Useful to the Master

Introduction

Whenever you find a great person you almost always find great parents. That was certainly true for Charles Spurgeon. God used him to reach tens of thousands, and his books and sermon manuscripts are still making a profound impact 130 years after his death.
But Spurgeon gave a lot of credit to his parents and especially his godly mother. His father, John Spurgeon, was a Congregational pastor, and his mother was Eliza. She lived a humble life as a pastor’s wife. She gave birth to 17 children, but only 8 of them lived past infancy. But she poured her soul into their souls. 
Spurgeon later wrote a powerful tribute to his mother. He said, “I cannot tell how much I owe to the solemn words of my good mother. It was the custom, on Sunday evenings, while we were yet little children, for her to stay at home with us, and then we sat round the table, and read verse by verse, and she explained the Scripture to us. After that was done, then came the time of pleading; there was a little piece of Alleine’s Alarm, or of Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted, and this was read with pointed observations made to each of us as we sat round the table; and the question was asked, how long it would be before we would think about our state, how long before we would seek the Lord. Then came a mother’s prayer, and some of the words of that prayer we shall never forget, even when our hair is grey. I remember, on one occasion, her praying thus: “Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ.” That thought of a mother’s bearing swift witness against me, pierced my conscience, and stirred my heart.
I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me. How can I ever forget her tearful eye when she warned me to escape from the wrath to come? I thought her lips right eloquent; others might not think so, but they certainly were eloquent to me. How can I ever forget when she bowed her knee, and with her arms about my neck, prayed, “Oh, that my son might live before Thee!” Nor can her frown be effaced from my memory,—that solemn, loving frown, when she rebuked my budding iniquities; and her smiles have never faded from my recollection,—the beaming of her countenance when she rejoiced to see some good thing in me towards the Lord God of Israel.” That’s powerful!
And while it’s not relevant to my sermon, I must read the conclusion, “My mother said to me, one day, ‘Ah, Charles! I often prayed the Lord to make you a Christian, but I never asked that you might become a Baptist.’ I could not resist the temptation to reply, ‘Ah, mother! the Lord has answered your prayer with His usual bounty, and given you exceeding abundantly above what you asked or thought.’” Amen to that!
But I primarily want you to ponder Eliza Spurgeon’s profound godliness and multiplying influence. John and Eliza were so poor that Charles had to live with his grandparents for a time. They were humble people, but today’s text says they were honorable vessels useful to the Master. 
You can become the same. You may not be a Spurgeon, but you can honor the Lord, and he can use you (read). Our Lord has set before you a great goal and clear path to attain it. Be holy so you can be useful to the Master. Paul begins by casting a vision.

i.  Your Opportunity

Before we go on, remember that Paul has been warning Timothy about false teachers like Hymenaeus and Philetus (v. 18). Their doctrine was terribly dangerous, so v. 14 commands you, “not to wrangle…” Verse 16 commands you, “Avoid…” And most importantly, v. 19 commands you, “Abstain from wickedness.” 
Then v. 20 develops that by saying we all must choose between two paths—the path of wickedness and dishonor or the path to righteousness and honor. So, our text is about replacing wickedness and false doctrine with truth and righteousness that will make you useful to Christ.
Paul makes his point by using an analogy that is set inside a “large house.” This is not the home of a pauper; it is the large home of a wealthy man who can afford the niceties of life. Jesus is the wealthy homeowner, and the house is his church. Inside his house, he doesn’t merely have wood and clay vessels, the cheap belongings of the poor; he also has gold and silver ones. 
The Greek term for vessel is fairly broad, and it can refer to just about any home good from bowls and pans to vases to silverware or to dinnerware. And Paul says that some of these have honorable uses and others dishonorable uses. Probably the easiest way to understand him is to imagine the difference between the rich man’s finest China and a bed pan. 
Aren’t you thankful for indoor plumbing and toilets? We have hard time imagining using a bed pan. It’s foul and dirty. It’s dishonorable. So, unless you were filthy rich, you didn’t have a gold or silver bed pan. It was wood or clay. If it was cheap enough, you could throw it out instead of washing it. 
In contrast, last summer, Heidi and I got to visit Hearst Castle. The dining room is incredible. Every evening William Hearst entertained honored guests like Charlie Chaplin or Winston Churchill. They didn’t use paper plates and plastic forks. They used fine China—honorable vessels for honored guests. 
And in our text, the fine China represents the godly and useful minister. And the wood and clay represent those who are swept up in heresy and useless controversy. But remember that every illustration breaks down eventually. Don’t grasp for significance in every detail, because you are bound to abuse it. So, God is not saying we should tolerate false teachers in the church, and Paul doesn’t make any sort of grand statement about the salvation of the clay jars. That’s not his point.
Rather when v. 21 applies the illustration, it focuses entirely on how you can become an honorable vessel. Paul’s not making any grandiose declaration about the unbeliever; he’s looking at you, Christian, and he’s casting a vision for what you can become. You can glorify Jesus’ name and minister his gospel.
Paul will tell you how to get there, but he first wants you to consider the opportunity God is presenting. 1st…
You can be an honorable vessel. As I studied this analogy, my mind went to the furniture and the tools God prescribed for Israel’s temple. Paul’s illustration is in a house, not the temple, but the temple can help us understand the image. In particular, there was no wood or clay visible inside the temple. Even the shovels and the buckets were made of bronze. Everything else was gold or coated with gold. 
God made everything beautiful to help Israel grasp the glory and majesty of God. All that gold declared the glory of God. 
Christian, God is saying you can be a golden vessel who declares God’s glory. You can be his finest China in a world of darkness. The beauty of Christ, his perfect love, his righteousness, and his sovereign grace can shine through you. You don’t have to be highly gifted to do that. Spurgeon saw Jesus in his mother, and people can see Jesus in you.
Maybe you don’t like to stand out. It seems vain. Sadly, much of the American church believes the best way to reach the world is to become like it. “Don’t stand out like gold; appear as clay.” But God is holy, and people must see holiness. Holiness makes sinners uncomfortable, but God’s glory is the best good anyone can know. They must see it. And you can show them the glory of God as grace transforms you. That is a high honor, a wonderful opportunity. I hope you love that vision, and you want to fulfill it. 2nd…
You can be useful to the Master. Verse 21 ends with 4 goals for every Christian. By God’s transforming grace you want to become “a vessel for honor…” That is a marvelous vision that every Christian should desire. 
And it is in reach. When I first started thinking about my introduction, I thought about highlighting someone like Spurgeon, but God creates very few Charles Spurgeons. But you don’t have to be Charles Spurgeon to be useful. Eliza Spurgeon was a humble lady who loved the Savior and was zealous for her son’s soul. God used her, and God can use you. Grace is strong. God can turn you into gold that is useful for his highest works—to show his glory and to build his church. 
What do you want out of your life? You can waste it away chasing worldly cares and leave nothing behind of eternal significance. If so, you are a cracked, tarnished vessel that the Master leaves in the cabinet at the most important moments. You have little use. 
Or you can give your life to becoming useful. God can use you to show his glory, reach the lost, encourage the saints, build your family, and build this church. There is no higher calling, no greater privilege you can know than to be useful to the Master. And his reward will far outshine any sacrifice you make along the way. 
Our text casts a beautiful vision. I hope you want it with all your strength. I hope you believe that grace is strong enough to get you there, and I hope you are willing to do whatever Jesus requires to obtain it. So, how do you become an honorable, useful vessel? God says you must put something off, and you must put something on. First, you must…

ii.  Put off ungodliness.

We’re going to spend the rest of the sermon talking about sanctification, spiritual growth. But as always, I must emphasize that true spiritual growth must begin with genuine conversion. I’ll talk in a moment about putting off sin and putting on godly character, but don’t understand that to mean you can work your way into being a child of God.
The only way you can be a child of God is to receive the gift of salvation by faith in Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, he paid the penalty for your sin, and all you must do to be saved is agree with God about your sin, repent. Then you must believe on Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you have never done that, please receive Jesus today. He will forgive you and save you. The Father will adopt you into his family. Don’t leave without getting that settled. 
But also know that God’s work has only begun when you receive him. God wants to transform you from a bed pan into fine China. This begins with putting off ungodliness. Notice the condition in v. 21. 
Cleanse yourself. You can only be useful to the Master “if (you) cleanse (yourself) from these things.” What are the “these things”? It’s the things that Paul has discussed. It’s the wickedness of false doctrine and the “worldly and empty chatter” that God commanded us to shun.
If you want to be useful to the Master, you can’t rot your brain with lies and worthless nonsense. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers” (Ps 1:1). We like to think that we can stare at trash on the TV day after day or listen for hours to godless, perverted music lyrics, and it doesn’t affect us at all. And Satan laughs at your naivety. Everything you see, hear, and talk about is shaping your heart. It’s either making you into gold or clay. Be honest with yourself and with the Lord. 
Paul would especially say that we must watch our conversation as a church. We must love each other enough to confront false doctrine and teach truth to each other. We talked last week about profane, godless chatter. Anytime, we don’t start with God’s truth, we are bound to stray. The best way we can help each other grow is to keep our conversation God-centered and Bible-based. So, cleanse yourself, your home, your friendships, and our church from all ungodliness but especially wicked conversation. Then, v. 22 commands us…
Flee youthful lusts. Considering the context, Paul is primarily thinking of youthful pride and the desire for notoriety and praise that often drives profane chatter.  We think it’s boring to stand on the ancient truth of Scripture and orthodoxy. Youthful arrogance wants to stand out, be provocative, find something new, and innovate. It’s pride, and God says, “Run as fast as you can from that sort of youthful lust.”
But of course, there are many other youthful lusts that can tarnish your vessel. Sexual lust is at the top of the list. I know our culture shoves it down your throat and tells you it’s no big deal. But a perverted heart will never be as useful as it could be. Flee pornography. Flee entertainment that feeds lust. Flee perverse imaginations. Flee immorality. 
Of course, there are plenty of other youthful lusts. Flee from greed and materialism. There’s a line between enjoying God’s gifts with thankfulness and lusting after things or putting your hope in the pleasure, glory, and security you think they can give. 
I know your flesh craves all these things. But see the prize. You can become an honorable, useful vessel for the Master. Don’t ruin the opportunity by being a slave to youthful passion. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles (you)…and run with endurance the race that is set before (you). Finally, v. 23 commands you…
Refuse speculation (v. 23). Some fights are necessary, and some friendly debates sharpen our thinking and refine our person. But whenever we begin to stray from the text and say things like “in my truth,” or “Dr. so and so says…” or “Cicero says…” or “I know what the Bible says, but I like to think of it this way,” we are not far from foolish and ignorant speculation. 
And Paul warns that it only produces “quarrels.” Why? Because “foolish and ignorant speculation” isn’t rooted in the shared authority of God’s Word. So, we aren’t helping each other grow; we’re fighting to be the smartest and most persuasive. It divides instead of uniting.
Jesus said God sanctifies us through “the truth, Your word is truth” (John 17:17). We don’t want useless quarrels; we want to become honorable vessels. So, refuse speculation and keep the focus of our conversation on v. 15. 
This passage casts a powerful vision. Life Point can be useful to the Master. But we can’t have our cake and eat it too. We can’t be worldly slaves to lust and pride while also being honorable vessels. You must choose. So, put off ungodliness. Take a look at the media you consume, the friends you keep, the passions you are chasing, and the conversations you have. Flee youthful lusts because Jesus is better. Put off ungodliness. Then replace it. If you want to become an honorable, useful vessel you must

iii.  Put on godliness.

Verse 22 is built on two commands. First, “Flee from youthful lusts.” Second, “Pursue…” These are the qualities that will make you a golden vessel, useful to the Master. Once again, I must emphasize that we don’t pursue these to become God’s child; we pursue them because we already are and because gospel grace means they are in reach for every Christian. So, first, put on…
Righteousness: The first two terms focus on your vertical relationship with God. If you want to honor the Lord, you must reflect his righteousness and holiness. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” That’s a wonderful description of righteous thinking that creates a righteous heart, righteous living, and righteous conversation. 
Does that describe your thoughts? Do you love those virtues, or would you rather dwell on gossip and lust? Would the people who know you best describe you as someone who tells the truth, lives honorably, is pure, tasteful, and virtuous? 
I know these qualities are strange to sinners, but they are beautiful because they reflect the Savior. Stand out in your family, your school, and in your workplace as someone who loves righteousness and is righteous. 2nd, put on…
Faith: Nothing will make you appear stranger to this world than a genuine life of faith. When you really believe that Jesus is Lord and life is for eternity, you will live differently, and the world will thin you are crazy, but in a compelling sort of way. You will stand out as the Lord’s fine China. 
Put on strong faith. This requires a focused gaze on the character of God, lots of prayer, and choosing to walk by faith even when it is terrifying. Last Sunday night, several people shared wonderful testimonies of how the Lord has provided for them. It was a faith-building service. You can learn to walk by faith. Do the hard work. The Paul moves to the horizontal side of godliness. 
Love: 1 John 4 says that God is love, and John 13 says the world knows we are his disciples when we love one another. It makes me so happy when someone visits Life Point and testifies of how our love stands out to them. That’s grace!
Sometimes it’s weird to them. They’re not sure what to do with so many friendly people who genuinely care for each other and want to talk to them. The world is cold and dark. People are lonely and isolated. They assume everyone has a selfish agenda, and you can’t trust anyone, so they don’t know what to do with the church. You can stand out as a golden vessel by simply cultivating and expressing the love of Jesus. Put on love. 4th, put on…
Peace: Considering the final phrase of v. 22, Paul is not talking about inner tranquility; he’s talking about peaceful relationships. Again, the way we enjoy each other in this church is not common. It stands out to the lost, and it is very attractive. 
Cultivate peace. The Bible is filled with practical wisdom that can make you skilled at enjoying peaceful relationships. Go to Proverbs and learn how to talk well with people, how to read them, and how to respond to them. Learn the skill of solving conflict and forgiving sin. Put away bitterness and envy, and replace them with love. Put on peace. Finally, put on all 4 but especially peace in the context of…
Community: This passage calls us to a high standard, but you don’t have to chase it alone. Every journey is easier and more enjoyable with a friend. You have many friends on the same journey. Lean on them, and let them lean on you. Let’s do this together.

Conclusion

Everyone in this room can be an Eliza Spurgeon. By the grace of God, you can become (v. 21) “a vessel for honor…” Catch the vision. Be holy so you can be useful to the Master.