Remind God’s
Forgetful, Feuding People:
Focus on Jesus!
2
Tim. 2:14-19
Fess up: what’s the dumbest argument you ever had over
what later proved to be unimportant? We have all had heated, protracted debates
and quarrels over things that seemed life or death. However, with a little more
time, maturity and humility, we realize that “big hairy deal” was a mere
trifling. Sigh…
“Quarreling about words” can harm
relationships. It can also hinder and taint our service to God and others; its
impact can be catastrophic! Remembering what is truly important can help
prevent harmful, silly word-spats. Thus, after telling Timothy to stay mindful
of Jesus Christ and the gospel, Paul urges him to remind others to also
remember and stay focused on core matters (i.e. Jesus!).
“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to
quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your
best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be
ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for
it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their
talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have
swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They
are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this
seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name
of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (2
Tim. 2:14-19 - ESV)
Remind
Them: Stay Mindful of Jesus!
2
Tim. 2:14-19
God’s people have a long, ugly history of forgetting and
feuding. We lose sight of the Lord – loving, serving Him - and we debate
silliness, drifting into error and sin. Forgetting the Eternal One, temporal
stuff and hurtful bickering takes over. Like Jesus observed, we neglect
weightier matters; straining out gnats but swallowing camels (Matt. 23:23, 24).
Gulp!
Facing martyrdom, Paul is further preparing Timothy for ongoing
ministry. He reminds him to remember Jesus and then to help others keep Him in
focus too.
Reminding God’s
Forgetful, Fighting People:
First, Personally Stay Mindful of Jesus, His Gospel (vs. 1-13)
Keep Ministry Grace-filled & Personal – Pass it on
(1, 2)
Live to Please Your Commanding Officer (3-7)
In Your Soldiering, Don’t Forget Who & Why! (8-13; 1
Cor. 2:1, 2)
Practice godly mnemonics. Remember Jesus Christ:
God’s Savior & Messiah: “Jesus
Christ” (Matt. 1)
Master over Death! “risen from the
dead” (1 Cor. 15; Rev. 1)
Fulfillment of God’s Promise: “…of
David” (2 Sam. 7:12-16)
Our Message! “as preached in my
gospel” (Col. 1:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:1-8)
Our Meaning, the Why! “for which I
am suffering… I endure”
He is faithful! “for He cannot deny himself”
Then, Prompt & Warn Them to Focus on Jesus (vs 14-19)
Ø Keep “these things” in mind: Jesus, godly ministry… (vs. 1-13)
Ø Solemnly Warn them: “Stop! Avoid empty word wars!”
Minutia, myths, secondary matters. Not important
doctrines.
§ They hinder ministry. Are not profitable.
§ They hurt others – catastrophe! ~ “Have
nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed
quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone,
able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with
gentleness.” (vs. 23-25)
Ø Work Hard to be a Certified Laborer before God
§ No reasons for shame. Not distorting,
cutting corners
§ “Cutting it straight” as a teacher.
Proper Word Handling.
§ Avoiding Worldly Chatter &
Doctrinal Ditches
Leads to more worldliness,
lack of dedication (ungodliness)
It
is spiritual Ebola! Contaminates Christ’s Body (1 Cor. 12)
Derails
& Hurts other’s Faith. Instead, edify!
Eph. 4:29
It’s
an injustice His people should turn away from! (cf. Num. 16:5)
v Are you a reliable Paul, Timothy; pleasing
the Lord? vs. 1-7
v Are you: Undistracted, obedient,
diligent, keeping Jesus in mind?
v Do you urge others to stay
Jesus-focused; true to Him, His Word?
v Are you a word-fighter or do you fight
to know & obey His Word?
Glad we have each other to remind each other,
Kerry
No comments:
Post a Comment