Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
February 15, 1987
Gentle Servants
2 Timothy 2:23-26, NIV
We live in an age of conflict. Whenever I counsel two people who want to get married, I ask them if they have ever had an argument. If they say "no", that tells me they don't know each other very well. As long as sin exists on the earth, there will be conflict. We take it for granted that countries will try to beat up other countries. But as long as they are far away, we don't really care. It doesn't affect us. It's only when conflict hits home that we sit up and take notice. Most of our conflicts never get physical. We use words. Especially when we've known someone for years, we find out what to say that will really bug them. An outsider wouldn't even suspect we were angry but our victim knows exactly what we mean.
One reason arguments develop is because people don't know how to communicate. We may talk a lot but our message never gets through. There are a number of reasons for this. When people talk, they often don't hit the main issues. Those are too delicate. So they pussyfoot around and talk about everything else. (with anger - "I told you not to let the cat out. But no! You went ahead!" The cat is not the issue here. It is a convenient weapon.)
When we do talk about the main issues, the other person isn't listening. I have found that most people listen through filters. They hear what they want to hear and nothing else. Everyone is familiar with this kind of situation at home. What wife has a husband who really listens to her? (Or, what husband has a wife worth listening to?) You think your family is worse off than any other, but conflict has always been a common occurrence among all humans.
The one place we don't expect conflict is a church. This is because everyone in a church loves God and loves each other. Right? I wish. Churches aren't really any different than other institutions. We are made up of sinners. Hopefully they're redeemed sinners, but they are still sinners. Every church will eventually experience conflict. In second Timothy, Paul is fighting enemies of his churches. Enemies which are on the inside, trying to take over.
Over the years, our church has had its share of conflict - we are Baptists, after all. Some of the issues have been important, some have not. Those who read the historical sketch in the last newsletter know that arguments crop up every few years. Every few decades there is a major blow up that leaves hurt feelings for a long time. Maybe you have been hurt in this kind of situation.
The best way to handle fights in a church, or anywhere else, is not to let them get started to begin with. In verse 23 Paul says:
"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."
Paul is not talking about the heated discussions we may have over theological questions at the evening service. Literally the word means "controversies" or "speculations". The false teachers were getting people all riled up over petty little points. It wasn't about key doctrines. If these were at stake, Paul would get as upset as anybody. But in this case it was over some obscure pet theory.
Churches will fight over just about anything. When Jesus hung on the cross he said to the thief beside him:
"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
One Baptist church had a blow up over where the comma should go. Was Jesus telling the truth today, or was he going to be in Paradise today? Tempers got so hot over this the church ended up splitting. Many Bible-believing Christians argue so much because doctrine is important to us. But some doctrine is more important than others. Some of it is worth dying for. Some of it is not.
If it is not crucial doctrine, don't get bent out of shape over it. (At home, for example - know your priorities. Don't yell over every little thing.) Paul is very strong about it - stay away from such arguments completely. They only cause strife.
Verse 23 tells us what to avoid. Verse 24 tells us what to aim for. The first principle is that mature Christians, especially leaders, should not pick fights. When they do, it is usually a sign they are insecure about their power. Instead of fighting, mature Christians should be kind to everyone (including their opponents) Jesus means the same thing when he says: "Love your enemies" (Mathew 5:44). It is easy to say this but hard to do. When someone is running you down, being gentle with them may only encourage their attacks.
Gentleness doesn't necessarily solve the problem because it doesn't take two people to fight. A single person can make things uncomfortable. But still I think Paul is right. One person can cause trouble, but if you don't join in, they'll usually loose their sizzle. As it says in Proverbs 25:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath."
Paul also stresses the importance of teaching in the ministry, as he does throughout this letter. Few things encourage church arguments like ignorance. If you don't know the Word, you'll fight like the world. Teaching is a very slow process. Since I have been here, I have given almost 900 messages from the Bible. Let there be a fight, and you'll know who listened. Christian maturity is a very slow process. Some people get stuck in puberty for decades. So Paul tells us to be patient. And meek too, especially when we're dealing with those who oppose us. Meekness carries the idea that we are not condescending or domineering about it. People who oppose us often have something we need to listen to as well.
Our goal is all this is to turn people around. Paul used the word "repentance". Usually this means we turn away from sin and turn to God. It can also have a more basic meaning - a change of heart. Since Paul's opponents already claim to be Christians (just like a lot of our opponents do) they don't have to be saved, just redirected to the Gospel. This is a cornerstone of the Christian message. God doesn't want to destroy his enemies, he wants to convert them. No matter how much you've rebelled against God, he will still take you back. (Even if they are in bondage the devil himself, v. 26) God doesn't give up on us. Notice who converts the opponents in verse 25 - it's not Paul. It's God himself.
One figure stands behind this whole message. In verse 24, Paul mentions a servant of the Lord. It's the only time this exact phrase is used in the New Testament. Here it probably means a Christian leader. But the same expression is used many times in the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah. Isaiah has some beautiful prophecies that describe the coming Messiah as the Servant of the Lord. He says this servant will not crush a bruised reed or harm his opponents. Instead, he will deal with them patiently and die for their sins.
Jesus Christ is this servant. Anyone who claims to belong to him should follow his example. This is the consistent teaching of the Bible. So why don't more Christians exhibit it? Too many believers are touchy, impatient, and unbending. We fight till the other side caves in. And we fight over the dumbest issues. Why? Because Jesus must not be very important to us.
[Invitation]
________
Typed on January 17, 2005, by Wendy Ventura of Ledgewood Baptist Church, New Jersey
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
Created with the Freeware Edition of HelpNDoc: Easily create PDF Help documents