CENTRAL THOUGHT
Believers as vessels of honor should serve diligently.
TEXT: 2Timothy 2:19-26
INTRODUCTION
Our God is a holy God and cannot look on iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). Many may be willing to offer services to God but only those who are cleansed in his site it will be used by Him. God’s standard remains the same. Even if we decide to set a standard far below God’s expectation, He will never lower His standard. If we must serve him acceptably therefore, we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable onto Him, which is our reasonable service (Roman 12:1). We must possess our “vessels” in holiness and righteousness unto Him. To be a vessel onto honor means to be free from sin and anything that contaminates, to be consecrated to the service of God and walk worthy of Him
until all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, an increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1: 10). Necessity is laid on us by God to purge ourselves from every form of filthiness so that we can be honorable vessels He can make use of, to reach forth to the world.
In this lesson, we shall be examining what it means to be honorable vessels and how we can become vessels onto honor meant for the Master’s use.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To explaining the statement that the foundation of God standeth sure.
- To know how one can become an honorable vessel.
- To identify various vessels that are found in the house of God.
- To identify things, one needs to purge one’s self of.
- To identify the character and responsibilities of a true minister as a vessel unto honor.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. EXPLAIN THE STATEMENT: “THE FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH SURE” (2Timothy 2:19)
This statement has been made to reassure believers that’s some false teachers might attempt to introduce heresies and errors into the church in a bid to deceive and subvert the hearers, yet this cannot change our God or make his promise of no effect. Some false teachers distort the truth, some dilute it, and some simply delete it by saying it no longer applies. But no matter how many people follow liars, God’s truth never changes, is never shaken, and will never fade. God’s foundation stands firm. The foundation of God’s word stands sure. This implies that the doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ cannot be shaken, it stands firm and has stood test of time. His purposes can never be thwarted or defeated. His standard remains the same through the ages. In addition, the Lord knows those who are his and he is able to keep them. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come on to God by Him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Hebrew 7: 25).
Q2. HOW CAN ONE BECOME AN HONORABLE VESSEL?
God’s demand and desire is that every believer should be an honorable vessel. It is only in this condition that we can qualify for the Master’s use. To become honorable vessels, we must meet the following requirements:
A) Be Born Again (John3:3, Titus 3:5). Jesus Christ died and was raised from the dead to reconcile us back to God. The first step to becoming an honorable vessel is to be born again. This means that we must first accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior and Master before we can be used of Him as vessels of honor. As many as received Him to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).
B) Purging ourselves from evil (2 Timothy 2:21). God expects us to purge ourselves from so many things that will hinder Him from using us. We must purge our conscience from dead works (Hebrew 9:14). We should lay aside every weight and the sin that doth easily beset us (Hebrew 10:22). We must also flee youthful lust (2 Timothy 2:22), put of all anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication (Colossians 3:8). It is only by purging ourselves from all of these that we can be reckoned as honorable vessels.
C) Sanctification (1 Thessalonians4:4). We are enjoined to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor. Our bodies are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Therefore, we must be sanctified to be qualified as vessels of honor in the hand of the Lord. Sanctification has to do with being purified, cleansed and made free from the power of sin. The sanctified believer lives a life consecrated and set apart for God, heavenly focused. It is only sanctified vessels that God will use.
D) Departing from every uncleanness. (Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthian 6:17). We must totally avoid and keep away from everything and everywhere that represents uncleanness. Our lives must be lived in separation unto God. Those of us who name the names of the Lord must depart from iniquity and every form of uncleanness. In addition, we must constantly abstain from all appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Q3. IDENTIFY THE VARIOUS VESSELS THAT MAY BE FOUND IN THE HOUSE.
The church of Christ can be likened to a great house. In this great house, varieties of vessels can be found. Some of these are of great value while others are of small value. Some are for honor and some are for dishonor. Some are vessels of mercy and some vessels of wrath (Romans 9:22-23). The vessels of honor can be like to those believers who live their lives in honor of the lord and do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17). Vessels unto dishonor represent those in the church who live to please their flesh and thereby bring reproach to the name of the Lord. Their corrupt and wicked lives are abominable to the Lord. We must strive to be vessels of honor in the house of God. It is only in this state that God is pleased with us. However, at any point in time, if we realize our folly and come back to Him in repentance, He is ever willing to accept as back to Himself and restore us back as vessels of honor in his house.
Q4. IDENTIFY THOSE THINGS THAT ONE NEEDS TO PURGE ONE’S SELF FROM.
a) Affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:4). As true soldiers of Christ, our goal should be to please the One who enlisted us. We must therefore, purge ourselves from every entanglement with the affairs of this life. We must purge ourselves from everything the world offers which would hinder us from pleasing to God.
b) Doubt and unbelief (2 Timothy 2:13). Doubt and unbelief should not remain in the life of a believer who wants to be a vessel of honor onto God. He cannot use anyone who does not believe him or doubts to his ability.
c) Strife of words that do not profit (2 Timothy 2:4). Sometimes controversies and arguments, which do not profit can subvert the hearers. We must keep away from such and hold fast to the truth of the word of God.
d) Erring from the truth (2 Timothy 2:18). The Christian faith is it based on truth. In fact, Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). We must therefore, purge ourselves from error and should not be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). We should embrace the truth of the word of God in all areas of our lives.
Q5. IDENTIFY THE CHARACTER AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRUE MINISTER AS A VESSEL OF HONOR.
As ministers of Christ, we are to follow His examples our daily living. We must follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21). A servant of God must not strive. Our lives should be patterned after a Christ in meekness, gentleness and humility to our dealings with both believers and unbelievers. 1 Timothy 4:12 admonishes us to the example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity (love), in spirit, in faith and in purity. We must learn to comfort the feebleminded, support the weak and be patient with all men (1 Thessalonians 5:14). We must always be ready to teach and instruct men, women, boys and girls in righteousness.
In all of these, those who had earlier opposed the truth of the gospel will come true repentance in the acknowledgment of the truth. It is our responsibility as God’s able ministers and vessels of honor to turn the hearts of men and women back to God and show them how they can also become vessels of honor fit for the Master’s use.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
As vessels unto on honor, we must purge ourselves from everything that keeps us from being useful in the hands of God. We must concentrate and set our live apart for the service of God. We must renew our lives daily through the word of God. By doing so, our relationship with Him will always remain unbroken.
We must not settle for less than God’s highest and best. Therefore, we must purge ourselves and daily present our bodies to him as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable on to Him, which is our reasonable service. We should allow God to use us as instruments of His will. When we follow God truly, we will live God’s way and his blessings will surely be ours. Make yourself available as a vessel of honor today.
MEMORY VERSE
2 Timothy 2:21
“Therefore, if any man purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared onto every good work”.