Vessel of Honor on the job

Showing forth being a vessel of honor in the workplace

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood
20 

and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 
21 
Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special
purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Our world is caught up with image and appearance–but Christ is caught up with
integrity and godliness. Chicago Sun Times columnist Sydney J. Harris put it,
“Since most of us would rather be admired for what we do, rather than for what
we are, we are normally willing to sacrifice character for conduct, and integrity for
achievement.”
How about you? Is your life about looking good or living godly? Appearing like
you’ve got it together or following Christ in secret? When Christ causes you to
turn to Him in repentance and faith, He gives you a new heart that values
integrity. You actually live for Christ when no one is looking.
 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you
know they produce quarrels. 
24 
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone,
able to teach, not resentful. 
25 
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them
repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the
devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Now in 2 Timothy Paul calls Timothy to pursue a life of integrity–even in secret, living
with no compromise, as He wraps up chapter 2 of 2 Timothy.
In verses 20 to 26, Paul instructs Timothy how to become an instrument for God’s
purposes. And that will require difficult choices which no one will see but God. In verses
20 to 26, Paul gives Timothy and each of you nine characteristics or choices to be a
usable instrument for God’s glory. This will require four weeks to work through.
Paul informs Timothy, the fruitful believer makes difficult lifestyle choices to be useful to
Christ. As chapter 2 has progressed, the flow moves from the call to “be strong in the
grace that is in ChristJesus” in verse 1, to being “a workman who does not need to be
ashamed” in verse 15, in order to be “useful to the Master, prepared for every good
work” in verse 21.
Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood
and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 
21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor,
sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with
those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach,
patient when wronged,
 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant
them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having
been held captive by him to do his will.”

#1  A useful tool will have a CLEANSED life

#2  A useful tool will desire a SANCTIFIED heart
#3  A useful tool will pursue becoming USEFUL to God
#4  A useful tool will choose to do WORKS for God
Being useful means CHARACTER is important
Being useful means Christ is LORD
Being useful means Christ is your PASSION