2 Tim 2:19-26
"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God
stands, having this seal:“The Lord knows
those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who
names the name of Christ depart from
iniquity.” 20 But in a great house there are
not only vessels of gold and silver, but also
of wood and clay, some for honor and some
for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone
cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a
vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for
the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those
who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes,
knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a
servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be
gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in
humility correcting those who are in
opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the
truth, 26 and that they may come to their
senses and escape the snare of the devil,
having been taken captive by him to do his
will."
The Lord knows those who are His...
That's so important to remember!
When God sent the prophet Samuel to the
family of Jesse to anoint a new King of
Israel to replace King Saul, Samuel focused
on which of Jesse's sons looked the most
like royalty!
It's like the discussion our news reporters
have every four years about which
candidate looks the most "presidential"!
But God rebuked Samuel, and taught him
an important lesson!
1 Samuel 16:7
""But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look
at his appearance or at his physical stature,
because I have refused him. For the Lord
does not see as man sees; for man looks at
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks
at the heart.”"
Most of us tend to judge the book by it's
cover, so to speak, but God sees into the
secret place, and knows us for who we truly
are!
I have a friend who is a retired cop.
When I first met him I don't think he was
really serious about serving Jesus.
In fact, I had no idea that God was working
in his life, and neither did his coworkers!
I mean, this was a tough cop who worked
vice and narcotics and such, and there was
nothing in him externally to indicate any
desire for the Lord.
But he was wrestling with the Lord on the
inside!
And the last time I talked to him he was
taking Bible classes!
He came to conclusion that he wants his life
to count for something of eternal value!
And that's what the Bible is talking about in
this passage!
In verse 20 it says:
"in a great house there are not only vessels
of gold and silver, but also of wood and
clay, some for honor and some for
dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses
himself from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified and useful for the
Master, prepared for every good work."
Some people get offended by this idea of
being used by God.
It sounds almost abusive to our ears.
But God simply wants to make your life
productive!
He wants to help you to fulfill the destiny for
which He designed you and created you!
We tend to think along the lines of being
used and then discarded, like sinful humans
do to each other!
But God doesn't operate like that!
God wants to bless you!
The Book of Hebrews tells us that God is a
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him!
And in Revelation 22:12 Jesus promises
us:
"“...behold, I am coming quickly, and My
reward is with Me, to give to every one
according to his work."
This is a beautiful promise! Think about His
focus!
He is coming with a reward!
In John 15:5 Jesus says:
"“ I am the vine, you are the branches. He
who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much
fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
So... Let me get this straight...
First He causes our lives to bring forth
good fruit, and then He rewards us for
the fruit that HE produced through us!
That's an incredible deal!
But we have to cooperate with Him in that
process!
How do we cooperate?
Look back at our text...
Verse 19: “Let everyone who names the
name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 20 But
in a great house there are not only vessels
of gold and silver, but also of wood and
clay, some for honor and some for
dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses
himself from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified and useful for the
Master, prepared for every good work. 22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those
who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes,
knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a
servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be
gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in
humility correcting those who are in
opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the
truth, 26 and that they may come to their
senses and escape the snare of the devil,
having been taken captive by him to do his
will."
If we want Him to use us for that purpose
for which He designed us, we have to
depart from iniquity!
The Greek word is adikía, and it means
wicked, unrighteous behavior.
He sanctifies us, which means that He
separates us from those who don't know
Him and are spiritually dead by putting His
Spirit inside us.
Then it's up to us to trust Him and follow His
instructions, instead of our own corrupt
human nature!
We have to stop behaving like those who
don't know God!
We have to begin living our lives in
harmony with His Word and His will!
No more abortions, no more drunkenness,
no more lying, cheating, stealing, or sexual
immorality!
You have to stop serving your flesh if
you want to fruitful in serving Jesus
Christ!
You have to stop following your
unbelieving friends if you want to fulfill
your destiny and receive the reward that
God wants to be able to give you!
22 "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those
who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Flee means run as fast as you can in the
opposite direction!
Pursue means to chase after!
So what are we supposed to do!?
We are supposed to run from the
temptations that the young and foolish
would pursue, and to pursue those things
which the wise want to possess!
...righteousness, faith, love, peace with
those who call on the Lord out of a pure
heart...
Those things become the goal of your life!
Those are the things which motivate you!
And as you pursue those things with all of
the passion and energy you possess, you
do so with gentleness!
Gentleness!? How so?....
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes,
knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a
servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be
gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in
humility correcting those who are in
opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the
truth, 26 and that they may come to their
senses and escape the snare of the devil,
having been taken captive by him to do his
will."
Why is it that the Lord chose to keep
coming back over and over to this
warning against foolish and ignorant
disputes!?
Maybe it's because discussions can bear
good fruit, but quarrels almost never
produce anything good!
So don't get pulled into arguments over silly
stuff!
That can be hard, but we need to do our
best to avoid arguments!
Instead, make it your goal to know the
Word of God, share the Word of God, and
gently correct your friends who open to
correction!
Some people don't want to hear it, so
you'll have to just let it go and pray.
But just as many listened to Jesus, some
will listen to you as you share His message!
Make those people your focus!
Instead of spending time in arguments with
people who don't want to hear it, spend it
with those who WANT to know the Lord!
Questions:
Why is it important to understand that God
knows those who are His?
Who are "those who are His"?
(John 1:11-13)
What does it mean to be sanctified by God?
What about being useful to Him? What
does that mean and why should we want
that?
How can I become useful to Him?
(John 15:5, Heb 11:6, Rev 22:12)
Why shouldn't we argue over important
truths?
Why does the Bible say that our opponents
are captives of Satan? (Vs 26)
How does that factor into our own conduct
where they are concerned?