2 Timothy 2:14-19

Introduction:

We live in a time when truth is constantly being questioned. Opinions shout louder than Scripture, and people often argue over words rather than submit to the Word.

Paul wrote to Timothy during similar times—when false teachers were twisting the message of Christ and causing confusion among believers.

In this passage, Paul gives Timothy a clear charge: Stay true to the Word. 

Don’t get caught in meaningless debates. Be a faithful worker who handles God’s Word with integrity.

The same command applies to us today. God is looking for men and women who will stand firm in truth, live holy lives, and rightly divide His Word.

1. (V14) Remind them of these things

Keep focused; don’t be distracted by unprofitable things.

Them: Going back to early chapter 2, Paul encourages Timothy to raise up the faithful men who are able to teach

Remind them of These things

Speaking of the core truths

2 Timothy 2:11–13 “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”

a) They already know these things, but Paul says to continue to remind them

A pastors job is to teach the word, but often times its to remind you of what you already know

When I was the Youth Pastor, the Lord would put something on my heart.

Each time I taught it would find its way in the message to remind the youth.

To the point, I had one of the kids ask me why I repeat myself and my answer was to make sure you get it

The heart of Paul is to make sure the ship is headed in the right direction

We all need to be exhorted and encouraged at times because none of us are above losing the way

b) Help them to realize the importance of time and eternity

Paul understands life is short be mindful and don’t forget your eternal purpose

1.1 Charging them not to strive about words to no profit to the ruin of the hearer

a) Don’t battle with people over words that don’t make any difference

We can have a strong opinion about a topic that has little significance for the furthering of the Gospel

If were not carful it can lead to an argument and to the ruin of the hearer

Examples:

Social media comes to mind: We live in the day when you can go onto social media and express your thought for the whole world to see

Done in the right way, it can be very helpful, but in the wrong way, it can hurt the name of Christ

Well intention Christians can argue over the non essentials of the Christian faith and cause division

During Covid I had just finished the School of Ministry and I was working as a lay pastor at Calvary Chapel Downey

Downey was a mega church with thousands of people from every different walk of life

I learned early on I had to be very carful what I said and how I said it, especially when it had to do with covid

If I wasn’t sensitive regarding those controversial topics, I could do more harm than good

I could ruin the hearer, as the scriptures say…

1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Throughout the epistles we find many examples where Paul warns us to stay clear of arguments that only cause strife

1 Timothy 6:4 “he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,”

2 Timothy 2:23 “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”

Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.”

b) There are times when disagreements are unavoidable

If you remember the incident at Antioch, where Paul publicly rebuked Peter for playing the hypocrite

Peter would eat with the gentiles, but when the prominent Jews showed up, he would no longer eat with the gentiles

Peter was misleading the Jewish Christians, so Paul rebuked him

Why? Because its to the ruin of the hearer

An approved worker does not waste his time arguing about things that do not profit because he knows it will undermine the true work

2. (V15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God

a) Be diligent is to be zealous in the labor of studying the Word, that you will not be ashamed when its inspected

1 Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

1 Timothy 4:15 “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”

Teaching the word of God comes with a heavy responsibility of being prepared and to teach accurately

It doesn’t matter weather you teach the children, the youth or a Bible study

There is a responsibility to be diligent in your studies to rightly divide the word of truth

There is a degree of stress and focus that builds as the time to preach draws near because of the diligence it takes to be prepared

God has given me a healthy fear and respect for the calling

With that being said, there is nothing I would rather do

Laboring in the Word is a blessing to the teacher because it builds us up throughout the week and reminds us how we ought to live

b) The goal is to be approved by God, not man

My main focus has to be hearing from God and delivering to you

How do churches get to the place where they only preach messages that tickle your ears

Or make you feel good

They refuse to condemm the subjects the Bible calls sin

Sadly, these churches care more about pleasing people than God

My goal is not to be popular, its simply to be well pleasing to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed

2.1 A worker who does not need to be ashamed

a) A worker who does not to be ashamed carries the idea of the work is done and its being inspected

The work is done and its being inspected

When we die, we stand before God on our own, pleasing people will not do any good on judgement day

2.2 Rightly dividing the word of truth

a) Rightly divide in the Greek is a compound word, which means to cut straight

The word must be taught with accuracy

If there is a right way, then there is also a wrong way

It’s not about opinion, but its carful study to convey the intended thought of the Author, through the leading of the Holy Spirit

A life time of growing in our understanding

3. (V16) Shun profane and idle babblings

Shun: To avoid

Profane: Pointless and worthless

Idle babblings: Empty and evil chatter

a) This refers to anything that takes the focus off of the gospel and God’s Word. 

Man opinion

Gossip

Conspiracy theories

Avoid worthless empty or evil chatter

We may need to walk away from a conversation, correct it, or keep silent

Proverbs 26:20 “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out

I see many good intended people on YouTube who get carried away with these profane and idle babblings

People predict the return of Christ and they predict with boldness and it makes me cringe

Matthew 24:36 ““But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

Matthew 12:36 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

3.1 This will lead to more ungodliness

a) The problem with profane and idle babblings is it leads to more ungodliness

People disregard clear teaching in the Bible and make bold predictions which opens the door for Christianity to be mocked

It leads to more ungodliness as hearts are harden to the day when Christ comes

3.2 (V17) Their message spreads like cancer

a) These messages spread like cancer and are so destructive

The word cancer and gangrene are interchangeable

When gangrene sets in, the only thing left to do is to amputate the body part to save the rest of the body

It’s the same thing as the ungodliness, we have to cut out, get rid of it all together

Isn’t that the same thing as gossip, or false teaching, a little leven levels the whole lump

3.3 (V18) Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort who have strayed

1 Timothy 1:20 “of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

a) They have strayed concerning the truth

They were false teachers

They were teaching people the resurrection is already past

The faith of some was overthrown

The reason false teaching is so dangerous is because people follow it

b) One of the jobs of a pastor is to shepherd the church and to protect against false teaching

In chapter 3, Paul gives a strong warning to Timothy in the last day perilous times will come

People will have a form of godliness but they will deny God by their action

He is talking about within the church

This was the case here, they overthrow the faith of some

4. (V19) Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands

a) Despite the attacks on the church and on the people of God, the foundation of God stands and is unshakable

Gives us hope

Those of us who are His cannot be snatched away

John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

b) Let us depart from iniquity

Conclusion:

As we leave this morning, let us remember to live as Approved Workers

Paul’s message to Timothy echoes to us today:

Remember the truth.

Study diligently.

Avoid worthless debates.

Stand firm in holiness.

In a world filled with lies and confusion, may we be men and women who rightly divide the Word of truth—approved by God, unashamed in our faith, and standing firm on His unshakable foundation.