A Vessel Ready for Service

Use my attire as entry into the text.

I switch the virtual background from home to church but my attire is still the same. How I prepare at home determines how prepared I am at worship.

Some of you may deem my unapproved for worship today because of my attire. You may conclude that I am not approved for the work I have been tasked to do today. But stay with me.

As Paul gives pastoral instructions to Timothy, He prepares him for the difficulties in ministry. He gives Timothy a series of commands, instructing him on what to do to be an approved worker, an approved servant of God.

He instruct him to charge the people before God not to quarrel about words. v14

He instructs him to be diligent to do your best to present yourself to God as one approved. v 15

He instructs him to avoid irreverent babble. v.16,17

He instructs him to let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. V. 19

He instructs him to flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness V. 22

He instructs him to have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies. v. 23

He exhorts him to not to be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone.....v. 24

God requires his people to make themselves a vessel ready for his service.

Our passage helps us to understand two key principles

The Types of Vessels V. 20

There are different type of Christians in the church.

Different Materials

Gold made from or covered with gold.

Silver made from or largely consisting of silver.

Wood made from or consisting of wood

Clay relating to or composed of potter’s clay.

Different Values

Gold and Silver are valuable and worth keeping

Wood and clay are less expensive and when damage to be discarded.

Different Purposes

Honorable the state of being highly honored

Dishonorable a state of shame or disgrace

The church is made of different vessels

True Christians

Honorable

The are honored and highly prized and never to be destroyed.

False Christians

Dishonorable

These are not honored and highly prized of God and will one day be destroyed.

The Separation of the Vessels V. 21

Separating the good from the bad.

Getting rid of the bad that which is dishonorable results in:

A vessel of honorable use, a person of status and respect.

Set apart, sanctified

Useful, valuable

Ready, prepared, equipped

A vessel that is honorable is one being used for it real, true purpose.

Not being used strictly for common, everyday purposes. Secular activities, things not concerning God or the church.

The people of God should be focusing on a life used for good and not be bogged down with everyday life things.

Work with what you have and don’t get distracted by what someone else has.

Jesus made himself a vessel honorable to God. He separated himself from from sin, so he would be ready for honorable use on calvary.

What kind of vessel are you today?

Are you approved by God for service?

What kind of vessel do you want to be? Approved or disapproved?

If you want to be approved then you need to separate yourself from the dishonorable.

You have to get rid of some stuff.

Uncover your