Please turn in your Bibles this evening to II Timothy chapter 2 as we continue our study through the Word of God and we finish up this chapter we began last week. If you remember from our last study, Paul reminded Timothy that suffering, hardships were just part of the ministry, not to give up. Thus, he gave Timothy four examples of what a disciple of Jesus is to be like. First a teacher is to TEACH others the things of God. Next, a soldier is to be FOCUSED, enduring hardships and not entangling himself with the things of this world as he is serving his commander. He then moves to the athlete who follows the rules, is OBEDIENT. And lastly, Paul looks at a farmer who works hard and is PATIENT, waiting for the fruitful harvest to come in.
This evening, as we finish up this chapter, we are going to be looking at The Diligent Worker, II Timothy 2:14-19. Then Paul looks at The Sanctified Vessel, II Timothy 2:20-23. And we will conclude this chapter by looking at The Gentle Servant, II Timothy 2:24-26. With that said, let’s begin reading in II Timothy chapter 2, starting in verse 14, and see what the Lord has for us this evening.
VERSE 14
What was Paul instructing Timothy to make a regular practice, reminding the people of what things? What is the main thing we talked about last week? Jesus, the Gospel message, that is what he is to be speaking forth, keep on sharing the Lord with people, building people up in the faith. Paul said in II Timothy 2:8, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.”
I truly believe this is something the church is lacking today, giving people the Good News, teaching them the things of God. Churches have turned into entertainment centers, they present a social gospel and people are losing faith because, “ . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Timothy is admonished to stay focused on the Gospel message and warned not to focus on the things that are not important, things that don’t matter because if we start to focus on these unprofitable things it will be the ruin of those that are listening, it will be a catastrophe to them! Don’t let silly debates, don’t be distracted by unprofitable things. Keep the main thing the main thing – Jesus! This is so important because as Christians become less and less familiar with the Scriptures they open themselves up to all kinds of garbage. Thus, keep focused on the profitable things and don’t be distracted by the unprofitable things.
In regards to this, Calvin tells us, “Let us notice first that teaching is rightly condemned on the sole ground that it does no good. God’s purpose is not to pander to our inquisitiveness but to give us profitable instruction. Away with all speculations that produce no edification!” It is as Paul said in II Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” You see, God’s Word builds up, corrects us, it helps us while the other things are of no profit to us!
VERSE 15
Being a pastor is not a popularity contest. I look at the prophet Jeremiah, a spokesperson for God and yet no one listened to what he had to say, no one repented and got right with God. Many today would look at a ministry like that and see it as a failure. But God was pleased with Jeremiah because he was faithful in service, he was a God pleaser rather than a man pleaser. Thus, the people hated him because they didn’t like what he was saying to them, but God was well pleased!
Paul is telling Timothy to work hard, be diligent in the work he is doing. There are times when people should be ashamed at the work they are doing because it was done poorly. But that should not be the case in our service to the Lord, and as a pastor, Timothy was to “rightly divide” God’s Word or “to cut straight.” The Geek word, ORTHOTOMEO, (or-thot-om-eh’-o) was used of a craftsman cutting a straight line, or a farmer plowing a straight furrow, or a mason setting a straight line for bricks. Thus, there is a right way to teach God’s Word, to share what it means, and a wrong way!
Let me give you an example of what I mean. In John 18:1-6 we are told, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”
Those who are into being slain in the Spirit will use this verse as evidence to support this practice. The power of God is so strong it will knock you to the ground, some are even glued to the floor. That is not rightly dividing the Word of God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was arrested, those men who fell to the ground were not saved, they were not believers. When Jesus said, “I am” I do believe it was the power of God that knocked them down, but not a practice we see with believers or even with unbelievers. You don’t see it practiced in the book of Acts, nor do you see it in the Epistles. You see, rightly dividing the Word of God doesn’t mean you make it say what you want it to say, but what God does say!
Another example is that of a young woman who posed nude for a pornographic magazine, supposedly she was a Christian. She even used the Scriptures to support what she did as she claimed this experience of posing nude for these pictures had drawn her closer to God. She quoted the first part of James 4:8, to justify her actions, giving her Scriptural support for what she was doing. That verse says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you . . .” Sounds good but that is not rightly dividing the Word of God, for if she would just read the rest of that verse she would see that her actions are wrong. It says, “ . . . Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8b. Don’t twist God’s Word to make it say what you want, to use it to justify your sin. God means what He says and says what He means and we must not only proclaim it but also live by it!
VERSES 16-18
It is always amazing to listen to the garbage some teachers are teaching and the following they have. Paul warned Timothy to shun, avoid, don’t listen to their message, why? Because it is “profane,” not meaning dirty words but anything that is taking away from God’s Word is not holy, it is filthy! Because it is nothing more than “idle babblings” or “vain babblings” there is no substance to them, there is nothing substantial to them. Paul, in Colossians 2:8-10 warned, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” May we be wise and understand that what God has for us will make us complete!
This kind of teaching is not rightly dividing the Word of God, it doesn’t make a person more holy but it moves them more and more down the path of un-holiness. You see, you are not being drawn into the presence of God with these teachings, but into the person who is teaching them.
Paul likens the teachings of this false doctrine, these unscriptural lessons to that of cancer, spreading quickly. I witnessed the affects of cancer and how quickly it can spread in my dad’s life. He was diagnosed with colon cancer, had part of his colon removed. There was no evidence that the cancer had spread anywhere else in his body at this point, although over 95% of the lymph glands they did a biopsy on had cancer. Within 9 months his cancer spread to his brain, his lungs, and his liver and he died!
I am amazed at how quickly false doctrine can spread, to the ruin of its hearer. Remember when the Toronto blessing was so popular. People came into the airport at Toronto from all over the world to receive this anointing, to bark like dogs, laugh uncontrollably, be drunk in the Spirit and-so-on, and their message spread like cancer! It is not building people up in the faith, but weakening their faith with junk food instead of the solid meat of God’s Word!
Paul names two men, probably leaders in the church at Ephesus at one time, who were not rightly dividing the Word of God but teaching heresy! In I Timothy 1:20 Paul tells us, “of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Hymenaeus rejected the faith and now, here in II Timothy he still didn’t learn his lesson, he didn’t repent and now he is with Philetus spreading these profane and vain babblings. They must have been popular, had a strong following, but they were in error and leading others down that same path.
Now they started out correctly, but then they strayed from the truth. One of the things they taught was that the resurrection was over, that it is past. Are they speaking of our physical resurrection? It seems like it. Maybe they only saw a spiritual resurrection and denied any physical resurrection, a kind of early Gnosticism you might say.
By denying our physical resurrection they were denying the resurrection of Jesus in bodily form. Paul makes that point in I Corinthians 15:12-19, “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up — if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”
If Paul ended there, that there is no resurrection for us, if Christ did not rise from the dead, then we are still dead in our sins, we are lost, and how hopeless our faith would be. But he didn’t end there. He goes on to say, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” I Corinthians 15:20-24. Because He was raised from the dead, since He conquered death, then one day we too will be raised in glory, our bodies will be resurrected like His!
Now this doctrine was not all the heresy they taught, no doubt. If they were wrong with this fundamental doctrine, chances are they were also wrong in other areas, had many other “goofy beliefs” as they were moving away from Jesus. Thus, they have destroyed the faith of some as they listen to this garbage. These lies chocked out any leanings towards Christ and kept them in spiritual darkness, spiritual death. Thus, Paul’s warning is to shun them, avoid their heresy, to not associate yourself with them!
VERSE 19
In Isaiah 40:8 we are told, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” God’s Word will stand because it is a solid foundation. Cancer eats away, destroys life like false doctrine. But the Word of God brings forth life, abundant life! In spite of these false teachers, in the end God will win, these men and their doctrines will be cast in the Lake of Fire! Our responsibility is to teach people the truths of God from the Word of God so as these false doctrines come blowing in, God’s Word, like a cancer fighting drug, will destroy it!
Now, because you are His, and you know that you are as Paul tells us in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” then let us live lives apart from iniquity, lives that are holy! If you are living an immoral life, living with your boyfriend or girlfriend, having intercourse outside of the marriage relationship, if your speech is filthy, if you can lie and cheat saying “It is all covered by the blood!” are you still a Christian, are you really His? I don’t believe you are, I don’t believe you ever were, you are deceiving yourself!
Peter admonishes us to, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” I Peter 1:13-16. Now our good works don’t save us, but they do show that we are saved. And if you can live an immoral life with no conviction, the evidence is not there that you are saved! You see, it is not just a short-term fall, but it is your life that you are now living in sin that shows you are not saved! And Jesus said in John 8:34-36, “ . . . ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’” May we stay focused on the Lord and His Word and we won’t have to worry about our faith being overthrown!
Now, as we move into verses 20-23 Paul is going to deal with The Sanctified Vessel.
VERSES 20-21
In I Timothy 3:14-15 Paul said, “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” He is speaking of the church, the body of believers who uphold the truth of God. Thus, within the house of God are vessels used for honor that are made of gold and silver and then there are those that are made for dishonor, to hold garbage or whatever. This is not a salvation issue here but a service issue – how do you want to be used by God? This is not a salvation by works but a sanctification for service!
Yes, God cleanses us from all our sin, we are forgiven as Psalm 103:12 tells us, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Also, in Isaiah 43:25 we are told, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” And John tells us in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
But I don’t believe that is what Paul is speaking of here for he tells us to cleanse ourselves. Peter admonishes us in I Peter 2:11-12, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” If you want to be used by God, set yourself apart for Him to use you, don’t travel down those paths that will remove you from service. Paul, that great man of faith, that great man of God tells us what he did so that he would keep himself useful by God. In I Corinthians 9: 24-27, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
In other words, he dealt with those flesh issues so that he would not be disqualified from service, a vessel of dishonor instead of a vessel of honor. And in the next few verses Paul tells us how to do this, how to be used, how to stay clean!
VERSE 22
How do you stay clean? Don’t play with dirt! When we had our summer concert outreach a few weeks ago, I loved watching the kids, they had a great time. But if you also saw them by the end of the evening, they were dirty. They had dirt on their face, their feet were covered with dirt, because they were playing in it! And think about it like this, it doesn’t matter how many times you take a bath, if you go back to the dirt you are going to get dirty! Thus, Paul, in speaking of our lives, he is saying we are to flee dirt, flee these things that will hurt us, destroy our witness, put us on the shelf, not being used by God!
Not only flee from these lusts but also run to righteousness, faith, love, peace with a pure heart and fellowship with others who are doing the same. Why is that? Because you will help keep each other accountable in your walk and spur each other on in service. We have over ten billion cells in our brain, some have a little less, and the majority of those cells are used for memory. Everything that goes into our brain we retain, although at times it may be hard to extract. Thus, what you put in your mind is there. If you put garbage in, you may not remember it for years and then all of a sudden, there is that garbage coming up again because it has always been there. Don’t play with fire because you will get burned!
I like what Paul tells us to do in Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Fill your mind with the things of God, don’t put anything in there that will hurt you!
VERSE 23
Don’t get caught up in foolish arguments, avoid them, walk away from them, don’t add fuel to the fire! They don’t cause any good, they only cause trouble, so don’t get involved in them. That is just being wise!
If you want to be used by God, flee the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Don’t get caught up with foolish disputes. Draw close to God and manifest the fruit of the Spirit in your life from a pure heart!
Now, in verses 24-26 Paul shows us The Gentle Servant, as we conclude this chapter.
VERSES 24-26
This is just the opposite of what the world teaches. They teach you have to fight for what you want, claw your way to the top, step on whoever you have to so you can achieve your goal. Just do whatever it takes! Jesus tells us that you need to be a servant of all if you want to be great in God’s Kingdom! In Matthew 20:20-28 we see Jesus show His men and us this principle. We are told, “Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.’ And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” We need to be servant leaders, to follow our Lord’s example!
For a pastor, like Timothy, his power must be under control like a wild horse that is broken. He must be able to teach, rightly dividing the Word of God. He must be patient with people, allowing them to grow in the Lord. He must be able to correct those who are in error with a humble spirit, not a haughty one! It is as Calvin said, “Paul’s meaning is that gentleness should be shown even to those who least deserve it, and even if at first there is no apparent hope of progress, still the challenge must be accepted.”
Now if someone is bound in this demonic deception, they need to be set free. Paul warned Timothy and us in I Timothy 4:1-3, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” Thus, share the truth in love, don’t argue with them, but pray that their eyes would be open to the truth and that they would come to their senses. It is as Paul said in Galatians 6:1-2, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
As I conclude tonight, may we desire to be vessels of honor, to be used by God for His glory. May we be available for His use, cleansed from immorality. May we grow strong in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, rightly dividing the Word of truth and with the love of Christ share it with others!