Useful to the Master
April 23, 2017 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must make ourselves useful to the Master.
Focus Passage: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
Key Verse: Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21 NASB)
Introduction: When I want to take my golf cart to children’s camp, I don’t hook the trailer up to my car, my wife’s car, or my daughter’s car; I hook it up to the truck. The truck is equipped to haul a trailer, plus enough room for everything needed for camp recreation, my luggage, and even stuff for Wanda. The truck is made for that sort of thing, where my car is not. However, if we want to go grocery shopping, we certainly don’t take the truck. We don’t have a cover in the back in case it starts to rain. We take Sally’s car. It has a nice covered secure cargo hold that keeps everything safe and dry. So, if we want to stop at Walgreens on the way home, we don’t have to worry about someone stealing our boloney!
I. Know God’s Word (vs 15)
a. Study to show yourself approved
b. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. (Psalms 119:11 NASB)
c. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11 NASB)
d. Don’t interpret Scripture according to your own beliefs
II. Abstain from Wickedness (vs 19)
a. worldy chatter
b. youthful lusts
c. foolish and ignorant speculations
d. quarrels
III. Pursue Righteousness (vs 22)
a. kind
b. able to teach
c. patient
d. gentle correction
Application/Invitation: What things do you need to get rid of to be useful to the Master?
