Title: Let’s Become A Vessel Useful To The Master
Greek word for ‘useful’ is ‘Ukrestos’ which means ‘useful, profitable, meet for use.’ So, being useful means to be used by the master and bring profit to the master. Today’s title ‘Let’s become a vessel useful to the master’ means “Let’s become a vessel used by God.”
We must not be confused between what is valuable and what is useful. Apostle Paul said in 2 Tim 2:20-21 that there are many different vessels in the house: some are made of gold or silver or wood or earthenware. We may think that a golden or a silver vessel has more chance to be used by the master, but Apostle Paul said it doesn’t depend on what we are made of but how clean we are and how ready we are.
- We should please God
There are 3 elements: To listen to the Word of God, to believe it, and to obey it. It is very simple, but are we doing it?
- Joshua and Caleb
Num 1:46 says that 603,550 people who came out from Egypt including the elderly, children and women, it would be about 2 million or 2.5 million people. However, only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land (Num 14:29-30). God only allowed Joshua and Caleb to enter the Promised Land alive because they followed God fully, which means they believed in God and did not grumble against God (Num 14:24; Heb 11:6).
- David
Jesse had 8 sons but only brought 7 sons to Prophet Samuel when he came to look for a king over Israel. It means in the eyes of Jesse, David was the youngest, smallest and has no chance to become a king. Only when Prophet Samuel asked to bring the least, he was brought in (1 Sam 16:10-11; 1 Sam 16:7; Acts 13:22). How happy and pleased God must be with David. That is why God used David to progress His will on earth.
- Jesus (Mat 3:16-17)
Jesus was the Messiah. He could be boastful and proud being the Messiah and taking care of all sin issues for mankind. But he didn’t. He became humbler everyday (Phil 2:5-8).
See, Jesus became an empty basket. Whether Father wants to put clothes or food in Him, He doesn’t mind and did not say a word. Jesus was like a slave and a servant to Father God.
Jesus is the Messiah. He did the most important work for the History of Redemption, yet He emptied Himself and become humbler. Do you want to be used by God? Do you want to receive the blessing of God? Then, let’s follow the footstep of Jesus Christ and have the faith that pleases our Father God.
- We should have a vision for the future
Literally speaking, a vision means something that you imagine or a picture that you see in your mind However, in Korea, a vision also means an ideal state or structure or how a person or an organization should reach. It also can be called a dream. The Bible asks us that whether our vision and dream are of the flesh or of the spirit (Rom 8:5-8).
The mind, the vision, the dream set on the flesh cannot please God. How do we set our vision on the spirit then?
1 Cor 10:31 Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.
This is the check point: We should check ourselves whether we do things only for the glory of God or not.
When serving in the church, when growing children, when doing a business, we should do all things for the glory of God: This should be our vision and dream.
However, 1 Cor 10:31 has another meaning. It can be understood as we should only do the things that glorify God. If it is understood as we should only do things that glorify God, not only the intention but the method also matters. For this, the founding pastor gave us an example of Daniel being trapped not to pray to God for 30 days stated in Daniel 6:7.
This trap was a perfect and complete trap that no one can escape from it. However, Daniel continued to pray to God as he used to do, three times a day with the window opened. It means Daniel chose to obey God entirely and never changed his faith in God. It means Daniel endured it till the end. It means Daniel chose to do the things that glorify God.
Conclusion:
Let’s have a vision to be used by God
When God uses us, it means we will be held on God’s mighty hand. We pray that may God’s right mighty hand to hold us. When we are used by God, we will automatically be held in His mighty hand.
It means God will make us happy. If we are held by God’s mighty hand, will there by anything that hinders us? No, there will be a straight highway in front of us. Therefore, we will be enjoying God’s success and blessing.
Amen.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 