A Sanctified Vessel for the Master’s Use - 2

A Sanctified Vessel for the Master’s Use - 2
2 Timothy 2:19-21

“19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But 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. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”

What We Have Learned

The Need to be Sanctified

• Infiltration of false doctrines (vv. 14-18, 23)
• Unwholesome, filthy, destructive communication (vv.16, 22).
• The pastor is charged to respond to such destructive attack of the devil on the church with appropriate teaching that men who are entrapped might be brought out (vv. 24-26).

The Encouragement to be Sanctified

v.19a

• “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure”
• “having this seal”
• “The Lord knoweth them that are his”

The Process of Sanctification

v.19b-21

• Individual sanctification: “And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
• Strive to be a vessel of honour:"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. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work."

The Rewards of Sanctification

v. 21b

• “he shall be a vessel unto honour”
• “sanctified”
• “and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

How should a Church Strive for Sanctification?

A call for individual sanctification must be made

• V. 19b – “And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
• V. 21 – “If a man therefore purge himself from these”

A classical example of a congregation of God sanctifying themselves: Ezra 10

Following are 12 important steps for the sanctification of a church that we can learn from Ezra 10. All of it ought to be pursued with total dependence upon God’s grace and His grace alone.

1. Every time when there is a serious infiltration and spreading of sin or falsehood there must be an effort to sanctify the whole congregation
2. Sanctification must begin with the leader of God’s people (Ezra 9:1ff; 10:1)
3. Let the people come voluntarily to sanctify themselves (Ezra10:2,3).
4. There must be genuine sorrow for the sins among the people and every one must humble and repent before the Lord (Ezra 9:1-10:1)
5. There must be a willingness to put away sin - “to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them”(Ezra 10:3a).
6. There must be a willing submission to the spiritual counsel of the godly leader(s) – “according to the counsel of my lord” (Ezra 10:3b).
7. There must be a grave or serious reverence for the Word of God and its commandments – “and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law” (Ezra 10:3c).
8. There must be a whole-hearted unity among the people (leaders and the congregation) to be sanctified - “Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it” (Ezra 10:4).
9. There must be an avowal (taking of an oath or a pledge) in renewing our commitment to walk in holiness – “Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware” (Ezra 10:5).
10. Let it be done with much prayer, and even fasting – “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away” (Ezra 10:6).
11. Let there be a deliberate and meticulous effort to get people separated from the plague of sin – “And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away” (Ezra 10:7-8).
12. Let there be prayers for God’s mercy for forgiveness and for His wrath to turn away that we might continue to progress in His work – “Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.” (Ezra 10:14).

A Sanctified Vessel for the Master’s Use

A Sanctified Vessel for the Master’s Use
2 Timothy 2:19-21

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 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. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Introduction

Today, being led by the Spirit, I would like to bring to you a special, as we commemorate the 19th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of Gethsemane B-P Church.

Several issues have evoked very deep emotions within me over the past two weeks and also caused me to draw close to God for his help and guidance.

• A place of worship and activities for our church
• Internet Pornography that affects men in the ministry
• 19th Anniversary of our Church
• God’s unfailing provisions for the church, for the ministers of the Word, full-time staff, theological students, and everyone in the church.
• All of those matters require appropriate response.

But nothing has been more distressing than the sin of pornography that is invading the computers of Christians, and causing many to be entrapped in it.

As I reflected upon God’s goodness in the past years and our duty to Him, the Spirit of God has impressed upon my heart that there is nothing more appropriate for Gethsemaneans, on this Anniversary day, than to be resolved to be sanctified vessels for the Master’s use.

The Need to be Sanctified

• Men will infiltrate the church with false doctrines (vv. 14-18, 23)
• Men will be affected by unwholesome, filthy, destructive communication (vv.16, 22).
• The pastor is charged to respond to such destructive attack of the devil on the church with appropriate teaching that men who are entrapped might be brought out (vv. 24-26).

Only faithful preaching of the Word that appropriately and adequately rebuke, correct, and nurture the church can protect it from the corruption of false doctrines and immorality.

The Encouragement to be Sanctified

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his” (v.19a).

the foundation of God standeth sure

• Regardless of all the attack of the devil, God’s foundation of the church is “sure.”
• What is “the foundation of God”?: The truth of God’s Word reveled by the apostles and prophets. Ephesians 2:20 - "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."
• The foundation that God has laid for the church is “sure”. The word, “sure” (stereos - Greek) conveys the idea of something that is solid, stable, steadfast, and strong.
• As long as the church remains firmly on this foundation, there is no reason to be troubled from the few-instances of attacks by apostasy and sin.
• Every local church that is solely Bible-based can be sure that the Lord is still building the church, against all the hellish attack on it. Our Lord Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
• All glory to Him for this comforting and encouraging truth that He is building the church. But this truth is exclusively belongs to those who are buidling upon the foundation of God, even the apostolic doctrines.
• So if we constantly respond to all the attacks of the devil by preaching, teaching, obeying the truth, we shall continue to enjoy the Lord’s power and goodness for the building of this church.
• At the same time let us remember Psalms 11:3 – “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” May Gethsemane B-P Church always remain solidly on the Word of God!

“Having this seal”

• Or rather a seal with this inscription.

What does the word “seal” indicate?

• A seal represents the authority with which a thing is secured. (Matthew 27:66 - So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.)
• A seal is a mark of genuineness. (Revelation 9:4 - And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.)
• A “seal” also indicated authenticity and integrity (cf. Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 9:2).( Romans 4:11 "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:" 1 Corinthians 9:2 "If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.")
• The allusion here is to the custom of inscribing the name of the builder and the design of the edifice on the corner-stone. It seems to refer to some inscription on the foundation-stone which denoted the character and design of the edifice.
• Likewise the church of Christ is like a building constructed by the hands of God, which has a foundation that has been firmly and securely laid, and on that foundation there is an inscription always remaining.

“The Lord knoweth them that are his.”

• This is one of the inscriptions on the foundation-stone of the church, which seems to mark the character of the building.
• It always stands there. It guarantees God’s authority and power in securing the church. No matter who would attempt to apostatize the church the Lord knows how to take care of His own faithful children.
• It is, at the same time, a fearful inscription - showing that no one can deceive God; that he is intimately acquainted with all who enter that building; and that in the multitudes which enter there, the friends and the foes of God are intimately known. He can separate his own friends from all others, and his constant care will be extended to all who are truly his own, to keep them from failing.
• Nahum 1:7, the following words are found: "And he knoweth them that trust in him;"
• It is clear that he meant to say that it was one of the fundamental things in religion, that God knew who were his own people, and that he would preserve them from the danger of making shipwreck of their faith.

The Process by which We Ought to be Sanctified (v.19b-20)

Individual sanctification:

“And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

• This truth must be emphasized in the church.
• The commentator Barnes says, “This is the other seal or inscription which is made on the foundation which God has laid. The foundation has two inscriptions-the first implying that God knows all who are his own people; the other, that all who are his professed people should depart from evil.”
• The meaning is, that it is an elementary principle in the true church, that all who become members of it should lead holy lives.
• It is significant that every Christian would lead holy lives amidst all the defections by the disobedient and unbelieving. All their attempts to draw away others from the true faith, will be in vain if the people of God are determined to avoid evil.
• The church’s purity is dependant on individual members. We must not allow ourselves to sink in the miry clay of sin. We must fight to pull ourselves of every besetting sin.
• Especially in these days of moral decadence, we must not go down without a fight. Fight against every temptation and sin to the point of death. Hebrews 12:4 says, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
• Psalm 34:14 "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it."
• Psalm 37:27 "Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore."
• Proverbs 3:7 "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
• Romans 12:9 "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
• 2 Corinthians 7:1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
• Ephesians 4:17-22; Ephesians 5:1-11; Colossians 3:5-8; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 1:13-19; 2 Peter 1:4-10; 2 Peter 3:14; 1 John 3:7-10.

V.20-21 elaborates the significance of the process of sanctification further.
“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.”

• In a large household are all sorts of containers. Some are made of gold and silver and others of wood and clay.
• More importantly, some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
• Since the reference so far is to the faithful and the unfaithful within the church, this metaphor should be understood to show how a sanctified Christian can be an instrument for noble purposes, and an unclean life of a church participant make him an ignoble vessel.
• In the church there are some vessels of honour and some of dishonour. Some dishonour the Lord and His church by their corrupt opinions and wicked lives; and others honour and credit it by their exemplary conversation.

Verse 21, clearly declares that “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel of honour.”
o Every one in the church is not only called to depart from evil, but also purify himself of sins that have become part of his life.

• purge himself - ἐκκαθαίρω (ekkathairō): clean out, cleanse, get rid of (1Co 5:7; 2Ti 2:21).
• We shall study next Lord’s day how the Scripture teaches us to purge oneself of sins. Nonetheless, let us take not it is the will of God that every one who claims to be a Christian ought to rid of every sin that is in him.

The Reward of being a Sanctified (v.19b-20)

V. 21b tells us that the sanctified will be “meet for the Master's use.” In other words, the sanctified will be fit to be employed by the Lord Jesus in promoting His work on earth.

• A man must purge himself from these before he can be a vessel of honour, or meet for his Master's use.
• Every vessel must be fit for its Master's use. Every one in the church who desire to be in his Master's service must strive to be fit for His use.

Tongues for All Believers in All Ages?

Tongues for All Believers in All Ages?

Selected Scriptures

Introduction

• Since the inception of the Pentecostal movement in the late 1800s, the Christian church is plagued with the notion that a truly spirit-filled Christian will have the gift of tongues.
• Such a notion is absolutely unbiblical and yet so widely believed and sought after.
• Today, as the Lord helps, we shall consider some of the fallacious teachings on “tongues” and the biblical texts that are abused to support them.
• Mark 16:17 is commonly cited to prove the claim that every true believer can/must speak in tongues.
  “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.”
• Let us examine this passage in its context - Mark 16:11-20

Crucial facts about Mark 16:11-20

• There are two groups of unbelievers in this passage:

The Apostles

The first group was the Apostles who did not believe on the resurrection of Christ. They are consistently referred to in this passage by the third person plural pronoun (“they” / “them” – vv.11-14,17-20).

• They did not believe on the resurrection of Christ, though it was reported to them by Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James (vv.1-11). V.11 - “And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.”
• They neither believed the report of the two disciples to whom Christ appeared (vv.12-13). “And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them” (v.13).
• The Apostles were rebuked by the risen Lord, who appeared to them (v.14). v.14 - "Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen."

Those who are yet to hear the Gospel

The second group of unbelievers in this passage are all those who are yet to hear the Gospel and be saved.

• They were to be reached by the apostles (v.15-16.) "15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
• “They” (third person pronoun, plural) refers to the disciples who were chided by the Lord for their unbelief concerning His resurrection. They were told to believe on Him and preach to every creature.
• “He” (Third person pronoun, singular) refers to everyone who would hear the Gospel through the apostles and believe.

Analysis of Mark 16:17-18

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

• “Them that believe” (v.17) is a reference to the apostles who have not yet believed in his resurrection.
• The continued use of third person, plural (seven times) once again confirms that the apostles are meant.
• V. 20 gives us further proof that Jesus was giving those miraculous gifts only to the apostles. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

Does Spirit-Baptism Warranty Tongues?

Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2

• . . . wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
• The phrase “not many days” (Acts 1:5) limits this prophecy only to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
• So, Acts 1:4-5 is not a reference to the baptism of the Spirit that is offered to all the believers of all ages.
• It is neither a proof text that then onwards baptism of the Spirit would surely lead to tongue speaking.
• In fact, the word “baptism” with reference to the Spirit’s ministry does not appear in Acts 2, but words such as “filled” (v.4), “pour out” (v.17), etc.
• Acts 1:4-5 is a reference to the beginning of the new dispensation of the Spirit’s work in the New testament, with reference to universal Gospel preaching and the receiving.
• It does not say that baptism of the Holy Spirit will lead all believers at all times to speak in tongues.

The Scripture, in fact, clearly teaches us that even when biblical tongues existed not all believers, who received the baptism of the Spirit, spoke in tongues.

• 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 teaches us that even though all the Corinthians were baptised by the Holy Spirit, not all were given the gift of tongues.
• So we conclude that baptism of the Spirit do not warranty all believers the gift of tongues.

Conclusion
We are never commanded to be baptised by the Holy Spirit, for it is part of salvation work that God does in our lives.

It is not a second blessing after one’s salvation.

But we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20) – that is to come under His control and guidance.