Text: 2 Timothy 2:20-26
Memory Verse: “But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth; and some to honour and some to dishonour.” 2 Timothy 2:20
INTRODUCTION: We are starting a seven series lesson on vessels fit for the master’s use today. Our prayer is that before these seven weeks run out, our bodily vessels would have been completely glorified in God for His total use—Amen
1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A VESSEL FIT FOR THE MASTER’S USE
The fitness for the master’s use as contained in 2 Timothy 2:21 consists in avoiding youthful or adulthood lusts, being filled with faith, love, peace, patience, meekness, a heart of repentance, avoiding foolish and unlearned questions, avoiding strives, etc. A vessel that would possess these characters will doubtlessly be “gold” or “silver” vessels but never “earthen” or “wood”. Being golden vessel has a double-fold blessing.
- He/She would be used by the Lord v. 21.
- He/She would be free from the snare of the devil v. 26.
2. A VESSEL UNTO HONOUR MUST BE UNDEFILED
- Vessels unto honour must be clean all the time
- Vessels unto honour identify sin as a defiler of the vessel. These sins are
– Sins committed with hand—Isaiah 1:15, 59:3
– Sins committed with the tongue—James 3:8-11
– Sins committed in the heart—Genesis 6:5, 8:21, Jer. 17:9 Matthew 12:34, 15:19,
Romans 2:5.
- The multiple of these sins are: Lust, blood shedding, stealing, lies, immoral speaking and thoughts, breach of covenant, bitterness, covetousness which is idolatry etc. Isaiah 24:5, Ephesians 5:3-7, Hebrews 12:15.
Question: What other sins can defile a vessel?
3. THE PART WE NEED TO PLAY TO BECOME GOLD AND SILVER VESSELS
- God has played His own part of the cleansing by sending His Son Jesus Christ to shed His blood to atone for our sins—1John 1:7.
- We have a part to play in the cleansing exercise.
– To be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us—Isaiah 1:16, Hebrews 9:12-14.
– Reject and refuse all forms of defilers (both spiritually and physically)-give examples of both. Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 1:10, 4:14, Galatians 5:9.
– You can draw near to God, ask him to help you—James 4:8
CONCLUSION
If you do the above, be sure that God will make you as white as snow—Isaiah 1:18 and you will be a vessel fit for the master’s use because He is not a man that He should lie—Numbers 23:19.