OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY - 12/2/2014 - WHAT KIND OF VESSEL? BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

WHAT KIND OF VESSEL?

MEMORISE

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.

2 Timothy 2:21

READ

2 Timothy 2:19-22

2 Timothy 2:19 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.

2 Timothy 2:20 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.

2 Timothy 2:21 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.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

MESSAGE

Vessels are simply containers. God identified His children as vessels in order to bring up one crucial fact about His dealings and workings on earth. The Bible in Psalm 115:16 says:

“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”

Because God has given the earth to men, in order to carry out His works on earth, He does not get it done without involving men, particularly His own children. The reason is, those in Christ are co-workers with the Father (Romans 8:16-17, 1 Corinthians 3:9). The heavenly resources by which the work will be accomplished will need to be carried or contained in us as vessels, not only as vessels but also as pipes or conduits. The purity of these resources, virtue, power and gifts of the Holy Spirit are highly essential if results as desired by God will be obtained.

Though we are God’s children as believers, a component part of us is still flesh and blood. For this reason, we are called earthen vessels. The onus therefore is on us to make sure we keep this vessel pure, hence, the need to purify ourselves from all contaminants that could make us dirty. Our Bible reading for today reveals also that as vessels, the type of use we are put to will differ one from another. The interesting thing is that you are the one that determines the type of vessel you would be in the hand of God. What a great opportunity to become distinguished! It means I can become the most valuable vessel to God with all the honour that goes with such. Consider that for a mere slave who was sick, a centurion was ready to go all out to secure his healing. He had to plead with the Jewish leaders to appeal to Jesus to come and heal this servant. He did all this because this one servant was of immense value to him (Luke 7:1-10). Herein is the secret of what could make a difference between a child of God in whose life Mark 16:17 is a reality and another for whom it is not. Are you still meddling with sin, rationalising smoking, alcohol drinking, enjoying immoral thoughts and generally living in disobedience, and yet you wonder why you cannot pray to heal a headache? Mind you, if you do not desire to change, it means that God may consider using your life to send a message that teaches others why it is not good to live the way you live while claiming you are a child of God.

ACTION POINT

Prayerfully list out all the bad habits you know about yourself and determine to break them as you engage in serious prayers. Avoid factors that make you susceptible to them.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 34:1-37:13; 

Psalm 37:1-20