1. Vessels Of Honor Text: II Tim. 2:20-21 Scripture Reading: Acts 14:21-28
By Nathan L Morrison
All Scripture given is from NASB unless otherwise stated
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2. Intro
II Tim. 2:20-21
20. Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
Vessels Of Honor

3. God is the Potter and we are the clay!
Intro
II Tim. 2:20-21
We choose if we want to be used for good (honor) by God!
Our service will be either commended or condemned!
We need to choose to be a “vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work!”
God is the Potter and we are the clay!
(Is. 29:16; 64:8; Jer. 18:4-6; Rom. 9:20-21)
Vessels Of Honor

4. Intro When we hear of people being “used” it is often in a
negative way (Unpleasant to be “used” or “exploited”)
God has “used” people for good and for judgment:
Jer. 27:5-8: Nebuchadnezzar – God’s “servant” (27:6)!
Is. 44:28-45:7: Cyrus – God’s “shepherd” and His “anointed!”
Acts 9:15-16 (NKJ): Saul (Paul) – God’s “chosen vessel of Mine”
Emphasis in Scripture mine!
Vessels Of Honor

5. Intro
Acts 14:21-28 (Vss )
21. After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
22. strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
23. When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24. They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia.
Vessels Of Honor

6. Intro
Acts 14:21-28 (Vss )
25. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26. From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished.
27. When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
28. And they spent a long time with the disciples.
Vessels Of Honor

7. Intro Acts 14:21-28: Paul and Barnabas recount to the saints
the many ways God “used” them to spread the gospel!
Paul and Barnabas were used for good and
recounted what God had done with them!
Emphasis in Scripture mine!
Vessels Of Honor

8. God Can Use People Like Barnabas!
Three characteristics of Barnabas that made him a
“vessel for the Master’s use...”
Barnabas was a generous man:
Acts 4:36-37; Acts 9:26-27
Barnabas was an encourager:
Acts 4:36; Acts 11:22-23
Barnabas was a teacher:
Acts 11:24-26
Barnabas was a vessel of honor “useful to the Master, prepared for every good work!”
Vessels Of Honor

9. God Can Use People Like Paul!
Three characteristics of Paul that made him a
“vessel for the Master’s use…”
Paul was a changed man (formerly Saul):
Acts 26:9-11; I Tim. 1:12-15
Paul was a man of conviction:
Acts 9:20-22; Gal. 1:23
Paul was a teacher:
Acts 9:15, 20-22; Acts 11:25-26; Acts 13;15;18
From Acts 9:15 as a “chosen vessel” (NKJ) of Jesus Paul taught:
The Gentiles – All the nations (who were not Jews): Rom. 11:13; 15:16; Gal. 2:8
Kings – This was fulfilled: Acts 25:23; 26:32; 27:24 (Phil. 4:22)
The children of Israel – The Jews. Wherever he went, he preached the gospel first to them, and then to the Gentiles: Acts 13:46; 28:17
Paul was a vessel of honor “useful to the Master, prepared for every good work!”
Vessels Of Honor

10. God Can Use You!
II Tim. 2:20-21: We choose to be a vessel of honor, useful
to the Master, and prepared for every good work!
God can use you to make disciples
(turn sinners into saints)
HOW?
By example and manner of life – Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27; 2:14-16; Col. 1:9-12; I Thess. 2:10-12
By teaching (example) – II Tim. 2:15, 24-26; I Pet. 3:15
Jesus wanted His disciples to teach others – Mt. 28:18
Paul and Barnabas did so wherever they went – Acts 14:21 (Acts 17:16-34: Paul in Athens)
Some in Corinth were sinners made into saints – I Cor. 6:9-11
Some saints have turned sinner and back to saint – Js. 5:19-20
Vessels Of Honor

11. God Can Use You! God can use you to encourage the saints:
We can teach and encourage from personal experiences as Paul and Barnabas did – Acts 14:22 (II Cor. 11: Paul’s trials and near-death experiences)
We can comfort & encourage through the promise of Christ’s return –
I Thess. 4:16-18
God can use you to obtain financial resources for the work
of the church
God’s plan calls for saints to give – II Cor. 9:6-7 (Those that have, can give)
Barnabas was generous with his material blessings (Acts 4:36-37)
Will you be a vessel of honor “useful to the Master, prepared for every good work?”
Vessels Of Honor

12. Unpleasant to be “used” by man – Important to be “used” by God!
Conclusion
Unpleasant to be “used” by man –
Important to be “used” by God!
God uses people as vessels of honor and dishonor: (Is. 29:16; Jer. 18:4-6; Rom. 9:20-21)
There are those who serve as good examples, used by God to promote good behavior! (Paul & Barnabas – Acts 14)
There are those who serve as bad examples, used by God to deter bad behavior! (Ananias & Sapphira – Acts 5)
We choose if we will be a useful vessel of honor, “prepared for every good work!” (II Tim. 2:20-21)
Vessels Of Honor

13. Conclusion Paul and Barnabas were able to talk about what
“God had done with them” (Acts 14:27)
Why not let God accomplish something with you?
(Phil. 1:27: “Walk in manner worthy of the gospel!”)
What kind of vessel will you be?
Choose to be a vessel of honor, “useful to the Master!”
Vessels Of Honor

14. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17)
Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24)
Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38)
Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10)
Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16)
Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10)
For The Erring Child of God:
Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9),
Pray (Acts 8:22)