Being a Vessel Unto Honor, a Fully Equipped Man of God,
by Being Empowered in the Grace Which Is in Christ Jesus
to Fully Accomplish Our Ministry in the Unique Ministry of God’s Economy
Message Six
Being a Vessel unto Honor, and Pursuing Righteousness, Faith, Love,
Peace with Those Who Call on the Lord out of a Pure Heart
OPENING WORD OF THE PROPHESYING MEETING
Reading the verses in each day.
Reading the main points in the outlines.
Pray-reading the verses:
2 Tim. 2:20-21 In a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels but also wooden and earthen; and some are unto honor, and some unto dishonor. If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace…
Word of Appetizer
Paul speaks in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 of vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. What are vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor?
Vessels of honor are constituted by the divine nature (gold) and the redeemed, regenerated human nature (silver). These vessels, like Timothy and other true believers, constitute the sure foundation that upholds the truth. Vessels of dishonor are constituted by fallen human nature (wood and earth).
Paul speaks of vessels of honor in Romans 9:21, and again in verse 23, of vessels of mercy prepared for glory. We are vessels of honor prepared for glory, meaning that we are designed to contain God as our honor and glory.
Spiritual Burden
God has chosen us to be vessels of honor, filled with the Triune God, who has been processed and ultimately completed. God’s heart is to create a vessel to contain Him and manifest Him. Therefore, God only wants the vessel to be open. If the vessel is open, God can accomplish His purpose. God doesn’t want us to do anything; He only wants us to be a living vessel, a clean, emptied, and open vessel.
Concluding Word of the Prophesying Meeting
The Revelation of the Truth
Paul speaks in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 of vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. God has chosen us to be vessels of honor, filled with the Triune God, who has been processed and ultimately completed.
We should strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace. The governing principle of our Christian life should be to strive to experience Christ and enjoy Christ.
We should all be those who call upon the Lord with a pure heart. Calling upon the Lord’s name is the secret to not only being saved but also to enjoying His riches.
The Experience of Life
By faith in Christ, we are placed in Christ, becoming members of His Body, sharing in all that He is, so that He may be manifested. True faith is Christ Himself infused into us, becoming our ability to believe Him. After the Lord Jesus is infused into us, He naturally becomes our faith.
The God of peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Practice and Application
God doesn’t want us to do anything; He only wants us to be a living vessel, a clean, emptied, and open vessel.
We should not only cleanse ourselves from all unrighteousness, but also from vessels of dishonor. If we cleanse ourselves from these negative things and people, we will be vessels of honor.
We should all be those who call upon the Lord with a pure heart. Calling upon the Lord’s name is the secret to not only being saved but also to enjoying His riches. When we preach the gospel and help people get saved, we need to encourage them to call upon the Lord’s name saying, “Oh, Lord Jesus.”
PROPHESYING TOPICS—TWELVE TOPICS PER WEEK
Day 1
T1 The precious vessel and the common vessel (2 Tim. 2:20-21)
(Please illustrate that how the precious vessel and the common vessel are constituted.)
T2 God only wants us to love Him and open ourselves to Him (Rom. 9:23)
(Please illustrate that there is something inherently evil in our fallen nature, which is a desire to know and also a desire to act.)
Day 2
T1 God wants an open vessel (Rom. 9:23, 2 Cor. 4:7)
(Please illustrate that an open vessel is one that does not do anything but simply remains open to be filled.)
T2 A proper and true Christian life (Rom. 9:23, 2 Cor. 4:7)
(Please illustrate that the true Christian life is to love the Lord, to keep ourselves open to Him, and to stop our own actions.)
Day 3
T1 God is holy and also righteous (2 Tim. 2:22, Psa. 89:14)
(Please illustrate that holiness is related to the nature within God, while righteousness is related to God’s outward actions and ways.)
T2 The two meanings of the word “faith” (2 Tim. 2:22, Rom. 10:17)
(Please illustrate that faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the word of Christ.)
Day 4
T1 Love is an essential attribute of God (John 3:16)
(Please illustrate that God is Spirit and also love. The more we are under His impartation, the more we will have love.)
T2 The peace of God is actually the God of peace Himself (Phil. 4:7, Rom. 16:20)
(Please illustrate that in our experience, peace is the state of affairs produced by grace, which comes from our enjoyment of the Father God.)
Day 5
T1 Calling upon the name of the Lord began with Enosh, the third generation of mankind (Gen. 4:26, Acts 2:21)
(According to the Bible, who in the Old Testament called upon the name of the Lord?)
T2 The early believers called upon the name of the Lord everywhere (1 Cor. 1:2, Acts 7:59)
(Please illustrate with experiences that the stronger a person calls upon the name of the Lord, the stronger his experience of salvation.)
Day 6
T1 In the time of the church’s desolation, only those who are pure in heart can find the way (2 Tim. 2:22, Matt. 5:8)
(Please illustrate that a person who works for the Lord must have a pure heart, not a confused heart.)
T2 Calling upon the Lord with a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22, Matt. 5:8)
(Please illustrate that the goal of a pure heart is God, and the meaning of prayer is to have no self.)
