2 Timothy: Lessons on the Word, Part 3

Last time, in our brief look at 2 Timothy, we saw that Paul wanted Timothy to deal with his own insecurities and fears by allowing the Word of God to put an indelible mark on his heart.  Now, we move to a second problem Timothy faced in keeping the fire going in his spirit, that is, the responsibility of the people he was called to serve and to lead. 

According to 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul endured “all things for the sake of those who were chosen.”  Paul was challenging Timothy to do the same.  There were people in Timothy’s own sphere of influence that he was called to serve and lead.  There were people whose salvation was resting in Timothy’s calling.  Now that is a heavy call!  We learned last time that Timothy was a guy who wrestled with fears and insecurities, and because of that Timothy was not sure he wanted that kind of responsibility!  What if he did it wrong?  What if he said the wrong thing?  That kind of responsibility can throw water on your spiritual fire.  But like it or not, that was Timothy’s calling – and the reality is, it is our calling, too. 

We have the responsibility to present the Gospel to people within our sphere of influence as if their salvation depended on it – and according to this – it does!!!  Look at this: 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…

Now there is much more to dig from this gold mine, but I just want to pick up a few nuggets that are lying around in plain sight.  As Timothy was commissioned to deal with people, some of them would get really picky about little things (2:14 – “…solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.”). 

Paul knew that people are prone to get involved in arguing about petty things.  He knew they would start to fight over unimportant things – things that don’t matter – things that can’t be proven – things like “the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin.”  It really doesn’t matter!  And that reveals to us the second problem Timothy had to deal with: petty issues.

For those who would fight over little unimportant things, the solution is found in 2 Timothy 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.

Paul taught Timothy that the solution to the problem of dealing with the petty issues of the people he was called to serve and to lead was to do everything he could to “accurately handle the Word of Truth.”

What does “accurately handle” (or “rightly divide”) mean?  Literally, it means “to cut straight.”  It’s a word that was used by road builders.  Paul was probably thinking of the Roman roads that he had spent years traveling.  Romans were noted for building roads as straight as possible so their armies could take the most direct path.  They would cut down forests, go over mountains or even through them.  They built bridges over rivers – anything necessary to go straight to their chosen destination. 

To accurately handle or rightly divide the Word of Truth, then, means to allow the Word of God to direct you in a straight path. 

It means that Timothy was to bring his life in line with the Word of Truth.  The only way to “present yourself approved of God” is to live according to the Scriptures.  All the other teachers were talking the talk – arguing – discussing – wrangling – philosophizing – but Timothy was not to get involved in any of that.  Timothy was to allow the Word to make his path straight.  And in making his path straight, he would have an authority and confidence to lead.  Then he would be able to keep others in the narrow way.

That is why we study the Bible – it marks us – it directs our paths and makes us worth following as we lead the people that God puts under our care.  It gives us authority and confidence to lead God’s people.

So, if you want to keep the fire going in your heart as you serve and lead the people to whom God has called you, it is imperative that you live according to the plain Truth of the Bible.

Remember, sound Bible teaching will mark you!  After it marks you, then it gives you authority and confidence as you apply it to your life.  That brings us to a third problem Timothy faced that threatened to put out the fire within, and I’ll deal with that next time.  Be blessed!

2 Timothy Lessons on the Word, Part 2

2 Timothy 1:6, (I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands,) is the key statement in the whole letter.  That charge given to Timothy by Paul is the window through which we should read this whole book.  Everything Paul says, from this point on, has to do with Timothy kindling afresh or stirring into flame the Gift of God within him.  The lessons Paul is teaching Timothy will help us to keep God’s gift burning brightly, also. 

It’s interesting that Paul addresses 4 problems that Timothy has.  He also gives 4 solutions and each of the solutions has to do with the Word of God.

The first problem Paul pointed out for Timothy to deal with was himself. 

Timothy had to get past his own feelings of inadequacy.  Think about it.  The first thing we observe about Timothy’s dad was probably not a believer.  If he had been a believer, Paul would have mentioned it.  Instead, Paul gives praise to Timothy’s mom and grandmother.  He had no one, In his growing up years, Timothy had no believing father to lead the way for him.

In fact, it is entirely possible that Timothy’s dad had made fun of his mom’s faith.  Might that ridicule what prompted Paul to encourage Timothy, “Don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord?”

Carrying this line of thought further, is it possible that Timothy’s dad had responded to Eunice’s friend, Paul, as “that Christian jailbird?”  Prompting Paul to challenge Timothy not to be ashamed of Paul himself? (2 Timothy 1:8 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner.)  Is it possible that in all that, Timothy was reluctant to take on the name of Christian because of the personal suffering and humiliation that could possibly go along with it?

You see, the first problem Timothy had to face in order to keep the flame alive was himself – his doubts, fears, and inadequacies, because of all the things he had missed in his formative years.  But Paul meets him head on with the message of the Gospel.  In verses 9 & 10, and then in verse 12 Paul affirms that even though he is in prison he trusts that God will not abandon him or allow him to walk away from the faith.  “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day" – the day that Jesus returns.

Timothy, don’t be ashamed of telling people you are a Christian, don’t be ashamed of telling people you are my friend and student, and don’t be ashamed of taking the same kind of suffering on yourself.

Problem # 1, personal Inadequacy opens the door for solution # 1: Let the Word MARK you.

To go along with the first problem, Paul points Timothy to the first solution that has to do with the Word of God.  Verse 13 says, “Hold fast the standard of sound words which you have heard from me.” 

Once again, there is a wealth of gold to be mined out of just one word – standard.  Some translations use the word “pattern,” or “outline.”  And in English all those are pretty pail words.  A standard or pattern is something to go by – an outline is a simple, shallow, expression of something much more profound and detailed.  For example, when you “outline” a book of the Bible, you aren’t giving the whole thing – just a few of the major points.

But here the word “standard,” “pattern” or “outline” is a metal worker’s word.  It describes the impression left when a piece of metal is struck with a hammer or some kind of etching tool.  It also describes the imprint left when the face is struck with a fist – or even a fist wearing a heavy signet ring. 

So what Paul tells Timothy is this, “Timothy, in order to get past your own issues – in order to get past your shame – in order to get past your fears – in order to get past your own feelings of inadequacy and failure, you need to remember the impact that came to you when I taught you the Word of God.  You need to remember the marks that were left on your spirit when the Word of God was taught to you.”

And that is the same thing that will help us get past our feelings of inferiority – our fears – our inadequacies – our failures.  Any time we have thoughts of backing down – any time we feel like we don’t want to pay the price  – any time we sense shame welling up inside because of something an unbeliever says or does – we must remember the mark that has been left on our spirits by sound Bible teaching and hang on to it! 

Sound Bible teaching will mark us and make it possible for us to face your own fears and inadequacies. 

Fanning the Flames of God's Gift, part 1

As we come closer to the time of Christ’s return, there will be more and more perversion of the Truth.  In Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus warns us, “See to it that no one deceives you…”

We seem to be living in an age when everything Christians do is under the microscope.  I'm not complaining about that - we should have the kind of life in Christ that stands up to close scrutiny.  However, even if we can stand up to the closest examination of people, the world will give us trouble just because we do stay true to the text of scripture.  That's why we don’t need to bring more trouble on ourselves by re-writing the ancient text and making it say things it never intended to say.  I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to rightly divide the word of truth!

Getting back to Matthew 24:4-5.  Jesus warns us, “Take heed that no one deceives you…” 

You see, anyone can say,

●      “I am the Christ” or

●      “I have a new revelation” or

●      “I have a new revelation on how to interpret a certain passage of scripture.” 

In the charismatic/pentecostal world, we are very prone to subjective understanding – experiential understanding of the Word of Truth.  We must be very careful.  Jesus concludes his teaching here by saying, “Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”

Later (Matthew 24:24) Jesus warns, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” 

Think about it – who draws the crowds in crusades today?  Those who are performing signs and wonders!  Why?  Because the people think they might see or receive a sign or a wonder.  It has been demonstrated over and over – even in Jesus’ life – that people follow and are impressed by signs and wonders.  I”m not saying we should avoid or deny signs and wonders.  That's not my point at all. 

But if a person can do something spectacular – no matter what they teach – lots of people will be swayed by them.  They will win a following.  So when you get into a situation like that, how will you react – how will you even know if someone that appears to be good – if they perform great miracles – healings, etc. – miracles that YOU are not walking in – how will you know if they are true or false?  What will keep you from being one of the elect that is deceived?

The answer is in 2 Timothy 1:6.  “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  That which will keep you from being deceived is the same thing that Paul tells Timothy to do in 2 Timothy.  He tells him to “kindle afresh the gift of God” that is in him. 

Now that word, anazopurein, translated “kindle afresh” is found only here in the New Testament and it is a very descriptive word – made of 3 different words. 

Ana = again

zoe = life

puros = fire

So the word literally means to “put life into the fire once again.”  

It talks about a resurrection of flames, but it also does not imply that the flames are completely gone – in fact, it carries with it a meaning of continuous action.  That means we should always assume that the fire of the Spirit within us is in need of new life.  We should never just let our fire burn.  We should never be satisfied with the level of fire we currently have.  We must always be about the business of making our fire hotter and brighter and stronger and more all-consuming.

More later - be blessed!

Tom