay had no choice whether china or a flower pot.
3.As earthen vessels, who are we to question the Potter for including Gentiles into His plan?! With us…where we work, how much you have…you family tree…The Potter know what we need and where we are needed!

Are you trying to play God in your life?
IV. THE PATIENCE OF THE POTTER 9:22
5 Attributes of God are given in vss. 22-24 (Wrath, Power, Patience, Glory, Mercy)
I need to know Him!
A. He Is Willing
1.Patience has been used in (2:4) Not realizing the goodness of God leads to repentance.
2.To display His wrath and make His power known is one purpose!
B.He Is Worthy
Endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitter for destruction.
1.God did not fit them for destruction…they fitted themselves!
2.The patience of God is displayed so that those whom God is calling might have time to repent.
3.God was patient with Paul. God was patient with you and me. Heaping sin upon sin. We were self-righteous, self-centered. We were full of pride until God called us to Christ!
4.Has God’s patience led you to repentance? Patiently, God works, woos. From the heart of a Rebel: “I won’t yield.” “I won’t come.” You are a vessel ripe for destruction!

Are you trying to play God in your life?
V. THE PURPOSE OF THE POTTER 9:23-24
The primary purpose of salvation is not to benefit us. But rather the honor it brings to God
who saved us. That He might receive all the glory!
A. Those He Manifested
1.Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve.
2.Prepared before unto glory…He prepares them. He makes them. He fits them. These are vessels that yield to His touch.
3.(Revelation 5:9-14) is glory on display! He prepared us. He is preparing us. Yield, surrender to the touch of the Master. Say, “Whatever it takes!”
B.Those He Made 24
1.Us…all believers…the Church.
2.Whom He called…Jews and Gentiles. What if…not all Jews, not all Gentiles.
3.He called me…and I a so thankful! They are not in by accident! Let’s give our lives for His purpose and for His glory.


Are you trying to play God?
Know…who you are.
Know…who He is!
SURRENDER!!!