Argue or Flee

2 Timothy 2:20–26 HCSB

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.

Unrighteous or Righteous

2 Timothy 2:20–21 HCSB

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Righteous, Honorable, Useful

Gold and Silver

Unrighteous, Dishonorable, Useless

Purification equals Preparation and Transformation

Paul was more concerned that Timothy separate from the false teaching than that he break all contact with the false teachers. His emphasis on what Timothy should avoid in 2:14, 16 related more to the content of the false teaching than to the person of the false teacher. Later in this chapter Paul would appeal for Timothy to instruct false teachers so that they could repent of heretical views (2:24–26).

Three Encouraging Words for those of Nobel Purpose

1) Made Holy

2) Useful to the Master

3) Prepared to do any Good Work

Useful to the Master

Prepared to do any Good Work

three encouraging words about an instrument “for noble purposes.” First, such a person is “made holy,” set apart for a special purpose before God. Second, he is “useful to the Master.” Third, he is “prepared to do any good work.” He will be ready to undertake whatever the Lord calls him to do. Those who are most useful to God will find that there are ignoble practices, attitudes, and ideas they must avoid (v. 20). Paul had urged his readers to effect that separation.

three encouraging words about an instrument “for noble purposes.” First, such a person is “made holy,” set apart for a special purpose before God. Second, he is “useful to the Master.” Third, he is “prepared to do any good work.” He will be ready to undertake whatever the Lord calls him to do. Those who are most useful to God will find that there are ignoble practices, attitudes, and ideas they must avoid (v. 20). Paul had urged his readers to effect that separation.

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(HCSB)

22 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

(HCSB)

10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

(HCSB)

God’s Commands

3 This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: 6 The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.

Note what it takes to become a noble vessel: it takes a purging. A person has to cleanse himself from …

• behavior that is dishonorable and unrighteous

• words that are corruptible and dirty

• talk that is unclean and contaminating

• teaching that is false and cancerous

A person who purges himself from these will become a vessel unto honor …

• sanctified, that is, set apart unto Christ and His service

• fit for the Master’s use; that is, Christ will be able to use him

• prepared to every good work; that is, Christ will be able to use him for any work

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(HCSB)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

(HCSB)

11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.

(HCSB)

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from us.

Flee From the Passions of Youth

2 Timothy 2:22 HCSB

Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

his is a critical charge to young people. Any young person who fails to heed this charge is doomed to a barren and empty life and to a lost eternity.

My heart cries for the youth of today and the world a vile they are thrown into, we know that environment impacts us and for our youth who are vulnerable and susceptible [likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.] to false teachings and worldly ideology the temptation is overwhelming

The warning is to flee from Temptation but who is this letter written to who is Paul addressing

Timothy (ultimantly me and you) but let us remind ourselves who Timothy is for just a moment - He is a young man - He has been preaching and teaching God's word He is the one being told to watch out and not fall into the trap and you and I know matter how old, Mature what ever word you choose to identify yourself as you to are being warned not to fall into the trappings of youth

The desires of the eye: youth desire to have and possess. To have and possess are normal desires, but the normal desire can lead to the lust for possessions and people.

⇒ The desires of the flesh: youth desire the companionship of the opposite sex. Attraction is normal and leads to marriage and the carrying on of the human race. However, the normal desire can lead to illicit sex and immorality.

⇒ The desire for acceptance: youth want friends. They want to fit in with their peers. They want approval, and they want to be recognized. This is normal, but it can lead to compromise—the compromise of one’s values and morality and of the truth. It can also lead to rebellion against authority.

⇒ The desire to achieve: youth desire to be successful, to find their place in the world. However, this can lead to seeking authority and power over people and to the manipulation and using of people for one’s own ends.

⇒ The desire for recognition: youth desire to be the top gun, the star, the best looking, the smartest, the most popular. They constantly picture themselves as winning the game in the last second; winning the beauty pageant; winning the contest; being the one most recognized, and a host of other daydreams. This can lead to either pride and arrogance or to a sense of inferiority and low self-image. It can lead either to the hurting of the less gifted or to the downing of oneself.

⇒ The desire to act and to act now: youth, bursting with energy and idealism, want to see things done now. This can lead to impatience and to the mistreatment of people: bypassing and disregarding the peace and security of other people.

⇒ The desire to be original and creative: youth want to have the new and fresh idea, the better thought, and the better way for doing things. This can lead to a critical and argumentative spirit. It can also lead to cheating in order to be recognized. It can lead to the restating and rewording of things and ideas and claiming that they are creative ideas.

that they “call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Only the pure in heart—only the genuine seeker—is really following after the Lord. It is the genuine believer with whom we are to fellowship and walk through life. Note what a genuine believer follows after: the very things for which men long and crave.

1. Righteousness (see note 2, pt.1— for discussion).

2. Faith: (see note 2, pt.3— for discussion).

3. Love: (see note, Love— for discussion).

4. Peace: (see note 2, pt.3— for discussion).

, ,

his is a critical charge to young people. Any young person who fails to heed this charge is doomed to a barren and empty life and to a lost eternity.

My heart cries for the youth of today and the world a vile they are thrown into, we know that environment impacts us and for our youth who are vulnerable and susceptible [likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.] to false teachings and worldly ideology the temptation is overwhelming

The warning is to flee from Temptation but who is this letter written to who is Paul addressing

Timothy (ultimantly me and you) but let us remind ourselves who Timothy is for just a moment - He is a young man - He has been preaching and teaching God's word He is the one being told to watch out and not fall into the trap and you and I know matter how old, Mature what ever word you choose to identify yourself as you to are being warned not to fall into the trappings of youth

The desires of the eye: youth desire to have and possess. To have and possess are normal desires, but the normal desire can lead to the lust for possessions and people.

⇒ The desires of the flesh: youth desire the companionship of the opposite sex. Attraction is normal and leads to marriage and the carrying on of the human race. However, the normal desire can lead to illicit sex and immorality.

⇒ The desire for acceptance: youth want friends. They want to fit in with their peers. They want approval, and they want to be recognized. This is normal, but it can lead to compromise—the compromise of one’s values and morality and of the truth. It can also lead to rebellion against authority.

⇒ The desire to achieve: youth desire to be successful, to find their place in the world. However, this can lead to seeking authority and power over people and to the manipulation and using of people for one’s own ends.

⇒ The desire for recognition: youth desire to be the top gun, the star, the best looking, the smartest, the most popular. They constantly picture themselves as winning the game in the last second; winning the beauty pageant; winning the contest; being the one most recognized, and a host of other daydreams. This can lead to either pride and arrogance or to a sense of inferiority and low self-image. It can lead either to the hurting of the less gifted or to the downing of oneself.

⇒ The desire to act and to act now: youth, bursting with energy and idealism, want to see things done now. This can lead to impatience and to the mistreatment of people: bypassing and disregarding the peace and security of other people.

⇒ The desire to be original and creative: youth want to have the new and fresh idea, the better thought, and the better way for doing things. This can lead to a critical and argumentative spirit. It can also lead to cheating in order to be recognized. It can lead to the restating and rewording of things and ideas and claiming that they are creative ideas.

that they “call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Only the pure in heart—only the genuine seeker—is really following after the Lord. It is the genuine believer with whom we are to fellowship and walk through life. Note what a genuine believer follows after: the very things for which men long and crave.

1. Righteousness (see note 2, pt.1— for discussion).

2. Faith: (see note 2, pt.3— for discussion).

3. Love: (see note, Love— for discussion).

4. Peace: (see note 2, pt.3— for discussion).

Avoid Foolish and Ignorant Arguments

2 Timothy 2:23–26 HCSB

But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.

A) Do no argue with others

B) Be kind

C) Be prepared to teach

D) Be patient

E) Correct others in gentleness

1. That the opponents may be led to repentance

2. That the opponents may escape from the snares of the devil

If you've ever been there this is a lot easier said then done

one might work this out with their best friend and go through the pain and agony of working things out

but what about our enemies, what about those who are unlovable those people who persecute you and spit in your face

will how did Jesus live His life how did He live these verses out

He was persecuted

He was betrayed

He was mocked

He was asked to do things that were not of His best interest

He was nailed to a cross and let Himself be nailed to the cross

He was always ready with God's word to lead people to repentance, love and knowledge of His Father

all we want to do is argue with the people who have wronged us

all we want is what is "best" for us and ours

but scripture says love your enemies

Scripture says don't count yourself better than anyone else

Scripture says vingince is the Lord

Jesus said Father forgive them because they don't know

Jesus didn’t have hateful words He had words of Discipline, Correction, Love, Mercy and Grace

don't fall into the snares of this world and the foolishness of youth

but be useful, be ready,

A person who argues and fights is not serving the Lord, no matter what he may claim. The charge is clear: “the servant of the Lord must not argue.”

1. He must be gentle (epion): kind, reasonable, considerate, soft, tender.

⇒ When people oppose him, he does not react, he reaches out in gentleness.

⇒ When he has to correct people and point out their weaknesses, he is not mean but gentle.

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(HCSB)

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love,

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13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.

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17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.