2 Tim., Pt. 5 (Chatter Clashing with God’s Approved)
 
Speculative “Spiritual” Chatter Clashing with Those Approved Before God 2 Timothy 2:14-26; Pt. 5 By Pastor Dan Kennedy © October 25, 2015 www.pastorkennedy.com Wherever there is Good and Justice in this world, there is also evil. (Ecc. 3:16) Whenever there is Truth, falsehood is an ever-present competitor for the minds and souls of men and women. (Gen. 3:1) Today, the Scriptural passage we are studying is part of the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a young disciple being prepared to be a pastor in Ephesus. Paul was writing to this young leader from a squalid prison cell, awaiting death in Rome. It was a serious letter, including confronting those teaching doctrinal heresies that Paul had faced earlier in his ministry, giving Timothy insight on how to address similar problems, which were certain to come his way, because falsehood is an ever-present competitor to Truth. This includes divisions that happen in Church, the Body and Bride of Jesus Christ. “Keep reminding them of these things.” Paul tells Timothy in 2:14, after reviewing a “trustworthy saying” known in the Early Church. He continues with warnings in subsequent verses: “Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” A person, who initiates quarrels in the church, promoting godless chatter, spreads disruptive discord like gangrene. Other people can often find themselves disillusioned, because of the quarrels, and even fall away from faith. Paul had folks like that in the Early Church by the names of Hymenaeus, Alexander and Philetus. (1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:17; 4:14-15) Paul felt so strongly about the destructive discord caused by Hymenaeus and Alexander that he “handed them over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Tim. 1:20) Divisions happen in Church. Christ told us this would happen in “the Parable of the Weeds”. Matthew 13:24–30 The Parable of the Weeds 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ” Jesus explained the parable to His disciples this way: Matthew 13:36–43 The Parable of the Weeds Explained 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Seeds of Division in the Church • The enemy planted seeds of division in the Early Church – some of these disrupters are identified today in the text as Hymenaeus, Alexander and Philetus. At the time, I’m sure these people thought they were doing God (and the church) a favor by standing up to Paul’s “weak” leadership, lack of eloquence, and teaching (1 Cor. 2:3-4; 4:10). • The enemy planted seeds of division in every age of the Church. • The enemy has planted seeds of division in all the Churches right now. • Divisions hurt the Church, and those who cause godless division in the Church, in time will be severely judged. • But God overrules the enemy’s deceitfulness and destructiveness. Divisions can also eventually bring clarity and purity in the Church, and people who bring division are revealed in time, for who they are. Before we go any further, let’s Review where we have studied up until now: 2 Timothy 2:1–13 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here 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. 14 Keep reminding them of these things. REVIEW 2 Timothy 2:1-7 Discipleship 2 Timothy 2:2 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. The Soldier – Submission to Authority The Athlete – Follows the Regulations of the Game The Farmer – First to Experience the Reward of the Harvest 2 Timothy 2:8-13 The Resurrection The Gospel & The Reign of Christ “A Trustworthy Saying” o Death & Life o Enduring & Reigning o Disowning & Disowning o Faithlessness & Faithfulness Today’s Study: Keep Stable in Your Faith Knowing God and His Word as your Central Point of Reference keeps you stable in your heart during times of trial and controversy, by the Power of His Spirit. The Key Verse in this Section, sandwiched between verses dealing with controversy in the church, is the well known verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV (Many of us may have memorized it in the King James Version) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. • 2 Tim. 2:15 begins with the Greek word σπουδάζω [spoudazo] translated several ways showing a whole-hearted, broad scope of initiative toward God’s Word: “To exert one’s self, endeavor, give do diligence, study, or do your best.” 2 Tim. 2:15 NIV Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. • Have “do diligence”, “do your best”, “study” to present ourselves to God as one approved… • Be as one of God’s Children who do not need to be ashamed… • One who correctly handles the Word of Truth. This is the Core of who we are as a believer in Jesus Christ. In whatever firestorm that swirls around us… We should seek to: • Be honorable to God. • One not ashamed (before God) of what they are doing and how they are doing it. • One who knows God’s Word sufficiently so that they can correctly discern and discuss the basics of the Bible, and can be aware of deceptive falsehoods. Godly responses all begin at the “Approved” Christian’s Core Person KEY: An Internal Relationship with God, and Knowing His Word From this critical core of our person we then respond appropriately to: • Various Theological Schools of Thought • Good or Questionable Ideas/Causes • Experiences, Dreams, Visions, Prophesies • Educational Theories and Teaching What we do comes from the reservoir of our heart. Proverbs 4:23 (ESV) 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Matthew 15:18–20 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ” Look at the warning that precedes verse 15. Warning: Don’t Quarrel about words 2 Tim. 2:14b Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Then when quarreling erupts, or fights break out, we must try to deal with these things honorably and keep quarreling out because it only ruins the listeners. Have “Diligence” to Be Approved Before God – (This verse is tucked between verses about issues found in the Church) 2 Tim. 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid Speculative “Spiritual” Chatter… it is godless 2 Tim. 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. • Godless chatter causes more ungodliness. • It contaminates like a deadly virus or life-threatening infection. • It causes some to wander away from the truth. • In Paul’s day, Hymenaeus and Philetus promoted the notion that the resurrection had already taken place… among other direct oppositions that Alexander leveled against Paul. Alexander evidently took up a personal vendetta against Paul together with Hymenaeus and Philetus, causing others to leave the faith, and bringing judgment on themselves. 2 Timothy 4:14–15 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. • Their divisive teaching destroyed the faith of some. • How did Paul deal with Hymenaeus and Philetus and their teaching? o He rejected their teaching and confronted their godless chatter and Scripturally unsound theological musings. o He sought to dissuade those caught up in their heresy. o He instructed Timothy to be careful because of them. o He committed Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan so they would be taught not to blaspheme (1 Tim. 1:20) God’s Solid Foundation Firmly Stands 2 Tim. 2:19 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.” By their fruit you will know them (Matt. 7:15-20). Be Holy Vessels for Noble Use 2 Tim. 2:20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If 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. Paul’s Continuing Call for Living a Lifestyle honoring to God 2 Tim. 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Paul Once Again Emphasizes Avoidance of Foolish and Stupid Arguments, because of their Hazardous Outcomes 2 Tim. 2:23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. Paul concludes these remarks to Timothy by Advising him about Attitudes befitting God’s Servants 2 Tim. 2: 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. Conclusion Wherever there is Good in this world, what is also present? When Truth is being presented, what always competes with it? Are Divisions in the Church something that can be expected? What Parable Did Jesus teach His Disciples that sheds light on the cause of Divisiveness among groups of people who say they are Christians? What two things does Paul say often causes Division and should be avoided in the Church? o Quarreling about words o Godless Chatter What happens when Quarreling spreads like gangrene in the church? o Some are disillusioned by it and sadly leave the faith. What should be at the Core of one who is as a believer in Jesus Christ, seeking to be Approved before God? o Be honorable to God. o Live a life so you will not be ashamed before God o Know God’s Word sufficiently so that you can correctly discern and discuss the basics of the Bible, and can be aware of deceptive falsehoods. How does having this Spiritual Core keep the Believer in Christ Stable? What two things make God’s Foundation Stable? 1. “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, 2. “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” Should any of the Lord’s Servants be known as a Quarreler? How should he instruct those who oppose him? o Gently What is the problem with those who are quarrelers in the Church? o The enemy’s snares entrap them since the devil wants them to do his will. What does the Lord’s Servant hope will happen to those causing division in the Church? o That God will grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth and be delivered from the trap and captivity of the devil. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 http://www.pastorkennedy.comshapeimage_2_link_0