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37. II Timothy 2: “Vessels That Don’t Leak”

Golden Nursing Center in Mannington, NJ –Evening Service on 12/19/2013

(edited April 2020)

“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.” (Verse 21)

In his letter to young missionary and pastor Timothy, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of believers as jars. We are meant to be precious, honorable, and useful containers. And God wants there to be such an abundance within us that it overflows into the world through our love and good works. But the Enemy, for obvious reasons, is always trying to crack us open and spoil the blessed contents. This is Paul’s advice on how to prevent those leaks:

Be Strong.

Verse 1: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Be Strong.

Share the Word.

Verse 2: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Endure the battle.

Verse 3: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Focus on your mission.

Verse 4: “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

“Stay in the game,” spiritually, and follow God’s rules.

Verse 5: “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”

Before preaching to others, let God preach to you.

Verse 6: “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

Think carefully, and wait on the Lord for understanding.

Verse 7: “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”

Let every day be Easter Day for you!

Verse 8: “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:”

Let God win, even when you are losing.

Verse 9: “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.”

Think about the welfare of the lost.

Verse 10: “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

Identify fully and publicly with the Christ of the Gospel.

Verses 11-13: “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

Be nourished by the Word, not poisoned by mishandling it.

Verses 14-18: “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”

Jesus acknowledges us. Let’s acknowledge Him by our actions.

Verse 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.”

In II Tim 1:6-7, I think Paul reveals the content label of the jar and the directions which say that it’s best to stir before use!

“ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

But you can’t stir what isn’t there.

Verses 20-21: “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.”

Spiritual calm and caring for others help us to avoid leaking.

Verses 22-24: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”

Help those around you with their leaks. Be humble.

Verses 25-26: “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

God made us. God saves us and He is able to KEEP us whole, now and forevermore. Halleluiah! Let’s pray.

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