VESSELS UNTO HONOR
II Timothy 2:20-21
In the church there are vessels of honor—some believers may be golden lampstands, while others may be silver vessels. God calls and places Christians in different positions in the church. Rewards will for faithfulness in stewardship, not according to importance of position. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness in whatever capacity we serve. However, in the same local church there will be vessels of dishonor—men like Judas, Hymenaeus, and Philetus. There will be vessels of dishonor, as well as vessels of honour. These earthen vessels or the vessels of dishonor are the unsaved in the local church. Jesus called it wheat and tares.
Let’s look at what makes a vessel of honor:
I. An honorable vessel is a saved vessel (gold and silver vs. wood and earth, v. 20).
A. Saved and you know 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
B. Saved and you show 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
C. Saved and you grow 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
D. Saved and you glow Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
II. An honorable vessel is a sanctified vessel ("sanctified," 21).
A. Sanctified positionally 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
B. Sanctified progressively 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
C. Sanctified potentially Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
III. An honorable vessel is a surrendered vessel
("meet for the master's use," v. 21). The word
meet in this verse means profitable or fitting.
A. Surrendered to a Person Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
B. Surrendered to a program Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
C. Surrendered to a plan Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
IV. An honorable vessel is a skilled vessel ("prepared unto every good work," v. 21).
A. Skilled in the Word 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
B. Skilled in witnessing 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
C. Skilled in the work 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Conclusion: The Bible says in Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. An earthen vessel does not shine, vessels of gold and silver shine. Vessels of wood or clay will never stand the test of fire they will crumble.
The prayer of each Christian should be Lord no matter how humble a vessel I may be make me a vessel fit for the master’s use.
Morristown, TN