2 Tim 2:14-19 God's Firm Foundation

Introduction

Text

2 Tim 2:14-19 “Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands|, having this seal, |“The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.””

The verses prior to this Paul says the reason I labour is your salvation 2 Tim 2:10 “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”

This constrains Paul and adds a depth of meaning to what is being said. He wants salvation for all

1 Tim 2:4 “who [God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

From there he says to Timothy: Remind and Charge vs. 14

This is then contrasted with 2 Tim 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling [cut along a straight path] the word of truth.”

An approved, unashamed workman is one that “gets it straight and gives it straight”

vs. 16 Avoid worldly empty chatter.

2 Tim 2:17 “and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,”

This term is interesting, gangrene is necrosis and the only way to stop it is to CUT IT OFF. This reminds of vs. 15 “cut straight”

As a result, men have swerved. 2 Tim 2:18 “men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.”

By this point. . .

Things look grim, bleak

Doubt, despair, discourgament, deviation can step in

Things look SHAKY, UNSETTLING

BUT. . .

GOD’S firm foundation stands!

2 Tim 2:19 “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands [to stay in place], having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.””

What is the Foundation?

The church, more specifically, the true church. The true followers of God

This is opposed to the ones shipwrecked and the ones causing it

This is associated with the pronouns of the verse “who” and “everyone” [it’s something personal]

APPLICATION - This firm foundation can stand in the midst of quarrels, heresy, controversy, cultural shifts, sin. . .whatever comes by this foundation can stand. Some had “gone astray” but some stood.

The seal sheds further light regarding the foundation

What is the seal?

Signifies ownership and autheticity

Used of craftsmen and royalty

What are the two sides of the seal?

THE LORD KNOWS WHO ARE HIS

This is comforting because it tells me where I am as a christian; in the hands of God.

APPL. Those are good hands to be in

Jn 10:14 ““I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”

Gal 4:8-9 “However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?” [To experience salvation is to be known by God]

It’s better to be known by God than to claim I know God

Matt 7:21-23 ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” ACTIVITY WILL NOT SAVE YOU!!!

God told the angels let the “tares and wheat grow together” this doesn’t bother God because He knows who are His.

Num 16:5 “and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His, and who is holy, and will bring him near to Himself; even the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself.”

ABSTAIN FROM WICKEDNESS

The word means “evildoing” Luke 13:27 “and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’” Same passage like Mt 7:23

This is the challenge because Christianity involves “avoiding” things that are wrong.

Ps 34:14 “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”

Pro 3:7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

Num 16:26 “and he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin.””

Your claim must be validated by your conduct - We manifest the reality of the first staement by practicing the second statement.

This conduct is one where if evil is in my way I’m going to “change direction”.

This doesn’t support the idea that my activity is meritorious of heaven. GOD WANTS A CHANGED HEART!*

The foundation will stand firm

Appl.

There will always be someone that will stand on truth

There will always be someone to get a prayer through

There will always be someone to lift up the name of Christ

Because God’s foundation will stand firm!!!

What are you standing on today?