A Pure Container

A pure Container

Titus 2:1-10

Prayer-

Good morning everyone

We begin a series today that will focus on the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I don’t think from the pulpit pastors speak into the life of believers enough the need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the power that comes from being directed and guided by the Spirit of God. To live by the Spirit of God the life that the Lord desires for us.

I have titled the message “A pure container” The only way we are able to be a pure container is to allow the Lord to be in our lives to get rid of the things that pollute us from being a vessel of honor.

It does not mean that we are perfect…it means that the Holy Spirit is allowed to lead and guide our lives.

I shared last week that it was 5 years since Covid-19 changed the way we do some things. It is also 5 years for me that my mother passed away and we had to get all of her affairs in line.

It was hard going through her things and seeing my family under such hard times.

We were not able to get closure of her death because of the Corona virus.

Just like a lot of people, we were forced to do something that we did not want to do.

I found myself praying more…

Praying that we would make the best of the trip home and the best of a bad situation.

Even though I didn’t want to do it, it was needed and there was no way to get out of it.

I found myself one morning on my mother’s pier in the back yard talking to the Lord. Having a heart to heart- anyone know what I am talking about?

This is the same pier 2 days before we left had a massive part of our 80 foot willow tree fall into the water and just miss that pier.

Why am I saying all this? Because in our troubles and trails God wants to speak to us and make us more into the image of Christ.

He wants to use us for His honor and glory.

To be a pure vessel or container

The object of a believer is to hear from the Lord, follow the Lord and become more the image of the one you are following. (Repeat)

He will use these times of trial to redirect us, to refocus us, to change us, to reposition us so that we can experience Him fresh and new.

Do you want that? I hope so.

Are you personally willing to allow the Lord to do whatever is needed in your life?

To surrender our lives.

To say that you want more of God and you want the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you is important, but more important is allowing Him to be able to do that in our lives.

Apostle Paul wrote letters to Timothy and Titus to give them instructions for building churches, and raising leaders in a time of turmoil and a time of needed leadership.

These words are the words the Lord wants us to receive this morning.

Is there more a time for leaders to be leaders and the church to be the church?

Is there more a time for followers of Jesus Christ to be wholeheartedly surrendered and following His teaching?

The Lord is looking for you and me to be what we were created to be.

Men and women of God who are willing to be used of God.

Our Character matters!

Our Words matter!

Our Actions matter!

Now more than ever people are watching to see what you are really made of.

I want to read a portion of scripture from Titus and close with a word from Timothy to be an encouragement and also a reminder of who we are to be as Christians.

Titus 2:1-10 Read from Bible (I am reading from the passion version)

BE AN EXAMPLE- A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT A BELIEVER AND FOLLOWER OF JESUS LOOKS LIKE

Teach them to live a lifestyle that is consistent of the doctrine of Christ.

Know what you believe and live what you believe so that others will see Jesus.

Our duty is to nurture those we come in contact with God’s “goodness”

We cannot live out Ten Commandments

We have all stolen something.

We have all been jealous and coveted something that someone else has had.

We have all put things in front of God as priority in their lives.

We have all bear false witness, gossiped and lied.

Because they have not murdered anyone, most believe their goodness and kindness is enough for a holy God to let them into heaven.