Vessels unto honour

Text: 2 timothy 2:16-22

What is a vessel?
Now we need to see what the Word says we are. The holy Word tells us clearly that we are vessels. Man is a vessel (Rom. 9:21, 23). Not many Christians have paid adequate attention to the fact that we are vessels of God. Christians talk about men being God’s creatures or men becoming God’s people. Some even go to the highest point by saying that man can be a child of God. But in Romans 9 we are told that man is a vessel of God. A vessel is a container or a large ship or boat that can contain. It is different from a utensil or an instrument. A vessel is not used to do something but to contain something.

We are not supposed to do something for God. Forget about your doing. We are destined to contain God. We were made to be containers of God. The human concept is that we have to do something for God. Even in Christianity many teachers tell people again and again that they need to do something for God, to work for God. I do not say that this is wrong, but it does not touch God’s central thought. We have to realize that we are vessels unto God. God, strictly speaking, does not need us to do something for Him. God needs some containers. According to Romans 9 God desires that we be vessels unto honor, vessels unto glory, and vessels of mercy to contain Him. Brothers and sisters, you have to realize that you are vessels unto God!

TYPES OF VESSELS – VESSEL UNTO HONOR AND DISHONOR

We have discussed about borrowed vessels. They are instruments the Lord uses to bring joy, cause a turnaround in a life or win souls. Through them the Lord changes lives but their lives are never changed because of sin. Borrowed vessels are either discarded or relegated to the background. I pray that you will not be a borrowed vessel in the mighty name of Jesus.

The great house referred to is the house of God or church. The owner or the house is Jesus. Colossians 1:8 calls Jesus the head of the church. The vessels are believers or workers in the vineyard of God.

Vessels unto dishonor: are vessels that are to the dis-reputation of the church, the dishonor of religion and scandal of the gospel. By them God is dishonored, His ways evil spoken of, His doctrines blasphemed. They commit abortion, adultery, take bribe just name it.

Materials vessels:
Also in this great house are vessels you find in the dining room e.g. drinking vessels. They contain costly viands. They are always on display for the world to see.

Vessels unto honour:
These are believers who behave honourably and are worthy of honor in the church. They live a blameless life. It is hard to find a fault in them. Jesus invests His resources on them and He daily touches them. in 2kings 4 v 8-17 God used a wealthy woman in Shunem as a Vessel unto Honour. In Acts 16 v 13 -15 God used Lydia a wealthy woman as a vessel unto honour. The fact that you are wealthy does not disqualify you from being used of God.
God can use the destitute; those who don't even have anything at all. In 1kings 17v8-16, God used a widow who had just one meal left as a Vessel unto Honour, to take care of His servant Elijah.

What kind of person is a vessel for honor?

I. THE ONE WHO PURGES HIMSELF FROM SIN, 2:21.

II. THE ONE WHO IS SANCTIFIED, 2:21.

III. THE ONE WHO IS USEFUL FOR THE MASTER, 2:21.

IV. THE ONE WHO IS PREPARED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK, 2:21.

Conclusion
Vital decision: The type of vessel you choose to be in the house of God has eternal consequences! (2:19)