THE KIND OF CHRISTIAN THAT GOD CAN USE

2 TIM. 2:1-22

TX. VS. 2:20-22

INTRODUCTION:

-We that are saved should have the desire to be used of God.

-It is should not be a burden to be used of God, as it should be a privilege to used of God.

-In 2 Tim. 2, Paul gives 5 names for the Christian:

-1. A Son--vs. 1

-2. A Soldier--vs. 2

-3. A Sufferer--vs. 12

-4. A Student--vs. 15

-5. A Servant--vs. 24

-In verses 19-22, we find 3 other important things that come as a result of being used of God:

-1. Vs. 19--once we are saved, we are always saved!--We can have victory over sin!

-2. Vs. 20--God chooses us to be a certain kind of vessel in the church.(All are not used in the

same ways. But we are also told that beware of being a vessel of dishonor in the Church:

2 Timothy 2:19-21 PP9

1. In the church there are some vessels of honour and some of dishonour; there are some vessels of mercy and other vessels of wrath, <Rom. 9:22-23>. Some dishonour the church by their corrupt opinions and wicked lives; and others honour and credit it by their exemplary conversation.

2. A man must purge himself from these before he can be a vessel of honour, or meet for his Master's use.

3. Every vessel must be fit for its Master's use; every one in the church whom God approves must be devoted to his Master's service and meet for his use.

4. Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work. The tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good.

(from Matthew Henry's Commentary)

-WHAT KIND OF A PERSON WILL GOD USE IN HIS CHURCH?

I. WALKING PERSON--ONE THAT WALKS WITH GOD

A. Friendly walk or one that walks hand in hand with God

Prov 18:24

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

(KJV)

B. Faithful walk--not on-again and then off-again Christians.

1 Cor 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

(KJV)

C. Fruitful walk--witnessing and seeing people saved

John 15:16

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

(KJV)

II. WORSHIPING PERSON--ONE THAT WILL WORSHIP HIM

A. Scripturally

John 4:24

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(KJV)

B. Spiritually

C. Sacrificially

Gen 22:5

5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

(KJV)

Rom 12:1

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

(KJV)

D. Submissively

1 Sam 15:22

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

(KJV)

III. WILLING PERSON--MOTIVATED BY LOVE BECAUSE OF THE NEED

A. Willing to stand up for God

Isa 6:8

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

(KJV)

B. Willing to suffer if necessary

2 Tim 3:12

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

(KJV)

C. Willing to serve and work

John 9:4

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

(KJV)

D. Willing to live a separated life

2 Cor 6:17

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

(KJV)

IV. WEEPING PERSON--TO SHOW COMPASSION

A. For the sick

James 5:14

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

(KJV)

B. For the saints

Rom 12:15

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

(KJV)

C. For the lost sinners

Ps 126:5-6

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

(KJV)

CONCLUSION:

Then God tells the Christian in what manner he or she must be used of Him:

2 Tim 2:24-26

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

(KJV)

GOD WILL USE A WALKING CHRISTIAN, WORSHIPING CHRISTIAN, WILLING

CHRISTIAN, AND A WEEPING CHRISTIAN

ARE YOU WILLING TO BE USED OF GOD THIS MORNING?

IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, YOU MUST BE SAVED!