2 Tim 2:14-3:9 - Correction of those off the rails

If you've been around evangelicals for longer than a week or two, you've probably encountered the phrase "personal Lord and Savior". The idea is that faith must become yours, it is not inherited or distributed in a group license, unlike 95% of the mail that I receive.

The personal aspect of faith also leads some to conclusions that are NOT the faith of the Bible.

Some have interpreted the personal nature of faith to infer that we are all individual and independent bubbles that have no interaction with the bubbles of others. It is the sacredness of impenetrable personal space.

R.C. Sproul was an American theologian in the Presbyterian Church who entered eternity just over 6 years ago. He attempts to balance love with judgment in these words

Play: Video Clip

But, as a reflection of the triune nature of God, humans have been created for community. The original commands of fruitfulness and multiplication demand interaction with others.

Even the love command that is promoted by those who decry judgment, is rooted in otherliness. It is impossible to be loving (according to their own ideas) without interacting toward others. The problem is that they want "nice" with nothing "negative" which violates the very essence of discernment that Sproul so accurately describes.

Just moments after seeing that video on X, a post appeared on my Facebook page with this graphic.

Somewhere between the avoidance of strict separation and the apathy that lacks concern is the practice of Christ. Contrary to the brash and hypocritical finger-pointing of judgmentalism, discerning judgment always begins with a look at self and is concerned with the folly of others.

TRANSITION: Just as the Lord's Supper that was observed moments ago begins with introspection, the command of v.14 is under the umbrella of v.15. The first derailment that should concern you, is your own derailment.

Personal Proposal (2 Tim 2:14-16, 22-23)

Avoid quarrels by staying in your lane

We can confront in kindness, be discerning without being judgmental, be helpful without condescending, correct without malice or disdain.

I was shown a timehop pic this week of a child 5 years ago who literally had red swollen eyes, tears running down the cheeks, and corners of the mouth turned down simply because his mother had told him not to play in the street.

2. We can remind and charge in love to the glory of God.

I recall about 3 years ago (during Covid-19) when one of our church family passionately confronted my choice for myself about vaccination. While we disagreed in the end about what I should do, I told the person that I am fully convinced that his or her words came out of a place of deep concern for me, my health, and my future.

3. Timothy's effective obedience to v.14 required that he first implement v.15.

Under the Umbrella (v.15)

The person who confronts effectively:

Submits to God's approval

In order to be received in the way we desire (vv.25-26), it is NOT enough to have correct content, we must make wise delivery! [knowing how and when to communicate]

Players in any sport must decipher when being strong becomes playing dirty. One is admirable, the other disqualifying.

b. Is unashamed of the task

I fully appreciate players like Salvador Perez who slides into a base and gets up smiling and joking with the defensive player. Make not mistake, Salvy's intention is to hit, run and score even while defense is trying to get him out. But playing the game with heart means he doesn't apologize when he steals a base.

c. Operates within Biblical truth.

You probably don't have to think very long to recall a person who used a quote from Scripture in a wrong way. Either claiming something came from the Bible when it isn't there; or using a phrase in a way that God never intended.

It is not enough to cite God's Word; the effective reminder is only done in accordance with God's will and God's Word because it is God's Spirit who brings about positive transformation, regardless of the intentions of the person giving the reminder or the charge.

TRANSITION: The reminder and the requirements are necessary because nobody, not even me, is beyond rebuke

People Problems (2 Tim 2:17-21)

Talk spreads and upsets some

If v.16 describes a confrontation made poorly (out from under the umbrella of v.15); v.17ff describes a reminder or charge received poorly.

Paul points out something that we already know, irreverent talebearing spreads, often contains falsehood (v.18) and is ungodly.

Certain tools/Certain Use (vv.20-21)

I think v.20 makes a shift from the person we've been talking about who receives a reminder or charge and responds with ungodly error and words. V.19 indicates that departing from iniquity is honorable. So I believe these verses are talking about the approved workman who is cleansed so that he or she can remind and charge others honorably.

The challenge from the Apostle is to ensure that we, as workmen, pursue to be honorable (useful and ready) vessels for the Lord's purpose to be advanced.

While all of us are imperfect, each of us have room for more cleansing (v.21). God frequently finds imperfect vessels to be useful to do honorable work.

Show video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jgeZCf79HM

TRANSITION: While it may be impossible for you to EVER imagine a used dipstick being clean enough to prepare food, God's Grace can grant true repentance in order to do his will.

Transformative Power (2 Tim 2:24-26)

God grants repentance

I am not there yet but I aspire to be a v.24 pastor.

The longer I serve God's people, the more I want Him to transform me into the person who is described as kind, clear communicator, patient with others' evil, gentle when I must correct.

I don't know this preacher, and I'm not sure if the words are original to him, but Dr. Burk Parsons is credited with saying "I want to hate my own sins more than I hate the sins of others".

3. This quote is being shared as a reminder for many in my X circle who are angry at a pastor in his 70s who recently admitted to sexual sin after decades of what is thought to be faithful ministry and being fired from the church he pastors.

4. Some want to magnify the details of the sin rather than pray for vv.25-26

TRANSITION: So far we have seen a challenge to confront error, to do it in a godly way, and to be confident that repentance is possible, Paul continues with a stern reminder.

Turmoil Preparedness (2 Tim 3:1-9)

Expect Opposition

1. Have you heard the quip, "Hope for the best, but plan for the worst"? If chapter 2 has been about hoping for the best in effective confrontation, chapter 3addresses the second part of that quip.

2. Sadly, sometimes that opposition is even found among the people of God and in religious circles. Up in 2:17 Paul named Hymenaeus and Philetus from the early church, whom Timothy likely knew.

3. In 3:8 Paul reminds that Moses had to deal with Jannes and Jambres. While only named here, both Jewish and Greek traditions give these names to the posers in Exodus 7:11-12. God was convincing Pharoah to release the Israelites and these two sorcerers imitated God's miracle of staff becoming snake.

4. The problems with these 4 who are named and the opposition that you may face in our place and time is not only in there wicked actions, it comes from wrong passions.

5. While we could look at each of these adjectives an magnify the sin of those outside and on the fringes of the church, I'd think we get the summary in 1 word that appears 4x in this list.

Posers get exposed

Lovers of the wrong thing

While you may have heard that Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love or love for others. It is the Philapart of that name that means love or fondness.

Phila- appears 4 times in 3:1-9 and summarizes the challenge that approved workmen and honorable vessels would face.

Rather than being lovers of God (φιλόθεοι - philotheos) v.4; they are

Lovers of self (φίλαυτοι - philoautos)

Lovers of money (φιλάργυροι - philargyros) literally lovers of silver; and

Lovers of pleasure (φιλήδονοι - philēdonos).

In all of the days between the resurrection of Christ and His return in the clouds the people of God are promised that there will be difficult times with people bound in these 3 loves. Anybody whose view of self, money and pleasure is higher than their obedience to God are going to create friction against those who Do [their] best to present [themselves] to God as one approved

Conclusion:

Jesus used the imagery of an easy path through a wide gate and a hard way through a narrow gate as 2 destinations or 2 kingdoms in Matthew 7:13-14.

If Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior, you can expect that your dreams and goals are not those whose Lord is self, silver, or their senses.

We cannot stick our heads in the sand and pretend that everybody has the same values. Verse 9 concludes by describing the outcome of corrupt and disqualified people who have the wrong loves—their folly will be plain to all.

So you have a choice. Will you permit Christ's grace to cleanse you and set you on an honorable path and charge others to join you? Or will you continue on the easy, broad path that ends in foolish destruction?