Serving

6 Characteristics of a useful servant of Jesus Christ.

Challenge: Strive to be a useful servant

Genuine (19-20)

2 Timothy 2:19–20 NASB95

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.” 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.

Seal:

The Lord Knows - An Elect church from God’s viewpoint

Abstain from wickedness - A Righteous church from man’s viewpoint

Keep far from unrighteousness. back up your profession of faith with real action.

Uncontaminated (21)

2 Timothy 2:21 NASB95

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.

cleanses himself from these things - remove or keep away from the vessels of dishonor.

Biblical separation.

1 Corinthians 5:9–13 NASB95

9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

He will be an honorable vessel (my favorite pan)

He will be useful to the Master

He will be prepared or eager for every good work.

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Pure (22)

2 Timothy 2:22 NASB95

22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

A. Flee

- continually run away from

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:22–23

Timothy was still a young man (cf. 1 Tim. 4:12), and even though he was probably mature beyond his years, he might have still displayed some of the characteristics and passions of the young: impatience, intolerance, love of argument, self-assertion, partiality.

1 Corinthians 6:18 NASB95

18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

Galatians 5:19–21 NASB95

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

B. Chase

Righteousness

faithfulness

love - agape (not brotherly love, not sexual love,

peace

The Letters to Timothy and Titus 3. Personal Priorities for Pastoral Effectiveness (2:22–26)

“those who call on the Lord” is the form of a verb (epikaleō) often used to describe deep and even desperate appeal to the Lord. An example would be Stephen “calling on” Christ “while they were stoning him”

The one who Calls upon the Lord is one who believes in Jesus.

Peaceable (23)

2 Timothy 2:23 NASB95

23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

Proverbs 15:18 NASB95

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

Proverbs 17:14 NASB95

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

Proverbs 20:3 NASB95

3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.

Mark 11:27–32 NASB95

27 They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28 and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?” 29 And Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 “Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.” 31 They began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 “But shall we say, ‘From men’?”—they were afraid of the people, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet.

Patient (24)

2 Timothy 2:24 NASB95

24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Gentle (25-26)

2 Timothy 2:25–26 NASB95

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.