“What does an Honorable Christian look like?”
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Welcome everyone here.
Quick Announcements:
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Explain where we are headed.
Last week we started our look into the final few verses of chapter 2. We discussed the difference between that of an honorable believer and that of a dishonorable believer. We have already looked at the first 4 qualities of an Honorable Christian.
-An Honorable Believer will live a cleansed life.
-An Honorable Believer will live a life that is set apart from this world.
-An Honorable Believer will live a life of service to God.
-An Honorable Believer will live a prepared life.
Tonight my desire is for us to finish addressing the last 5 and we are going to see this in verses 22-26. There are a total of nine marks or qualities of an honorable Christian.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
1. An Honorable Christian will desire to have a pure heart.
1. An Honorable Christian will desire to have a pure heart.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
This verse here looks a lot like what Paul already shared with Timothy back in First Timothy chapter six.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
Paul here uses the word flee which has the meaning of a fugitive. The Greek form of this verb is a present imperative which means that it is a command. In other words, fleeing is not an option. We must run from, or flee from youthful lusts. But why should we do this??? If not careful we will get caught up and become ensnared by sinful things. A faithful believer is on the run from sin and is running toward Christ. Keep in mind here as Paul is writing this letter to Timothy and the church, Timothy is almost 30 years younger than Paul. Timothy was still in his youth and could be tempted by sinful lusts. So, what exactly does “youthful lusts” mean here?
-There are certain specific things that we must flee or run from.
a. Sexual sin of course.
b. Pride.
c. A lust for wealth and more stuff.
d. Power.
e. Jealousy and Envy.
-Paul now goes on to help us see that there are also things we must pursue. As we run away from youthful lusts we are to pursue specific things to help us live for the Lord.
a. We will pursue righteousness. The only way to stay away from youthful lusts is of course through the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit but also to overcome evil with putting that which is good into our minds and hearts.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We are able to do this through the reading and hearing of God’s Word, and we begin to ask the Lord to help us to live by His wonderful principles. This is how we can pursue right living.
b. We will pursue faith. Paul desires for Timothy to be faithful and glorify God by his integrity, loyalty, and trustworthiness. Men, when we look at faithful believers we see men and women who are loyal and faithful to their God, to His Word, and to His Work.
c. We will pursue love. The love that Paul has in mind here is (agape). This type of love is a wonderful and noble love because it is not based on feelings or emotions. This type of love is not based on outward beauty, but is selfless and self-giving. Agape love is used throughout Scripture to speak of God. Agape love is a love that the Father has for His Son. Agape love is a love that Jesus has for fallen mankind.
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
d. We will pursue peace. This word peace is where we get the word serenity. This word speaks about harmonious relationships, between men and God and between men and other men.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
During the time that Paul is writing this letter to Timothy there was some conflict that was happening in the church. Confronting sinful things and maintaining peace are often a difficult thing and yet there must be a balance if men and women are to come to know Christ, they need to see believers getting along and serving one another.
“From a pure heart” here really helps us to see that Paul is speaking about godly believers who are known as “honorable vessels.” These cleansed believers continue to call out for God’s help and guidance and the faithfully follow Him and serve others.
2. An Honorable Christian will have a discerning mind.
2. An Honorable Christian will have a discerning mind.
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
A vessel of the Lord must develop a discerning mind. So often when we don’t know God’s Word, even a believer can be deceived and be caught into confusion. This happens when believers listen to any body and every body and hear false teaching and false doctrine and can lead to sinful living.
14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
False teaching looks good, sounds good, and feels good, but it is false and that is why we must know the true teachings of God’s Word.
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Illustration: On my lawnmower at home I have a filter that keeps out the bad things from getting into the gas and oil. If this is not filtered out than it can cause build up to happen and the engine to stop running. The same applies to our lives as believers. We must watch out for what we allow into our hearts and minds because it ultimately affects our thinking, our beliefs, our values, our motives, and even our priorities. Here is how Paul sums this up from Philippians.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
I want to get really specific here on what Paul is dealing with. As believers we need to be discerning and here is why. Notice here in verse 23 that Paul says have nothing to do with foolish or ignorant controversies. Some of your versions say speculations. We of course are not to avoid all controversy and discussions about our faith, and in fact we are to give an account of what Christ has done for us. So, what exactly is Paul speaking about here??? We are not to enter into speculations or unproductive debates that will just bring about fighting or quarrels. Go back with me and look at verse 14.
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
There are some people who just want to get talking about things that just don’t matter and have little or no spiritual value whatsoever. Be discerning and watch out for these conversations. Remember that we should look to build up and not tear down with our words and conversations.
3. An Honorable Christian will have a Gentle Spirit.
3. An Honorable Christian will have a Gentle Spirit.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
Paul here is speaking as a bond-servant. (Doulos) We see that Paul often refers to himself as a bond-servant. Every bond-servant including Timothy here should not be quarrelsome, but kind, able to teach, and patient when enduring evil, or being wronged.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ”
4. An Honorable Christian will have a humble spirit.
4. An Honorable Christian will have a humble spirit.
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
5. An Honorable Christian will have a compassionate spirit.
5. An Honorable Christian will have a compassionate spirit.
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.