“A Vessel for Noble Purposes” “貴重的器皿” 提後 2 Tim 2:20-26

Read (請讀): 2 Timothy 2:20-26 提摩太後書 2:20-26

提後 2 Tim 2:20–21 (NIV) 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 20 在大戶人家，不但有金器銀器，也有木器瓦器‧有作為貴重的，有作為卑賤的‧ 21人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事‧

提後 2 Tim 2:22–24 (NIV) 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 22 你要逃避少年的私慾，同那清心禱告主的人追求公義，信德，仁愛，和平‧23 惟有那愚拙無學問的辯論，總要棄絕‧因為知道這等事是起爭競的‧24 然而主的僕人不可爭競，只要溫溫和和的待眾人，善於教導，存心忍耐.

提後 2 Tim 2:25–26 (NIV) 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 25 用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人‧或者神給他們悔改的心，可以明白真道‧ 26 叫他們這已經被魔鬼任意擄去的，可以醒悟，脫離他的網羅‧

I. An illustration on the kingdom/church value and believers’ significance. 一個闡明基督徒在天國及教会裡 价值的例子. (2:20; 賽 Isaiah 29:16; 41:25; 45:9; 64:8; 耶 Jer 18:1-10; 羅 Rom 9:21; 林後 2Cor 4:7) 提後 2 Timothy 2:20 (NIV84) 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 在大戶人家，不但有金器銀器，也有木器瓦器‧有作為貴重的，有作為卑賤的‧

人非有信就不能得神的喜悅‧因為到神面前來的人,必須信有神,且信他賞賜那尋求他的人‧ II. Value systems of God and of the world. 神的和世界的價值系統. (來 Heb 11:6; 林前 1Cor 3:10-15; 林後 2Cor 5:9-10) 來 Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 人非有信就不能得神的喜悅‧因為到神面前來的人,必須信有神,且信他賞賜那尋求他的人‧

III. God’s role and our role in our significance in His Kingdom III. God’s role and our role in our significance in His Kingdom. 定基督徒在天國价值的神的角色及我們的角色. (2:20-21; 弗 Eph 2:8-10; 羅 Rom 12:3-8; 林前 1Cor 12:17-18) (賽 Isaiah 29:16; 41:25; 45:9; 64:8; 耶 Jer 18:1-10; 羅 Rom 9:21; 林後 2Cor 4:7) 提後 2 Timothy 2:20–21 (NIV84) 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 20 在大戶人家,不但有金器銀器,也有木器瓦器‧有作為貴重的,有作為卑賤的‧ 21 人若自潔,脫離卑賤的事,就必作貴重的器皿,成為聖潔,合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事‧

弗 Ephesians 2:8–10 (NLT) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 8 你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信，這並不是出於自己，乃是神所賜的‧9 也不是出於行為，免得有人自誇‧10 我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裡造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是神所預備叫我們行的‧

羅馬 Romans 9:21 (NLT) 窯匠難道沒有權柄，從一團泥裡拿一塊作成貴重的器皿，又拿一塊作成卑賤的器皿麼‧ 21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 窯匠難道沒有權柄，從一團泥裡拿一塊作成貴重的器皿，又拿一塊作成卑賤的器皿麼‧

林後 2 Cor 4:7 (NIV) 我們有這寶貝放在瓦器裡，要顯明這莫大的能力，是出於神，不是出於我們‧ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 我們有這寶貝放在瓦器裡，要顯明這莫大的能力，是出於神，不是出於我們‧

IV. How can we become a vessel for God’s noble purposes IV. How can we become a vessel for God’s noble purposes? 基督徒如何能成為神國度貴重的器皿? (2:21; 弗 Eph 2:8-10) 提後 2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV84) 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事‧

Vessels for Noble Purposes 貴重的器皿 (2:2-6) Effective teacher (高果效/优良的教師) (2:2) Good soldier (忠誠的士兵) (2:3-4) Competitive athlete (努力競賽的運動員) (2:5) Hardworking farmer (勞苦的農人) (2:6)

Vessels for Ignoble Purposes 不貴重(卑賤)的器皿 (2:2-6) Bad teacher (不良的教師) (2:2) Bad soldier (不良的士兵) (2:3-4) Non-competitive athlete (不好的運動員) (2:5) Lazy farmer (懶惰的農人) (2:6)

A. A cleansed life 清潔的生活 2 Timothy 2:21a (NIV) If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes. 人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿.

B. Set apart for God’s purpose 分別出來為主所用 (2:21b) Sanctified, (2:21b) 成為聖潔,

C. Make himself useful to God 合乎主用 (2:21c) Useful to the Master 合乎主用

D. Ready to go! 準備好了立刻作工! (2:21d) “Prepared to do any good work!” “預備行各樣的善事!”

V. Characteristics of a vessel for noble purposes. 神國度貴重噐皿的特性 A pure heart. (純潔的心) (2:22) A discerning mind. (分辨的智慧) (2:23) A gentle & humble spirit. (温柔謙卑的灵) (2:24-25a) A compassionate attitude. (憐憫的態度) (2:25b-26)

A. A pure heart 純潔的心 (2:22) 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (NIV) 你要逃避少年的私慾，同那清心禱告主的人追求公義，信德，仁愛，和平‧

B. A discerning mind 分辨的智慧 (2:23) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. (NIV) 惟有那愚拙無學問的辯論，總要棄絕‧因為知道這等事是起爭競的‧

C. A gentle and humble spirit 温柔謙卑的灵 (2:24) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. (NIV) 然而主的僕人不可爭競，只要溫溫和和的待眾人，善於教導，存心忍耐，

D. A compassionate attitude 憐憫的態度 (2:25-26) 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (NIV) 25 用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人‧或者神給他們悔改的心，可以明白真道‧26 叫他們這已經被魔鬼任意擄去的，可以醒悟，脫離他的網羅‧

VI. Reward for a faithful servant (a vessel for noble purposes) 忠心僕人(貴重噐皿) 的賞賜 (1:12; 2:11-13; 15b; 林前 1Cor 3:10-15; 林後 2Cor 5:9-10; 太 Matt 25:14-30; 路 Luke 19:11-27) 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV84) 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 為這緣故，我也受這些苦難‧然而我不以為恥‧因為知道我所信的是誰，也深信他能保全我所交付他的，直到那日‧

太 Matthew 25:21, 23 (NIV) 21 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 主人說，好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人‧你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理‧可以進來享受你主人的快樂‧

林後 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) 因為我們眾人，必要在基督台前顯露出來，叫各人按著本身所行的，或善或惡受報‧ 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 因為我們眾人，必要在基督台前顯露出來，叫各人按著本身所行的，或善或惡受報‧

VII. Personal Response 個人回應