2 Timothy Series - Keep God’s Word Ever Before Us

  

Keep God’s Word Ever Before Us

2 Tim. 2:14-19

If there was ever a time in human history, it is now that we keep the Word of God in our minds, in our hearts, and in our very acts and words. This is Paul’s admonition to Timothy and the Ephesian church and the churches throughout the world today. We are inundated with disinformation, misinformation, false teachings about the Word of God, the very precepts of the Word, and the knowledge of God. Jesus told us as well as Paul to be ready for deception in teaching of the Word in Matthew 24:4 and 2 Corinthians 10, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (vv.4-6)

With that said, Paul tells Timothy to lay out before and remind God’s people these three areas of deception: stop quarreling over man’s words, be people who know the word in their hearts as well as in their minds, and be confident in God who is sovereign and has appointed times and knows everything.

So let’s look at the first portion of the text, “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen…Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.”

Paul was inflamed with the messages he was hearing from the church in Ephesus. He knew that Timothy was sound in his wisdom, understanding, discernment, and insight into God’s Word. He exhorted Timothy to again remind the people of the solidness of God’s Word. For the people had given themselves over to false teachers, false preachers, and others who liked to quarrel over the words that didn’t edify and build up the church, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” “ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (1 Thes. 5:11; Rom. 14:19)

Paul wanted to cease the infighting amongst the believers and call them back to the edification of the scriptures for the whole body. Godless chatter was just that, godless and those who employ themselves as teachers of these godless teaching and words continue to exalt themselves and their perceived knowledge in arguing. Paul likened it to the spread of gangrene, a disease that infects an open wound. Paul may have seen gangrene among the soldiers or others who had wounds; the gangrene bacteria invades the wound because of a lack of blood flow to an area of the body. And false teachings will invade and infect an area of the body of Christ where there is a previous problem in the understanding of the Word of God, and the flow of God’s Word is restricted, and a demonic infection of false teaching festers the wound of ignorance possibly to the point of spiritual death (the departing from the truth or the destroying of the faith).

Paul names two men who have been known for infecting the church with false teachings about the resurrection of the dead (rapture or catching up) saints.Timothy was to stop the infection of false teachings by correcting the flow of the Truth from God’s Word that was like a healing salve.“He sent out his word and healed them.” (Psalms 107:20a)

Application - As a teacher of God’s Word, I know the responsibility of my words and the accountability of being a teacher of God’s Word (Matt. 12:36; James 3:1-2). Like Paul I want to hear the Word of God correctly taught and preached. For I have heard many interpretations and opinions about scripture thrown about instead of carefully exegetically spoken words directed by the Holy Spirit from the Word of God. As taught before, we are to let scripture interpret scripture and to hold it in the context from where it was spoken or written. There is a lot of nonsense and false teaching perpetrated over the internet and then in pulpits. Everything that is spoken or written that is called God’s teachings, we must test it for accuracy by the Word of God. Like the Bereans, they didn’t just accept Paul’s teachings, they checked it against the scriptures for truth and accuracy. “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)  And John taught that we are to test the spirit of the teaching, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 Jn. 4:1)

We are living in the last days, and we must be alert and grounded in the Word of God. As Paul taught, Satan and his minions will come as angels of Light, other words, as men or women teaching the Word of God with supplemental teachings, only to be preaching heresy, opinions, or cultural relativism and words that lead to arguments and godless chatter. It truly is like a gangrene bacteria that infects the wound of those hurt and could possibly lead to the cutting off of the limb (the apostasy, the falling away from the truth).

 Let us be wise in our days, I like to ask God for this Acronym everyday, WUDI, Wisdom, Understanding, Discernment, and Insight into His Word and in His leading in my life so that I know that I’m feeding on the unadulterated Word of God.

Last, Paul encouraged Timothy to strive to be a worker who is approved by God, who can teach as well as proclaim the Truth of God, His Word. Paul knew the strength and value of the spoken and written Word of God. So let’s read the last portion of the lesson, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’”

Paul holds nothing back in his training and encouragement of Timothy. He knew the days in which he lived and those to whom he was sent for the proclamation of the gospel. Timothy should not shy away from or be ashamed of the gospel message but be strengthened and emboldened by the power of God through the Word: the Truth of the life, death, and resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and the training of the church for ministry and the imminent gathering of the church to their home in heaven. He was to use the Word for “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

(2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12)

He was to stand firmly planted on the rock solid foundation of the Word of God. It is the foundation of Christ Jesus who is the cornerstone of the church. 

"Therefore this says the Lord God: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Cor. 3:11, 16-17) (Isaiah 28:16, Eph. 2:20-22)

Application - Oh how we have dressed up the presentation of ourselves and the presentation of the Word of God in today’s church. Does One who is approved of God look like John the Baptist today? Or speak with a stutter or impediment of speech as Moses. I know I’m being persnickety and snarky. But let’s really examine how we present ourselves and the gospel. It is not about how we showcase the sunday morning service, nor is it about the finery of our dress. It is about our humility, our yielding to the Holy Spirit to direct us, and our hunger to know more of him. Some of the greatest sermons and teachings came on a mountainside, in a borrowed upper room, or from a prison cell. It is not the venue that makes the message, nor the supremeness of the worship. It comes from the heart of one who is hungry for the Lord, His Word, yielded to the Holy Spirit, and the love of one another. It is the One who desires to speak the words from God rather than the words about God. In each one of the biblical teachings and sermons from scripture, the people were receptive to the authoritative and anointed message from God, and the power of the Holy Spirit’s gifting as He determines and empowers. This is what it means to have church. 

Now back to the presentation of the one who is approved to teach. Paul knew the value he had received in knowing the Torah, the prophets, and the historic and poetical books of scripture as a Pharisee. But what he learned on the Damascus road and in the back side of the desert was humility, yielding, and servitude to the One and ones in whom he had persecuted. Paul stressed the understanding of the Word, but even more the power of the Word, as he stated in other letters. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the  division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

(2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12) 

To be approved is to be receptive, yielded, and apt at handling the Word of God by God’s direction.

We must know the God of the Word and Word of God. For it was God the Father who spoke from heaven in approval of His Son, who spoke not of his own thoughts but only spoke the words that the Father told him to speak. “I don't speak on my own. I say only what the Father who sent me has told me to say. I know that his commands will bring eternal life. This is why I tell you exactly what the Father has told me.” (Jn. 12:49-50) And oh what Words! 

We are to be like that as well, let us preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus from the Bible. He who came into the world and yet the world didn’t realize or recognize him, but for a few chosen on that blessed morning. He who lived in humility and took upon himself our griefs and sorrows.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30) 

Jesus began his ministry not with fanfare and pomp, but with testing and temptations. He was accepted by the ordinary but shunned by the learned and the world. “My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.” (Matt. 11:25-26)

He discipled ordinary men and women, he trained and equipped them for service by His words and His power and authority. He fulfilled the will of the Father and the law and prophets by his obedience, being the sacrificial lamb, the propitiation for our sins. His death brought life and that eternal to all who believed in Him. Last, He conquered death and hell in His resurrection from the dead and ascended back to His Kingdom in Heaven to prepare a place for all who believe, for He promised to come and gather His church, the bride to be with him. He gave His promised Holy Spirit to his believers. This is the gospel.

God’s Word, His Son is the solid foundational cornerstone and the teaching of the apostles make up the solid foundation into which the church is built upon. For we are “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Eph.2:20-22)

As Paul concludes in this portion of the lesson, Jesus knows his sheep (believers) for they know his voice, and they confess Jesus as Lord and Savior with all their hearts, minds, and lives. For they turn away from the wickedness of this sin filled world and set their hearts and minds on the One who is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Co. 3:1-4)

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis