Three things associated with the vessels of God

I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

Gods chosen instruments - Potter treading clay

Isaiah 30:14 AV

And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

Israel compared to a broken vessel

that doesn’t yield a single useful fragment

Isaiah 45:9 AV

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Sovereignty of God

Jeremiah 18:1–6 AV

The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Spoiled product can be re-worked and made to be useful

Vessels of Gold and Silver were reserved for use in the ministry

2 Chronicles 24:14 AV

And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

Satan wants to defile the vessels of the Lord

Daniel 5:1–4 AV

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

{Pray}

2 Timothy 2:19–21 AV

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. 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. 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.

Believers who are set apart

vessels of honor

useful for the Master’s use

Believers caught up in the World

Vessels of dishonor

not available for service

For God to be able to use us as vessels, we must be empty, clean, and available

Three things associated with being a vessel

Security - vs 19

The lord know who are his

Service - vs 20

Contrast between a vessel of honor and dishonor

Structure - vs 21

Negative and Positive aspects of your lifestyle

Flee some things

Purse other things

Security (2 Tim 2:19)

The foundation stands firm

before you can use any vessel, it has to have a firm foundation

you have to be able to trust that it will hold up to the task at hand

The Rock is our foundation

Psalm 78:35 AV

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

Ephesians 2:13–22 AV

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Our foundation stands firm

Matt 7:24-27

Having this seal

You are secure in Christ

2 Cor 1:22

Eph 4:30

The Lord knows his own

John 10:14

He gives eternal life

You are a child of God by faith

Gal 3:26

Service (2 Tim 2:20)

A vessel doesn’t do any good if it can’t be of service

with service comes responsibility

When you call on the name of the Lord

You get security

You have a responsibility

To depart from iniquity (vs 19)

Rom 6:12-13

Failing to live a Holy life

is like having the best foundation but not building anything on top

We are supposed to walk worthy of our calling

1 Thessalonians 2:12 AV

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

2. Why is it important to depart from iniquity?

It affects our service

2 Timothy 2:20 AV

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.

Both types of vessels are in the house (Body of Christ)

1 Corinthians 3:9–13 AV

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

Distinction is whether or not you depart from iniquity

abstaining = honor

cleansed from wickedness

Structure (2 Tim 2:22)

Your service as defined by your lifestyle

in the church there are individuals who honor the Lord as a result of their dedication to follow His truth. These people are useful to the Lord in His work because their commitment to His Word prepares them for His service. However there are also Christians who because of their lack of commitment to God’s truth bring dishonor on Him while they seek to be His instruments of service

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible 2. Faithfulness in personal life 2:19–21

Flee some things

don’t put yourself in danger

Get away and stay away

stop looking for a fight to prove how tough you are

running away should be your first strategy

Pursue other things

Righteousness

right living

Faith

Faithfulness and trust in the Lord

Love

The greatest commandment

Matt 22:37

Peace

With one another (getting along)

Four things you will be know for if you avoid sin (2 Tim 2:21)

Vessel of honor

Sanctified (set apart)

Useful to God

Prepared for every good work

Ephesians 2:10 AV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Closing

Rest in the security of Jesus Christ

Be a useful servant - do what’s necessary to live Holy

Learn how to lie the Christian Life

Flee Youthful Lust

Pursue Holiness

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