Rev. David Holwick Z 2 Timothy series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
August 1, 2010
2 Timothy 2:14-26
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I. The world needs more refutiating.
A. Sarah Palin apparently invented a new word.
1) During a press conference, she said she wanted Muslims to
"refutiate" terrorism.
a) Apparently she meant "repudiate."
2) But it doesn't matter, because, as she put it, Shakespeare
invented a lot of words, too.
a) I think "refudiate" has a nice ring to it.
b) It combines the idea of "repudiating" - being against
something, and "refuting" - giving reasons why.
B. You need to know what you stand for, and what you're against.
1) Baptists have a reputation for this.
2) Sometimes we reduce it down to labels.
A website that praises my sermon illustration database
introduces it by saying:
"Reverend David Holwick is an evangelical American Baptist
minister - but don't get hung up on theology."
Apparently the really conservative Baptists would pin a
scarlet "A" on me - "A" for "Apostate."
3) We visited a church like this in Kentucky.
Friendship Baptist Church certainly lived up to its
name - half the congregation must have introduced
themselves to us.
When it came time for the sermon, the pastor shouted
the entire message.
I mean this literally.
It didn't have an angry tone, but really intense
exhortation.
I don't think I would last long in Kentucky.
C. Truth matters.
1) Scriptural truth is in view throughout this passage.
a) The essential facts about Jesus and his death and
resurrection.
b) How we are to respond with faith and repentance.
2) Paul warns Timothy that false stuff spreads fast, and
must be effectively opposed. 2:17
II. How NOT to handle truth.
A. Don't quarrel about words. 2:14
1) Religion can generate some awesome arguments.
a) That is why many families ban the discussion of religion
and politics at the dinner table.
2) Words are certainly important.
a) Christians believe the very words of the Bible are
inspired by God.
b) However, you can get so picky about tiny points that
you lose track of the overall meaning.
3) If your discussion degenerates into an argument, close it
up and go home.
B. Don't get sidetracked on unimportant issues. 2:16
1) Paul calls this "godless chatter."
2) It appears that the false teachers were good at speculating.
a) That is still true today.
b) Instead, we need to focus on who God really is, and
what he wants us to do with our lives.
C. Don't wander from the true faith. 2:18
1) The false teachers in Paul's day were very modern.
a) They said the resurrection is not something literal,
but spiritual.
1> They may have been influenced by John 5:24 - the
moment we believe, we possess eternal life.
2> There is no need for a future, literal resurrection
because it has already happened.
b) Modern liberal Christianity takes a similar approach.
1> They don't care for the supernatural stuff like
bodies becoming alive again or Jesus physically
coming back to the earth at a Second Coming.
2> It is much more convenient to spiritualize it all.
3> Perhaps it would be more accurate to say they
"psychologize" it -- it makes you feel good.
When I was a young Christian in Germany, one of our
youth group leaders was studying theology at the
University of Heidelberg.
He had become a Christian after both his parents had
died.
This tragic event had made him think about God.
He even entered the ministry.
But he did not believe in heaven - or at least he wasn't
sure it really existed.
Here was a man who was searching, but he never really
found the answers.
2) Faith can be destroyed by this kind of teaching.
a) When we were at the Kentucky church service, one of the
high school graduates spoke of her concern about
going to the state university and losing her faith.
b) She was thankful that her future roommates were all
believers like her.
D. Don't be impetuous. 2:22
1) Flee the evil desires of youth - probably not lust.
2) The following verses point to tendencies young people
like Timothy are prone to:
a) Being argumentative. 2:23-24
b) Arrogance (not being kind). 2:24-25
c) Being too touchy. 2:24
d) Impatience. 2:25
III. How to handle truth correctly.
A. Put some effort into it. 2:15
1) Timothy must do his best to present the Christian message
in the right way.
a) The King James translation steers some people wrong
here.
b) It says you should "study" to make yourself an effective
Christian worker.
c) Nothing wrong with that, but it is not what the Greek
word means.
2) Perhaps this is why Paul uses the image of a workman.
a) You have to put some muscle into it.
B. Cut to the heart of the issue.
1) The King James version has "rightly divide."
a) This has been used by some to teach Dispensationalism,
the idea that God's plan of salvation changes from
one period to the next.
b) Instead, the Greek means to cut straight through, like
a highway that cuts through a mountain.
2) Don't get caught up in extraneous issues, but focus on the
the most important ones.
a) If you are talking with a Jehovah's Witness, don't try
to defend the doctrine of the Trinity.
b) Instead, focus on our need for salvation from a divine
Savior.
C. Always try to do it tactfully.
1) You don't have to cut straight to Hell.
Our Kentucky church gave the kids some gospel
tracts.
My favorite has a "Smiley Face" and says, "Smile!
God Loves You!"
But on the back it says, "BUT if you reject his
love ... it would be better for you not to have
been born."
That's absolutely true.
It cuts to the heart of the matter.
But it might be unnecessarily harsh.
2) Paul stresses kindness, gentleness and a positive attitude.
IV. We have a firm foundation. 2:19
A. Paul's quotes come from Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16.
1) Korah and his buddies were contesting Moses' leadership.
2) God showed them whose side he was on.
B. Two complementary issues:
1) God knows his own, no matter what people may say.
a) Our salvation is determined by him.
2) Our responsibility - turn from wickedness and be holy.
C. Be a decent vessel. 2:20-21
1) Paul uses a new metaphor and somewhat garbles it.
a) Expensive dishes and common ones.
1> It might reflect the holy golden utensils of the
worship in the Temple.
b) The metaphor is often used to show the variety of
people in the church.
1> In 1 Corinthians 12, all types of folks are needed.
c) Here, only good stuff is the issue.
1> The bad stuff needs to be wiped away.
2) How can we clean ourselves up for God's service?
a) Cleansed and useful (to the Master).
V. Lead them back. 2:25-26
A. Our goal should always be redemptive.
1) We do not want to win arguments, but people.
2) If they are going in the wrong direction, try to turn them
back.
B. When we do our part, God will do his.
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