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Title: Diligent, Approved, Unashamed, Accurate, Truth-Teachers Text: II Timothy 2:14-19 FCF: We often struggle getting distracted by less important or ungodly discussions. Prop: Because God keeps His dear children from succumbing to spiritual disaster, we must know, understand, and teach the message of truth accurately. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to II Timothy chapter 2. Paul has already set the stage for the coming discussion of the false teachers plaguing Ephesus. He has already drawn attention to the gospel of Christ. He has brought up the resurrection and Kingship of Jesus. He has discussed apostasy and rejection of truth. And he has brought suffering for the gospel, the true gospel, to the forefront of all this discussion. All of this is in an effort to prepare Timothy to take Paul’s mantle, as he is sure to be executed soon for proclaiming the gospel of Christ. And so Paul and his readers are ready for a comparison of the centrality of the message of truth with the fringe teachings of nonessential things and the ungodly teachings of these false teachers. Above all, our well-known, AWANA verse shines brightly in the text as the main point of application for every single believer. And there are truths from both sides supporting its command. I am in chapter 2 of II Timothy starting our reading in verse 14. I’ll be reading from the NET which you can follow in the pew bible on page 1343. We will read through verse 26 since this is one large thought Paul has for us. Transition: This is a lengthier sermon, so we need to move briskly so you don’t power down on me. So let’s dive in! I.) Nonessential and ungodly discussions lead to spiritual disaster for all, so we must know, understand and teach the message of truth accurately. (14-17a) a. [Slide 2] 14 – Remind people of these things i. Here we see Paul swooping in and out of commands to Timothy and to the people. ii. He has just said for Timothy to remember the gospel of Christ, to keep it at the forefront of his mind and cling to it. iii. Now he exhorts Timothy to teach that same principle to others. iv. In a sense, Paul takes the concept of depositing what He has taught to other faithful believers who can teach it also, and he applies it directly to Timothy. v. Not only must he remember the gospel of Christ, he must remind the people of the gospel of Christ. vi. To remind here has the idea of quietly reminding or suggesting. As far as commands go, this is a fairly benign thing to command. The strength of the command comes to Timothy, in that he is to remind the people. But the actual reminding Paul is recommending is a positive, instructive rather than corrective kind of reminding. vii. Paul sets this against a follow up command… b. [Slide 3] And solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words i. The second command is for Timothy to solemnly charge or to seriously exhort. To command. To spur. ii. This is the opposite of the softness of remind but is actually quite aggressive. Perhaps it inherits corrective force here. iii. Especially when we consider that this charge to them is in the very presence of the Lord. God Himself is in the audience of this command being given. As if they are in a court room and they are being commanded to do something before a judge. iv. But what is the command? v. To not engage in word-war as the Greek compound word would suggest. vi. This is one of only two places in the New Testament that this word or its word family is used. The other is in I Timothy chapter 6. vii. While it is not a large pool to draw from, we can be fairly confident that Paul is not forbidding fighting with words but rather about them or concerning them. viii. In other words, Paul is euphemistically saying – Command them not to get in arguments over semantics and petty little things. ix. So, call to their mind instructively the words of the gospel of Christ. That He was the God-Man, having been raised from among the dead ones, and a descendant of David, the eternal King and sin and death conqueror. Instruct them and remind them about these things. But other things that matter much less – x. Do not get embroiled in endless debates about such matters. Why? c. [Slide 4] This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen i. Paul has analyzed the risk to reward ratio and there is never a time when fiery debate over things that are not the gospel ends in a greater reward than was risked. ii. Instead, it brings people to ruin who listen. iii. Wait. Did you catch that? iv. We might expect that it would bring people to ruin who are doing the battling. But no… it is bringing to ruin the people who listen. v. What does that mean? How does this change what Paul is saying? vi. There is a time and a place to discuss and even winsomely debate the finer points of theology. But to do so publicly seems out of bounds. vii. Assuming the debate is done in humility and love toward one another and not in the presence of many people so as to lead the hearers astray… we certainly can and should do this. Why? viii. It is the glory of the King to search out a matter. It is the glory of God to conceal it. ix. It seems that it is an inborn trait of ours to wrestle with every single word in scripture to draw out as much meaning as we can. The fire burns in us to know God to the fullest. We are not finished with scripture when we only have the foundational principles of Christ crucified for sinners. We wish to build upon that foundation and understand the mind of God. x. I am convinced that there is no sin in this. xi. Where does sin enter? xii. When we discuss/debate these things arrogantly and without love for our disagreeing brother. When we elevate non-essential things to essential things. And when we do this before others and not privately. This is where we can do great damage. And all for what? xiii. No profit. The only predictable outcome is the ruin for those who hear you. xiv. So, Paul turns his attention back to Timothy. How is Timothy supposed to remind them? How can he be sure to remind them what is important and what is sound? d. [Slide 5] 15 – Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker i. And here comes our AWANA verse right? In fact that is what Awana means. Approved workmen are not ashamed. So here is the challenge. Let’s see if we can understand this verse in its context. Why? ii. Because in Awana we’ve used this verse to talk about memorizing our verses and understanding God’s message. iii. I am happy to say that the message in context is somewhat the same. iv. First, make every effort means to be diligent, to be devoted, to work hard. It is the image of the farmer from verse 6. v. Be diligent to the extent that when you present yourself before the Lord, the judge, for evaluation, what will he find? What will be your assessment? vi. First that you are approved. You are an acceptable worker. You have done your due diligence. You have not been lazy. vii. Second… e. [Slide 6] Who does not need to be ashamed, i. The word here means irreprehensible or blameless. ii. Be so diligent that when you present yourself to God, he finds you both positively as a worker who has been diligent and accomplished his tasks, and negatively is without any fault or blame. iii. This is not saying perfection, but it is speaking to no patterns of fault. iv. But what is the work that Timothy is to be diligent in? What is the labor that he diligently devotes himself to so as to bring no cause for blame upon himself? f. [Slide 7] Teaching the message of truth accurately. i. There are three levels of any subject of learning. Whether that be reading, writing, and arithmetic, or simply learning a job or trade… each subject of learning must be approached at three basic levels. ii. First is knowledge. Remind yourself of the gospel of Christ Timothy. Recall the sound words of the gospel. Know them backward and forward. This is essentially, memorization and familiarity. iii. Second is understanding. Compare those words to other teachings that you hear. Isolate those teachings which are not as essential and debate those humbly and lovingly but not to the extent of the sound teachings. Those cling to and defend, the others hold loosely. This is essentially comprehension, comparison, drawing connections between truths known, and even prioritizing them in importance. iv. Third and finally is wisdom or mastery. And it is what Paul says here. To know the truth so fully and completely, and to know the counterfeit so fully and completely, that you are able to express the sound truth eloquently and without error. The student never stops learning, but a student that never learns something to the point of teaching it, has never truly learned it. v. Such is Paul’s intent for Timothy. Exercise diligence and mastery over the truths of the gospel to the extent that you can teach it without error. vi. In this, we see the mantra of AWANA come forth but to an even greater degree. This is how all of us must seek to approach the gospel. In knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. So that we can not only know it but teach it. g. [Slide 8] 16 – But avoid profane chatter, i. What exactly is Paul cautioning here? ii. Is it more idle chat? Is it more public debate over the unnecessary things? iii. Based on Paul’s word choices here, I don’t think he is repeating himself. iv. Rather, I think he is building on the concept of wrangling over words. v. The word profane means wicked, heathenish, or unholy. vi. But what does profane chatter mean? Is he talking about anti-God speech? If so, why would Timothy even be tempted to participate? Why wouldn’t he avoid it like the plague? vii. It seems, based on other uses in scripture, that what this word came to mean was more along the lines of ungodly or wicked behavior. Behavior associated with the heathens. And so, the chatter or empty discussion of these wicked things comes down to people discussing the lawfulness of sin. viii. To the extent that they begin to undo God’s clear commands and subvert them to give them less force. ix. This is not overt speaking about disobeying God… x. Rather this is the more subtle questioning. Like the serpent in the garden… “Has God said?” xi. Let’s debate over whether or not homosexuality is really a sin? Surely the bible doesn’t mean women cannot preach? I think drunkenness is fine for a Christian; change my mind! Being physically intimate before marriage is not what God has forbidden in fornication? xii. This is the kind of profane chatter that Timothy is to avoid. Why is it profane discussion? Because it takes the command of God and moves it into something that we can debate. xiii. Why should Timothy avoid this? h. [Slide 9] Because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, i. Is that not the truth? ii. Now… let me clarify. It is not inherently wrong to question the teachings of God about these matters. However, there is a difference between asking, “What has God said?” and asking “Has God said?” iii. One seeks answers and the other questions God’s law because they do not wish to accept its truth. iv. The person doing the questioning will stray further and further into ungodliness. It begins with questioning the validity of God’s word and will end with outright lawbreaking. v. When a supposed brother says, let’s discuss whether or not homosexuality is a sin… where do you go with that person? Pretty much you say … Well God calls it an abomination in Leviticus. So… the end. If they pursue you to try to disprove all that… at that point I think you have to warn them that their desire to vindicate a sin that has always been called a sin since the beginning of the church, is a dangerous path to tread. Why? i. [Slide 10] 17a – and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. i. Not only will they succumb to the practice of lawlessness but ii. They will also convince others to do the same. iii. Why? iv. Mankind loves their sin. And they desire above all else, to keep it. v. And even people who have been raised in the church and made a profession of faith in Christ… even they can succumb to such infecting and ruinous teachings. And before you know it… they prove themselves to be gangrenous black… needing to be cut off. j. [Slide 11] Passage Truth: Paul to Timothy informs him that wrangling over non-essential things and having endless discussions questioning God’s revealed law and will, is of no profit and will ultimately undo the hearers and lead those who endlessly discuss them into greater and greater ungodliness. k. Passage Application: Opposed to this, Timothy must be diligent to know, understand and teach the gospel in purity and power, while putting down or dismissing various discussions that distract from or contradict the gospel message. l. [Slide 12] Broader Biblical Truth: Zooming out from this passage we find how many thousands of pages were written at the time of Christ about the Old Testament? The Talmud, the rabbinical writings, the discussions over the proper ways to wash your hands. Some of them even attempting to excuse certain sins that they could not seem to keep, like adultery and divorce. And through the history of the church how much time has been spent debating how many angels can fit on the head of a needle, or which eschatological position is best. Not to mention the discussions of modern Christianity questioning core tenants of established gospel truths and established words of God. Have we not seen Paul’s words fulfilled in all this? Have we not seen these people profit the church very little? Leading many astray? And even going deeper and deeper into ungodliness? How many Fundamental Baptist preachers have committed adultery with their secretaries? How many scholars have thought their way out of Christianity? m. Broader Biblical Application: My friends, we must heed the words of Paul to Timothy. Put down non-essential public debates. Stop quibbling and fighting over things that are not gospel related teachings. We must stop quibbling over spiritual gifts, eschatological signs and timelines, dress standards, wine and beer standards, movie standards and so much else that simply doesn’t matter. But we must also avoid empty discussions retreading and questioning established truth and revealed will and laws of God. Endlessly going back and pulling apart what the church has always believed is a profane and endless discussion that will ultimately only lead to ungodliness. Rather, we should study the gospel. We should know it, understand it, and we should teach it accurately. Transition: [Slide 13 (blank)] Rightly understanding the danger of becoming enthralled with nonessential debates and truth questioning discussions is only half the motivation we need to commit to knowing, understanding, and teaching the message of truth accurately. The other half of this, is that God knows and keeps His own in His truth. II.) God knows and keeps His own in His truth, so we must know, understand, and teach the message of truth accurately. (17b-19) a. [Slide 14] 17b - Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. i. The group are those who have questioned the clear holy commands of God and have come away as ungodly practitioners of sin. Still worse, they do so in defense of their behavior as lawful and without sin. ii. But who are these men? iii. Hymenaeus, assuming he is the same one mentioned in I Timothy – which is almost certain – is the same man who was said to have shipwrecked his faith. iv. It is the same man whom Paul had handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. v. It is obvious that in the intervening years since Paul handed out that sentence… Hymenaeus has yet to learn. vi. Philetus is a name we are completely unfamiliar with. His name means beloved or friend. Some bitter irony there. vii. So, what is the theological backdrop behind these men concluding that they could live sinful lives without issue? b. [Slide 15] 18 – They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, i. We’ve referenced this several times and all the pieces have consistently come together to fit the conclusion we have come to. ii. These men believed that the resurrection either 1. Had occurred already with Jesus at his crucifixion and the dead rising. 2. Was a spiritual resurrection only occurring in the resurrection of Christ. 3. Or is some sort of Israelite resurrection of the nation. iii. So, what does that mean? Well, if the resurrection has happened already, it means that the eternal Kingdom of Christ has already begun. Meaning that Christ reigns over all things. iv. The logic train from that goes completely bonkers when they conclude that the old dispensation of God’s law imposed upon His people has been done away with. v. They are now free to pursue any passion they wish. vi. From ladies becoming something like pagan priestesses, teaching and sleeping around, to people rejecting marriage and abstaining from certain foods. vii. But the worst part, is not that they have done this to themselves… but also c. [Slide 16] And they are undermining some people’s faith. i. Some people are actually succumbing altogether and questioning or even rejecting Christ. ii. Why? iii. Because if our gospel leads us to absolute freedom to do whatever we want… can’t I do that without Christ? Furthermore, if we are already in the New Kingdom… aren’t our sides already kinda chosen? Why continue to choose Christ? iv. And it is clear that Paul understands that his words here could impose fear on both Timothy and any who would read this. v. Indeed, to finish here (as I almost did when carving out which text to teach on) would be to leave us in a state of worry and fret. vi. How can anyone be saved? How can anyone keep believing if such a tangential teaching can be abused to the point that people walk away from more essential matters? vii. Paul needs to explain a somewhat paradoxical doctrine to us. And he will do it in one verse. d. [Slide 17] 19 – However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, i. God’s solid foundation is a building term. Probably referring to a house. This is the first metaphor of two that Paul will have in the next three verses. Both have to do with large or wealthy houses. ii. Paul quotes or references a number of Old Testament passages in this single verse. iii. [Slide 18] While it is difficult to isolate exactly what Paul is talking about in reference to the foundation, it seems as though he could be referencing Isaiah 28:16. iv. This text indicates that the foundation is actually Jesus Christ, or even the gospel of Christ. v. But what does this foundation have on it? e. [Slide 19] Bearing this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” i. The foundation bears a seal. A seal is a mark of ownership. It is like a signature. This foundation, this great house is owned by God. ii. But what does the seal say? iii. This is a quote from a passage in Numbers 16. iv. [Slide 20]The context of Numbers 16 is when Korah gathers a group of followers that think that they would make better leaders than Moses and Aaron. They specifically mention how they are all a part of this holy community and how there is no reason that some should be given exalted positions in God’s community. They should all be given authority to lead. v. [Slide 21] After praying to God Moses states that in the morning the Lord will make known who are his. So, by implication that is knowledge that God has. vi. [Slide 23]Jesus says something similar in John 10:27-28 vii. God knows who are truly His. viii. So, what does this mean? ix. Although from our perspective it is possible for all of us to deny Christ. From our perspective each of us are fragile and could walk away from the faith at any time. x. Even from the Israelites perspective that day as many died in Korah’s rebellion, when they cried “What if the earth swallows us too?” God knows who are his. xi. What does this imply? xii. [Slide 24] That God will never lose any that are truly His. There is never uncertainty with God. He didn’t accidentally kill anyone who was innocent of the rebellion. He didn’t swallow 1 too many in that day. And He isn’t waiting with bated breath to see who will endure. He won’t accidentally allow one of His people to wander astray never to be found again. xiii. He has already chosen the bride for His son. They are His and those who are His no one can snatch them from His hand… yes… even those in His hand cannot undo it. xiv. But what is the other side of this paradox? f. [Slide 25] And “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” i. This is probably an amalgam of several Old Testament texts. Both in reference to confessing or naming the name of God and in departing from evil. ii. [Slide 26] But held in the context of Numbers 16 – God commanded all the Israelites to separate themselves from the tents of Korah and his nearest accomplices. iii. What does this mean? iv. Even though God knows all who are His and as Moses said, would make plain who are His by who is judged and who isn’t – the requirement was still that the people of Israel step away from the tents of Korah. They did this, and then Korah was swallowed into the earth. v. This is the human responsibility side. vi. [Slide 27] How do we look in the mirror and know… we are His? How do we look at our neighbor and know… he or she is one of His sheep? vii. Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord MUST turn away from evil. viii. Paul puts this in the imperative. It is a command. ix. So, what is Paul saying? x. Well to turn away is not the same word for repent. We may be tempted to think this means repentance. It doesn’t. Instead, Paul uses a word with a variety of different nuances. 1. To go away 2. To depart 3. To desert 4. To withdraw 5. To revolt 6. To shun 7. To flee 8. To cease 9. To vex 10. To fall away 11. To keep oneself from xi. So, what is the common theme in all these? Opposition. To turn away from evil, is to hate it and fight it. To be appalled by it. xii. So, let’s put the whole thought together… xiii. We know we are the Lord’s when we are successful in obeying His command to fight off and hate, be appalled by or depart from our own wickedness. xiv. If we are unable to succeed in doing that… then the validity of our confession of the name of the Lord is immediately called into question. g. [Slide 28] Passage Truth: Paul shows another truth in this passage that is profoundly impacting. Christ is God’s foundation. God has sealed His foundation with His holy seal which states that He knows who are His. His judgement will not fall on those who are actually His and who stand on the foundation of Christ. h. Passage Application: But as the human side of that, Timothy must continue to teach and cling to the sound words of Christ while putting down, avoiding, and departing from ungodly teachings and those who teach them. i. [Slide 29] Broader Biblical Truth: Zooming out from this, we know from scripture that God is the sovereign one. Meaning that it is absolutely outside the realm of possibility for God to lose one of His elect ones. We may wrestle here with election or the human side of apostasy – but we cannot argue the plain truth here in scripture. God will not lose any whom He has chosen. And that is a great comfort to us. Especially when we see so many reject their faith and walk away. When they die in that rejection we can say – well I guess they weren’t actually His. Because we dare not say, well I guess God lost one. j. Broader Biblical Application: But we also cannot forsake the human side of this as well. God provided the Israelites with truth. He is about to reign down judgment on Korah… so step aside! And certainly, logically, one could conclude that if they had not stepped aside God would have swept them away too. But, although this makes logical sense, it is checked against the teaching that God will not lose any of His own. What does that mean? Although we are comforted by the truth of God knowing His own and keeping His own, it does not absolve us of our responsibility to cling to Christ and reject false teachers and their teachings. A promise of God’s work does not give license for passivity. Both God’s will and human responsibility work in concert with one another. How? Well, that is maybe a finer point that we can debate another time, in private with humility and love toward one another.