Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:19-23
Vessels of Honor
Intro.
1. Life is full of decisions; Most are trivial; a few are significant.
2. If not careful, we tend to treat important decisions as trivial and not give them the care and attention they deserve (becoming a Christian, who you will marry, have children, what career, etc.).
a. To become a Christian requires much thought. It is the decision that puts you into the house of God (1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:6).
b. But how much thought have we given to whether we will be a vessel (container) of honor or dishonor in God’s house?
3. 2 Tim. 2:20-23: Timothy was making daily decisions that determined what type of vessel he would prove to be in God’s house. (So are we.)
4. God’s house is a great (large) house, 2:20.
a. All types and descriptions of people in the church.
b. House: China bowls, crystal, etc.; Also lowly bowls to feed the dog, hold the trash… (How it is used and what is put into it determines whether it is a container of esteem or contempt.)
c. Church: We choose what type of vessel we will be in the Lord’s house; whether for honor or dishonor.
5. Just because we have decided to be in God’s house does not mean we are vessels of honor. What kind of person is a vessel for honor?
I. THE ONE WHO PURGES HIMSELF FROM SIN, 2:21.
A. We Must:
1. Shun profane babblings, 2:16-18.
2. Depart from iniquity, 2:19.
3. Flee youthful lusts, 2:22 (1 Tim. 6:11).
4. Refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, 2:23 (14).
B. We Do Not Put Trash into Fine China or Sin into our Hearts (2:22).
1. Can’t put the trash of sin into our lives and be honorable vessels in God’s house. (We must look at ourselves in this light.)
2. Incompatible with the grace we’ve received, Rom. 6:1-2, 12-14.
3. To grow, James 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:1-2.
II. THE ONE WHO IS SANCTIFIED, 2:21.
A. Separated, Set Apart, or Aside for Special Uses.
1. “To separate from the world and consecrate to God. To sanctify anything is to declare that it belongs to God.”
-Old Testament: Priests, the tent of meeting (Exod. 29:44); the holy altar (29:36) and sacrifices on it (29:27); Sabbath (Neh. 13:22); Israel (Exod. 19:5-6) – All were sanctified by God for His special purposes.
2. Saints, 1 Cor. 1:2. Do we see ourselves as living to please ourselves or to please the one who “sanctified” us?
3. Servant of righteousness (of God) unto sanctification (holiness), Rom. 6:19-22.
B. Live in Holiness and Wisdom, 2:22-23; 1 Thess. 4:1-8.
III. THE ONE WHO IS USEFUL FOR THE MASTER, 2:21.
-cf. A shovel with a broken handle is not useful (helpful).
-We all have abilities: Whether we develop them to become “useful for the Master” is another matter (and up to us), Matt. 25:15-16.
A. This is a Matter of Priorities, Matt. 6:33.
1. A ready mind, 2 Cor. 8:12.
a. Poor widow was useful to God, Mark 12:41-44.
b. Mary did what she could, Mark 14:8-9 (John 12:1-8).
c. There are those who do not do what they can, Heb. 5:12.
2. We are Christ’s only workers today; we must meet our responsibilities to be useful to the Master.
IV. THE ONE WHO IS PREPARED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK, 2:21.
A. We Must Be Ready and Available for Use When Work Needs Doing.
1. cf. Favorite skillet, pan: Handy. We are prepared for use…
a. By the Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (2:15; Eph. 6:15).
b. Through God’s grace, 2 Cor. 9:8-9 (1 Cor. 15:10).
c. Over time, doing the work (Seasoned, cf. skillet); 2 Tim. 4:11.
2. Once prepared, we must remain ready for every opportunity to do good, Gal. 6:10 (Eph. 2:10).
Conclusion
You have a vital decision to make. The type of vessel you choose to be in God’s house has eternal consequences (2:19).
-(Adapted from article by Daniel H. King Sr., Guardian of Truth, 1/5/95:14)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted August 22, 2022