What Defines You?

The sermon is, What Defines You? What defines you, brother? Each individual. Think about your life. You know, we talk about some people who experience life-altering things in their life that they go back and review where they've been. They think about life. They think about, well, did I miss this? Did I miss that? But what defines you? What in your life in the past has brought you to this point you are today? Where are you? What takes up or what has taken up in your past most of your time? Your thoughts? Your passion? And I will spend just a couple moments with you as I tell you what defined me for my life so that hopefully you can even this afternoon. Take a few moments. I actually did this on that 16-hour car drive up to Cincinnati and thought about my life and thought about what it was that defined me through my life and what it is that defines me today. And I think we all need to find out where we are and what defines us as an individual. The first 12 years of my life, I was defined, you might say, I defined my life as my father's son. First 12 years, I was known as my father's son. My father was named Charles Smith. I was named Charles Smith. I was named, I was called Little Charlie. Little Chucky! But I still have aunts even to this day that decided to call me Little Chucky.

Please don't introduce me as Little Chucky.

Thank you, Andy. I don't want that spreading to the Caribbean. Coming to St. Lucia, Little Chucky. But that's who I was. That's what everybody recognized me as, my father's son. Then about 13 years of age, I was defined from about 13 to 19. I was defined by one thing and one thing only. Sports. Loved it. Couldn't think of anything else. We'd play sports constantly, from basketball to baseball. Just one jumped right into the other.

I could tell you everybody from Johnny Bench to Dave Concepcion to the Big Red Machine, Cincinnati Brits. I could tell you who is in the outfield of every baseball team, professional baseball team, for 10 years running. I knew everything there was about basketball that I could just possibly read. I spent hours upon hours even though I had to do chores.

It was just like you run and get the chores done just so you could go out and play sports. Sports defined me from age 13 to 19. I would spend hours. I remember because when we came into the church and I could not practice or play on the Sabbath, then I would find that I could just finish shooting free throws after sunset on Saturday and before sunset on Friday so I could make sure I got my hundred free throws made.

I'd spend hours dribbling the ball, shooting 250 shots every day, thinking this is what life's about. I'm so amazed even many years later when my nephews would say, let's go shoot some ball, I'm like five minutes, I'm done. Not only winded but done. And I could not find the passion that I once had, but at age 13 to 19, it was everything. But then things changed as I went to another stage in my life. And from the age of 19 to 25, I was defined by girls.

I was defined by the girls that I dated. Somebody's laughing in the back. To me, that's I worked all week, collected that paycheck so that I could go out on dates. So what is all about? I spent my time thinking about the dates or talking to my friends. Who are you going out with this week?

Oh, who are you going out with? Who are you dating? That defined me as a person? As strange as that may seem. Or maybe it doesn't seem as strange as I think. Maybe you can relate to that. As sometimes we became obsessed with, what am I doing on Saturday nights? Time, thoughts, and passion, they really helped define you. And then, at age 26, I got married. I married this blonde on the front row. And I became known as Mary's husband. I was married. My single friends now, I didn't go out, and we didn't go out and run around and even play ball and do these things like I used to because my time, my thoughts, and my passion was taken up with Mary Smith.

Mary McElroy Smith. And that went on for a few years until I found, and she will readily tell you this too, that somewhere along the line, after a few years of marriage, I began to define my life not from being a married man, but what I did for a profession. And I was a manager of a company. And I spent my time and passion and thoughts on that job until I left that job.

And then I went through another defining time when I owned my own company. And I was known as, to me, as the owner of the plantation room company, a company that I started, and something I thought about all the time. I was driven to success by keeping that constantly in my mind. That's where my thoughts, my passion even though I was a baptized member, even though I had a relationship with God, that did not define me.

It wasn't until about 1995 that I was challenged on what I believed, because to me, I had accepted with very little study what my parents had taught me. And so then I had to dive in and really prove to myself who God was and why He called me, and why I should even read His book. And from that time on, I must say, even though we all fall back sometimes, my last stage, and hopefully it will be my last forever, is I am defined by my God.

I am defined by the Holy Spirit, and that is what this message is about today. I ask the question, what defines you? Where are you in this road down life? Are you defined by His Holy Spirit? That you have it, and that you use it? And that reading the Bible, reading the book, is a passion of yours. And when you're not reading, even their thoughts are on the things of God. What about your time? What about your time? Is it important also?

So with that, what controls us? What drives us? Because if you find out what controls you, these thoughts, what drives you to do things, you will find out what defines you. What really defines you. I thought about that Spirit that is in me, God's Holy Spirit. How much do you think about it? And that it is in you, and put in you, my God, because no one else can do it. Think of the scripture in Jeremiah 1, verse 5, most of us know where Jeremiah writes, as God says, Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Have you ever thought much about that?

Formed. Before God formed us. And I want to dwell on that word today. Formed. Because I think a lot of us can understand what defines us when we realize why we were formed the way that we are. You remember Genesis 2, verse 7, as he said, that he actually took God formed man out of the dust of the earth. He formed us. Formed man. Now, I think you'll find it somewhat interesting that the Hebrew word for formed, as used in those two scriptures, is actually the word yachtar. Y-A-T-S-A-R. Yachtar. Y-A-T-S-A-R. And it means to mold into form. And you can find that form many times in the scriptures in the Old Testament and do. But it's actually in Hebrew, it's a potter's word. Everybody know what a potter is? Has anybody here made pottery? Yes. Oh, you did? Yes. We've got people who made potter. Oh, okay. Did you make it out of clay? Clay? Okay. Good. If you've never seen it done before, I had a couple customers that made stuff, and I watched some of it, and I'm amazed, but you can also see it on YouTube. Just type in making pottery, and I've got a dozen different videos. I'll show you how it's made. They even go back to how it was made two to three thousand years ago, because other than the heating process, there's not a lot difference in the making of it. So, it's a pottery word, because in the Hebrew Scriptures, it's meaning that a potter makes something out of clay or dirt, and that's what God did. He formed it. The Hebrew word actually means squeezing, squeezing in the shape, because, I guess, you that have made pottery realize that as you take that clay and you work it, and then you have to actually beat on it, push it down to get what? All the air bubbles out of it, so it doesn't have air bubbles. So, when you make this, you don't have places that pop up.

It actually means to fashion into shape.

So, God, if we look at this word and we understand the meaning, He has fashioned us, molded us, shaped us, squeezed us into shape. The actual Greek word means to fabricate, which is about the same. So, He's formed us this, this, dirt. He formed us to hold something, to hold something, just like people that make pottery. You don't just make a piece of pottery for nothing, it's work, but it actually has a use, actually has a use. And so, the scriptures in many places tell us about God forming us, molding us, His greatest creation.

When you make a piece of pottery, and it was known to be one of the first things used or made to hold water. Makes sense, doesn't it? It would hold water. So, you had to make this piece of pottery to hold something. Some would actually hold flowers, as you see today. You can buy pottery, and there'll be various things that it will hold. One of the most important things is what you're putting in it. You can make a piece of pottery that will hold water. But there's also pottery that you can put dirt in and put flowers in. But the only difference is it has holes in it, so that water can go through something that they do. But it's very important that the potter, as he forms this clay, then starts molding it and shaping it, he has what is called a potter's wheel. Did any of you have a potter's wheel? Something that spins around. And they would actually, two or three thousand years ago, would move it with their feet so that it would spin around, and you could put water in the clay, and then you begin to form it very quickly. It would make a round substance that you could put your thumbs in, and then begin to hollow out the insides, and make the bottom secure, and make sure that it would be watertight.

Well, just like that pottery, God has formed us, His greatest creation, to hold His Holy Spirit. It's one of the reasons He formed us, because this part of Him, He is going and has given us. I'd like you to turn to Isaiah 64, if you would. Isaiah 64. And verse 8. Read from the New King James. Isaiah 64 and verse 8 said, But now, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the, what? Clay. And you are our potter. And we are the work of your hand. Do we realize that? I think you read over that sometimes, but if you've ever made pottery, or you ever watch it, you watch that process as it's being done, and they make these bowls, or they make these containers, or glass, that look like glasses, or that whole water. But as they make this, they have to work it very smooth. And once they get it in, they've molded it and formed it like they want it, then they let it dry.

Just out in, outside. Sometimes they put it in chambers. Now they actually have chambers they can put it in that takes all the moisture out so it gets, dries rather quickly, but most of the time they let it dry. And then they move it to heat, and they put it on lower heat first, just to get it used to the heat, otherwise it could crack. And then once they have it warm, pretty warm, then they can actually put it in the fire itself until it is so hot that it actually tempers, tempers the pottery. And then you have to let it cool very slowly. You sometimes wonder when we go through many things, when we go through our trials, when we are tried by fire sometimes, when we are like that piece of pottery, we're made stronger by the things like the heat that we go through, by the trying of our patience, by the trying of our will, by the trying of just ourselves. We become stronger. Like you turn back to Romans 9.

Romans 9. For our people who own the book of Romans, who out there owns the book of Romans, I know I got one, two, three, four, five, six, they own it. They understand these verses. Who actually had this one? Who actually had 9? Chapter 9. Anyone remember? No? Can't remember? Well, may you remember next month, by the time we make a presentation, let's hope so. But Romans is a very deep book, and so it's given to us here in Romans 9, verse 20. It says, But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like this? Anybody ever said that yet? I did. I said it more a few times. Why am I like this? Why am I having to go through these trials? Why am I having to go through this problem? Why, God, didn't you make me Bill Gates' son? Then I wouldn't have any problems. Why didn't you make me better than what I am? Then I realized that he is making me better than I am, by the things I am going through and where he's working with me. But why have you made me like this? Verse 21, Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and the other for dishonor? So there's an interesting change here because at first he talks about us being like clay. We're clay. He's a potter. And then hopefully he's going to make us into pottery to where he can use us. But here it actually says that another word is used and that word is vessel. Vessel. Have you ever considered yourself a vessel? Hmm. It's interesting because in the Greek vessel is also known as an implement or equipment. Something to be used. So no longer does God, he calls us as pottery or he calls us clay, but this clay has been formed. He formed us. He formed this piece of dirt that we are into something that he can use. Something to be used.

Actually, the Hebrew word describing vessel is something prepared. Something prepared.

What has he prepared you for? Why did he prepare us so? Why did he prepare us the way that we are?

Like you turn to Jeremiah. Jeremiah, if you will. Jeremiah 18.

Jeremiah 18. Israel had a problem at the time. They did not realize that they were a vessel. They no longer wanted to be taught to or taught by the pottery. They were clay made for a purpose, but they decided he didn't know what he's doing. It's like we ran earlier. They wanted to say, well, why? I don't have to. I know you don't really understand why you made me. That's what they were saying. And so they basically rejected God. They rejected the potter. And so here in chapter 18 and verse 1, said, the word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, arise and go down to the potter's house, since this was what they did back in Jerusalem, back at the time. They still do it in the Holy Lands today. They have people making pottery just like you can see it on YouTube. One family has that I saw that has been making pottery the same way for 2,000 years. A little rough looking where they are, but the pottery looks good. As they perfected this. But it says, arise and go down to the potter's house. And there, I will cause you to hear my words. Jeremiah said, then I went down to the potter's house. And there he was making something at the potter's wheel. That's what you turn. And then you kind of form it. If you remember that movie, wow, what was that? Ghosts? Five years ago, Patrick Swayze and what was it? D.M.E. Mall. And so they just had some romantic scene or something where they were making this pottery for those that remember it. Okay, I know my wife would. Patrick Swayze back then. But his wheels turned around. And so he went in and here was this potter making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred or ruined in the hand of the potter. So he ruined it as he was making it. And you can see how that can easily happen. You have to start over. Yes, too much water or, you know, you're touching it too hard or you're squeezing it or you didn't get all the water out before it you put water on the outside of it. And said, so he made it again into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter? Says the Lord, look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. And I must say, we must take those words into account today. Listen, my family, my sons, my daughters, I am voting you. I am making you stronger, more tempered than you've ever been in your life. And we represent him.

So we must understand that the Holy Spirit makes us stronger. Okay? I don't know about you, but that's a big difference in the times of my life when God has made us a vessel, a vessel to hold the Holy Spirit. God holds the water, so he made us to hold his Holy Spirit, and to use it. That's what we must do. I heard a story. I was really impressed because I cannot attest to it. I have not looked it up, but I heard it on the radio, and if it's on the radio, it's got to be true, right? No, they actually told a story. A true story that took place in the 19th century, 1800s in England. And there was a man from Scotland there, and he always wanted to be an athlete. And so he was amazed at the discus, those that throw the discus in the games, those Olympic games or whatever, but they always had these games. And so he was away from everyone living back in the country. And so he was just amazed. He said, you know, I want to train myself to become the best discus thrower ever. And so all he had was this little paper telling him the size of a discus. Most of you have seen the discus. It's a round thing that you kind of put down like this, and then you wind around, and they throw it. So he found the size of what the disc was, and he took metal, and he made this disc the same size. And then he went and read what the farthest distance that the discus had ever been through in England. And so he marked off on his little farm there that distance and put holes there. And for two years he would go and practice, practice, practice, until finally he was able to throw it the same distance as the last stick in the feet. And so when the competition came around, he felt he was ready to compete. So he treks down to London and doesn't really look like one of their primed athletes, because he's got just old work clothes on, work boat boots that he's always done this with. And so when they got there, he had his discus in his hand, and they said, you can't use that. That's not an official disc. And he said, well, what is this? He said, I know it's a right sign. They said, no, that's all metal. The real disc is wood, and it has a piece of metal around it. When he looked at his discus, it weighed four times with the regular discus. What do you think happened? He broke all the records. One, he became strong without even knowing. He was empowered when he got there, because the job that he was set to do, he had been training and training. And the actual old discus that he carried around with him all the time empowered him to be able to set the record for the discus. And I think sometimes I bring that up, because we sometimes do not use the vessel that was made for his spirit. Sometimes we, I wouldn't say forget, but sometimes we get very lax in using the Holy Spirit. And we become just a piece of clay instead of a vessel, like God designed us to do. And it comes out even when we pray. Even when we pray, it's time to use the Holy Spirit. Remember the vessel that you are.

See, I know! I know about a shadow of doubt. That God brought Bruce and Vicki back and did not allow them to die. We are a shadow of a doubt. But I also know that so many people here were vessels who used that spirit to beseech their God on their behalf.

That's what a vessel is for. We're so blessed to be vessels. I hope you'll realize that. Remember why you were formed, why you were made. One last scripture. No, I actually have two. Let's turn to Acts. Acts 9.

Acts 9. I think sometimes we view or we read about people in the Bible, and we don't realize they were vessels made for the Holy Spirit that not many people are. They're vessels of God on them, but they're not formed to hold His Holy Spirit now. That's what first fruits are called. Holy Spirit. They're the vessels. Other people are formed, but possibly not yet. They haven't been given the Holy Spirit. But here was a man who was a murderer, a killer, a vicious man. And God said, that does not define the man, but my Spirit will define that man. Maybe you see he's a vessel for me. Acts 9. Acts 9 and verse 15. As this Ananias came and he was supposed to go see this killer and work with him. And in verse 15, he said, I don't want to do that. And he is. He is a vicious man. And by God said in verse 15, but the Lord said to him, go for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Brethren, you are a chosen vessel.

We must realize it.

We must appreciate it. Just like you appreciate a cup for water. Aren't you glad these are here? You're glad you don't have to, like we had to do in the country, put your hands down, look up out of your hands or put your... by the faucet?

Equipment to use. Brethren, equipment to use. That's us. That's what a vessel is. Something prepared with the last verse, 2nd Timothy. 2nd Timothy 2. 2nd Timothy 2. Verse 20. And let's go to verse 19. Well, let's go to verse 15. Verse 15 said, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Why are we studying the book? So we can rightly divide the word of truth so we know what it says. Verse 19. Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands having this seal. The Lord knows who are His. The Lord knows who are His. He knows who His vessels are. So somebody said, Oh, are they part of the church? I don't know. It's not important I know. It's important God knows. And it's important we know that we are His vessel. That's what matters. He said, Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Repent. That's the first part of becoming His. Then he says, and two more verses here, they're wonderful. He says, But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some for honor and some for dishonor.

So they're not all the same. Okay, we want to look around and say, Why? Why are they in the church? Look at the problems they have. That's not our concern either. You just have to pray for them.

Verse 21, Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, we've got some cleansing to do before the Passover, don't we? Let's make sure. We cleanse that vessel. You know, have you ever been to a restaurant and they wanted to serve you and you picked up silverware and you look at it and a lot of times I just wipe mine off anyway. But, you know, ever had a glass, sometimes I'll pull it out even the top and I know my wife cleans things pretty well. I'm not too worried, but I've been to other people's house and I'm like, especially when I was single and I go to other single guys' houses. I knew, you know, yes, you kind of watch. How clean are we as vessels of God?

This is what this is talking about. Are we sure that we see we have a way to be cleansed every day, every minute of every day, if we want, so that we can be that vessel of gold. We can be cleansed. Which was very important. So therefore, if anyone cleanses itself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, part of that gold vessel. Sanctified means set apart for a special purpose and useful for the master prepared for every good work. We are vessels. We are vessels.

The Holy Spirit. Does it set you apart? Is it special?

In your life, look back at it. See what defines you. See what defines you through the years. And hopefully you can find today what defines you as the Holy Spirit. Let's use it. Let's recognize it. So that if anybody asks you the question, you will have the answer to what defines you.