Bible Study - Build (3) - Study GOD'S Word - 2 Timothy 2:14-26 - October 30, 2022

 

Bible Study - Build (3) – Study GOD’S Word – October 30, 2022

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled, “How to Build Your Life on GOD’S Word.”

Our focus scripture is 2 Timothy 2:14-26.

Regular study of GOD'S Word keeps us firmly grounded.

This scripture is Paul’s letter to young Timothy who was ministering to the church in Ephesus. Paul was in prison in Rome, but he wanted his prodigy, Timothy to have written material that would benefit him in his ministry.

It is vital that all Christians study GOD’S Word and know the truth in GOD’S Word. This is truer today than ever because there are those who can put a small twist on GOD’S Word to align it with their message but it is not GOD’S truth. Beware because we are in the last days and false doctrine will get worse as we get closer to the second coming of JESUS, which I quickly add, may be thousands of years away or before I finish typing this sentence.

I recall in my college years I attended a Bible study led by one of the older students. A fellow student asked many good questions which the Bible study leader could not answer. Long story short, the student who asked the questions got Spiritually straight and I got Spiritually tangled up. The good news is that I eventually got Spiritual matters straight and on solid Spiritual ground, but it took the study of God’s Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Even now we all need to be careful as we seek to rightly divide GOD’S Word.

Paul was seeing evidence of false teachers and false doctrine in the churches in his day, and he was warning young Timothy to preach truth and not to try to defend every false doctrine being touted. This is true today.

This leads us into our focus scripture ----

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:14-15:

¹⁴ Remind them of these things and charge them before God^[b] not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 

¹⁴ Remind them of these things and charge them before God^[b] not to fight about words. 

What things was Timothy to remind “them” and charge “them”:

We go back to 2 Timothy 2:1-13:

You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men^[a] who will be able to teach others also.

All Spirit-born people receive salvation through faith in JESUS and GOD’S Grace. All Spirit-born Christians are in Spiritual warfare every day. We have to suit up for battle each day. (Ephesians 6)

³ Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. ⁵ Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

In essence, Paul was telling Timothy to stay focused on the true message of JESUS, which is -----

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal (Paul was in prison). But the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰ This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. ¹¹ This saying is trustworthy:

For if we died with him,
we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
¹³ if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.

Some in that culture were saying that JESUS had already returned to earth and, in essence, all people who were still alive, at that time, had been left behind.

People, in general, love to debate. Especially religion. Religion is man-made and religion takes on many different forms, but Christianity is a personal relationship with GOD through the miracle of Spiritual birth through faith in JESUS. Spiritual birth results in a person being eternally Spiritually born into the family of GOD, never to be Spiritually unborn.

People love to debate Christians on many issues. Most of us do not know the scripture well enough to debate it and can result in confusion. Our Pastor is an exception. He could, in my opinion, debate well trained theologians because he knows the scripture better than many theologically trained people. 

The Apostle Paul was telling Timothy to stick to the truth you know which has been verified in your heart and do not chase every argument that people raise. Truth never changes and truth stands against time and challenges. We, who know the truth, are to keep this in our minds as we go through life.

I know my wife and I were at the beach and tuned in a pastor on TV and we thought this person is really good until he kept preaching and we began to see that his message did not align with GOD’S Word. We turned him off.

Folks, we must read and study GOD’S Word because the days are evil and there are those who will attempt to confuse, distort and mislead.

The Bible states this clearly in Matthew 24:24:

²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

The Apostle Paul continued his advice to Timothy, which is good for us.

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:16-19:

¹⁶ Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, ¹⁷ and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. ¹⁸ They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of^[d] the Lord turn away from wickedness.

Avoid irreverent and empty speech, why? Because such useless babble spreads like gangrene and produces more godlessness and confusion. Why? Because people generally seek information from those who appear to know the truth rather than seeking truth from sources of truth, e.g., GOD’S Word. In the case of Christians, GOD’S Word and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal truth as they study it is vital.

Granted in Timothy’s Day, true resources were hard to find whereas in our day, resources are plentiful. But we must discern truth from error.

Paul cited two people who were not teaching truth. They were teaching false doctrine, “saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.” “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his,^[c] and let everyone who calls on the name of^[d] the Lord turn away from wickedness.”

Satan delights in misleading Christians and getting them to believe a lie. When doubt comes into our lives, seek truth from GOD’S Word, prayer and reliable Spirit-born people and confirm by the Holy Spirit.

Paul moves on to explain that in the Kingdom of GOD there are all sorts of people who minister. True today.

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:20-21:

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable^[e] use and some for dishonorable.^[f] 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,^[g] he will be a special^[h] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Paul used an example of a large house. In such a house you find various vessels needed for specific purposes. Some are considered valuable because of the material used to make them and their purpose. However, there are others just as functional but made from materials not considered as valuable. But never-the-less, these vessels serve a valuable purpose in the household.

We are all sinners saved by GOD’S grace when we accept JESUS as our Savior. As Spirit-born people, we may look back at our former life and realize that we were living a life that did not honor JESUS. Now that we are Spirit-born, we need to no longer live that lifestyle or operate that business. GOD honors such a decision for that person to change careers or lifestyles. GOD purifies their present use and function.

Let’s 2 Timothy 2:22-26:

²² Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,^[I] and patient, ²⁵ instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. ²⁶ Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Paul cautioned Timothy not to get caught up in youthful passions. We now know that the human brain does not fully develop until around 25 years old. It takes some longer and then there are others who develop sooner.

Paul cautioned Timothy to pause and not to do things out of impulse but to stop and think matters through before acting. GOD can change people. Good advice for all of us, even those of us who have lived for many years.

Paul advised Timothy to, “pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

What should Timothy reject? “But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels.” Why? ²⁴ The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,^[I] and patient, ²⁵ instructing his opponents with gentleness.” Why? Don’t burn a bridge of opportunity because, “Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. ²⁶ Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

Satan is ready to take advantage of every opportunity to discredit a Child of GOD. If a person is seeking a right relationship with GOD and has questions or is not ready, we can act in our zeal and push the person hard to make a decision to accept JESUS as his or her Savior. Here is where the Holy Spirit must lead us. Be gentle so the door of opportunity will remain open. Why? The Holy Spirit works within those who are to receive salvation. It takes some longer than others.

“They may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

As Spirit-born people we are in battle against Satan. GOD has chosen for those of us who know the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS to share this truth with those to whom GOD via the indwelling Holy Spirit leads us to those seeking salvation from the consequence of sin, which is eternal death.

What does faith in JESUS offer to every person? Eternal life! How?

JESUS said it best in John 3:3, “³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Every person must be born-again in order to be GOD’S Child and live eternally in Heaven.

The beauty of Spiritual birth is that GOD’S Divine Spirit unites with the human spirit by the act of the human will and Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. This Spiritual birth takes place the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for JESUS to come into his or her heart, believing that JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for his or her sins by the shedding of HIS sinless blood.

What kind of body will the Spirit-born person have in Heaven while he or she waits for the return of JESUS to earth to rapture the Spirit-born people at HIS second-coming?  They will have a special body fashioned by GOD for use in Heaven until they return with JESUS to receive their new, eternal Glorified body like JESUS’ body at the rapture.

Consider 2 Corinthians 5:1-5:

For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. ² Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ since, when we are clothed,^[a] we will not be found naked. ⁴ Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

So, what is Paul’s message to us today? We are ever closer to the return of JESUS than ever. It still may be many years away, but it could happen in the twinkle of the eye. So, what do we who know the truth do? We are to remain steadfast in the knowledge that JESUS is LORD and reach out to others who are seeking truth with the truth. Faith in JESUS is everyone’s assurance of eternal life.

This earth is not our home because it will pass away and be burned up.

Read and study GOD’S Word and as you do, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. Know GOD’S Word and apply it as you live upon earth.

Blessings!!!