A Worker Approved - 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Intro: In the Church We Tend to Call People Away From Things Sin, Godlessness, and Faithlessness...

But the church often doesn’t do as good a job of calling people to things...

This morning we are going to talk about what a godly servant of God is like...

2 Timothy 2:1–7 (CSB)

1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer.

5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Point #1: What You Have Heard from Me Commit to Faithful Men and Women Who Will Be Able to Teach Others Also!

You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men[a] who will be able to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Jack and Pastor Wes: When you are called by God, You get your marching orders and march!!!

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer.

5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Continuing in 2 Timothy 2:8

2 Timothy 2:8–13 CSB

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: For if we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Point #2: Remember Christ in Everything!

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel,

9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal.

But the word of God is not bound.

10 This is why I endure all things for the elect:

so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 This saying is trustworthy:

For if we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Continuing in 2 Timothy 2:14

2 Timothy 2:14–19 CSB

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.

Point #3: Be Diligent to Present Yourself to God as One Approved!

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God[b] not to fight about words.

This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen.

15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene.

Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them.

18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.

Continuing in 2 Timothy 2:20

2 Timothy 2:20–21 CSB

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. 21 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.

Point #4: Be Holy, Be Set Apart for the Lord!

Paul gives Timothy another analogy...

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable[e] use and some for dishonorable.

21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,[g] he will be a special[h] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Continuing in 2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22–26 CSB

22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Point #5: All Those Who Call Upon The Lord with a Pure Heart Do This...

They flee from youthful passions...

They pursue...

Righteousness

Faith

Love

Peace

23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes...

because you know that they breed quarrels.

24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,[i] and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness.

Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.

26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.