How can you be of use to Christ?

This is the manuscript (written out and the full version) of the sermon I preached for my preaching class. I preached the sermon to all men who are seeking to be in full time ministry (most of whom desire to be pastors), so it is addressed to them. However, I think everyone, whether women or people not seeking to be in full time ministry, can glean application and insight from this.
2 Timothy 2:21b-26
(Introduction) Often in prison, beaten times without number, often in danger of death; five times receiving thirty-nine lashes, three times beaten with rods, stoned once, shipwrecked three times; in danger from robbers, heretics, Jews and Gentiles alike; yet he did not revile his enemies nor did he slander them in their presence. Because of his conduct, there are few better examples of godly men who were useful vessels to God than the apostle Paul. It was his custom to correct the Jewish misunderstandings about the Messiah by reasoning from the Scriptures and explaining and giving evidence that Jesus was indeed the Christ; and that He had to suffer and raise again from the dead (cf. Acts 17:2). We have no evidence that Paul gave in to speculations about such things as where Moses’ body was buried, what was considered to be work on the Sabbath, and on what calendar day the Passover was to be celebrated. Rather, Paul preached and taught “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” and risen again (1 Corinthians 2:2). He did not give in to youthful passions, but rather Paul sought to live a quiet godly life. Through all of this, Paul longed with all of his heart that his brethren, the Jewish people, might be saved. But his final trust was in God’s providence, that though Israel was currently hardened toward the gospel, yet one day God would save all the descendents of Abraham. In light of this, his life experience, Paul wrote these words of advice to his dear child in the faith, the young pastor in Ephesus, Timothy.
“...be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 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.” (2 Timothy 2:22-26).
(Transition) Here Paul gives three characteristics to Timothy of a godly life that you must apply, so that you will be able to be a vessel that is useful to Christ, your Master, so that you can trust in God’s work in correcting those who oppose the truth you preach.
(First point) First to be a vessel that is useful to our great Master Jesus Christ, a vessel “prepared for every good work,” demonstrate a mature faith. You must live a life that is led by the Spirit; a life that is above reproach. Paul gives you two imperatives, two commands to tell you how to live out this mature faith.
His first command to you is flee from youthful lusts. The verb "flee" is in the present tense, it is of continuous action; you must keep on fleeing youthful lusts. Take a cue from Harrison Ford’s character, Dr. Richard Kimble, in the movie The Fugitive. Dr. Kimble, who was wrongly accused and found guilty of his wife’s murder, escaped from the law so that he might search for his wife’s true murderer. If Kimble were to stop fleeing from his pursuers, they would catch him and return him to prison, where he would not be able to fulfill his mission. In the same way, you cannot hope to flee one time from the lusts of your flesh and think that you have won the battle. No, Satan does not give up that easily, and neither does the sin which still dwells in your flesh. You must continually fight. You must be determined in your mind and heart to flee from these lusts every time you are faced with them and you must stand firm with fellow believers to keep you from falling into such lusts.
Such lusts can include, but are obviously not limited to pornography, whether off the internet or out of magazines, arguments to prove that you are right and to inflate your own ego, and course joking. Take all the necessary steps to keep yourself from falling into these so called “youthful lusts,” for they can disqualify you from your ministry, and even worse, possibly from the prize of eternal life. If you fall into these, they can overwhelm you and prove that your faith was not founded upon Jesus Christ, who will keep those who are His until His return, but that you are unregenerate. So band together with others to hold one another up.
After you have fled the youthful lusts, you need somewhere to flee; a righteous lifestyle is that place. Paul’s second command to us is pursue what can be summed up as righteous living. “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.” You are to pursue these “with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Pursue these four marks of a true Christian in both your relationships with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and pursue to sharpen one another in these four virtues, for “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
1 Righteousness is a standard of living, a life-style if you will, that is in accordance with the desires and laws of God. Pursue righteousness as purity in your relationships. This includes your relationship with your wife or girlfriend. With your wife, be fully committed to her, refrain from flirting with other women, give her the love and devotion she deserves as your mate, and especially keep from adulterous relationships (whether physical or emotional) that are far too common in these days, even among those who claim to be teachers of the oracles of God. With your girlfriend, pursue righteousness by staying pure and saving the marriage bed until you have committed yourselves one to the other in the presence of witnesses and in the blessing of the state and the Church.
To hold to such a standard, seek out other God-fearing men. You need them, and they need you. Only together will we be able to live with a pure heart before our God. Also seek together with your wife or girlfriend to stir one another on toward righteous living. Humbly take care to listen to one another’s concerns in your relationship together. Also spend time with each other before the Lord in prayer and in Bible study. Help one another to understand the words and commands of Scripture, and hold each other accountable to live up to the requirements that Scripture, through the work of the Holy Spirit, convicts you to make.
Another place to pursue righteousness is your relationship with your friends. Together seek godly living and to sharpen one another unto the standards of God’s Word. Correct one another in a humble, loving manner when necessary. Keep one another accountable to live a God-ward life, always striving to live more like Christ in every area of life. And always be quick to complement one another when you attain goals that each of you has set. Keep the relationship itself righteous, pure from every defilement and from the deceptions of Satan, and together prod one another toward more righteous living in all relationships and areas of life.
We see that even Paul, that great apostle to the Gentiles, needed brothers in Christ to stand with him. We see his distress when he tells Timothy “Only Luke is with me” (4:11). All others had left him, and so Paul requests of Timothy to “make every effort to come to me soon” (4:9). Paul knew that he, as well as every person, needed brothers to help him to strive for righteousness and to keep him company. Man is a social creature. And so you must not think yourself any better than Paul and think to yourself that you can do it on your own. You cannot. If you try to do so, you will inevitably fail, and you may end up at the end of life unable to say as Paul has said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (4:7).
2 And we must keep the faith. Another area in which we are told to pursue righteous living is faith. Now “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is one of the great virtues of the Christian. We cannot see faith in itself, only God can. However, faith is evidenced in the works it produces, as both James and Paul attest.
The good fight of the faith for which we strive is “eternal life” itself (1 Timothy 6:11-12), and only by perseverance in the faith will you be able to attain this prize. You must do whatever it takes, whether you must “gouge out your eye,” as Jesus says (Matthew 18:19), or “sell everything you have and give to the poor” (Mark 10:21). The advice I give to you, and which Paul himself is giving to you here in our text for today, is to be faithful to those who “call on the Lord from a pure heart,” and to stand together, bearing one another’s burdens, and to walk together, to fight together and to drive one another along toward Christ in faith, keeping one another from falling into the deceptive snares of the devil.
You can do this practically by keeping all the promises you make to all the saints. Whether this means getting lunch together, making hospital visitations when an elderly saint is hospitalized, or taking a young saint out to play ball. Being faithful to others will build your rapport with them, and will give them an example to imitate.
To sharpen one another in faith toward God, encourage one another to go deeper and to be dedicated in daily devotions with God. Ask each other difficult questions about your relationships with God. We must stand together to make sure that “no one comes short of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15). Such accountability will help you not to fall prey to the lusts of the flesh. It will help you to help one another to keep your soil clean, and not to become plants in soil filled with thorns, which are the worries “of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth,” which “choke the word [of God],” detaching you from Christ, which will make you unfruitful (Matthew 13:22), and we know that everyone who is detached from Christ and unfruitful will be cut from the Vine which is Christ, and cast into the fire (John 15:2, 6). Such a one’s love for God and for his fellow man dries up.
3 This love for both God and your neighbor is another virtue Paul exhorts us to pursue. The greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The second greatest commandment is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). We have all failed at both of these commandments and continue to fail at them. If we obeyed both of these two commandments perfectly we would be sinless, for “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40).
Since you are not perfect, you are bound to break these commandments, again and again. Yet if you will stand together with others who “call on the Lord from a pure heart,” you can exhort and encourage one another toward the standard of God in this love. You can do this by confessing your sins to one another, and discussing how each of you can work on being more loving toward others. Love toward one’s neighbor and toward God is practical. You can show it toward others by acts of kindness, visiting them when they are in distress, and by helping both your friend and enemy when they are in need.
This love, however, must flow from an inward love that can only be imparted by the work of the Holy Spirit. Anyone can outwardly show affections while inwardly harboring all sorts of malice and resentment toward others; at least for a time. Jesus is not calling for us to have mushy feelings toward everyone we meet, but He is calling us to have a joy in showing love to them practically, a joy that flows like a river from our inward parts. This is known as eternal life (cf. John 7:38). It is not merely an outward kindness, but an inward renewal. While you can spur one another on to love and good works outwardly, and you should do this for Scripture calls for such practical shows of love, the only way that you can produce this kind of love in another is by quoting to them the words of Scripture, that the Spirit might change his/her heart, and by praying diligently for the Lord’s intercessory work to occur in each other’s lives.
4 We are also exhorted to pursue peace. We pursue peace with God only through the forgiveness that we receive through Christ Jesus. We are justified and have this peace with God by His atoning sacrifice on the cross. This peace with God will drive us toward peace with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The writer of Hebrews commands us, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
This peace does not mean that we will not have disagreements with others in the church. Rather, it means that we are not being quarrelsome, we are regarding one another higher than ourselves, and we are seeking reconciliation with one another when we have wronged the other. Seek this peace. This is the peace that Paul is commanding for you to seek.
(Transition) If you flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteous living, you will demonstrate a mature faith, the first requirement of being a vessel that is useful to the Master. To be a vessel useful to the Master, however, you must move forward. Paul’s second command to you is decline immature and foolish talk.
(Point Two) Discussing serious issues of faith and practice are not only beneficial to those who participate in them, but are actually essential for spiritual growth. However, there are many people who will argue merely for the sake of argumentation. Decline arguments with such people. Though they will often persist and may even grow hostile, as a minister of the gospel and a vessel who seeks to be faithful to your calling and faithful in the work God has given you, you must learn not to give in to such people. There are two things that you must do to keep yourself from falling prey to those who seek to debate for the purpose of debating itself, or even for the purpose of causing divisions.
First, realize the problems of speculations. Speculations are not merely discussions that seek for doctrinal purity or for an understanding of how we are to live as salt and light in this lost world. Speculations are often inconclusive, and result from idly pondering issues (often issues that can be divisive) almost always for the sake of gaining mere knowledge. And we know that such “knowledge puffs up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).
Paul describes these speculations as “foolish and ignorant.” They are ignorant because they are inconclusive. There is not enough evidence to base a sustained argument from a reliable authority. In cases of theological speculation, this authority is the Bible, the pure Word of God. Arguments end up resorting often times to philosophies, often times fanciful ones, or they resort to glib remarks and demeaning language. They are foolish in that they are of no real value to discuss. Either those who are discussing and listening in on the discussion are thoroughly convinced and have heard all the arguments time and time again, or else they are discussions of issues that have no real bearing upon life, the pursuit of godliness, or the fulfillment of the “Great Commission.”
Such foolish and ignorant speculations could be of issues of personal preference. This could include the style of worship music to be played during the service, what is proper attire to wear during the worship service, and what color the children’s wing of the building should be. Speculations could also consist of personal convictions. As Paul takes no stance on the observance of ceremonial days and whether or not one should eat meat sacrificed to idols, but leaves this up to a person’s conscience, so we too must leave such issues as whether or not to observe traditional holidays, whether or not to dance, and whether or not to allow our children to watch television up to the individual’s decision.
It is not that all discussion of these issues is harmful. Actually, discussing these issues can actually help people see both sides of an issue and become convinced in his own mind on the proper action to take in any such situation (cf. Romans 14:5), and can keep such one from sinning (cf. Romans 14:23). However, seeking to force personal convictions on another upon speculations in issues upon which the Bible does not give us a definite stance to take, leads to quarrels and unnecessary division among believers. Realize this, and you will save your flock from divisions, and you will save your ministry from being tainted.
Second, refuse unprofitable speculations. Since you know these speculations only lead to quarrels, do not get into them with those who bring up such arguments. If you resist the devil he will flee (James 4:7), so likewise those who have been deceived by him will stop seeking unprofitable discussions of speculations if you refuse them. You must be firm in your resolve to resist such speculations, as often times you may have strong convictions about the issues they set-forth yourself. However, if the issue is based upon mere speculations, you will stop yourself and your opponent from causing a world of pain to the cause of Christ, if you resist.
(Transition) We have seen two things you must do to be a vessel useful to the Master are demonstrate a mature faith by fleeing youthful lusts and pursuing righteous living, and decline immature and foolish talk by realizing the problems of speculations and refusing to participate in unprofitable speculations. Paul gives to Timothy and to you one more command on how to be a vessel useful to our Lord and Master, Christ Jesus: Display maturity when facing opposition.
(Point Three) It is inevitable that ministers of the gospel will face opposition. The words of the Lord are always unpopular with those who are unregenerate, as well as those whom the Holy Spirit has not yet quickened to a spiritual truth. Those in opposition are always hard to deal with, especially when they are someone dear to us. This could include family members, coworkers, friends, or even partners in ministry. Whether those who oppose sound doctrine and right practice are close to you or enemies, your conduct toward them in face of their confrontation must be above reproach. You must display maturity when facing opposition to be a fruitful bondservant of the Lord.
The apostle Paul here says “The Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome” (24, emphasis added). When opposition comes, and it will often come in the form of heated argumentation that could seriously sever relationships, if you are going to be a useful vessel for the Lord, you must not give in. These severed relationships can often be avoided if the parties involved remain cool-headed and count one another as better than themselves. Paul tells you how to act toward your opponents.
He is clear. Correct those in opposition. Yet “be kind to all.” This means you must go the extra mile to put your opponent first. Put his/her feelings first. Treat them as you desire to be treated.
Second, teach them. Show them, from Scripture whenever possible, why they are wrong and what Scripture commands for them to do in response to the correction. In order to be able to teach, you must “preach the word.” You must “be ready in season and out of season.” It is your role as a minister of the gospel to “reprove, rebuke, [and] exhort, with great patience and instruction” (4:2). In order to be an able teacher, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16, NIV).
Third, patiently endure them when you are wronged. Often, if those in opposition grow angry, they may slander you and mistreat you. Endure this with patience, the apostle says. Do not revile when you are reviled. Rather, return good for evil. Payback harsh words with kind words. Even if you are boiling inside, keep this anger to yourself and respond in a cool, compassionate manner.
Forth, correct them in gentleness. Restrain the fierce power of your arguments and the sharpness of your tongue. This will save you from all sorts of spiritual forest fires (James 3:5). If you are unable to control your tongue, do not be a teacher (James 3:1). You must respond from a humble, meek heart. Do not speak harsh words. Do not speak words that are incomprehensible to your hearer. Rather, speak in plain language that is not overbearing, showing your love and concern for both the truth and for the person who opposes you.
If you teach your opponent in kindness, patience, and gentleness, you will be a vessel useful to the Master. And Paul gives us hope. This hope is that you can trust the providence of God. There is a reason to display maturity when facing opposition: “Perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 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.”
Those who are in opposition to the truth of God are held captive to the snares of Satan. Some of these may be brothers and sisters in Christ who are in error and a sinful lifestyle or belief. James exhorts you, “if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). If you correct them, you may actually be saving their spiritual lives. Do not let a person continue in his or her sin; that is by far the most unloving thing that you can possibly do. The wisdom of Proverbs tells us plainly “better is open rebuke than love that is concealed” (Proverbs 27:5). If you saw a friend who in blindness was walking toward a cliff, would you be showing him love if you did not tell him about the cliff ahead and you did not tell him to turn back from his way? Even if he knew the cliff was ahead, would it not be better to warn him, at least for your own conscience’ sake of the dangers ahead and to turn his direction? So in the same way if you love a brother or sister in sin, you must tell them of the dangers they are in. If you do not, you will be held accountable. James again warns us, “one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
It is of the same importance to correct those who have never trusted Christ. They truly are blind men heading toward a cliff. This may be their last day alive. Humans are mere vapors, here today and gone tomorrow (Psalm 39:5). We do not know how long any person has. So if you do not tell them of the approaching danger of final judgment that awaits them if they fail to repent and trust in Christ, who will? You may be the last person they see. And they are most certainly held captive by Satan to do his will. As John Wesley said, “At present [they] are not only captives, but asleep; utterly insensible of their captivity.”
Yet have assurance. God is sovereign over salvation, as the Apostle Paul reminds us here. Teach those in opposition out of a mature faith and God may “grant” them repentance. Yes, repentance itself is the gift of God. In Acts the early church responded to Peter’s report about the conversion of Cornelius as “God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). Likewise in Acts 16:14: “The Lord opened [Lydia’s] heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Those in opposition must respond in faith and repentance toward God, yet the first move is to be made by God through the quickening work of His Holy Spirit. Trust in God to work through your preaching and correction (cf. Romans 10:17).
This repentance of which Paul speaks leads to the life-giving “knowledge of the truth.” What is this life-giving knowledge? It is eternal life. Not merely an understanding of facts, but knowing God personally, as a son knows his father and loves him (cf. John 17:3). This knowledge will bring them to their senses, and they will escape from the snares of Satan and the sin which has bound them and hindered them.
This assurance ought lead you to take heed of your role in God’s work, as a vessel useful to the Master. Correct those in opposition in gentleness, for a sharp word may turn them away. But do not stop at your outward efforts to win those who are lost. Pray for them as well. In Luke 6:28 we are exhorted, “pray for those who mistreat you.” Those who oppose you will often mistreat you. Take this as an opportunity to pray for them. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16). God hears the prayers of His children, and we have the promise that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). So pray for those who oppose you, trusting that God can turn them from the snare of Satan unto eternal life.
(Transition) To be a vessel that is useful to the Master, you must trust in Him. You must also demonstrate a mature faith, decline immature and foolish talk, and display maturity when facing opposition by correcting those in opposition in gentleness, and trusting in God’s providence.
(Conclusion) All who follow Jesus desire to be vessels useful for His service. Decide in your mind today that you will demonstrate a mature faith, decline all immature and foolish talk that arises, and that you will display maturity when you face opposition. Rely upon God’s strength through personal prayer, and trust in Him to bear fruit through you. Be sure to get help from close brothers and sisters to keep you accountable and to point out areas in your life that need correction in these areas.
Christian, if you have failed to demonstrate a mature faith, decline immature and foolish talk, and display maturity when facing opposition, do not beat yourself over it. You cannot take back what has been done. Rather, learn from your mistakes. If you remain proud, God will oppose you. But if you humbly seek His forgiveness, He will give you a great measure of grace (cf. James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). God Himself can and will work through you to mend broken relationships and bring those who are in error to repentance. It is never too late to act in a humble manner. It may take time, but it is worth it. Because God may correct those in opposition, seek to be a vessel useful to Him.