Who's In the House? - Renewed [Family Month]: Pastor Dave Rajoon

Devotional

Day 1: Deciding to be a contributor, not just a consumer.

In every household, whether our biological family or our church family, we each have a role to play. The question is not whether we are present, but what we bring to the table. Are we actively adding value and building up those around us, or are we passively enjoying the benefits provided by others? God calls us to be people who contribute to the health and strength of our communities, sharing our gifts and resources so that everyone is blessed. This intentional shift from consumption to contribution is the first step toward a purposeful life in God’s family. [50:10]

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In your immediate family or household, what is one practical way you can shift from being a consumer of resources to a contributor of blessing this week?

Day 2: Embracing our identity as vessels for God’s use.

We are all vessels in God’s great house, each created for a specific purpose. Our value is not found in being ornate or hidden away like fine china, but in our readiness to be used by the Master. God often uses the common, everyday vessels—the pots and pans—most frequently because they are available and functional. He has placed a treasure within these earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of Him and not from us. Our calling is to be clean, available, and useful for His good work. [01:14:48]

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: Considering you are a jar of clay holding God’s treasure, what does being ‘available for the Master’s use’ look like in your current season of life?

Day 3: Cultivating a legacy of being a blessing.

The life we live now writes the testimony that will be spoken of us later. We are called to be people whose presence in our families and churches is a net gain, a source of encouragement and strength. This happens through simple, consistent acts of love: a prayer offered, a meal shared, a word of comfort spoken. A life of blessing is not about grand gestures, but a faithful accumulation of small, gracious acts that point others toward Christ and leave a legacy of God’s goodness. [01:07:59]

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one consistent, small act of service you can commit to that would make you a known blessing within your church family?

Day 4: Choosing grace and truth in our relationships.

Our interactions within God’s household must be governed by the same grace and truth that Jesus exemplified. This means we are quick to extend mercy, slow to criticize, and committed to restoring others with humility. We are our brother’s and sister’s keeper, called to protect one another’s reputations and to help carry one another’s burdens. This approach rejects a culture of shooting our wounded and instead builds a family that is strong, safe, and full of compassion. [01:20:31]

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life where you have majored in ‘truth’ without balancing it with ‘grace’? How might you initiate a gentle, restorative conversation this week?

Day 5: Pursuing practical marks of spiritual maturity.

Growing into a vessel of honor is an intentional process. It involves fleeing from what is harmful and passionately pursuing what builds up righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It requires choosing our influences wisely, refusing pointless arguments, and remaining teachable. This path demands patience with others and humility in correction, always remembering that God is at work in each person’s life. Our goal is to be contributors who build up the household of faith in tangible ways. [01:27:21]

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22, ESV)

Reflection: Which of these practical marks—fleeing harmful passions, pursuing righteousness, or walking with the right people—do you feel God is specifically highlighting for your growth right now?

Sermon Summary

Family month frames a hard but hopeful look at who belongs and how people act inside every household, whether biological or spiritual. Scripture from Acts and Second Timothy provides the lens: households can contain honor and dishonor, fine utensils and everyday pots, but practicality and purpose matter more than appearance. Households flourish when members choose to be contributors rather than consumers, deciding to add value rather than drain resources. Practical metaphors—period dramas with masters and servants, table-setting rules, and the distinction between heirlooms and everyday pots—clarify how function defines worth in a home.

The text contrasts vessels of gold and silver with vessels of wood and clay to show that usefulness, not status, determines honor. Earthly weakness carries a divine purpose: broken clay jars can hold a treasure that displays God’s power, so ordinary people with faults still become means of grace. Grace and truth belong together; accountability must flow from humility and restoration instead of public condemnation. Community life needs patience, teachability, gentle correction, and intentional friendship so that discipleship forms inside everyday routines.

Concrete steps toward becoming a vessel of honor include repentance, fleeing destructive impulses, chasing righteousness, choosing faithful companions, and refusing pointless arguments. Correction should come from a posture of humility and long-term patience, not superiority or shaming. Communion functions as a covenant reminder: the blood-bought household calls each person to keep their part, to love sacrificially, and to make the family visible as a place of restoration. The call finishes with an invitation to examine the heart, confess habitual failures, and re-commit to being a contributor—an everyday vessel sanctified and prepared for every good work.

Key Takeaways

1. Choose to be a contributor Choosing contribution reorients identity from entitlement toward service. Contribution requires regular, visible acts—sharing time, resources, and care—that reshape household culture. Small, consistent offerings matter more than occasional grand gestures because they sustain communal life and model maturity. [49:06]
2. Function defines true honor Honor comes from usefulness, not from display or status. The faith community values those who serve steadily—pots and plates used daily—over items kept only for show. Evaluating one’s role by what actually benefits others avoids vanity and fosters tangible blessing. [54:34]
3. Treasure lives in clay jars Fragile, ordinary people can carry extraordinary grace; weakness highlights divine power, not human glory. Recognizing personal limits frees reliance on God’s excellence, making ministry sustainable and humble. Embracing imperfection invites grace to operate through regular, faithful service. [74:48]
4. Pursue holiness with strategy Spiritual growth demands intentional choices: flee destructive habits, chase righteousness, and select faithful companions. Avoiding pointless arguments and cultivating teachability protect attention and character, while disciplined habits form resilience. Long-term fruit grows from steady, purposeful spiritual practices. [86:43]
5. Restore rather than publicize failure Correction must spring from humility, patience, and pastoral care, not spectacle or ridicule. Community strength depends on people who intervene gently, offer counsel, and walk alongside the weak. Restorative practices reclaim reputation and build households that reflect grace and truth together. [80:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:46] - Snow, thanks, and family month
[46:44] - Lydia and household baptisms
[49:06] - Asset or liability: choose
[50:10] - Contributor versus consumer
[53:30] - Table settings and house rules
[54:34] - Vessels: honor and dishonor
[74:48] - Treasure in earthen vessels
[86:43] - Practical steps for holiness
[92:29] - Communion as covenant
[100:07] - Invitation to self-examine
[105:00] - Dismissal and next steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (ESV)
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Observation questions

What two categories of vessels are described in the great house, and what are they made of?
According to the passage, what is required for someone to become a "vessel for honorable use"?
What is the ultimate purpose of a cleansed vessel, according to verse 21?
The sermon used the metaphor of a household to describe the church. What are some specific examples given of what it means to be a "contributor" versus a "consumer" in God's household? [50:10]

Interpretation questions

The text distinguishes between vessels for "honorable" and "dishonorable" use. What do you think makes a vessel "dishonorable" in the context of a Christian's life, and how does one cleanse themselves from it?
The sermon emphasized that "function defines true honor" rather than status or appearance. How does this concept challenge common cultural views of importance and value within a community? [54:34]
The passage states that a cleansed vessel is "useful to the master of the house." What might this usefulness look like in the practical, everyday life of a local church?
The idea of being a "vessel" implies that we are containers meant to hold something. According to the sermon, what is the "treasure" that we hold in our "earthen vessels," and why is this important? [01:14:48]

Application questions

The question was posed: "Who am I in this house? Am I a contributor or a consumer?" [49:06] What is one practical, tangible way you can shift from consuming to contributing in your church family this week?
"Function defines true honor." [54:34] Considering your current roles and relationships, what is one "ordinary" but faithful act of service you can perform that would bring genuine honor to God?
We are "jars of clay" carrying a great treasure. [01:14:48] What is one area of personal weakness or limitation where you need to rely more on God's power rather than your own strength to be useful to Him?
The call to "pursue holiness with strategy" includes fleeing destructive impulses and chasing righteousness. [01:26:43] What is one specific "youthful lust" or habit you need to actively run from, and what is one righteous pursuit you can intentionally chase after?
Correction should come from a posture of humility, not superiority. [01:30:56] Is there a relationship where you have been quick to criticize rather than gently restore? How can you approach that person with more patience and grace?
The communion table serves as a covenant reminder of our commitment to God's household. [01:32:29] As you reflect on the covenant Christ made with you, what is one specific part of your "agreement" that you need to recommit to upholding?

Sermon Clips

He wants us to love one another in that same manner, to look at everybody around us, the people around you, the people in the church in particular. You know, there's an old saying. I think some preacher said this years ago. He said the church is the only place, the only army where we shoot our wounded. In other words, when somebody stumbles and somebody falls, we are ready to kick them down and blast them while they're on the ground. That's not the Christian way. [01:20:00] (24 seconds) #DontShootTheWounded

So the thing is the only way that's gonna happen is if you live a life that's consistent with being a blessing. You wanna be a blessing. You wanna be a blessing to others, and it's only you can determine that. You know, I can come and I can speak highly of people in the church, and I can talk about great things that I can lift you up. But at the end of the day, you're the one that is responsible for lifting yourself up. [01:09:02] (23 seconds) #LiveToBeABlessing

Jesus said, love one another as I have loved you. Know why he was saying that? And who are you saying that to? He was saying that to Peter. You know who Peter was. Right? You know who James and John were. Right? You know who Judas was. Right? And Jesus saying love one another the same way that I loved you. In other words, I know this man is gonna betray me. I know this man is gonna be the one, the instrument of my being arrested to be taken to the cross, yet I love him that I will wash his feet. [01:16:13] (34 seconds) #LoveLikeJesus

You know, there's an old saying that if you give a person a plate of food, you earn the right to talk to them. Right? The same thing is goes, if you're willing to bless someone, you earn the right to criticize them when something goes wrong. And not with your neighbor, call them, and speak to them. That's a biblical way. Jesus gave that pattern, and I think it's math Matthew chapter 15, I think it is or something. When he talked about, he said, if a brother or sister has found this sin, he said, call him. Talk to them. [01:13:18] (30 seconds) #BlessThenSpeak