Defender Of The Faith

Text: II Timothy 3:10-14

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (05/20/01)

Introduction:   

Throughout The Pastoral Epistles we see examples of danger within and without the church.

Now there are some Necessary Qualifications of a Loyal Defender of the Faith

I. A Strong Example as Spiritual Mentor vs.10-13

“But thou hast fully known” or been a diligent follower of.

This is the key principle of this section.

We should take great care in who we follow.

This diligent followship means to follow a person physically.  To stick by him through thick and thin, to be by his side in fair weather and foul.

It means to follow a person mentally.  To attend diligently to his teaching.

It means to follow a person spiritually.  Not only understand what he says, but carry it out, and to be the kind of person he wishes us to be.

Paul is such a great example.  His faithful character and ministry are contrasted with the ungodliness and hypocrisy of the false teachers.

Paul had certain priorities by which he allowed his life to be governed.

1. Knowing Christ – Phil 3:10

2. Ministering for Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

3. Defending the truth of Christ

Jude 1:3-4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Leadership Qualities for Timothy to Follow:

These can be divided into three categories.

A. Ministry Duties vs10A

1. Doctrine

Didaskalia – teaching His teaching was divine teaching with apostolic authority.

2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2. Manner of life – He lived what he preached

His conduct or pattern of daily living.

Paul rejoiced when or wherever the Gospel was preached.

Philippians 1:17-18  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Yet, how much more effective that witness is the life compliments the message.

3. Purpose

Must be a godly purpose.

The driving passion of Paul’s heart was to preach.

1 Corinthians 9:16  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

We need to make serving Christ the unreserved priority of our heart and life!!

B. Personal Virtues vs.10B

1. Faith – idea of faithfulness or trustworthiness

The idea is faithfully living the truth that is professed.

2. Longsuffering – patience, stedfastness, determined and uncompromising devotion to the Lord

More than an attitude, it is uncompromising devotion to the Lord.

3. Charity – Unselfish agape love

No devoted servant of Christ will have omitted this.

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

4. Patience – perseverance under difficult circumstances

Perhaps sometimes also with difficult people?

Hupomone – the idea is “remaining under” or endurance.

C. Difficult Experiences vs.11-13

PERSECUTIONS (to put to flight) & SUFFERINGS

1. Timothy was with Paul during many of his sufferings.

Saul the persecutor had become Paul the persecuted.

LOOK UP & READ II Cor. 11:23-27

Timothy had many opportunities to witness Paul’s great courage and character in hot water situations.

2 Corinthians 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2. Paul had confidence in and had experienced the Lord’s deliverance from sufferings.

Psalms 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Romans 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

3. Paul & Timothy were not not exceptions to persecution.

LOOK UP & READ John 15:18-21

Half-hearted Christians seldom pay the price, but they do not know the joy of being counted worthy to suffer for His name.

4. Persecution of the godly will continue until the Lord returns.

They will proceed from bad to worse.

This digression is likely internal as well as external.

5. There are limits to how effective the enemies of the faith can be.

2 Timothy 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

II. Strong Convictions Built into a Spiritual Foundation vs.14

Speak of Timothy’s Spiritual Heritage.

Many godly leaders have been reared in homes where God’s Word is loved and exalted both in principle and in practice.

A. Timothy was to continue in the strong convictions

Which had been passed on to him through his family and the apostle Paul. (II Tim 1:5-6)

Paul is saying’ “Timothy, you are different from these false teachers”.

You have a blessed heritage, with which comes a great responsibility.

“CONTINUE” is a present active imperative.

What is an imperative? – A command.

B. He had heard such truth clearly taught and seen it consistently lived.

This was intentional rather than incidental.

There comes a time when what is taught must be caught.

Pursue God’s truth and become convinced of it for yourself!

Develop strong personal & inward convictions based on God’s Word

Timothy had an obligation to those who were his faithful teachers and examples.  His obligation was to live the truth.

III. A Strong Adherence to Scriptural Authority and Sufficiency vs.15-17

Conclusion:     (Review)