PROF.
BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons)
MA, PhD.
GOD’S SOLID FOUNDATION
Devotional
Text: II Tim. 2:19-20
Introduction:
The cornerstone that holds the House of God together is Jesus
Christ. and the bricks that make up the building are the believers. Therefore,
the lesson of today aims at ascertaining the suitability or otherwise of those
who occupy the house..
GENERAL
REMARKS
(1) God’s
Foundation has a seal of ownership, (verse 19)
(2) God’s
Foundation has nothing to do with wickedness (verse 19)
(3) God’s
Foundation is the bedrock of life (I Tim. 6:19)
(4) God’s
Foundation is Jesus Christ, (I Cor. 3:16-17).
THE
PERSONALITIES IN GOD’S FOUNDATION (Verse 20)
Figuratively,
the Bible pictures the personalities in the House of God as Vessels of Gold,
Silver, Wood and Earth. These denote certain qualities or dispositions that are
displayed by such people.
(1) Vessels of Gold: Naturally speaking, gold is a valuable
yellow-coloured metal used for making jewelry and other useful items.
Figuratively, however, if one is referred to as gold, such one is very good,
kind and considerate. Therefore, the vessels of gold in the House of God are
Christians of the best quality. Gold denotes usefulness and quality.
(2) Vessels of Silver: Silver is a valuable grayish-white, shiny
metal used for making jewelry and ornaments. Furthermore, silver is used for
making coins, spoons, forks, rays and other household items. Silver also
denotes usefulness and quality. So, the vessels of silver in the House of God
are useful Christians that shine for God.
(3) Vessels of Wood: Wood is the material that forms the trunks
and branches of trees. We gather wood for the fire. The vessels of wood in the
context are fruitless Christians that are only good for fire. Jesus remarks
that every branch in Him that bears no fruit will be cut off and thrown into
the fire, (John 15:16).
(4) Vessels of Earth: The vessels of Earth are a representation of
those in the church that are yet in their natural state. They are the unsaved
persons who cannot understand the things of spirit, (I Cor. 3:1-6).
PURGING THE
IGNOBLE VESSELS (Verse 21)
The picture we have painted above show that
the vessels of gold and silver are noble vessels, whereas, those of wood and
earth are ignoble vessels. The ignoble vessels were represented as fruitless
and unsaved persons respectively. To purge those vessels, special attention
should be given in the following areas.
(1)
Youths should
purge themselves of youthful lust (I Cor. 6:15-20).
(2)
Wives should
purge themselves of unsubmissiveness (Eph. 5:22).
(3)
Husbands should
purge themselves of unloveableness to wives.,(vs 25)
(4)
Fathers should purge
themselves of harshness to children (Eph. 6:4).
(5)
Children should purge
themselves of disobedience to parents, (Eph. 6:1-3).
(6)
Servants should
purge themselves of eye-service, (Eph. 6:5-7).
(7)
Masters should purge
themselves of wickedness to servants, (Eph. 6:9)
(8)
Gospel
Ministers
should purge themselves of every reproachable thing, (I Tim. 3:1-15).
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