❤️VESSELS OF HONOR & DISHONOR ~ ROF Broadcast Transcript, June 21, 2021 with Angela

It is very easy to discern just who belongs to Jesus and who does not at the moment — what we seek and talk about is what we are full of.  Period.  What we are fixated on is on the throne of our hearts, no doubt.  And what is within, is coming out of us and most of the time… it is “us” because in the last days, many have a tendency to be… lovers of self.  How do we know?  We try to conform everyone within our reach to ourselves.  And I mean personally, this is a constant area I have to surrender to the Lord, moment by moment and thought by thought.  To respect the freewill of another and how Jesus is molding them into His image is something we must strive to overcome daily, lest we deceive ourselves in a most horrific way.  This is also a topic rarely discussed – or at least I’ve rarely heard anyone speak about it.  And yet, I see it within me and others continually.

The purifying love of Jesus is the fire which burns away all of our iniquities, as a purposed vessel.  Like a burning and shining lamp, which lights the way to Jesus – always and continually, not only giving Him glory without ceasing – but also encouraging others to do the same.

All who belong to the Lord, turn away from evil and His special vessels – play a part in keeping themselves clean, pure and undefiled.  From the moment we say yes to the Lord, He washes away every sin, throwing it into the sea of forgetfulness – but it is our choice whether or not we seek His righteousness continually and stay clean, becoming a witness unto His majesty of light and love, His vessel of usage while here on Earth…. Entering into the Promised Land of abiding with Jesus continually – giving up everything to follow Him, looks a lot different than just Sunday worship.

This is the invitation to life and life more abundantly, which requires full and total surrender to the Lord and letting go of all excuses of why we cannot follow in His footsteps.  This commitment is a total release, never filled with excuses of why we can’t and what we have to do first and go back to get or tend to. 

The Word of God is a light unto our feet and when we lay it to heart, it gives us great direction and purpose to see more clearly His instruction to enter into life, without snares, fear and obstacles in that we become overcomers over all things grounded in truth.

Today we are going to study –

2 Timothy

Chapter 1:

We have been so blessed to have within us His love and a sound mind, no longer walking in fear of anything which has come or is coming.

Our calling is one of holiness, unattainable by works – but because of Jesus’s purpose and grace.

Death was defeated – so it is not to be feared.

Suffering may come for a moment, but is not purposed for us to be ashamed but rather for us to give to Him to keep us pure.

In order to be of a sound mind and sober we must receive fully the words written in Scripture, as the Holy Spirit will keep us continually when we are seeking truth.

Chapter 2:

When times are hard – we are not to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life, but remain a good soldier for the Lord and seek to be pleasing only to Him – He will grant us understanding about all things, if we seek Him continually.

We may suffer at times, often by the hands of others – but God’s word is not bound and we shall be released.  If we die to self, in Him we shall have life.

Those that suffer shall reign with Him – but if we deny Him, He will deny us.

Study to show yourself approved before God alone so that you are able to rightly divide the word of truth.  (Humans speak many things – but without familiarity with what God said, you cannot discern what is and is not of the Lord)

Shun (reject, do not listen to or entertain) profane and vain babblings – wicked/ungodly & empty/useless matters – because all that does is increase more ungodliness within you and within the World.  YOU are the doorkeepers which light up the World – never forget that…  When your light goes dim, so does the world and darkness has more freedom to operate.

Guard your speech – lest you be responsible for singlehandedly overthrowing the faith of others.

The Lord knows who is His and His plan is that all who speak His name, also depart from iniquity.

In His house are many vessels:  some of His vessels bring honor to Him and some do not. 

If we purge ourselves from seeking darkness and iniquity we shine as a vessel of honor, we are sanctified (set apart, having no darkness within us) and are prepared for every good work.  Vessels of dishonor refuse to have iniquity/darkness purged out of them.

Vessels of dishonor will not:

Flee youthful lusts (old nature)

They ask and seek foolish questions just to generate strife

They are entangled within the snare of the devil, taken captive by him at his will – and they do his bidding here on Earth – he uses them basically – these are vessels of dishonor

Vessels of honor will:

Surrender to the purging of the Lord in order to bring honor to Him in all they do

They have fled all lusts and follow righteousness, faith, charity and peace – calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart (no mixture) – they are gentle to all, teach others and are patient.  With meekness giving instruction to those who oppose themselves – knowing perhaps the Lord will grant them repentance so that they acknowledge the truth, rather than believing a lie.

VESSELS OF HONOR embrace the purification process, no longer desiring anything of darkness – give only God glory and will enter into the Promised Land spiritually speaking and eventually eternally.

VESSELS OF DISHONOR still entertain darkness – which does not give glory unto the Lord

2 Timothy is purposeful because it is written specifically for those of us remaining during “the last days…”

Chapter 3 I am well qualified to share about, because I stumbled so many times in this area by being so naïve – until the Lord Himself opened my heart, eyes and ears to only trust in Him.  And Chapter 4 is so very relevant to all of us today – we are in the season of this Chapter right now.

Chapter 3:

IN THE LAST DAYS PERILIOUS TIMES SHALL COME.

Because – growing inside the church are many who only love themselves, they want what someone else has, they boast on how they follow Jesus and their own accomplishments/wisdom, they are full of pride – egotistical, demanding people conform to their practices or ways or be damned, they are blasphemers (rail against, verbally abuse) one another – this particular Scripture is not just speaking about blasphemy against the Lord on High – but towards others, they are disobedient to those over them in the Lord or naturally, unthankful for what the Lord or others have done towards them, unholy – seeking after things which are not holy, are lacking natural affection – which means “unloving,” trucebreakers – meaning falsely accuse, incontinent/unreasonable, fierce – forceful, despise those who are seeking a righteous life, traitors/betray others, highminded/convinced they know it all regarding the Bible, Jesus, religion, love pleasure more than they love God and lastly – they appear to be righteous and Holy and yet they lack the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them and are operating on their own —- Thus sayeth the Lord – FROM SUCH PEOPLE TURN AWAY from them – so that we do not get entangled, mingled, made impure, or simply put – turn away from them so that we do not become like them, by conforming to their ways.

I told you this chapter was a reflection of the old me…  so here it is:  these sort of people sneak in to fellowship with you/hide to abide with you by taking captive silly women laden with sins who are easily deceived due to their own internal lusts and lead them away to follow after them, because they are always in learning mode, never embracing the knowledge of the truth.  Ladies – we seem to have this struggle more than men, so always be cautious.

These men/women resist the truth because their minds are corrupt and reprobate concerning their faith.  Again…  what has corrupted their minds?  Their designed FAITH and they generally have no heart of repentance and get greatly offended if you point out something they themselves are doing wrong.

Thankfully and glory to God — They shall proceed no further and their folly (understanding/madness) will be revealed before all.

Everything we’ve endured – the afflictions, persecutions, etc… the Lord will deliver us from them all.

Everyone who chooses to live a Godly life in Jesus shall suffer persecution.

We’ve been warned that – evil men who seduce others shall increase in number and plots as they are deceived and bent on deceiving others.  Our only protection is to continue in what we have learned and been assured of in truth this whole time we’ve been following Jesus and to know who we are following after and heeding to – and here is the most important part – that from a child you’ve known the Holy scriptures, which made you wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus alone.  All scripture is given by inspiration from God – SO DON’T QUESTION IT OR WAIVER no matter who says what to you – Scripture profits us/benefits us in our souls for doctrine (to measure by), reproof (manifested proof), correction in our walks – keeping us on the straight and narrow path and gives us instruction on what and how to apply righteousness into our lives based on Jesus’s righteousness due to the fact ours is shady at best.

Scripture is imperative as a child of God so we are complete to do His works, not our own.

We are to be holy in all manner of conversation.  This applies to words spoken and heard.  So if it isn’t holy, we should not be inviting it into our lives and entertaining unholy speech another day.  Remember – turn away from those who speak about unholy things, as the Lord instructed us.

Chapter 4:

When Jesus appears in His Kingdom – He will judge those full of life and the dead, so we are given a command to PREACH THE WORD in an instant all the time – continually, no matter what season we are in as His disciples.  Nothing shared is to override the preaching of the word of the Gospel – no topics are to take precedence for those who are vessels of honor, for the disciples of Jesus – for those who are chosen out of the many who are called..  Preaching the Word is not isolated to mere preachers, but is a supernatural ability and desire for all those who love Jesus and are considered an endtime harvest worker – you, me, all of those who are vessels of honor are purposed to reprove, rebuke and exhort by the leading of the Holy Spirit, it simply is not an option or a gift, but a commissioned delight.  We have been given an assignment to make disciples of all men.

Reprove – Convict, correct, expose darkness by shedding the light of truth, chasten

Rebuke – Forbid

Exhort with longsuffering and doctrine – Strive with, encourage, instruct, teach, strengthen with patience, consistency, perseverance, bearing another’s burdens

And why?  Well, this is where we are today and the purity of the heart in this season is being revealed.  A heart set on Jesus is open to correction because they want all the wisdom possible to be more pleasing to Her bridegroom.  To the measurement we have died to self, the less offended we shall be.

What is unfolding?  The time has come when “they” will not endure sound doctrine (the written words) because they have lust for things which are not in the Word – they heap unto themselves – crave, seek, receive, search for to hear – from teachers who satisfy their itching ears.  It is almost as if they cannot help themselves – like this lust for knowledge is an insatiable, unquenchable lust that will never be enough or satisfied.

Take for example a chigger bite – you all have had one of those before right?  No matter what you do, you cannot stop itching it – the only relief you get is if you smother the area and it dies.  You itch it, have a moment of relief then have to itch it again and again.  Same is the quest for what the Lord calls “fables” of men, knowledge that may possibly be permissible in your life but is not profitable to add holiness into your life in anyway.

Those with itching ears turn their ears away from the simplicity of truth found only in sound doctrine and seek falsehoods.  The Bible defines a fable as:  a narrative, story, invented falsehood, a tale or myth.  And I cannot remember a time in all my years that the church has been so inundated with fables as it is right now.

1 Timothy 1:4 & 7tells us to not give heed (listen to) fables because it generates questions and does not edify godly faith and that we are to refuse profane old wives’ fables, but instead practice godliness.

Titus 1:14 says these fables are like commandments of men that turn others from truth.

2 Peter 1:16 says it best –

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Shouldn’t that be true of us, as well?  To stand in truth, to not be swayed by the satisfying of the itch to even hear falsehoods of intrigue? 

This is just my opinion and pearl…  Could this most possible be the great falling away and although few may be able to discern it – it is happening right now at an alarming and increasing rate.

Like always, the Word gives such perfect instruction to apply into our daily lives.  If we continue on in 2 Timothy 4 we have some of that instruction for us personally to apply into our own lives.

It tells us to WATCH ourselves in all things, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS and DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST (those who bring good tidings of the Lord Jesus and are not apostles – so this is a command for us all, each one of us who follow in Jesus’s footsteps) in order to MAKE FULLPROOF your ministry.  When you make something foolproof, it cannot be altered or penetrated by any foolish means.  It also means to remain IN TRUTH UNTIL THE VERY END.  Which totally compliments the wise and foolish virgins.  Wise virgins are not given over to fables in this case, but foolish ones are not firm in their foundation so their lights will eventually go out – THEIR FAITH IS NOT FOOLPROOF because they have chosen the broad way over the narrow way.

Lastly, Verse 8 has within it one of my favorite scriptures which reads:

Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but to unto all them also that love His appearing.

Oh my – how I cling to those words on bad days.  This scripture is not talking about today – it is a promise of a future day, the day when Jesus appears.  Do you love the thought of His appearing one day?  Oh boy I sure do and I often dream of that day. 

Please do not let anyone steal your crown… Let’s read it:

Revelation 3:11 – Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which you have, that no man take your crown.

Royalty, chosen vessels of honor – are the only ones with a crown, meaning victorious over every single obstacle the enemy throws their way to distract them from the simplicity found in Jesus.

There are six crowns mentioned in the Bible, to save time I will just name them and where to find them in the Word.

– “the crown of life” (James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10),

– “a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8),

– “a crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4),

– “a crown of rejoicing” (1Thessalonians 2:19),

– “an incorruptible crown” (1 Corinthians 9:25), and

– “crowns of gold” (Revelation 4:4).

Please don’t be intimated by the word crown or let the enemy tell you that you are not worthy.  A crown just simply represents being victorious over something in your life through Jesus.  Not to mention it is worn upon the head, representing the mind of Christ in place of a carnal mind.  So of course it makes sense why many would not love His appearing… they prefer to relish in or make excuses for sin and dance with darkness, rather than overcome it.  So no… they do not love His appearing at all and when He does appear their faces will gather blackness and it will be a terrible day for them, but great for us for when He does appear we shall shine like the son at the brightness of His coming.

There are many people out there right now who do come in the Name of Jesus as their Savior and yet they are in a very subtle way drawing our attention away from Him, weakening His power and triumphant sovereignty over evil, death and darkness.  They are upholding a different angle of doctrine, which is deconstructing the simplicity of Jesus and His Word, His teachings, His signs, etc…  In essence, they are glorifying evil – ever learning in knowledge based doctrines and fables, having no love for the truth.  It is true they may sprinkle in a little bit of Jesus to keep us engaged – which is why mixture is so dangerous and subtle.

2 Thessalonians 2 speaks about the day of the Lord and exactly what precipitates His appearing….

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, ² not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of ^[a]Christ had come. ³ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…

And I stopped there for a reason… because when people hear this Scripture they only hear one thing most of the time… that the man of perdition is revealed.  Which is the lesser meaning to this word… but for some reason it is all people fixate on, again intrigue with darkness overshadows the love of truth in so many people.

The warning message for us is not about the man of sin, but that we can be shaken in mind or troubled by a spirit, a word or a letter or that we can be deceived by many means and that Jesus will not come again until the falling away comes first…

You are may want to review all of 2 Thess. Again… such a timely word for us, due to the strong delusion so many are falling into – I must admit it is very hard and heartbreaking to watch.

But in all that – we will hold fast to our crown, to the promise of Jesus’s appearing and love it, hunger for it, desire it as He alone is our blessed hope.  Amen?

So right now in our master’s kingdom are vessels of honor and dishonor.  It is our choice which vessel we will be.  With the Lord’s help, if our desire unites with His power – we shall be cleaned and continue on this journey of refining into a vessel of honor.  But remember, the Lord does not go against our freewill – just as He did not intervene in Adam and Eve’s freewill. 

I think sometimes we forget just why we were created to begin with…  In Isaiah 43:7 – it says we are created for HIS GLORY and verse 10 says – We are to be His witnesses here on Earth and the servant He chose so others would believe and see Him and understand that He really is God and it is repeated at the end of the verse again – THEREFORE YOU ARE MY WITNESSES SAITH THE LORD, THAT I AM GOD.

So it is no wonder the enemy wants to wear us out during these last days and keep us a distracted witness, rather than a vessel to witness of the glory of the Lord on high.  Every single thought we have that is not edifying or word we speak that does not lift up the name of the Lord, are just thoughts and words that gratify the plans of the enemy.  That’s surely a sobering thought, yes? 

Before I go, I want to share with you all one of my personal favorite scriptures that just wraps around my soul in comfort to encourage me to keep pressing on towards the Prize…

It is in Philippians 4 and is a heartfelt letter to – the dearly beloved, who is his joy and crown – to encourage them to stand fast in the Lord.  Today it is my message to each one of you.  Not my words, but definitely is the desire of my heart in prayer for your lives each day.

Philippians 4:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ 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.

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

May Jesus keep your hearts and minds pure and may we all learn to be content in plenty and in want knowing we have found life everlasting in Jesus.