In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being vessels that are transparent before God. He encourages the audience to have a purpose and motivation in life, to be sold out to God, and to be used by Him for His glory. The preacher highlights that God wants to glorify Himself through us, and that He has entrusted us with the task of preaching His gospel to the world. The sermon also emphasizes the need to be separate from unbelievers and to be fully committed to God, even in the face of trials and challenges.

Hello, this is Brother Denny. Welcome to Charity Ministries. Our desire is that your life would be blessed and changed by this message. This message is not copyrighted and is not to be bought or sold. You are welcome to make copies for your friends and neighbors. If you would like additional messages, please go to our website for a complete listing at www.charityministries.org. If you would like a catalog of other sermons, please call 1-800-227-7902 or write to Charity Ministries, 400 West Main Street, Suite 1, Ephrathieh, 17522. These messages are offered to all without charge by the freewill offerings of God's people. A special thank you to all who support this ministry. Greetings tonight in Jesus' name. Praise the Lord. God is good. I'm blessed to be here this evening to share in the joys of the Lord and what God is doing in your lives. It's a joy to hear you singing with exuberance, with all of your hearts, crying out to God, blessing and worshiping our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. That's what it's all about, isn't it? It's all about Him. He's our Savior. He's our Lord and He's our Master. Praise the Lord. Well, I missed last evening, but I had a good reason to miss it, I think. Because I got to take my son to the airport to head to Africa. And I didn't want to miss that for anything. But I do feel a little bit like I missed something last night. I heard about it with the hearing of the ear, but I wasn't here. But I rejoice in what God is doing, what He's done last night. And you know, as I was sitting here, just listening and singing with you all, I felt like, you know, is this Friday night or what? You know? Hearts set free. Hallelujah. God has put a new song in our hearts, even praise unto our God. And you can just sense the presence of the Lord here and it's so good to be here. Well, tonight I do believe that the Lord has some more things He wants to share with us. If you have your sponge not fully filled up yet, I trust we can open our Bibles and receive from the Lord again this evening. Let's open our Bibles to 2 Corinthians 6, for beginning verse. 2 Corinthians 6, and we'll begin in verse 14 and through chapter 7, verse 1. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? There is no agreement, is there? There is no concord, is there? There is no fellowship, is there? Between righteousness and unrighteousness, and between light and darkness, and between Christ and the devil, and between him that believeth with an unbeliever or an infidel. He goes on to say, verse 16, For ye are the temple of the living God. As God has said, I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, sayeth the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and my daughters, sayeth the Lord Almighty. Glory. Chapter 7, verse 1. Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Now also turn with me to 2 Timothy, chapter 2. 2 Timothy, chapter 2. Let's begin in verse 15. 2 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, but shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will eat, as doth a canker, of whom is Hymenus and Philetus, who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some. 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 earth, some to honor and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of the pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing they do gender strife. And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, have to teach, patient in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. I'd like for us to stand together for prayer. If you could do that. Stand together please at this time. Our Father in heaven, O God. Lord, we stand in awe at Thy presence. Father, we bow our hearts before You, Lord. And we acknowledge, Lord, that You're the Lord. Lord, You're the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. O Lord, and tonight, Father, we confess, Lord, with our tongues and we bow our hearts, Lord, before You, God. And we ask You, Father, that You would come, Lord, here this evening, Lord, in Your power of Your Spirit, Lord, to speak unto our hearts, Lord. O Father, quicken the word unto us, Lord. Have mercy upon us this evening and visit us, O God. And rend the heavens, Lord, and come, Father, for all is vain unless You come, Lord. I can do nothing of myself, Lord. It is not within man, Lord. But, Father, is it of You? So, Father, we come, Lord, and we beg of You, Father, and from the ends of the earth we cry to You, Lord. Father, would You come, Lord, and meet with Your people, Father, and visit this vine, O God. And have mercy upon us, O Lord, and save us from our iniquities and our sins, Lord. And purge and purify unto Yourself a peculiar people, Lord, a set-apart people for Your glory, for Your honor, Lord. O Father, we just thank You for each one here tonight, Lord. We thank You for the hunger and the thirst that we sense after righteousness, Lord. For then, Father, we know that there are those, Father, here in our midst, Lord, who are maybe just here for the ride or just for the fellowship, Lord, or their hearts are not with us, God, I pray in Jesus' name, Lord. O Father, that You, by Your Word and by Your Spirit, Lord, would break the rock in pieces, Lord, and like a fire You would burn, Lord. And, Father, that You would draw souls unto Yourself by Thy lovingkindness, Lord. Father, with chords of love You would draw them, Father, the hurting, the wounded, Father, the offended, Lord, the lame, the blind. O God, have mercy upon us tonight, Lord. And, Father, raise up out of this group of young people, Lord, vessels made for the Master's use, Lord, vessels prepared for every good work, Father. O Lord, vessels filled with the Holy Ghost and power to go forth and glorify Christ upon the earth, Lord. Vessels in Your hand, God. Father, that is our cry, that is our prayer. We commit it to You in Jesus Christ's name. Amen. You may be seated. A vessel for the Master's use. You know, what you do with God will determine what God will do with you. The Bible tells us that if a man will purge himself from these, from what? These. Let me read it to you in the amplified paraphrase of the Bible. It says, In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also utensils of wood and earthenware and some for honorable and noble use and some for menial use. Whosoever cleanses himself from what is unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences, will then himself be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work. Do you want to be a vessel that is fit and ready for every good work of the Master? I trust tonight I'm speaking to a lot of young people whose hearts' desire burns to be a vessel in the hand of the Master that the Master can use for their honor, for the honor and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Vessels. A vessel for the Master's use is the title this evening. You know, there are many vessels sitting here tonight. The Bible paints this picture for us that we are as vessels. The Bible says in Corinthians that we have this treasure, the treasure of the salvation and the Holy Spirit of God in our hearts and an earthen vessel that the excellency of the glory should be unto God and not unto us. Oh, tonight, my dear brothers and sisters, my dear young people, it is our hearts' desire that throughout this week of Bible school you will get a fresh hold of God and a fresh vision from God as to why you're here, what your purpose in life is, and what it's all about. Many are wandering around without purpose, aimlessly, nothing to do. They're just bored with life. But I'm glad here tonight as I look upon your faces, I see something different. God has done a work in your hearts and you know why you're here. You've been called with a holy calling, set apart unto God, consecrated, prepared for the Master's use. But you know, vessels come in many different shapes and sizes. They're not all the same. But God has a desire to use every one of you tonight. You might say, well, I'm not a golden vessel. I'm not a silver vessel. But wherever you're at tonight, if your heart is a heart that loves righteousness and loves the Lord Jesus and hates iniquity, you're a vessel whom God can use tonight. You might just be a bowl. You say, all I am is a bowl. But hallelujah, if the bowl is clean, we don't mind putting things into that bowl and serve them to our guests or our friends because the bowl is clean. And tonight that's what God is looking for. He wants to take you and cleanse you and sanctify you through and through. But you know, God has done His part and He is calling you tonight. He is speaking to your hearts throughout this week, I believe. And now the Bible tells us that if we will be a vessel prepared for the Master's use, if any man purge himself. You see, God has made all the provision. But it's up to us. He's not going to force any one of us to do a cleansing and a purging of the vessel. How does your vessel appear tonight? As God looks down upon this audience and He sees all of these vessels here, what does He see in our vessels tonight? As He looks into our cups. You know, they're transparent before the Lord. As I look out across this audience tonight, I can't see what all is in that vessel. But God sees what's in that vessel. And God has a plan and a purpose for your life. So many are just wandering around, like I said, aimlessly, without purpose, without aim, and without a motivation for life. I know of no greater blessing and greater joy than for young people, middle-aged, older people to be sold out to God and to be vessels that are able to be picked up by the Master. Oh, able to be picked up by Almighty God Himself and to be used for His glory, to show forth His might and His glory to an unbelieving world, and to a lost and a dying world. God wants to glorify Himself in these earthen vessels. Isn't that amazing? God didn't send angels to do the job. He sent us to go forth into all the world and preach His glorious Gospel. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! A vessel for the Master. You know, the Master isn't just going to pick up any vessel and use it. Like I said a moment ago, what we do with God, what we do with His Word will determine what He will do with us. He is looking for vessels that are sanctified, consecrated, set apart, prepared for the Master's use for every good work. I don't believe anything would please the Lord more than as He looks across His audience that there would be those vessels that are fully surrendered. Just like we were singing, Oh, Lord, I am fondly, earnestly longing. I'm longing, Lord, into Thy holiness and into Thy likeness and into Thy image to grow. I'm thirsting for more and deeper communion emptied of sin and self would I be. The wells of salvation are open tonight. God's opportunity of grace stands before us tonight. Tonight we can yet come and be cleansed and have our vessels cleansed and purified through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us, If a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and neat for the Master's use. You know, when I think of vessels, just earthen vessels, just people like you and I, I think of there in James where it says, Elias, Elijah, he was a man of like passion just like you and I. But Elijah knew his God and Elijah prayed and the heavens shut up and no more rain fell for three and a half years at his prayers. You know, we can look at that and we can read that and say, yeah, but that was Elijah. But that's why it's found in the New Testament to remind us again that God is the same God. He hasn't changed. Where is the God of Elijah? We might say. But we might turn that around and say, where is the Elijah's of the same God that he served? So Elijah prayed again and the heavens gave rain. Glory! Just an earthen vessel. A man of like passion just like we. But do you know what? He was a set apart vessel. He was a consecrated vessel. He wasn't playing games with the devil and the world that he lived in. He wasn't partaking of their idolatry and sneaking down there and eating at their tables. No. He was separated, consecrated, set apart under God. And these things are written for our learning upon whom the ends of the world are come that we might look at a man like Elijah and gain hope and strength and courage in our own hearts tonight. That the God of Elijah is the same today as He was then. He hasn't changed. When I think of just earthen vessels, oh, there are so many examples we can go to. Vessels for the Master's use. I think of Joseph. Joseph. A vessel for the Master's use. Joseph was sold, taken down to Egypt, and Joseph was tested in Egypt. But Joseph's heart was right before his God, or he could have never passed those tests. Do you think he could have? If his heart would have been filled with bitterness against his brothers and unforgiveness, do you think he could have passed the test? I don't think so. But Joseph knew his God, and he was consecrated and set apart under God. And as the days went by, they're in sinful Egypt. And we might say we're in sinful America. I mean, you don't know how bad it is. You don't know what I'm tempted with. You don't know how terrible it is. I don't believe it was any more terrible than Joseph, what he faced. He was there in the house, and everything that his Master had was given into his charge. And then his Master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she tried to get him to sin against God. But Joseph, oh, listen to his words, he said, how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? And he stood steadfast against all of her advances toward him. But you know, like the old devil is, he didn't give up that easy. The Bible says that it came to pass as she spake to Joseph day by day, this temptation continued, this trial of his faith continued, this test against him continued. And as it came to pass, she spake to Joseph day by day. But he hearkened not unto her. He hearkened not unto her. To be with her, it says. He didn't give any room. He didn't get in and see how close he can get without falling into it. But he didn't have anything to do more than what he had to in the house to fulfill his duties, I believe. So one day he had to go in the house to fulfill his duties. And we know what happened. There was nobody else around. And she came again and said, okay, now here's the opportunity. There's nobody else here. Ah, but Joseph knew the all-seeing eyes of God were here. Oh, glory! And he knew again, how could I do this thing and sin against my God, whom I serve? You know, if we don't have a fear of God in our hearts, if we don't have the law of God written upon the tables of our hearts, then nothing can keep us from sinning. We must have the law of God written upon the tables of our hearts. We can't set up enough of church standards and rules to keep you from sinning. We can't do it. But I'll tell you, if you have the Holy Ghost in your heart, and you have the fear of God upon your heart, and you know that God is here, oh, then you won't sin. No matter if the preacher's there or not. No matter if there's any brother to see you or not. No matter if you're in the house all by yourself with that evil one. And Joseph, he passed the test. He fled. She caught his garment, but he left his garment in her hand and fled and got him out. I like that. Joseph. You see, Joseph. He was a vessel. He was a vessel fit, prepared for the Master's use, and there was no secret lust in his heart. There was no secret desires in his heart that if the opportunity presented itself, I might just take a second look. That wasn't in his heart, or he could have never stood. He was a vessel, sanctified, set apart, consecrated for the Master's use. And God was looking down from heaven. Glory! Oh! Do you think God was pleased that day when Joseph won the victory? And he went into prison and he suffered and all those other things that happened to him there? But the Bible says God was with him. You know, God was with him in the prison, and He made all things prosper in His hand in the prison. Tonight, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if God be with you and for you, then who can be against you? It matters not if they put you in prison. It matters not if they put you in the stocks. They only sang at midnight when that happened because they were with God and God was with them. A vessel for the Master's use. Oh, when I think of vessels, I think of Daniel. Just an earthen vessel, but a man who knew his God and set apart for God. Daniel. Just listen. We could turn to all these Bible verses, but we'll give you the verses. In Daniel chapter 1, we see that Daniel was taken down there. He was separated in captivity there and away from his family and his people. And the king there wanted to fatten him up with some good wine and some good steak. But Daniel. Daniel purposed in his heart he would not defile himself with a portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank. Daniel had conviction in his heart. Daniel had a backbone to stand up against the commandment of the king. Daniel. Just an earthen vessel like you and I. But may we say a pure vessel? May we say a holy vessel? May we say an uncompromising vessel? Yes. Indeed. There was no desire to taste that king's wine. I just wonder what a little bit of the world would taste like. He could have had it. He could have said, well, you know, the king's asking, requesting, I don't know if I have an option. But he purposed in his heart, the Bible says, that he would not defile himself with a portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. And we know his request was granted. Daniel, just an earthen vessel. But he knew his God. And he was separated apart unto God. You know, what do you think God wants to do with your life? You think God would like to set you forth as an example like a Daniel? Isn't it about time that there be some holy, consecrated, sanctified vessels to show forth the glory of God to this wicked world and generation in which we live? Isn't it about time? Daniel stood the first test. Later the king had a dream and he wanted Daniel to interpret the dream. He heard that he can interpret dreams. And he said, I'll tell you what, Daniel, if you'll show me the interpretation, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet. This is found in Daniel 5, verse 16. Thou shalt be clothed with scarlet and have a chain of gold about thy neck. And thou shalt be third ruler in the kingdom. Now listen to Daniel. Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself and give thy rewards to another. There was not an ounce of covetousness within him or lust for that money or those clothing or those golden chains and that honor. Oh, that God would raise up Daniels who are so satisfied with Jesus, so in love with the Lord, that nothing that this world has to offer can buy them. Because they're bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus, and they know it. And therefore they're going to glorify God in their life and in their body and in their spirit, which are God's. They're not their own. Offer me a million dollars. You can have it. But I'll tell you the truth. I like Daniel. He said you can have your money. You can keep your gifts to yourself. But I'm going to tell you the interpretation of your dream, king. Well, Daniel, the Bible tells us he was a man with an excellent spirit in him and there was a jealousy against him. And the presidents and the princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find none occasion nor fault for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Now, he was under the scrutiny of those over him. It says there the presidents and the princes, those around him, but they couldn't find anything in him. Oh, that we, the New Testament says, that we might live blameless in this world, that our testimony would be such that when they seek to find fault against us, they can't find it. But if they can find it because of the way we worship God and we will not compromise with His world, amen, let them find that. If they are offended because of that, then the Bible says they shall be and they shall hate us for that. But they couldn't find any fault in him because he was a faithful man. We need more Daniels. Faithful men. A faithful man who can find a faithful man that will not be bought with money or with wine or with gold or with fame and fortune. I'll make you third ruler. It doesn't matter. I'm seated in heavenly places with my King Jesus. I'm far above that stuff. Oh God, give us hearts like that. So they made a decree, and a statute, a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save the King, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now Daniel, in chapter 6 and verse 10, it says when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled down upon his knees and prayed three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime. Daniel was a man of prayer. Daniel prayed three times a day that it is written here and recorded for us. And he kneeled down and he opened up his window and he prayed to God. And Daniel knew the decree was signed. He knew the writing was signed that whoever should ask a petition of any other God, then the King should be thrown into the lion's den. And of course, these men assembled and they knew Daniel. They thought, sure, Daniel, he doesn't regard man. He doesn't care. But he's going to get it this time. And so there they were and they found him praying and making supplication before his God. Daniel wasn't just saying, now I lay me down to sleep prayer. He was making supplication before God. So they brought Daniel and they cast him into the den of lions. And the King spake unto Daniel and he said, the God whom thou service continually, he will deliver thee. Ah, there was something in Daniel's life that the King said. Daniel, your God whom you serve so faithfully, He's going to deliver you. Imagine that. The King said that, it says. That's in Daniel 6.16. Well, I don't know how sure the King was because the next morning he rose up early and went with haste to the den of lions and he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel and said, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God whom thou service continually able to deliver thee from the lions? Then he heard his voice. Daniel said, O King, live forever. My God has sent his angel and has shut the lion's mouth. If they have not hurt me for as much as before him, my God, innocence he was found in me and also before thee, O King, have I done no hurt. Then the King was exceeding glad for him and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den. Now listen to this. This is very key words. And no manner of hurt was found upon him because he believed in his God. Daniel believed in his God and he served his God continually. It wasn't an on-off type thing, you know. Well, when I feel like it, if it's convenient, I'll serve Him. If it causes embarrassment, I won't. No, he served his God continually. So much so that the King said, the God whom thou service continually, He will deliver you. No manner of hurt was found upon him because he believed in his God. Oh, glory! Just an earthen vessel. Daniel was no different than you or I here tonight. But Daniel, there was no fault found in that vessel. The vessel was clean. The vessel was free from covetousness and idolatry. The vessel was free from wanting to be somebody and be raised up in rank before all to be seen. Oh no, he said, you just keep that to yourself. I'll just be a servant of the Most High God whom I serve continually. Oh, glory! Just a vessel, but a pure vessel, a holy vessel, a sanctified, set-apart vessel. And tonight, you can be the same. What you do with God will determine what He'll do with you. He that will purge himself from these shall be a vessel neat, prepared for the Master's use. A fit vessel for every good work. Just a vessel. Just an earthen vessel, the Bible says, that the excellency of the glory would be of God and not of us. I don't know who put this up here. This is a little more like an earthen vessel maybe. One that was through the fire and stood the test. And here it is, a vessel. Mmm, sweet candle in there. Fragrant candle. Is your life a fragrance? A fragrance for God. A vessel. Just an earthen vessel We could talk about Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego. We could talk about Esther. We could talk about a lot of earthen vessels whom God glorified Himself in. I'd like to talk about one more. David. David. David in 1 Samuel, chapter 17. David went out to see his brothers. To see how the war is going. And he got out there and behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines and spake according to these words. And David heard them. And all the men of Israel, when they heard them and they saw this Goliath, they fled from him and were sore afraid. Now listen to David. David, chapter 17 of 29 of 1 Samuel said, And David said, Is there not a cause? David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him. Thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. Saul said to David, You're not able to go and fight with him. Thou art but a youth. David, you're but a youth. And he's a man of war from his youth. Just an earthen vessel. Just a youthful vessel. You know, sometimes we say, Oh, careful now. Too much youthful zeal, you know. But you know, I like zeal. He said, Isn't there a cause? Why are all you men running? Isn't there a cause? David had a little bit of experience. He knew his God. He knew how big his God was. He said, I kept thy father's sheep and there came a lion and a bear and took them out of the flock. And I went and smote him and delivered this lamb out of the mouth of the bear and the lion. And when he rose up against me, I caught him by his beard and smote him and slew him. Wow! Oh, Saul, he said, well, hmm. But you know, David wasn't finished. He said, you know, thy servant slew both the lion and the bear and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them. My, you're talking pretty big. Little fella. You're youth. Here's Saul, older. Oh, we need to learn from you younger ones. He said, thy servant. I'm nobody big. Nobody special. Just a servant. Just a servant. But it makes a difference who we serve, doesn't it? Who are you serving tonight? Who's your God? Where's your loyalty? Where's your love of your heart? Where's the motions of your heart moving you? Are you a servant of the Most High God? This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them because, you see, there's a reason. Seeing as He has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover, the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. So we know. We know the story. But I'd like to read a little more of it for you right from the Word. It tells us that He took His staff in His hand and He chose Him five smooth stones out of the brook and put them in a shepherd's bag which He had even in a script and a sling within His hand. And He drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David. And the man that bared the shield went before Him. And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him for he was but a youth. He was but a youth. Ruddy and of fair countenance. Fresh-faced. Just a lad. He wasn't all pale and trembling. The Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. But those curses didn't mean a thing. I think we better wake up. The child of God who knows His God and is secure under His God, let Goliath curse his curses. It didn't shake him a bit. I don't know what he all said. It doesn't tell us what his curses were. They're not recorded. It wasn't necessary. The Philistine said to David, Come to me and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air and to the beasts of the field. And then David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear and a shield. But I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts. The God of the armies of Israel whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand and I will smite thee and take thy head from thee and I will give the carcass to the hosts of the Philistines this day to the fowls of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel and all this assembly shall know the Lord saveth not with sword and spear for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands. Oh! Isn't it time for a David? Isn't it time for a David? Just a vessel. Just an earthen vessel. Just a youth. But he was sold out to God. And he knew his God. And in that earthen vessel there was no secret sins. There was no compromising and playing games with the Philistines. We'll go over and beat them in baseball. No! Now I tell you, you laugh about that, but it's not so funny. The Christian so-called sports events are playing against the Philistine sporting events. And they're playing together on the field forgetting all about the real war and the battle. And they're getting sucked in and caught into it and they're falling asleep on the battlefield. Now you're smiling back there, but I tell you, it's nothing to laugh about. Do you think if David would have been playing around with Goliath's children and they'd have just had a good friendship, you know, there was none of that stuff. There was clear lines drawn. You're either with God or you're not. And that's how it is tonight. We might not see it as clearly yet, but I believe the day is not far away and we will see it clear. All those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. We don't know what yet lies before us, but oh, that we would be of those who know our God. As it says there in Daniel, those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. The world will get more wicked and wickedness will increase and all kinds of rampant sin going on around us. And into the churches, so-called, ordaining queers into places of ministry. It's terrible. God have mercy upon us. David, just an earthen vessel, but he knew his God. He hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. He sent out a stone and slain it and he smote the Philistine in the forehead that the stone sunk into his forehead and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and smote the Philistine and slew him, but there was no sword in the hand of David. You see, when we're on God's side, there's nothing too hard for God. There is nothing impossible with God. I wonder as I look out across this audience, what will God do with you? What will God do with you as you are a sanctified, set apart, purged vessel from all of the garbage of this world, from all of the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, from all of the play and dancing and fun? What will God do if you take serious the Word of the Lord tonight and you purge yourself from everything that is un-Christlike, from everything that is unholy, from everything that is defiling right down to the king's meat and his wine, and you purge yourself from everything that would be a weight to drag you down and slow you down? Oh, God hasn't changed. There's Goliaths to be slain. There's victories to be won. The battle is the Lord's, and He's on our side. If God be for us, who can be against us? Yeah, they might eventually take our head off and we'll die as a martyr, but then we'll have a martyr's crown. Hallelujah! Oh, faith of our fathers, living still! How great it would be if their children, like them, could die for Thee also, it says in the song. We want to look at a few verses. Will you purge yourself from these? The God of sports, the God of fashion, will you purge yourself from these and be a vessel, a vessel for the Master? Let's turn to Ephesians 5. Ephesians 5, verse 1. Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children, and walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor, but fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness. Let it not once be named among you as becometh saints, neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them, for ye were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, for it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things are reproved, but all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for whatsoever doeth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit. I think we'll stop reading there. If a man purge himself from these, these fornication, fornication and all uncleanness has the meaning of all impurity, lustful impurity, all immorality, all sexual vice and impurities and thoughts. If a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto the Lord, unto honor. Covetousness. If a man purge himself from these, from covetousness, desiring and coveting after gain, he says, let this not be once named among you as become a saint. And then verse four. Neither filthiness, obscenities, indecent language, filthiness, nor foolish talking, sinful, foolish talking, silly, corrupt talking, coarse chesting, boastful, proud talk. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Verse seven. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. Do not be a partaker. Do not share or associate with them. And verse eleven says, Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. If a man purge himself from silly, idle talk, from lighthearted foolishness, if a man purge himself from all evil thoughts and impure thoughts, if a man purge himself from bragging and boasting and jesting, if a man purge himself from being an associate of those unfruitful workers of darkness, be not partaker of another man's sins. Don't be party to it. Don't cover up for anybody else. If they say, Come, let us go and lay wait for blood and do this or that, but then they find out, No, you're not going. Well, don't be a cover for them either. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Be a reproof. It's a shame to even speak of those things which are done of them in secret. You know, all of those earthen vessels we lifted up tonight, can you just imagine them sitting around in foolish, silly, idle talk and then go out and slay a Goliath? I don't think so. Can you see Daniel playing the day away, laughing, having fun, knowing the decree was signed, and then, oh, it's time to say my prayers and go into the den of lions? No. I know you know that still. Well, what about us? Can we? Are we stronger than they and holier than they that we can afford to play around and play games with God? And then, be a vessel whom the Master, as He looks down from heaven, to find a vessel that He can pick up in His hand and use for His glory. You know, He'll not use a vessel that's filled with self, pride, sin, foolishness, silliness, everything fun and games. No, if the vessel is full of self and pleasure and fun and games, how can that vessel be filled with the Holy Ghost? It's already full of pleasures of this world, drowning in pleasure. Was there ever a pleasure mad throng more than what we see today? Well, perhaps when they were there in the desert and they made the golden calf and they rose up to eat and drink and play. I don't know. But we live in a day when the world is just filled with pleasure, ease, appealing to the carnal nature of man. Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. That's the philosophy of the world. But, oh, not to the Christian. A Christian says tomorrow we go to war, tomorrow we go to battle for the Lord, for the King of glory. And when we die, and if we die at the hand of these ruthless, ungodly people, we go to be with the Lord. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, well, you want to throw us in the furnace? That's up to you. But know this, we're not going to bow down to your image. We're not going to bow down. And they took those earthen vessels, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and threw them in that fiery furnace. And the fire was so hot that the men who threw them in were slain. But you know, when you go in the fiery furnace with the Master, He's there with you. As the King looked in, old Nebuchadnezzar, he saw the fourth man in there. And he said, he's like the Son of God. But you know, those things don't happen if we're just haphazardly, casually going through life, and we have a little add-on Christianity. Those things won't happen in your life. But if you're sold out for God, and you purge yourself from these, whatever they are, let God lay them on your heart tonight, you shall be a vessel prepared for the Master's use. And the Master has all power and all authority in His hand. And when the Master says, fire hath no hurt, there is no hurt in the middle of the furnace. Glory! What a mighty God we serve. Why would we play around with anything else? I'm confident tonight I'm speaking to a lot of young people here who have a heart for God, that you want to be spent for God, be that vessel that He can pick up in His hand and use. But I also believe tonight there's some here that you know there is things in your life, there's things in that vessel that are not altogether pure, that are not altogether holy, and God is laying His finger upon your heart, even tonight, even these last two days, maybe even for months already, but you haven't yet purged yourself. Maybe you're waiting for God to do it. Well, when you take the step toward God, God will take the steps toward you. The Bible says that He will purge our conscience, our heart, our very inner being, purge us with His own precious blood and wash us from all of our iniquities. But we have to take the first step. You have to be willing to lay it all on the altar and deal with that sin and deal with that pride and deal with that foolish heart of yours and deal with that silly, careless attitude. You have to choose to deal with that thing and God will meet you there and He'll cleanse you and He'll purify you. But you need to purge yourself in taking that first step and saying, Here I am, Lord. I give it all to You. I give You my life. I give You my future. I give You my plans and dreams for life. I give them all to You, Lord. I give You everything, Lord. I surrender all to Jesus. And then, there, God will meet you. Let's stand together. Father in Heaven, O Lord, God, I just pray in Jesus' name that You would show these dear young people, God, O what pleasures are at Your right hand, Lord! What wonderful things are at Your right hand, Father, for those who sell out to You, Lord, and give it all to You, Lord! O Father, for those who will forsake their own way and turn away from their sins, Lord! O God, I pray, have mercy upon us tonight, Lord, and speak to hearts tonight, Father. Lord, we just do pray, come and visit us, Lord. Let not Your Word fall to the ground, but O God, would You get a hold of some young people's hearts tonight. Lord, is it not enough, God? O Father and Lord, there are some here that aren't even born again, God. We pray You would speak to their hearts, Lord, and convict them of their sin, O God, and draw them to Yourself, Lord. O God, we just lay it before Your feet tonight, Father, and we pray, Lord, take these young people on for You, God. Pick them up and use them, Lord. O Father, and I know You will, for You're not a respecter of persons. Hallelujah! Praise You, Lord! So, Father, we just commit this time to You and ask Your will be done in Jesus' name. Let's sing a song of invitation. And if you know you need to do business with God, God has been speaking to you throughout the sessions. He's laid His finger upon your heart just come to the altar. We want to give you an opportunity to bow before the awesome majesty of our God and let Him meet your need tonight. Come, just as you are. What is our invitation song? Number 512. We'll sing for invitation. And if God is speaking to your heart, and you know there's sin in your vessel, you know there's selfishness there, you know there's unreserved areas, you come. You come and let God have His way with you. Let's sing. Washed in the deep, Are all thy powers under Jesus' control? Is thy heart right with God? Does each moment abide in thy soul? Is thy heart right with God? Art thou now walking in heaven's pure light? Is thy heart right with God? Is thy soul wearing the garment of white? Is thy heart right with God? You know, if your heart is right with God, you have that inner witness. But if you're troubled tonight, and your breast is beating, your heart is troubled within you, and you know you're walking, not in heaven's pure light, but in darkness. Are you walking in darkness tonight? Do you have hidden sin in your life? Oh, come deal with God tonight. We'll sing this verse. You come right away. It's the goodness of God that is calling you. It's the goodness of God that is convicting you. Art thou now walking in heaven's pure light? Is thy heart right with God? Is thy soul wearing the garment of white? Is thy heart right with God? Amen. You may be seated. God's blessing upon all of you who have made an earnest decision tonight to give that contamination, that thing in your vessel that is not to the honor and glory of God, that is not of the Master's use, and give it to Him. I'm going to give you the opportunity to go into the back again and find a counselor in a prayer room. Either way, if you want to be alone with God, get alone with God back there. If you want someone to pray with you, there will be brothers and sisters praying with you. And again, wrestle through with that decision that you need to make. Boys can go out here to my left again and criss-cross over in the back rooms there by the nursery and find your boy prayer rooms and your girl prayer rooms. Find your way out back there. Girls, you can go out this side, cross over in the back to your place, and just be quiet there alone with God in the holy atmosphere. Seriousness before God. Count the cost. Count the cost of your sin. Count the cost of your pleasures. And give them to the Lord Jesus.