Sermon Central
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A Vessel Fit For Service.
Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 26, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: We have both something to flee, and something to pursue.
A VESSEL FIT FOR SERVICE.
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.” This is a fifth metaphor.
The “great house” is God’s house, the visible church of our Lord Jesus Christ. The “vessels” are God’s teachers, who are here separated into two categories: “some to honour and some to dishonour.” Not everyone who seems to dress as a minister is necessarily worthy of the name!
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.”
From what is a man to purge himself? In the context, from the error of false teaching (cf. 2 Timothy 2:18). Thus we become fit vessels for whatever service our Lord Jesus may require of us.
There is a progression here: if we purge ourselves of error, we will be reckoned (i) “a vessel fit for honour” (i.e. for noble use); (ii) “sanctified” (i.e. consecrated, set apart); (iii) “meet for the master’s use” (i.e. useful, or serviceable; and (iv) “prepared unto (i.e. ready for) every good work.”
2 TIMOTHY 2:22. “Flee youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Timothy has both something to “flee,” and something to “follow” or pursue. As also have we. First, we must “flee” wayward impulses; immorality, selfishness, stubbornness and arrogance. In other words, we have permission to run away from spiritual danger.
Second, we must “follow” or pursue the manifestation of the marks of a true Christian: “righteousness, faith, charity, peace.” In other words, run after, pursue spiritual good. And seek after these things in company with like-minded pursuers after purity!
2 TIMOTHY 2:23. “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”
Paul warns Timothy (and ourselves) against foolish and unbiblical speculations, which only breed controversy.
2 TIMOTHY 2:24. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.” This is a sixth metaphor.
So, rather than striving, “the servant of the Lord” should be apt both to gently teach the truth, and to patiently correct error.
2 TIMOTHY 2:25. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”
“Repentance” means a change of mind. Their opinions are wrong, so the “meekness” of the servant aims to bring them to “repentance UNTO acknowledgement of the truth.”
2 TIMOTHY 2:26. “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
The devil had caught these victims in the snare of error, and was keeping them captive. The idea that “they might recover themselves” suggests a return to sobriety after some kind of diabolical inebriation. So not only were they ensnared by the devil, but doped and duped into believing his lies.
God is able to deliver such a one out of the snare of the devil through the instrumentality of one of His apt teachers who, without quarrelling, shows mildness, patience and gentleness.