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The Lord’s Vessel

Posted on 06 Oct 2019

Title: The Lord’s Vessel

Text: 2 Cor. 4:7, 2 Tim. 2:20

[2Co 4:7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

[2Ti 2:20] 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.

Introduction

Vessel – a carrier of substance (good or bad) from one location to another location.
Vessel – a vessel must be willing to deliver the substance being carried once it reaches its destination.
Vessel – a vessel must not carry the substance meant for one location to another location.
Ship – a ship is called a vessel as they transport goods from one location to another.
Purpose – the purpose of a vessel is to transport substances – either good, bad, or evil substances.
UPS/Fedex deliver goods to their destination. If UPS/Fedex brings garbage to your doorstep, you will toss them in the trash.
You are the carrier of the Lord’s goods, therefore you must not deliver garbage.

Main Topic

2 Cor. 4:7
- We have this treasure in earthen vessels
- That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
- The purpose of these earthen vessels is such that the excellency of the power may be of God.
- Since the excellency of this power is of God – the treasure we are to transport is heavenly treasure – and we are the earthen vessels.
- Earthen vessels are the people who carry the goodness of God – and are ready to deliver the goods once they reach the destination.
- [Rom 8:19] For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
- [Rom 8:19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (KJV)
  - There is a heavenly treasure inside of you that you must release here on earth
  - There are people waiting to receive that heavenly treasure you are carrying
  - That treasure must not become stale
- A vessel reflects the craftsmanship of it’s maker –
  - As earthen vessels who carry the goodness of God, we must reflect the craftsmanship of our Maker.
  - [1Pe 1:15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [1Pe 1:16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
  - As a carrier of the heavenly treasure, you must reflect the holiness of the Lord
  - [1Pe 2:9] But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
[2Ti 2:20] 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.
- In a great house there different vessels – vessels of gold, silver, wood, and earth.
- Some to honor
- Some to dishonor
A vessel can be full and a vessel also be empty.
Empty Vessels:
- [2Ki 4:3] Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few.
- Elisha told the widow to go and borrow empty vessels from her neighbor so that they may filled with the oil.
- An empty earthen vessel represents a believer who is broken, ready to be filled with the goodness of God.
- A vessel must empty itself often, so that God will refill the vessel.
- As a vessel of the Lord, we must empty ourselves of whatever we are carrying so that God can fill us with His goods.
- An empty vessel must be ready to be filled – As a vessel of the Lord, we must be ready to receive God’s goods.
- An empty vessel has nothing to deliver – As a vessel of the Lord, you must not be empty for too long. We cannot fulfill our purpose if we remain empty.
Full Vessels:
- These are vessels that are full of goods or full of something else.
- Vessels that are full of goods must be ready to empty the goods at their destination. The goods may be the word of God, it may be an act of kindness, it may be a word of wisdom, it may be a discharge of anointing, working of miracles, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, faithfulness, or even self-control.
- Vessels that are full must not be full for too long – it will become a stagnant container, and the goods will become stale or spoiled, and begin to smell, and they are no longer useful.
- Vessels that are full of heavenly treasure must be a partaker of the heavenly treasure
- Whatever goods you are carrying, you must be ready to discharge it before they expire.
- Vessels full of garbage – whatsoever it is, if it is not of God, it is not good, if it is not good, it must be emptied, so that God can begin to fill you with His goods.
- Some of the garbage we need to empty includes pride, anger, adultery, fornication, lewdness, lying, backbiting, jealousy, .
I pray that the Lord will make you His vessel. He will use you to His honor. He will make you a carrier of His heavenly treasure – in the name of Jesus.

Conclusion

You are God’s earthen vessel
You can be full of God’s treasures
Your treasures can be to honor and it can also be to dishonor
You can either be full or be empty
If you are full, what are you full of? What are you are delivering?
If you are empty, God can fill you.

Call to Action

[Act 2:37] …. “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

What must we do:

On a daily basis, empty yourselves of whatever that is not of God
On a daily basis, ask God to fill you with His goods

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Sermon

The Lord’s Vessel