Becoming Useful for the Kingdom

Are you standing strong and confident in the foundation of the word and resting the assurance of the foundation of the church. We are surrounded by false teachers and false teachings. However, we can stand confident knowing God’s church is sure. We must all ask ourselves, once we’re resting in the sureness of the foundation of the church, am I useful for kingdom service? If not, what do I have to do be useful? Paul identifies one sure way of becoming useful for the kingdom within our text.

Focus Passage

2 Timothy 2:19–21 KJV 1900

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. 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. 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.

Outline

Building off our last message in 2 Timothy, we find that God is speaking of the Church and her foundation. I begin this message where I ended in 2 Timothy, discussing the foundation of the church.

An Encouraging Word

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV 1900

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.

Paul stands in distress over the false teaching of Hymenaeus and Philetus(the resurrection already happening, which caused a spirit of complacency within the church), and he knows that their teachings have spread through the congregation of Ephesus. As he writes his letter to Timothy, he wishes to encourage the congregation that church of God is strong and well. It is rooted on a strong foundation.

The foundation of the church is solid and established

Paul writes, Nevertheless the foundation of standeth sure. Let us see the truth of sureness of the church. Brothers and sisters, the church may take hits. The church may face persecution. The church may falter at times, but our foundation is sure. You say, how do we know this? How do we know that we know that she will not fail?

As we look through the Scripture, we find three truths that give us assurances of the sureness of the church.

Three truths that reveal the church’s sureness

Jesus is her cornerstone

Isaiah 28:16 KJV 1900

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.

The contemporary church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and of the apostles and prophets

1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV 1900

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:20 KJV 1900

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

The promise of Jesus Himself

Matthew 16:18 KJV 1900

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God has sealed His church

God has sealed His church in two ways

God has sealed his church by knowing His own

God has sealed his church by calling His own to holiness

Honor v. Dishonor

2 Timothy 2:20 KJV 1900

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.

Paul, in his encouragement to the church at Ephesus, reminds them that not every Christian is what they seem to be. We find this to be true in churches today. It is easy to put on your Sunday best and have the Sunday tongue and Sunday attitude and spirit. All that could be the true character of the individual or it could be a facade. Paul writes Timothy to warn him of this truth.

Paul states that there are two types of Christians within the church

There are those Christians that are true and honorable

There are those Christians that are false and dishonorable

The reality is, that God has made both.

Romans 9:21 KJV 1900

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Becoming Useful for the Kingdom

2 Timothy 2:21 KJV 1900

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.

To be useful, one must extract themselves from false teachings

Paul writes, If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor.

Paul, when stating purge himself from these, he is referring to false teachings, not necessarily the false teachers themselves. He would later in his letter, tell Timothy how to correct the false teachers. How does one identify false teachings? He does this by doing what Paul has already addressed with Timothy. He told him to be a student of the word. To be diligent in his service to the Lord and diligent in his studying of God’s word.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We must do as David said, and meditate on God’s word morning and evening. We must know the word to identify the false teachings of false teachers. Once we identify the false teachings, we must avoid them at all cost, if we are to be useful for the kingdom of God.

If we avoid false teachings and embrace only, the truth of God, we will find that the results are favor in God’s service.

Let us avoid false teachings and embrace the truth

Paul states that if we will avoid false teachings and embrace the truth of God’s word, we will find a three-fold result.

We will be of value to the kingdom of God

Paul writes, ...he shall be a vessel unto honor...

We will be set apart for the kingdom of God

Paul writes, …he shall be a vessel…sanctified...

We will be useful and ready for service in the kingdom of God

Paul writes, …he shall be a vessel…meet for the for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work

Conclusion

If we want to be used of God, we must know the truth of God’s word. If we want to be used of God, we must avoid false teachings. If we are going to be used of God, we remain confident in and act upon the sure foundation of the word of God.