Vessels of Honor

This week’s reading focuses on the theme of this week’s sermon. As we consider Paul’s message to the church at Colossae we are reminded just how important our role in ministering to our brothers and sisters in Christ really is. Each of us has a ministry. Whether that is as an elder teaching and preaching or as one ministering to others through prayer and service. In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds us that we are to be at peace with our brothers and sisters–not quarreling, but presenting ourselves as a worker who has no need to be ashamed.

Scripture Reading for Sunday, June 8, 2025

2 Timothy 2:14-22 (ESV)

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Reflections on Scripture Reference

Paul has already established in Ephesians that we are God’s workmanship. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has ordained for us. We can rest assured that God began the work of salvation in Christ and that He will complete it. We should also bear in mind the responsibility of the believer to “depart from iniquity” (v.19) and cleanse ourselves from what is dishonorable…ready for every good work” (v. 21). Our faith and hope are in the finished work of Christ, but we are called to be vessels of honor that are useful to God in the service of His church. He has ordained good works for us to do. Our hearts desire as one who has been redeemed should be to seek righteousness and peace as we serve Him. We do not do this through our own effort, but enabled by the Spirit of God, we strive to honor Him because of who He is and what He has done for us.

Song Selection for Sunday, June 8, 2025

Make Me a Servant

This song reflects the heart of this week’s reading and message: service. Our hearts cry should be that God would use us in His service to build and edify His church.

How Firm a Foundation

Echoing Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:19 (But God’s firm foundation stands), we sing this truth together. “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?”

He Will Hold Me Fast

Our trust is not in what we do, but in the One who has provided salvation for us. As we seek to serve Him and pursue righteousness, we do well to remember that our hope is in Christ for He will indeed hold us fast.

Song for Consideration

All of Our Tomorrows 

Sovereign Grace 2022

Lyrics

This spinning world by Your own hand

Hurls ever on around the sun

The seasons march at Your command

The old departs, the new year comes

And though celestial is Your gaze

You search and care for all our ways

We offer up to You this day

And all of our tomorrows

May zealous youth and cautious age

Determine not the steps we choose

Great Shepherd, guide us through each day

Oh, how we want to follow You

Come Living Way, our way make clear

Let perfect love drive out our fear

Be Thou our vision, now and here

And all of our tomorrows

When winter makes us reminisce

Of warmer days so distant now

Of cherished saints the sun once kissed

Whose beauty passed behind the clouds

Let all our fond and longing tears

Remind us we are pilgrims here

We trust You, Sovereign of our years

With all of our tomorrows

Hands to the plow, we're pressing on

And running hard to win the prize

Empowered by the love of God

With grace before and grace behind

For lo, what hope before us stands

You finish all that You began

Eternal joy is in Your hands

And all of our tomorrows

For lo, what hope before us stands

You finish all that You began

Eternal joy is in Your hands

And all of our tomorrows

And all of our tomorrows