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"In a great house..."

Text: 2 Timothy 2:20

BEING A VESSEL FOR HONOUR

The apostle Paul had devoted himself to serving the Lord and had earned for himself a good and honourable name. He very much wanted Timothy to walk in the same path of serving honourably.

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour.
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:20-21

1. An illustration of a great household

a) Many different types of vessels may be found.

i) For special occasions, gold and silver vessels may be used.

ii) For ordinary occasions, wood and clay vessels may be used.

b) The distinction is not necessarily in the kind of vessels found in the great household.

2. The distinction is to be found in the usage of the vessels

a) “Honour”

i) Clean vessels

ii) Well-kept vessels

b) “Dishonour”

i) Unclean vessels

ii) Poorly-maintained vessels

THE CHALLENGE TO BE VESSELS OF HONOUR

The natural desire of a person who loves to be of service to the Lord would be to become a vessel of honour. Paul highlighted some ways in which a person may become a vessel of honour.

1. “If anyone cleanses himself from the latter”

a) Cleansing is foremost in mind.

b) There is nothing like a clean vessel (whatever it is made of).

c) The would-be servant of God must desire to cleanse himself from anything that could hurt ministry.

2. “He will be a vessel for honour”

a) The Lord Himself will honour the person.

b) The individual will be chosen to be a vessel of honour.