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Sep 19, 2024 06:00am

More Than A Teapot

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Many people have traits from their parents or grandparents, characteristics or similarities passed down through the generations. My grandmother Linda and I share something in common. But it’s not a facial feature, hair type, or eye color.

I have inherited her love for a great table setting.

When it’s time for a celebration, I want to pull it all out and make it extra special. Thanks to my grandmother, I have a couple of antique dish sets that I love to use for these special occasions.

I love mixing and matching the old with the new, adding in little pieces here and there. Like the server my son got me and the napkins I picked up at a yard sale.

One year, I added a beautiful teapot. It’s tall, with dainty floral designs painted on it, and has a darling little cover for the top.

It’s not antique. It’s actually from the Pioneer Woman collection. It wouldn’t be worth much money, but to me, it’s special and I love it!

When it’s time for the special celebration, I pull out the teapot and fill it with our drink of choice – maybe it’s peach tea, strawberry lemonade, or a new punch recipe I find on Pinterest. I usually like to find a drink that matches the color of the items used in the decor.

The teapot has a purpose. Not just to look the part, but to actually be used. It’s filled with our delicious drink, and then it pours out to those who have been invited.

When everyone is seated, I pour the drink into their glass. That first sip is wonderful, and I realize just how thirsty we all are!

Acts 11:19-23

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.
20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.
21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”

Throughout the book of Acts, we’ve seen the disciples begin their ministry of spreading the gospel after Jesus’ death and resurrection. They preached about who Jesus was and what He did for the people to free them from their sins. We see the followers of Jesus become a church, face persecution, and scatter throughout the land. Some had gone all the way to Cypress and Antioch.

There, the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. Men and women that were pagans, worshipping false gods, in a city that was full of sexual immorality and no regard for God. This was a vital economic area because it was a gateway city to the eastern world.

Barnabas heard about the preaching, that many had come to the Lord, and he praised God for it. Notice what he says in verse 23 –

“When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”

What had happened in Antioch?

The gospel was preached, and the people received the truth and believed.

How?

By the Holy Spirit, the very grace of God was poured out to these men and women.

Those who preached were like our teapot. They had a purpose. They held something that the people needed. But alone, that teapot can’t pour anything. It has to be used by the hand of its owner. God used these men and women as vessels to share His good news with others. Through them, the Lord poured out His Holy Spirit and offered grace and forgiveness to a thirsty people.

Remember this.

As a follower of Christ, we have a purpose. It’s not just to sit on a shelf and look good. We are to be used by the One who paid for us. God wants to use us as a vessel to pour out His message of love, forgiveness, repentance, and obedience. Alone, we cannot do anything, but it’s through Christ working through us, the very hand of God using us for His will. His Holy Spirit does the work of salvation, not us.

We are simply a teapot.

Jesus has sent out the invitations and is ready to pour out His love to them. Will you allow Him to use you?

If you want to know more about following Christ, go to follow.lifeword.org.