Learning

2 Timothy 3:1-17

This topic has come up in to different conversations this week, with 2 different people. “Learning”

Paul said in Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Paul had eliminated the desire for the “next best thing” in his life by learning to be content in his life of faith in Jesus Christ!

This is a powerful statement in his case, as well as other believers in his time on up to today!

There is a lot of folks who are lacking, because of their faith but are content because of their faith in Jesus Christ!

The key phrase in Paul’s declaration is....... “I have learned”!

He did not start out of the gate with this, he had to learn it!

We seem to beat ourselves up because we do not have everything all together, right away!

Paul also stated in Philippians 3:12 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

He tells us that he hasn’t attained and he is not perfect at it, BUT he follows after Jesus Christ!

But Paul’s statement in Philippians 4:11, gives me comfort that we are learning and then believing it and trusting that this life with Christ is true and from there putting it in practice in our life!

But it also suggest to me that there is opposition to this life in Christ!

We are pulled by opposite ways, thoughts, and desires. Many people will tell you this and that and their teaching opposes the truth!

When we are in need and struggling in this life or maybe just searching for the next best thing, we can easily be deceived!

It happens in individual lives, in marriages, in churches!

Our fleshly desires mix in with what the world is presenting and we jump at it!

Jesus warned us about them in Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

There has been many examples of this throughout the history of man false teachers come in with what the Bible refers to as flatteries (smooth talk) building you up and presenting a different way that will get you out your bad situation!

We jump at it and say ok, it’s time for a change let’s go!

The believer however is learning to trust in Christ and does not jump at everything that comes along, we know that whatever state we are in that we can go through each situation through our faith in Christ Jesus!

Turn with me to Ephesians 4:17-24, just briefly.......

Paul is speaking to this church and in Ephesians 4:1-5 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”

Paul goes on to discuss the gifts of Christ within the believers!

Now, he tells them that they (believers) are not like the worldly.....listen to this passage vs. 17-24.....

A life of faith in Jesus Christ does not walk like the world in the vanity or futility of their mind....

You see there is an opposite attraction in this world that severely attacks anyone that is following Christ!

There is wrong ways that will be presented as right ways but there is only ONE right way!

Paul tells them that “You did not learn Christ this way!”

If it is true that you have heard Christ and and have been taught Christ, that the truth of life is in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ..........then you would put off the old man, way, desire!

The truth about salvation leads to the fullness of truth about God, man, creation, history, life, purpose, relationships, Heaven, hell, judgement, and everything else that is truly important!

1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

In Jesus’ prayer in John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

When the old way, that will be presented as new by the deceivers, is put away then we put on the actual new man which is in the likeness of God which is righteousness and holiness!

I want to close in 2 Timothy 3, the entire chapter because the enemy to God is deceiving and always deceives!

This chapter reveals that in perilous times will come and you will see a whole new manner of life presented as normal (ref. Romans 1:18-32)

We see the list of things that will seem to be taught or told that these things are ok or they will give excuses for them and they are no longer presented as evil.

These people that live out their life in this manner will have a form of godliness, but if that form was removed it will reveal that they are truly following after the devil!

Paul tells them to turn away from them, for they will ease into lives of weak willed women (people) that are truly burdened by their sins and convince those people to follow after their own desires which we know is in opposition with God!

These weak-willed people (women) are always learning (the next best thing) but never able to come to the truth!

HOW MANY NEW THINGS HAVE WE RUN AFTER IN SEARCH FOR A SPARK IN OUR LIVES????

EVER LEARNING AND NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH!

Jumping from one thing to another to satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul and never finding that satisfaction!

The Rolling Stones sung about that “I can’t get no satisfaction”

They never will listening to the world, society, and the flesh!

Paul uses Jannes and Jambres, which are the 2 magicians that tried to replicate Moses signs to Pharoah which were eventually unsuccessful. (Exodus 7,8, & 9)

The idea Paul is presenting is that just as those magicians tried to deceive with signs and wonders, so will these to try and reinforce their lies!

It is folly and it will be brought to light!

Paul speaks of his “manner of life”.........this is not arrogance this is truth! There is nothing about his manner of life that is attractive to the world, but it is truth and it is after Christ!

All who live after God through Christ will suffer persecution in some manner! That is not a phrase that folks put on T-shirts, is it? But it is true!

That is always where false, evil desires comes in and we become weak-willed and will listen to anyone that promises relief!

They advertise there is a breakthrough coming, just do this or that, when all along our Breakthrough came 2000 years ago in the Person and Work of Christ Jesus!

When troubles (persecutions) come continue in what you have learned and have been assured of, knowing about all those that have lived by faith in Christ and seeing their manner of life and their purpose!

Those are the ones who trusted in Christ above their own desires and ways and lived it out!

Everything in Scripture leads us to our salvation by faith in Jesus Christ!

Paul wrote this to the “man of God” which is Timothy and the pastors but it is also to us.....

Everything in God’s Word leads us to Christ and it is only with, through, and in Christ Jesus that we are made perfect and completely furnished unto all good works!

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”