2 Timothy 3: Thoroughly Equipped for Every Good Work

A quick review of 2 Timothy

Be faithful to the simple Gospel

Endure everything for the sake of the Elect

Distinguish between what advances and what hinders the Gospel

Many Christians overthink the ministry of the Gospel

Simply avoid obstacles and embrace advantages toward the mission

How do I recognize the difference?

2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

Last week we talked about self examination, now we will see what to look out for in others

2 Timothy 3:2–5 NIV

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

The demonstration of God’s power through the Gospel:

A changed life

Showing love to other Christians

Romans 1:15–17 HCSB

So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

There are people in the church that should be avoided

Jude 4 NIV

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

2 Timothy 3:6–9 NIV

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Christian ministry is found in 2 sources: Discipleship and Scripture

Discipleship:

Theology/teaching is only useful in how it is applied

Trust is only gained through lifestyle

We are supposed to live what we learn

2 Timothy 3:10–14 NIV

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

Scripture:

Our lifestyle comes from a personal God who lived it out

How we think about God determines how we act

Scripture is what sets the boundaries for appropriate ministry

2 Timothy 3:15–17 NIV

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training are all interpersonal actions

Scripture lived and Scripture taught leads to ministry success

And with the power of the Holy Spirit, the revelation of the power of God for salvation