True or False

Introduction

General: Real or AI?

Personal

2 Timothy 3:5 (NIV) “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Tim 3:5 (NET) “They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power.” 2 Tim 3:5 (NLT) “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”

There’s real Christianity and artificially generated Christianity / true godliness that comes from God’s wisdom, but there’s also counterfeit faith that comes from human wisdom.

Biblical: In 2 Tim 3, Paul shows the difference between the false pattern and the true pattern.

Subject: See the patterns for what they are. Examine the pattern of your life. Follow the pattern of godliness.

Body

See the patterns for what they are.

Exposition

2 Tim 3:1-9… The False Pattern: Self-centered (vv. 2-4), no commitment (v. 5), takes advantage of others (vv. 6-7), opposes truth (v. 8a), comes from depravity (v. 8b), leads to Hell (vv. 8c-9).

2 Tim 3:10-17… The True Pattern of Godliness: Christ-centered (v.10a), total commitment (vv. 10b-13), learns from others (v. 14), lives by truth (vv. 15-17), comes from saving faith (v. 15b), leads to Heaven—not just then but now (v. 15-17).

2 Tim 3:5… The false pattern often looks like the real thing, but it’s a cheap knockoff.

Illustration: When I bought a pair of earbuds from a fake online store…

Application: Do you see the pattern?

The false pattern looks good but has no power. It promises knowledge but is opposed to truth. It doesn’t lead to faith. It’s an empty sham whose followers go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The true pattern is filled with the power of God, as evidenced by the strength to endure suffering. It comes from true faith, the kind that saves. Its followers grow in Christlike character, godliness, and wisdom, being equipped by God’s Word for every good work.

Examine the pattern of your life.

Application: 1 Timothy 4:16 “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Does my pattern correspond to the pattern of godliness?

One of the clearest ways to tell is by asking yourself, “Why?”

Practice: Examen Prayer

Follow the true pattern of godliness.

Exposition: 2 Tim 1:13-14… You can’t follow the pattern without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Illustration: The difference between physical and spiritual exercise…

Application

Be ready to take the next step (2 Tim 3:14).

Be with who you want to be like (2 Tim 3:14).

Be obedient (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Conclusion

Summary

See the patterns for what they are.

Examine the pattern of your life.

Follow the ture pattern of godliness.

Be ready to take the next step.

Be with who you want to be like.

Be obedient.

What’s your next step?