Vessels Fit For The Master’s Use – Part I
II Timothy 2:19-26
Preached Sunday, January 5, 2003
Introduction:
My prayer and personal theme for this year is "Lord, please use me in 2003!" Our life is short and fragile; riches pass, personal pleasure is empty… the only thing that will outlive me is the way in which I impact the world for Jesus Christ. This is the legacy for which I strive.
In the past few weeks we have become aware of the spiritual battles that surround us as born-again Christians. Satan is seeking some way that he can distract, discourage, or discredit you in order to render you silent and ineffective as a witness for Christ.
Part of Satan’s strategy is to mix false teaching in with true teaching. The first part of II Timothy chapter 2 warns of false teaching that infiltrates some churches. So, in light of all of the attacks that surround the servant of God, how can we even hope to be used for God? We are merely flesh and blood!
Our passage today tells us that we, as born-again believers, are vessels for the Master’s use. If we wish to be vessels of honor, there are some simple things to keep in mind. This morning we will start our study and tonight we will conclude our exploration of what God’s Word says about being vessels fit for the Master’s use.
I. We must realize that the foundation upon which our salvation rests is unshakable!
2 Timothy 2:19 - Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
A. Even though there are false teacher out there
2 Timothy 2:16-18 - 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
B. Jesus is the foundation of our faith
Isaiah 28:16 - Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 - 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
C. There is comfort in the fact that our salvation is sealed
1. Seal = emblem of ownership and security
Ephesians 4:30 - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
2. We can run to this truth for comfort
Hebrews 6:18-19 - 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Romans 11:2 - God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
D. Because of our salvation, we must depart from iniquity – iniquity = literally, "un-right-ness"
Psalm 34:14 - Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 37:27 - Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Proverbs 3:7 - Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Galatians 5:24 - And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
II. There are two types of vessels for our Master to use
2 Timothy 2:20 - But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
A. Great house = whole estate or group – in this context it refers to the body of believers
B. Vessel = A container, or a person held to be the recipient of something
1. There are vessels of dishonor – fit only for some tasks
2. There are vessels of honor fit for all tasks
C. In order to be used as a vessel of honor, one must purge himself
2 Timothy 2:21 - If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
1. Must be cleansed
Psalm 119:9-11 - 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
2. Must be sanctified – set apart
3. Must be prepared = useful – for every good work
III. We must purge our inner man in order to be vessels fit for the Master’s use
2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
A. Flee youthful lusts
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1 Peter 2:11 - Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
B. Follow good things
1. Righteousness = being right
3 John 11 - Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
2. Faith = firm persuasion
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 - 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
3. Charity = agape love
1 Corinthians 13:1-4 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
4. Peace = harmonious relationship
James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
5. Follow others that do right
Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
IV. We must purge our external relationships in order to be fit for the Master’s use
A. Avoid foolish questions
2 Timothy 2:23 - But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
1. Foolish = "moros" – morally worthless
2. These questions gender strifes
a. Gender = bring forth
b. Strife = fighting, discord, contention, dissention
1 Timothy 6:3-5 - 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
3. Seek edification, not pointless rambling
1 Timothy 1:4 - Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Titus 3:9 - But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
1 Timothy 4:7 - But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
B. God’s servant must not strive
2 Timothy 2:24 - And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
1. This is a command, not merely advice
2. We do not need to rely on fleshly means to try and accomplish a spiritual outcome
2 Corinthians 10:14 - For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 1:20 - For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
3. We must be gentle and humble, like Christ
Philippians 2:3-7 - 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
4. We must teach, not argue
5. We must be patient = forbearing and enduring
C. We must instruct with meekness
2 Timothy 2:25-26 - 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
1. We must be meek = tender and patient
Matthew 11:29-30 - 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
2. We must recognize that those who embrace error actually oppose themselves
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Jeremiah 13:15-17 - 15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. 16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. 17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’S flock is carried away captive.
3. The goal of this meek instruction is restoration
a. God may grant repentance
Zechariah 4:6 - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
b. As they repent, they can recover from the Devil’s snare
Acts 5:13 - And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
