What sort of a vessel are you?

Paul Mahler

Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

2 Timothy 2:20

Daniel 5:1–4

Divine Service

Concerning the Service of the Church

0 ratings

· 44 views

Notes

Transcript

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Vessels and Utensils

The abundance of pottery and widespread familiarity with the process of its manufacture provided object lessons for understanding spiritual truths. Isaiah referred several times to potters and their products. He likened the fury of God’s chosen instruments to a potter treading clay (Isa. 41:25). Israel is compared to a potter’s vessel that, when broken, will not yield a single useful fragment (Isa. 30:14). For Isaiah the potter’s work demonstrated the sovereignty of the Creator (Isa. 45:9). Paul took up the same analogy to make a point about election (Rom. 9:20–21): the potter can make any sort of vessel he chooses. Jeremiah also allegorically related a potter and his work to God, who molded His people Israel (the clay) and is able to rework a spoiled product (Jer. 18:1–6). A completed clay vessel was used by the prophet to announce the fate of Jerusalem, which like the vessel would be irreparably smashed (Jer. 19:1–2, 10–11).

2 Timothy 2:20 AV

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.

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible 2. Faithfulness in personal life 2:19–21

In the church there are individuals who honor the Lord as a result of their dedication to follow His truth. These people are useful to the Lord in His work because their commitment to His Word prepares them for His service. However there are also Christians who because of their lack of commitment to God’s truth bring dishonor on Him while they seek to be His instruments of service

Daniel 5:1–4 AV

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

2 Corinthians 4:1–7 AV

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Related Media

Related Sermons