SF898 - Let The Church Be The Church - 3 of 10 - Preach The Word (2 Timothy 3 16-4 4)
2 Timothy 3:14-4:4
Introduction
Series Background
The Marks of a New Testament Church
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Theology
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship
Ø A New Testament Church Will Preach the Word
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of the Gospel
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Conversion
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Membership
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Leadership
Ø A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Growth
Expository preaching contrasts with topical preaching, which is taking a subject/topic (e.g., prayer, justice, holiness) and assembling parts of scripture that support it. The point of the sermon is determined by the preacher beforehand (e.g., this sermon)
On the other hand, expository preaching focuses on a specific passage, where scripture determines the point of the sermon. This type of preaching is not simply producing a verbal commentary on a passage. This type of preaching presumes a belief in the authority of scripture and shows a commitment to really hear God's word.
Merrill Unger defines expository preaching as “not preaching about the Bible, but preaching the text of the Bible. ‘What saith the Lord’ is the alpha and omega of expository preaching. It begins in the Bible and ends in the Bible and all that intervenes springs from the Bible. In other words expository preaching is Bible-centered preaching.” (MacArthur, “Rediscovering Expository Preaching,” 11.)
“It is not the choir, nor the preacher but “the Spirit that quickeneth.” What is urgently needed today in not mesmeric experts who have made a study of how to produce a religious “atmosphere,” nor religious showmen to make people laugh one minute and weep the next, but faithful preaching of God’s Word, with the saints on their faces before God, humbly praying that He may be pleased to send His quickening Spirit into their midst.” (A.W. Pink)
You may ask why is the Word of God, and more particularly why is the preaching of the Word of God and even more particularly why is the expository preaching of God’s Word so essential to our being a true church?
I present three reasons, first, because of the nature of God’s Word (3:16a), second, because of the necessity of God’s Word, third, because of the neglect of God’s Word (4:1-4)
1A. The Nature of God’s Word (3:14-16a)
Paul uses five words to describe the uniqueness of the Bible.
1B. Paul calls the Scriptures the “sacred writings” (3:15)
“ta hera grammata”
Writings, grammata, usually grapha here grammata, refers to the words and the document.
Sacred, hera, Used only one other time in NT, in 1 Corinthians 9:13 to refer to holy things of the Temple. Means sacred pertaining to God.
2B. Paul calls the Scriptures “inspired” (3:16)
Paul speaks of the scope of inspiration.
All, pasa; every single part of the whole us inspired.
Total or plenary inspiration
Paul speaks of the specifics of inspiration.
Scripture, grapha refers the Scripture as a whole
This means that the words are inspired.
This is called verbal inspiration
Paul speaks of the significance of inspiration.
Inspired, theopneustos by God, Scripture is God-breathed
This is supernatural Inspiration
2 Peter 1:21 (NASB) for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2A. The Necessity of God’s Word (3:15b, 17)
Profitable, ophelimos useful
1B. The Word of God is necessary because it is the means of the new birth. (3:15b)
1 Peter 1:23 (NASB) for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
Romans 10:17 (NASB) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
2B. The Word of God is necessary because it teaches us about God and how to live.
Teaching, didaskalian; instruction, doctrine
Psalm 119:9-11 (NASB) How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. 10With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. 11Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
3B. The Word of God is necessary because it exposes our sin.
Reproof, elegmomon from elegcho, to expose
Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
4B. The Word of God is necessary because it sets us straight
Correction, epanopthosin; from epi, on and anorthoo, to set straight; literally to correct
Psalm 119:133 (NASB) Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:104-106 (NASB) From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.
5B. The Word of God is necessary because it trains us in righteousness
Training, paideian; to discipline, the rearing of a child
John 17:17 (NASB) Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
Sanctification comes when we study and meditate on God’s Word.
3A. The Neglect of God’s Word (4:1-4)
We live in a time when God’s Word in being neglected, not only by an unbelieving world but also by the church. Therefore, Paul’s words to Timothy carry even more meaning today.
1B. The seriousness of the preacher’s commission (4:1)
“The perfect judge will render perfect judgment on the quality, accuracy, zeal, and effort of the preacher. Pleasing God and Jesus Christ is the issue, not pleasing men.” (MacArthur, “Rediscovering Expository Preaching,” xv.)
2B. The subject of the preacher’s commission (4:2a)
We are to retain the Word
2 Timothy 1:13 (NASB) Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
We are to accurately handle the Word
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
We are to guard the Word
2 Timothy 1:14 (NASB) Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
We are to proclaim the Word
Colossians 1:25 (NASB) Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
3B. The scope of the preacher’s commission (4:2b)
“Be ready in season and out of season…”
There is no “off season” for preaching.
4B. The urgency of the preacher’s commission (4:3-4)
Sinners will be intolerant of God’s truth.
The world will seek to replace preaching with all kinds of things such drama and music or pop psychology designed to make everyone feel better.
But God says to preach the Word.
The more the world and in some cases the church reject it the more we must preach the Word.
Application
Have you experienced the new birth that the Word brings?
Are you living according to the Word?
Has the Word exposed any sin that you need to confess?
Are you submitting to the correction of the Word?
Are you experiencing daily growth because of your study and meditation on the Word?
Are you faithfully proclaiming the Word?
2 Timothy 3:14-4:4
1A. The ______________ of God’s Word (3:14-16a)
1B. Paul calls the Scriptures the “______________ writings” (3:15)
2B. Paul calls the Scriptures “________________” (3:16)
Paul speaks of the _____________ of inspiration.
Total or plenary inspiration
Paul speaks of the specifics of inspiration.
This is called verbal inspiration
Paul speaks of the significance of inspiration.
This is supernatural Inspiration
2 Peter 1:21
2A. The Necessity of God’s Word (3:15b 17)
1B. The Word of God is necessary because it is the _________________ of the new birth. (3:15b)
1 Peter 1:23
Romans 10:17
2B. The Word of God is necessary because it teaches us about ___________ and how to live.
Psalm 119:9-11
3B. The Word of God is necessary because it ___________________ our sin.
Hebrews 4:12
4B. The Word of God is necessary because it sets us straight
Psalm 119:133
Psalm 119:104-106
5B. The Word of God is necessary because it ________________ us in righteousness
John 17:17
3A. The _________________ of God’s Word (4:1-4)
1B. The seriousness of the preacher’s commission (4:1)
2B. The subject of the preacher’s commission (4:2a)
We are to retain the Word
2 Timothy 1:13
We are to accurately handle the Word
2 Timothy 2:15
We are to guard the Word
2 Timothy 1:14
We are to proclaim the Word
Colossians 1:25
3B. The ____________________ of the preacher’s commission (4:2b)
4B. The ___________________ of the preacher’s commission (4:3-4)