Sermon Title: How to Lead an Unashamed Ministry
Sermon Text: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
Sunday Evening, July 16, 2000
Scripture Introduction: In our society there is much emphasis on what were the last words of a man before he dies. What is it in a persons life that would be so important that they would utter as their last words. Think about it for moment, what do you consider so important to use your final words in your earthly life on? The Letter of 2 Timothy has often been titled as Paul’s letter from death row. These were Paul’s final thoughts from his Roman prison were to his beloved pupil Timothy.
What was the purpose of Paul’s final letter? These words were Paul’s final instructions. The tone of his letter is intensely personal in nature and we can feel Paul’s love and concern for Timothy as we read this final Epistle. Paul encourages Timothy to use his spiritual gifts, he writes to strengthen his loyalty to Christ in the face of almost certain suffering and persecution to come. Timothy is challenged to project the word of God accurately and to faithfully instruct those around him in the truth of the faith. There are warnings and instructions on how a believer should react to world in times of apostasy. The letter ends with Paul’s charge to Timothy to Preach the Word and to be ready in season and out of season. Paul’s passion was to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and now he was passing it on to his beloved son in the faith Timothy. Paul knew he was going to die soon and wanted to see Timothy one last time.
Please join me in the reading of God’s Holy Word
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Introduction:
I can still remember that commercial about the people arguing over whether what they are eating is butter or margarine. What a ridiculous set of circumstances were presented in that particular advertising scheme. I often heard my father make statements about if we were expected to believe people would argue over things that unimportant. Sad but true, we spend much time with opposing views over which word would best describe an a situation or circumstance when we are in complete agreement over what the situation and circumstances are. We need to be careful that we don’t spend more time pondering over how we say something to the detriment of what we are trying to say.
The world around has some expectations over what a Christian is supposed to act like or look like there are some preconceived notions over what type of activities a Christian should engage in. Now these are not always going to be consistent with the Biblical images that we are to portray, however they are some very real expectations from a world that doesn’t really know any better. If we claim to be a Christian, then we had better act like Christians. We can encourage people to read the Bible for a better understanding of Christian behavior, however we can have more success by leading through example. Remember the saying a picture is worth a thousand words, then let’s be a picture of model Christian behavior.
I’ve heard a lot of stories about people going into bars to witness and many other similar circumstances. We need to be careful how much time we spend in those situations and how much time we spend with those whom we are trying to lead to the Lord. We need the spiritual recharging of Christian fellowship. If we are constantly ministering to others, we will neglect our need for spiritual feeding and recharging in the process and we are spiritually run down we become no different then those that we are trying to lead to Christ. We will become more susceptible to falling into the same sinful lifestyles that we are trying to extract them from. Let’s surround ourselves with people who have similar standards and morals.
Let’s go to the Lord in prayer!
POINT 1: We need to be careful that we don’t spend more time pondering over how we say something to the detriment of what we are trying to say. We read in verse 14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. When we look at this Scripture, we see the word REMIND. Paul is telling Timothy of the need to refresh the minds of others of something that they have been told before. They are not to argue over the best way to say something instead they should concentrate there combined efforts so that it gets said. What do you suppose would have happened in school if while you were being taught mathematics, you had two teachers at the same time, and one taught the two and two were four and the other taught that two plus two equaled four. The answer was the same but one said and, while the other insisted that the proper word was plus. First a strong argument and then a fist-fight ensued. How important do you think the answer would become to us when there was such a struggle over the wording.
Do we sometimes do this when we are leading new Christians? Have we become so concerned over their understanding of the correct theological wording that we loose sight of the principle that God wants them to understand. Isn’t the principle far more important? I think the theological correctness can wait until after the concept is understood. Which is more important, to know what salvation and regeneration means or to have experienced it?
We continue on in verse 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. Not to long ago I talked about the boldness that we show when we bless our meal at a public eating establishment. Are we proud enough of our Savior or are we ashamed and silent. How do we react when we are about to proclaim God’s Holy Word when the Scripture we are about to proclaim goes against what some that are in our presence are doing or involved in. Do we tell it like it is or do we tell it like they would like to hear it or do we go around that particular subject altogether? Are we prepared to offend some for the good of those who would hear and adhere to the Gospel?
Paul then goes on with verse 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, Just what is considered worldly and empty chatter? In the context of this letter, it refers to the teachings of the false prophets or the teaching of anything that isn’t of God. Now at the same time, this is a letter written to Timothy, who was called by God into the ministry. Perhaps not to the degree of Timothy, but doesn’t everyone have a ministry of some sorts? As Christians, isn’t there to be a purpose for all we do? As Christians aren’t we to look beyond the world and the worldly to heaven and the heavenly? I think when we look back at some of the things that have left our lips, we could see where we probably could have improved on what we said or not said anything at all.
In verse 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, Now this is a pretty graphic description of the effects of talk that is other than glorifying God’s name or His will for each and every one of our lives. Paul lists some examples of those that have taught contrary to the Word of God. Paul tells in verse 18, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. How many different people out there are teaching things that are contrary to the Word of God? In this particular reference, Paul is telling Timothy of these two which perhaps explained the resurrection as follows, Their speculation is stated. They preached, as some do in our own times, that the resurrection which Christ teaches is only a moral resurrection, a resurrection of the soul to a better life. This error was taught also in Corinth.
There are many who teach things that mislead and yet there is included enough truth to draw people in. IT doesn’t make a difference how much truth is included, any amount of falsehood makes the teachings false. This is perhaps what Paul meant by, accurately handling the word of truth.
[Paul wants to be sure that Timothy knows of the importance that God’s Word be communicated accurately and completely. We are to say what it says, no more and no less. As a result of this it only stands to reason that we live out what we proclaim that a person should live out. We often hear of the advantages of leading by example, what a better way to encourage Christian behavior in others than to demonstrate the possibility that that manner of living is possible.]
POINT 2: If we claim to be a Christian, then we had better act like Christians. "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." We read in 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11Paul tells of some of the things that we are to abstain from:
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
I had the opportunity to sit in a Wednesday youth lesson and I heard a good explanation of how to judge if anything fits the mold of what a Christian should say, do or even watch on the TV, Movies or Video’s or listen on the radio. Paul set the guidelines in Philippians 4:8-9:
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Look at that last section of that particular Scripture in Paul’s letter to the Church of Philippi, The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things. We see that by example we can lead others in walking with the Lord. What kind of example are we setting? Do we tell people to watch the words that come out of their mouths and then under similar circumstances do we utter a substitutionary word that is based on the same evil based thoughts. Do we tell people that certain things are questionable according to God’s Word and then balk when we receive the same correction? Do we profess Christianity though our choices of entertainment call that profession into question? Do we tell others about the importance of a relationship with God though we think higher of our automobile then that homeless person we drive past? These are just a few of the type of questions that each of us needs to ask ourselves regularly.
[Paul relays to Timothy and to us as well the need for complete and accurate teaching of God’s Word and His messages, we read of the need to live what we profess or in other words, walk the walk if we talk the talk. If we wear a What Would Jesus Do bracelet, would our behavior reflect that we think about it? What a tall order! Paul then tells Timothy a method to assist in a continued spiritual growth.]
POINT 3: Let’s surround ourselves with people who have similar standards and morals. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Here Timothy is given a to-do list, he is to ignore the lusts of youth and instead go after not only righteousness, but faith, love and peace. A stipulation that Paul adds to this is that all of this be done in the company of like-minded people. The list of qualifications continue:
Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations. Why? Because they produce quarrels.
The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but instead, they are to be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
There is to be a gentleness in their manner when correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth. Why? Because, they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
We go to church to worship our Lord and Savior, and during that period of time, we have the opportunity to share in the joys and the sorrows of what for the most part should be a part of our extended family. We have the opportunity to lift each other’s petitions to the Lord in prayer as a group. If we fail to do this we miss the opportunities to share the blessings of those in our church family or worse yet if we fail to tell others of the wonderful mercies we receive they will miss out on a blessing as well.
Conclusion:
We need to be careful that we don’t spend more time pondering over how we say something to the detriment of what we are trying to say. A good illustration of this concept in action is the way they taught problem solving at the engineering college I attended long ago. The correct end result wasn’t as important as the ability to know the steps that are need to arrive there. How sad it is that there are many people that know the steps to salvation but can’t seem to actually get there.
If we claim to be a Christian, then we had better act like Christians. It has been said over and over again and it bears repeating again, we may very well be the only Bible that many people will ever see. I’ve heard it said many times by many parents, and I am guilty of saying in the past myself. Before the Lord released me from the chains that held me in bondage to alcohol and nicotine, I would tell my children how bad it was and told them they should not get involved, of course all the while involved deeply myself. The DO AS I SAY AND NOT AS I DO mentality does not work and if we are not willing to lead by example then we shouldn’t be leading at all. Are there areas that the Holy Spirit is showing us that need cleansing? Living for Christ isn’t a point that we reach but a point that marks the beginning of our willingness to change.
Let’s surround ourselves with people who have similar standards and morals. What a better place to grow closer with God then with a group of people with similar goals in mind. Where else should we look for that mutual support and assistance as we seek a deeper relationship with God?
There is a challenge to each and every one of us. In order to accurately and completely relay God’s message to others we need to have studied His message as well. Do we spend near as much time in God’s Word as we should? Perhaps we could make a commitment to linger in His Word an extra ten minutes each day. What kind of growth might we expect with this kind of investment? Are we living what we say we are? If we aren’t then perhaps we should ask Him to show us the way. And what a better time and place then right here and right now in the company of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, ready to lift us in prayer as well. Let’s Pray!
