The Potter's House Podcast – Sunday Message - 251207 (December 7, 2025)

Overview

This episode, drawn from Mark 12:1–12, is a powerful teaching on "The Danger of Entitlement." The main message challenges believers to recognize the difference between ownership and stewardship, to acknowledge the blessings they’ve received, and to cultivate humility and gratitude over pride and entitlement. The sermon interweaves biblical parables, personal anecdotes, and passionate exhortation, inviting listeners into introspection and abundant praise for what God has done.

Key Discussion Points

1. Setting the Scene: The Parable of the Tenants

• [02:04]–[05:58]

  • The episode begins with the reading of Mark 12:1–12, the parable of the vineyard.
  • Jesus speaks in parables, not to his fans, but to doubters and adversaries.
  • Purpose: Parables deliver truth in a way people can handle, softening confrontation with grace.
  • The parable points to God's gracious provision, human stewardship, and eventual rejection of the “son” sent by the owner.

  “Jesus did most of his miracles amongst unbelievers and people who were doubting and scoffing and trying to trip him up.” – Pastor/Preacher [03:23]

2. Ownership vs. Stewardship and the Spirit of Entitlement

• [06:00]–[18:07]

  • God sets people up in “vineyards” (opportunities/blessings) they didn’t create.
  • Human tendency is to take what is God’s and act as if we deserve it.
  • The main warning: Don’t mistake stewardship for ownership or allow entitlement to corrupt gratitude.
  • The spirit of entitlement wreaks havoc in relationships, communities, and within oneself.

  “You can’t pick the crowd God sends you to. You got to be ready to do whatever God says do.” – Co-Preacher [03:37]

  “Sometimes you have to behave yourself wisely because people can't handle you at full strength.” – Pastor/Preacher [04:58]

3. Root Causes of Entitlement

• [11:18]–[15:43]

  • Entitlement often comes from underestimating the cost others paid to get where they are.
  • Generational misunderstandings, unspoken rules, and assumptions fuel entitlement.
  • Entitlement is a mindset believing one deserves special treatment without considering responsibility.

  “Anytime you underestimate what it costs to get there, you feel entitled for something that you don’t own. Oh, my.” – Pastor/Preacher [12:34]

4. Humility, Growth, and the Blessings of God

• [17:59]–[24:23]

  • Blessings, opportunities, and talents are gifts, never purely the result of human effort.
  • Humility is the key to receiving and retaining favor.
  • God lifts up the humble and resists the proud.

  “If you humble yourself, God will exalt you. But if you exalt yourself, God will humble you.” – Pastor/Preacher [19:30]

5. Growth: Stepping Into Prepared Blessings

• [34:53]–[44:44]

  • God brings believers into environments and opportunities already prepared (“finished work”).
  • The journey is not about striving to build, but about growing into what is given.
  • During times of growth, believers may feel stretched, out of place, or undeserving—but God gives grace to occupy those places.
  • Growth often means moving from being a “big fish in a small pond” to “stretching” in a larger place.

  “God is a provider. And God will provide for you everything you need before you need it and let you step into some bookshop. He'll let you step into something.” – Pastor/Preacher [37:58]

6. Greed, Stewardship, and the Dangers of Wanting More

• [46:14]–[53:27]

  • Greed disrupts the process of growth because it focuses only on personal gain.
  • The parable illustrates that greedy stewards rejected sharing any portion with the owner.
  • True stewards understand limits and responsibilities; greedy hearts are never satisfied.

  “Greedy people can't be trusted. Greedy people can't be left alone in a place of growth because they will steal.” – Co-Preacher [48:12]

7. Gratitude: The Antidote to Entitlement

• [66:07]–[70:27]

  • Praise is an action; gratitude is an attitude.
  • Gratitude means having a heart of appreciation for blessings that were never deserved.
  • A grateful attitude leads to security, humility, and more blessings.

  “Praise is an action. It’s something that you do. Gratitude is an attitude, it’s something that you are.” – Co-Preacher [66:10]

8. Self-Examination: Recognizing Hidden Entitlement

• [70:36]–[80:20]

  • Often, people don’t realize they are entitled, as blessings become normalized.
  • The message challenges listeners to reflect honestly, judge themselves, and repent from entitled thinking.
  • True humility entails seeing oneself as a recipient, not a possessor, of grace.

  “People who are entitled don't know they're entitled...The signal hadn't gone from the stomach to the brain yet.” – Co-Preacher [70:53]

9. Practical Steps: Repentance and Returning to Gratitude

• [80:20]–[89:15]

  • Calls for personal repentance, prayer, and releasing the spirit of entitlement.
  • The preacher recounts personal moments of surrender and deep gratitude.
  • Gratitude causes even adversity to be framed humbly.

  “Lord, I tried to preach what you gave me...You must be so disappointed to have done so much for me and gotten so little credit.” – Co-Preacher [74:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Humility and Promotion:

  "The more you are humble in your own eyes, God told Saul when you were small, in your own eyes, I bless you. But now that you think you are important... now I’m going to take away everything you got." – Pastor/Preacher [19:30]

• The Dangers of Comparison:

  "You’re looking at all this stuff on Instagram and on TV and comparing yourself with that. You need to look at where you came from and see how far God brought you and start thanking God." – Pastor/Preacher [54:49]

• Praise and Gratitude Distinction:

  "Praise is an action. It’s something that you do. Gratitude is an attitude, is something that you are." – Co-Preacher [66:10]

• On God’s Grace:

  “You deserve to go to hell. You deserve to be completely ignored. You deserve to lead no one, teach nobody, say anything. …And you talking about that hurt my feelings. It didn’t hurt when you was giving it out. Pain ain’t pain till you feel it.” – Co-Preacher [73:37]

• Exhortation to Praise:

  “How dare you let somebody out praise you as good as God been to you. You owe him a praise, you owe him a supernatural praise.” – Pastor/Preacher [56:24]

• Concluding Prayer:

  “I thank you for touching my mind when I was distraught. I thank you for bringing me through danger seen and unseen. I thank you for favoring me. For favoring me. I thank you because you've been a fence all around me every day.” – Co-Preacher [86:11]

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:04–05:58 | Introduction of the Parable; Jesus’ ministry context and crowd dynamics | | 11:18–15:43 | Personal story on generational entitlement and unspoken church "rules" | | 19:30 | Exhortation about humility and Saul’s example | | 37:28–44:44| God’s pattern of creating environments of growth before people step in; finished blessings | | 46:14–53:27 | Discussion of greed, stewardship, and the sin of prosperity by robbery | | 54:49–56:24 | Challenge against measuring by the world’s standards; call to heartfelt praise | | 66:07–70:27 | Clarification between praise and gratitude—attitude vs. action | | 70:36–80:20 | Invitation to self-examination and repentance from entitlement | | 86:07–88:51 | Thanksgiving prayer expressing gratitude for health, family, opportunities, and God's daily grace |

Flow and Tone

• Language and Tone:
  The language is passionate, urgent, and invitational—emphasizing honesty, repentance, and wholehearted worship. The preacher often shifts from teaching to exhortation, calls-and-responses, and personal testimony.

• Atmosphere:
  There is frequent interaction with listeners (both in-person and online), and calls for practical response (praise, prayer, physical action).

Key Takeaways

• Blessings are given, not earned: All that we have is by God’s grace; we are stewards, not owners.
• Entitlement is blind: The entitled often don’t realize their attitude; it sneaks in as blessings become “normal.”
• Humility and gratitude keep us grounded: Honoring God with praise and a grateful heart wards off pride, positions us for further growth, and opens doors to greater blessings.
• Do not compare or compete for blessings: Each person’s journey is unique; what is a miracle to one is normal for another.
• Repentance is necessary: Self-examination and repentance are crucial to breaking a spirit of entitlement and rekindling true gratitude.

Final Word

This message is both a stern warning and an encouraging challenge to shed entitlement, grow into God’s blessings, and live with humility and deep, abiding gratitude. The concluding prayer and exhortation invite all to examine their hearts, repent, praise, and return anew to the awe of God's provision.

For Further Reflection:

• Are you occupying spaces God gave you as a steward, or have you drifted into the mindset of an owner?
• Do you find yourself complaining or comparing more than being grateful?
• What can you do this week to intentionally humble yourself and give God open, heartfelt praise?