Introduction: Have you ever looked around your home and noticed the things that are just cluttering up space?

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1 Being of Use to the Master Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Tim 2:19-21 (KJV) Introduction: Have you ever looked around your home and noticed the things that are just cluttering up space? They just aren't useful? It doesn't matter what they were originally intended for. Now they are just of no use to anyone. Things get outgrown, out used, broken, and worn. Some things even stay in perfect condition but if they aren't useful, they are just taking up space. Just look around your house. Under the kitchen sink, the garage, the closets and maybe you will find a deep dark graveyard of unusable appliances. It's where all good appliances go to die. Maybe some of them haven't even been opened and still in their original boxes. They are just not useful to you. They make so many things nowadays to make our lives more convenient but by the time you drag them out, put them together, use them for a 2 minute job, it sometimes isn't worth it. We all have useless things in our homes. You can purchase those new plastic storage containers they offer and get yourself organized. Then all you have are several beautiful colored boxes in your closet full of useless things. Just like a vessel, all those things were made to be useful in some way. Our lives as Christians are to be vessels for Christ. I just wonder sometimes how many of us are just taking up space. How can you as the elect women of God be the type of vessel Christ would have us be? 1

2 V- Virtuous. Are you a virtuous woman? Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Prov 31:10 (KJV) Virtuous means characterized by moral virtue, usually connoting a general moral excellence. Each of you should spend time reading and understanding Proverbs Chapter 31. I think the only way one can improve in this area of your lives is to start analyzing the choices we make. Ask yourself the questions: 1. Is this fitting for me as a child of God? 2. Will this further the cause of Christ? A great way to have a check up in this area is to use the Philippians 4:8 guide in everything we do and say. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8 (KJV) Six Things to Meditate On 1. True things -- all that is in harmony with eternal truth in creation and revelation 2. Honest things -- all that is grave, decent, honorable, and Christian. 3. Just things -- all that is in harmony with justice and righteousness 4. Pure things -- all that is chaste and holy for body and soul 5. Lovely things -- all that is pleasing and tends to bless others 6. Things of good report -- all that is in harmony with the best public good, virtuous and praiseworthy I can't pass up in saying that to live that kind of life is great, but to have the solid foundation in order to live in a virtuous way to the fullest is far better. 2

3 Are you a child of God? Is your salvation settled? In order begin to improve yourself as a vessel of Christ; you must first know the Master in a reality with a vibrant living relationship with Him. Remember that virtuous means characterized by moral virtue, usually connoting a general moral excellence. This is the kind of vessel that you as the elect women of God are to be like. E- Exceptional Are you an exceptional woman? To really be a good vessel we are going to have to be exceptional. You should not be satisfied with just living a hum drum average life as a Christian. Just going through the motions won't accomplish much. You have to strive to be better, to be of a better quality of a vessel. I believe that each one can and needs to improve themselves. In a word, we need to hone our skills. It amazes me how many people will go the extra mile to make the time to pick up a class of some type to improve themselves for something. But they won't take the time to study the Bible, attend Bible study faithfully, attend church on a regular basis, or even attempt to improve themselves to be a better Christian. I like how Paul lived the Christian life. He wasn't content to be average. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 (KJV) He said This one thing I do: Three Parts to This One Thing. 1. Forget the ground you have covered in the race. You cannot waste time over the past. 2. Reach forth to that which is before you in the race. Strain every nerve and muscle and use every ounce of your strength to win. You future depends on it. You are running for your life. 3

4 3. Press toward the mark. Pursue the finish line. All runners must keep their eyes fixed on the finish, lest they be disqualified for the prize. We have to keep our eyes on the prize before us. We do not have to be mediocre. What does mediocre mean? It means average, ordinary, common, half-way In order to be of use to the Master we cannot allow ourselves to be mediocre. We have to be exceptional. S- Selfless. Are you a selfless woman? What does selfless mean: It means unselfish, self-sacrificing. If we want Christ, our Master, to use us, we are going to have to empty ourselves of self. I know it is so easy to get caught up in our selfish ways. We are human and it's something many people battle with. If we are really going to be used, we are going to have to let Christ have complete control. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 (KJV) The death of Christ on the cross shows us that there is no salvation by the law. We are crucified with Him and we live with Him. It is not really my life. It is His life that we are partaking of. The life we now live in the flesh is one of faith in Christ, who loved us, and made it possible for us to live by faith. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Cor 6:20 (KJV) 4

5 As a slave is the sole property of his master, so we, having been bought by the precious blood of Christ, are not our own. As the usable elect women of God you need to learn not to be selfish. Be of use to the Master. Have real Christian Joy! Jesus, Others, Yourself! S- Separated. Are you a separated woman? How can you ever be a vessel of use to Christ if you are living and breathing and accepting all the world has to offer and making those things manifest in our lives? Too many Christians want to live in the 'grey' areas. Personally I don't think Christians should have any 'grey' areas. There has to be some boundaries in our lives. I don't think we can look at others and what they do. I think we have to search things out for ourselves. Find what you know God would have you do. Study God's Word and find out what is right and what God requires of His children. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Cor 6:17 (KJV) The word unclean here means unclean and foul. We as Christians do not love and should not love the things of the world. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) 5

6 Two things not to love: 1. The order, behavior, fashion, and government of this world system 2. The things that make up the world system of evil and rebellion against God We need to love the Lord with all of our being. Said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matt 22:37 Love for God must come from: 1. The heart: all inward affections 2. The soul: all consciousness 3. The mind: all thoughts When our heart, soul, and mind are dedicated and consecrated totally to God, we will not have a problem with living a separated life. We will not be looking for loop-holes and grey areas. E- Exemplary. Are you an exemplary woman? What does exemplary mean? Worthy of imitation; commendable: serving as a model or pattern. If you are the type of vessel that is used of God, you will be a good example to others. The world has the philosophy that we should just 'live and let live'. As Christians we always have to be aware how others view us because we are representing Christ. We are ambassadors for the Lord. Just as an ambassador represents our country, we represent our Lord. Do you win people to Christ just by the example you live or are you a hindrance to their salvation? 6

7 Do you think other Christians would want to be the type of vessel you are? That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:10 (KJV) We must live a life of example. We must show Jesus to those we come in contact with. When we are usable and the right kind of vessel, we will glorify our Savior. L- Laboring. Are you a laboring woman? We as vessels of Christ have a job to do. Sharing Christ to a dying world should be a priority to us. If we are going to be of any use, we have to do the things Christ left us here to do. Are there things holding you back from doing those things? Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matt 9:37-38 (KJV) There are so many women who are looking and searching for love and purpose. You have what they are looking for. Jesus is the answer. As the elect women of God you need to be a constant witness of the saving power of Jesus Christ! What are ways to be a witness for Jesus? And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (KJV) The world needs Jesus. Your mission field is right outside these doors. 7

8 Be a vessel of honor, one that is useable to reach the world, one person at a time. Conclusion: 2 Timothy 2:21 talks about being "meet for the master's use." We are not our own. We are Christ's. We are His vessel. He's our Master. We are the clay so everything we do bears on how He can use us. We have to let go and let Him mold and make us. So, are you just taking up space, or are you of use to the Master? V- E- S- S- E- L- 8