This is a new sermon seires Called “Perseverance”. Prepared! 2 Timothy 2:14-26 You can watch more here.
Last Sunday we talked about the call to endure, which is fitting for where we
are as a church family, because we don’t just get to learn about endurance
theoretically. We are getting a real-life lesson on endurance!
Which is awesome, but when we walk through seasons of endurance in our
church life or personal life, we are going to see a level of strain show up in our
relationships with one another. Right?
When it comes to this transition for our church family, I am sure there are
some who are like, “What is everyone worried about?” Don’t these people
trust in the Lord!
And I am sure there are some of us who are like, “Why are people not more
worried?” This is a huge challenge, Gretchen! This can create strain on our
relationships!
Therefore, God’s Word is going to meet us right where we are in real time, and
help us guard those “side-by-side” relationships as we take this journey
together. Let’s look at verse 14:
2 Timothy 2:14, “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.”
If you’re new to the Bible, don’t worry. This is in the New Testament. This is
all taking place after Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, so that the Apostle
Paul is taking the name of Jesus around the Roman Empire, and he is writing
this letter to Timothy as a young pastor in Ephesus, because there are some
strains on their relationships with one another.
In the context of our passage, they are quarreling with one another. In verse
14 we see they are “wrangling about with words.” Doesn’t that sound fun?
Can you imagine people in church quarreling? But sometimes, even in the
church, we love to argue about sports, pineapple on pizza, politics,
environment, and Trump!
And sometimes those arguments can create divisions and frustrations,
therefore, the Apostle Paul writes, “remind them of these things.” Do you see
that in verse 14?
“These things” is a reference to biblical truths, because when life gets
stressful, relationships get strained, when relationships get strained,
arguments flair up, and when arguments flair up, we tend to forget biblical
truths. Have you noticed this?
It’s in the midst of pressure we forget about God’s power, we get defensive, we
get controlling, we turn back to old habits, we start exaggerating things like,
“We’re all going to die!” It’s like we go from news update to collapse of
humanity in 30 seconds!
Therefore, the Apostle Paul writes, “Remind them of these things” over and
over. It’s so easy for God’s Word to get choked out by worry and fear. It’s so
easy for biblical truths to get pushed to the back of our thoughts! It’s so easy
to turn on one another, therefore, God’s Word is saying, “In the midst of
pressure we need to be reminded of biblical truths over and over.”
This is why we talk about getting into a rhythm of getting into God’s Word
every day, so we can hear biblical truth over and over. This is why we teach
verse by verse through God’s Word, because we don’t just need general
reminders of biblical truth. We need specific reminders of biblical truth!
Amen? Look at verse 15:
2 Timothy 2:15, “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.”
When life gets stressful, relationships get strained, when relationships get
strained, arguments flair up, and when arguments flair up, we tend to forget
biblical truths, so that we end up using God’s Word to HURT one another
instead of HELP one another. Have you seen this?
We we end up using Scripture to win arguments, prove our points, or defend
ourselves. Don’t you know the Dallas Cowboys are going to win the super
bowl? God’s Word says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens
us!
You’re not going to put pineapple on pizza, are you? Don’t you know the body
is a temple? You’re not going to support Trump, are you? You know this
verse! You’re going to support Trump, aren’t you? You know this verse!
Therefore, verse 15 says, “Be diligent to accurately handle the Word of Truth!”
I know we’re all at different places with our familiarity with God’s Word, so let
me give you 3 stages of “Learning How to Accurately Handle the Word of
Truth.”
The first stage is what I call, “Becoming familiar.” This is where most of us
start. In this stage we’re learning the big picture of Scripture. We’re learning
some of the names of people and places. People in this stage, when pressure
hits, when arguments flair up, we tend to get quiet.
We tend to say phrases like, “It’s not my place!” We aren’t sure what to say.
Or, we might defer to whoever sounds most confident, but God’s Word is
calling us to diligently learn the Word of God, so that we can help each other
and remind one another of those biblical truths.
I get it, the bible can be intimidating, but you can do this. When I first started
reading Scripture I thought David and Goliath was about a bear. I didn’t
know!
It’s okay. We have to start somewhere. Maybe some are thinking, “But, you
went to seminary.” Seminary was great, but most of my understanding of
Scripture came through men and women in the local church in Austin, so that
every follower of Jesus can accurately handle the Word of Truth!
The second stage is what I call, “Growing in confidence.” In this stage you’re
feeling more confident in God’s Word. You’re starting to see how all of
Scripture, Old Testament and New Testament points to Jesus. You’re learning
a time line in your head throughout all of Scripture.
When we are under pressure at this stage, we can be a little dangerous,
because we can technically say the right thing but not always in the right way,
so that people in this stage tend to love the phrase, “Hey, I just tell it like it is!”
Which is usually code for, “I don’t know how to say it in a way that is helpful
but at least I said it!”
It’s possible some of are thinking, “Look, I got a job. I don’t have time to
accurately handle the Word of God.” Look, I get it. We live in a busy day, and
“I might be wrong…” but you’re probably busy doing the wrong things.
If we have time to read about wizards and dragons. Stay up to date on sports
and politics. We have time. It can happen.
In fact, if you give me three 45-minute meetings, I can give you the foundation
to start learning how to “accurately handle the Word of God.” I have made this
available for 15-years, and only Jac Greene has taken me up on it, and look at
him today!
The third stage is called, “Being formed by the Word.” In this stage you are
learning how to read Scripture, study Scripture, enjoy Scripture, and obey
Scripture, so that it changes how you talk to people about Scripture.
This is where God’s Word becomes surgical! You’re not leaving a trail of blood
splattered around the room, but there is wisdom and grace as strong words
are spoken, so that it produces soft hearts, because the goal isn’t to just say
what’s true, but to say it in a way that is restorative.
Because remember, this is all taking place in the context of pressure when
relationships are getting strained, arguments are flaring up, and when
arguments flair up, biblical truths are being forgotten, so that we need men
and women who know how to “accurately handle the Word of Truth.”
It is in those moments we get to be “REMIND” one another of Jesus’ life, death
and resurrection. We get to “REMIND” of His grace at work in our life. We get
to “REMIND” of reconciliation.
If you’re married, husbands, most wives are better with God’s Word. Don’t
hand this challenge off to them. Don’t lean on their understanding. Take
responsibility. Get yourself into God’s Word and start growing, because it will
make a difference in your life, in your marriage, and in our non-
denominational church in Austin. Look at verses 16-18:
2 Timothy 2:16-18, “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.”
In verses 16-18 we see a little more context for the words in our passage,
because there are some people stirring up lies!
They are teaching the resurrection has already taken place, which isn’t about
Jesus but about followers of Jesus, so you can imagine their confusion when
they whole chapter is about suffering, challenges, and frustrations. It’s
“upsetting the faith of some,” which isn’t an emotional upset, but people are
starting to question their faith in Jesus.
In verses 16-18 it says, “Their talk will spread like gangrene.” Gangrene is
from a lack of blood supply, so that sometimes limbs need to be amputated, so
verse 18 is like flashing lights and sirens, “When pressure rises, biblical truth
doesn’t disappear, it gets distorted, and then it spreads!”
That’s why this passage is so timely for us this morning. It’s an easy time for
us to get swept up with worry, fear, anxiety and panic. It’s easy time for us to
get in arguments with one another.
Honestly, at this point, who needs false teachers. We carry around one in our
pocket all day. There was a day when we had to go looking for false teaching.
Now false teaching comes looking for us; stirring up worry, fear, anxiety and
panic, so that God’s Word is warning us, “Be careful!” Look at verse 19:
2 Timothy 2:19, “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.”
Just in case we’re starting to get nervous, God’s Word points us to His glory.
In verse 19 we see a quote from Numbers 16 from the Old Testament that
says, “The Lord knows those who are His.”
That statement is a reference to people challenging Moses’ leadership in
Israel, which created stress, increased confusion, stirred up arguments, and
it’s another example of why our words are so important to each other.
Especially in those seasons of stress and pressure!
And the Apostle Paul makes this reference because in Numbers 16 people
were confused, but God wasn’t. People were wondering, “What’s going to
happen!” But God wasn’t! It’s because the Lord knows who are His!
When life gets stressful, when relationships get strained, when arguments
flair up, and we tend to forget biblical truths, and maybe we don’t accurately
handle the Word of Truth, God’s Word is reminding us, “We don’t’ have to
carry the weight.”
We might not see it, but He’s working. He’s not confused. He’s not worried.
So that we don’t have to get pulled into every whim and react to every voice,
but we can turn to Him and trust Him, which is the rest of our focus this
morning. Look at verses 20-21:
2 Timothy 2:20-21, “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.”
In verses 20-21 we see an object lesson around vessels of honor and dishonor,
or plates of gold and plates of paper, so that under pressure we can become
like paper plates that get swept up in gossip and slander. Pulled into
arguments. Flirting with false teachings that are contrary to God’s Word. We
can get baited into pointless arguments, or we can become fine china made in
Christ who are steady, intentional, and helpful.
Because notice in verse 20 we see language of “cleansing ourselves” and it
doesn’t mean being made clean in a sense of salvation. This can only happen
through faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
This is about how we respond in those moments of pressure. Instead of
blaming others, pointing the finger and stirring up trouble, we can look at our
own life and consider where we need to grow and mature.
We can ask: where are we wrangling about with words? How are we learning
to accurately handle the Word of Truth? Where can we turn and trust in the
Lord?
Because this is the shift. Spiritual maturity is not proving we know how to
win arguments. Talking louder. Snarky comments.
It’s revealed in how we walk through those moments of stress when
relationships get strained, arguments flair up, emotions are high, and we see
everything in us wants to shut people down, but instead, we see God’s Word
drawing people together and trusting in Him. Look at verses 22-26 to see how
vessels of honor show up:
2 Timothy 2:22-26, “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, skillful in
teaching, 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.”
First, I want to make sure we see the gospel being exalted in our passage.
Jesus has come to bring repentance. It is the kindness of the Lord that leads us
to repentance.
It’s possible our passage could hang over our head like a weight of failure,
because we can all see where we have given ourselves over to words of empty
chatter, but let’s make sure we see the gospel.
In Christ, we’ve been forgiven. In Christ, we’ve been given the power of the
Holy Spirit, therefore, these words are meant to be reminders of who we are
in Christ.
Therefore, with His grace and His strength, let us flee youthful lusts. This isn’t
just sexual passions, but emotional passions to win arguments, stir up trouble,
and create division.
Let us refuse foolish and ignorant speculations about what if this and what if
that, because we know it is going to lead to worry, fear, and panic.
Repentance isn’t just turning away from, but also turning to, so that it is
repent and replace. Does that make sense? It is repent of worry, fear, and
panic and replace with faith, love and peace that come from a pure heart.
All of which we have been given in Christ, so that it is ours in Christ, so that we
might stir up a church family that is strong and gentle in our faith and in our words. Amen?
North Village Church
This sermon is brought to you by North Village Church, a non-denominational church in Austin. established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching.
Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who are wanting to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. If you are a family with children or teens, we can support you with either or both our Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like more information.
NVC Online
Unable to attend this Christian Church in Austin? Don’t worry, because, through God’s provision, we have created NVC online, an Online Church streaming a worship service every Sunday from 10:30am Central Time. You can also watch our short, powerful sermons on demand and follow us on Instagram for daily Christ centered content.