FIRING THE CLAY Jeremiah 18 Introduction Don’t ask, “When am I getting out of the fire?” Do ask, “What am I getting out of the fire?” I. Four secrets about our fire. 1. Secret of preparation a. He plans for it. b. He plans us for it. 2. Secret of arrangement a. He puts the clay in a special order or place. 3. Secret of companionship a. God gives us friends and others that are going through trials also. b. God is not picking on you. 4. Secret of companionship a. The Potter checks on the vessels making sure everything is ok. b. Psalm 34:15 II. Four stages that are part of the fire. 1. Elimination stage a. Surplus water is dried up or eliminated. b. Get rid of what’s on the outside/ what makes us hypocritical. 2. Dehydration stage a. Vessel begins to shrink b. Trials will “shrink us down to size.” 3. Oxidation stage (1200-1500 degrees) a. Vessel turns bright red b. Oxygen mixing with carbon c. Settles us 4. Ventrification stage (1600 degrees) a. All particle fuse. b. The vessel takes on a glazed or glassy look. III. Four suggestions that are evidenced through our fires 1. Some vessels crack a. They must come out for repair. b. They can still be used! 2. Some vessels come out to be refused. a. God can use broken pieces to help others. b. Pieces can clean out the fire c. Sometimes they have to be thrown out. 3. Some vessels come through fire to be released and used. 4. Some vessels come through to be rewarded.