5-14-06
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Role Models
West Glendale Baptist Church
Pastor Don Jones
Cue slide: Title with Scripture
We are in crisis in our country. It seems that there is a short supply of role models. Charles Barkley, years ago, when asked about his influence over younger kids simply said, "I am not a role model!" I looked up the term leader and role model on dictionary.com and found 47 synonyms. It seems we have many words for leader but few to be found among the living.
Unfortunately, many of our young people have to look to athletes and popular musicians to find their examples. I believe this crisis exists in our country, politics to be specific, our homes, and yes, even our churches. It seems every time we find someone to look up to, idolize if you will, something comes out to indicate a flawed lifestyle. I am convinced we need more leaders to demonstrate how to live life with integrity and character. These words imply wholeness in living. In other words, what you say and do match in your daily living.
As I thought about the approach of Mother’s day this year I was once again reminded of my own mother’s influence in my life. She was and is a model of consistent spiritual leadership. No, she is not perfect but she is godly. I will never forget her prayers before God, beseeching Him for my healing. I will never forget her consistent godly discipline when I disappointed her. She was and is godly in character and I am reminded of 2 Timothy and the role another mother played in her son’s life. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:5,
5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Timothy’s idols, role models, and leader examples were his grandmother Lois, his mother, Eunice, and of course, Paul. Scripture clearly indicates that these individuals were godly examples of what a person of faith should look, sound, and act like. Paul attributes Timothy’s sincere faith to the godly influence found at home. So what did this faith look like and what should it look like in our role models life and our lives if we are to be "godly" role model for others.
Paul tells us that to present ourselves as one approved, a godly role model, we must avoid evil.
Cue slide: Reject Evil
Simply put, there are behaviors that are to be avoided that would indicate we are not of God. To be godly influences we must avoid the following.
The first is godless chatter. The Greek word, kenophonos, is literally translated babblings or empty utterances. John MacArther says concerning this verse that, Words of worldly human opinion are no more than evil chatter. It is not only a waste of time but also leads to ever growing ungodliness. Paul says, "more and more ungodly" and "it will spread like gangrene’. It was used in the ancient world diseases that spread quickly and even referred to cancer. You can’t get more destructive than that! Godless chatter would include gossiping and murmuring which are listed along side the sins of adultery, witchcraft, and murder. Which to us seem much greater sins. The opposite of godless chatter is godly instruction and encouragement.
The second is, avoid the evil desires of youth. Most if us wouldn’t mind having a little younger age but Paul says when it comes to spirituality, avoid it. But this passage refers to being impulsive, acting on testosterone instead of prayer and discipline. Take the example of car insurance. My son’s insurance is much more expensive than my daughter’s, why? My agent just said "testosterone". He is more likely to act irrationally, more so than my daughter, and everyone knows it. Timothy was fairly young when this letter was written. Paul was well aware how quickly a young man could and would react irrationally. Paul says avoid it.
Paul also gives us some "dos" concerning the godly life and example we should set for others and here is where I would like to focus the majority of this morning.
Cue slide: Rightly divide the word of truth
First, be Bible smart. Be knowledgeable in what the Bible says. An old quote by Mark Twain concerning scripture said, "A Bible that is worn usually belongs to a person that is not." When it comes to godly living you can’t ignore the instruction manual. Charles Spurgeon said,
“We are walkers through the city of this world, and we are often called to go out into its darkness; let us never venture there without the light giving word, lest we slip with our feet. Each man should use the word of God personally, practically, and habitually, that he may see his way and see what lies in it. When darkness settles down upon all around me, the word of the Lord, like a flaming torch, reveals my way.”
A godly example is one that follows the outline presented in God’s word.
Second, do not be ashamed. If you are ashamed to live the life God lays out for you, you can never be an example to others. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16,
14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Jesus said we are to be the light of the world so that our good works can be seen by other not so we can be glorified, but God.
Secondly, we are to be ready for service or whatever God may bring.
Cue slide: Be ready for service
Paul said the first step in being ready for service is to cleanse ourselves.
21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
If you are not already a believer you must first come to Christ. Jesus said if we call upon His name we will be saved. At the end of the service I will walk you through the ABC’s of receiving Jesus. If you are already a believer you are to get rid of the junk, time wasting habits, improper speech, and of course sin in your life. Fortunately, I John 1:9 says, if we confess, it is done.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
After we are cleansed we are to make ourselves available to God. We are to be prepared to do any good work, especially influencing others. These would include kindness and gentle instruction.
John MacArthur’s commentary on 2 Timothy uses "a chorus by Audrey Mieir beautifully expresses the spirit of dedication of which Paul speaks in this passage."
To be used of God
To sing, to speak, to pray.
To be used of God
To show someone the way.
I long so much to feel
The touch of His consuming fire,
To be used of God is my desire.
Cue slide: Remain faithful
Finally, remain faithful. Be true to the task in whatever God puts before you. Paul lists several steps along with those mentioned in living a godly influential life. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 says,
11Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
He mentions 3 things. Live in Him, endure in Him, and He is faithful even when you are not. Live in Jesus by receiving Him into your life through repentance and faith. Endure in Him by equipping yourself daily through His word. And finally, remain faithful.
Are you ready to begin being the instrument, the role model, that God intended for your life? It is never too late to start no matter what’s in your past. I am sure you can name one person who looks up to you. Isn’t it time you began leading in the right direction.
When you are not, remember that it is all about the resurrection power of Jesus in your life not your power or goodness which leads to salvation. You are saved by grace, not of yourself.
Invitation
Admit you need help.
Believe that Jesus died for you.
Confess Him as Lord and Savior
Outline
Role Models 5-2006
1 Timothy 214-26 WGBC
I. Reject Evil
Reject godless chatter - kenophonos gk.
Reject the desires of youth
II. Rightly divide the Word
Be Bible smart
Do not be ashamed
III. Be ready for Service
Prepare
Be cleansed
IV. Remain Faithful
Live in Him
Endure in Him
He is faithful
