Title: God's Must Not and Must Be's
Text: 2 Timothy 2: 22-26
Date: July 29, 2010
Place: SGBC, New Jersey
Tonight's message is primarily to me, your pastor. I have been troubled this week in my spirit, sifted as wheat. During such times, I find it best to find a passage that most rebukes and instructs me. This passage has been on my heart. It is my prayer that as you hear this word from God to my own heart, that you will be benefited from it, as well. The apostle Paul was a spiritual father in the gospel to the young preacher, Timothy. These are needed instructions.
2 Timothy 2: 22: Flee also youthful lusts:
ALSO
Paul had just named two men who had erred from the truth. We are deeply saddened when those who have made a profession of faith, even preached the word, fall away. But Paul reminds Timothy not to be amazed when this happens. Instead, he instructs the preacher not to join with such men, but to flee from them and their profane and vain babblings because they will increase to more ungodliness, eating away like gangrene.
2 Timothy 2: 16: But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17: And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
2 Timothy 2: 22: Flee also youthful lusts:
In the context, Paul is not speaking of worldliness and uncleanness. We must and will avoid those things, by God's grace. But Paul is speaking of:
1. Vain glory--God must receive all glory.
2 Corinthians 4:7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2. Popular applause--
Galatians 1:10: For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
3. Seeking preeminence--
Colossians 1: 18: And [Christ] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19: For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Application: God help me to always have in the forefront of my thoughts that it is Christ is the Head, this is HIS OWN BODY. He sent me to declare HIS NAME, his power, his strength, and to wait on him.
2 Corinthians 2: 6: And who is sufficient for these things?...3: 5: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2 Timothy 2: 22:…but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Rather than join with these kinds of men as Paul mentioned, follow these things with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. The more I behold the righteousness of God manifest in the faith of Christ Jesus, who was obedient even unto the death of the cross, the more I behold the personification of these graces, the fountain of all grace and the more these graces of God are edified within me.
He declared the righteousness of God as he justified his people from their sins bearing their sin his own body. But at the same time, he declared the righteousness of God in his very faithfulness and holiness, even unto the hour he entrusted his spirit into God's hands to raise him from the dead. As Christ bore the pain of separation from God and from men--he justified God, he declared himself a worm and no man, and yet he never ceased trusting the Father, calling on the Father. That is the Person of righteousness, faith, charity, peace: Christ Jesus the Lord.
Through his blood, through his Spirit, through his word made effectual in our heart these graces are given and grown within us. The Spirit of God teaches the servant of the Lord to follow after these things…with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Application: It is my prayer continually that God would use me to be a peacemaker, following after the Peacemaker that I might always know that which is right, of faith, of love and that genders peace with you who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2: 23: But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
There is so much that is certain and revealed in this word so that we ought never concern ourselves over things that are not clearly revealed.
· God manifest in human flesh
· The fullness of the Godhead in a fleshly body
· The greatness of God's sovereignty over all things in heaven and earth
· His electing grace, predestinating grace, redeeming grace, irresistible regenerating, calling grace
· His power to call, keep and to work in his children that which is well-pleasing in his sight
· The power of his resurrection and the certainty he shall raise every chosen, redeemed, regenerated child of God
We can spend all our lives on the things that are revealed and still say, "The half has not been told."
De 29:29: The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
2 Timothy 2: 24: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25: In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
THESE ARE "GOD'S MUST NOT AND MUST BE'S"
The servant of the Lord MUST NOT STRIVE (2 Timothy 2: 24)
The servant of the Lord has absolutely no reason to strive. The God we serve is MIGHTY TO SAVE.
Zec 4:6:…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
When the Pharisees sought how they might destroy Christ our Lord, they did so because Christ had healed a lame man on the Sabbath. But Christ did not fight with them. He merely withdrew from them. And he caused, not just one lame man, but a great multitude to follow him and on that same Sabbath day he healed them all. Christ's enemies never prevent him from fulfilling his will, they only served God's purpose in fulfilling it.
Matthew 12: 15: But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16: And charged them that they should not make him known: 17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18: Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19: He shall NOT STRIVE, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21: And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
This same Shepherd, this same Master, this same Victorious Redeemer is seated in glory at God's right hand, all power is his in heaven and in earth. He has promised us this: "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The servant of the Lord MUST BE gentle unto all (2 Timothy 2: 24)
Isaiah 40: 10: Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
How did Christ, and does Christ, exhibit the strength of his hand and the power of his ruling arm? Next verse:
Isaiah 40: 11: He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall GENTLY lead those that are with young.
Turn to I Thessalonians 2: 1-13--It is good for me to remember how much trouble Paul encountered at Thessalonica. Yet listen to this word which God worked in them effectually and in them who heard their gospel.
The servant of the Lord MUST BE apt to teach, (capable and ready--2 Timothy 2: 24)
2 Timothy 2: 15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Titus 1:9: Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Application: You men work long hours. You support this ministry with money that is earned by much toil. God helping me, I will not come to this pulpit without much study and much prayer. Study to shew thyself approved unto God…
The servant of the Lord MUST BE patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; (2 Timothy 2: 24, 25.)
I am constantly reminded that I reside in a body of death: full of passions, full of sin. The things I do not want to do, I do and the things I want to do, I do not. Yet, this word of God I am sent to preach in patient and meekness is absolutely offensive to the pride of all sinful flesh.
Isaiah 40: 16: All flesh is grass
John 6:63: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Romans 9:16: So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Yet, I must be patient and do so in meekness--firm in the truth, yet tender in spirit. Do you see how that no man is sufficient for these things? I have no sufficiency in myself, this grace of patience and meekness comes from God and is grown by God through knowledge and painful experience.
Yet, what a charge for such a helpless vessel of clay to instruct those that oppose themselves. Before his accusers, Paul said,
Acts 26:22: Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
Small in number, small in estimation of men; great in number, great in estimation of men; in the synagogue, in private, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.
Acts 26: 23: That Christ should suffer--[Christ and him crucified] and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead--[Satisfaction, victory, raised again for our justification] and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles [irresistible regenerating saving grace]
Notice the opposition Paul received immediately.
Acts 26: 24: And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
But listen to Paul's honest, bold, but meek response.
Acts 26: 25: But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
Someone said, "Do not build a wall so high between you and an opponent that he is prevented from repenting and returning without embarrassment and humiliation."
2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Truth is always in season and so is meekness. What is it I am patiently waiting for? Why is that I must use sound doctrine?
2 Timothy 2: 25:…if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26: And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
God's glory in the salvation of his chosen people was the joy set before Christ and it is the joy set before me.
What a word to strengthen us in patience and longsuffering! What a word to cause us to say nothing but what God has given us to declare of himself! What a word to cause us to repent from impatience and wisdom of words!
Mark this word of assurance--those who are taken captive by the snare of the devil, are taken captive by the devil only by God's permissive will--only until God's appointed hour.
I Peter 5: 8: "[The devil as a roaring lion] walketh about seeking, whom he MAY devour."
Job 2: 3: And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job,…
Luke 22: 31: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Tell them what you learned through this sifting! Here is the word of assurance, this is what I have learned. Through the truth of Christ spoken in patience and meekness, God will give to each of his children repentance to the acknowledging of the truth in his time, not mine or yours. I learned it by not being able to free myself from this snare until God granted me repentance to acknowledge this truth. But like the prodigal, by God's sovereign irresistible power and grace, God will bring us to ourselves, God shall make each of his children willing in the day of his power.
Peradventure, (God keeps us in suspense)
· Peradventure (maybe this hour)
· Peradventure (maybe with that poor sinner who seems most beyond saving like the thief on the cross)
· Peradventure (in our brethren who are overtaken in a fault, for whom we have prayed and longed for)
Through this word of Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God, by God's irresistible grace, when it pleases God he will grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. That is the most encouraging word I can hear to promote patience, meekness, longsuffering and to remind me just simply to instruct with sound doctrine!
Application
Remember, brethren, I am absolutely dependent upon God to give me all that he requires of me. I have and I shall make mistakes. And just as God instructs your pastor to do for you, so the Lord instructs you to do for me.
Hebrews 13:17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
I shall make mistakes. And you shall make mistakes. But God enabling you, would you show me this same patience.
Example: Suppose one of you fathers--head of your household--loses patience with your son or daughter as you speak the truth of Christ to them. Suppose your son comes to me with this report, even if is apparent that you have been too harsh. Still, it is an utmost necessity that I handle it this way. "John, what did your dad say to you concerning Christ? Well, let's look and see if those things are so in God's word." Ignore the mistake. Do not draw attention to it, cover it by grace and keep the focus on Christ.
Then when Scott and I are talking in private and expresses to me what he was trying to set forth concerning Christ, I need to do the same with him. Not focus on the sin of the child, cover it and focus on Christ. As God settles the heart on Christ we are always reminded of these precious promises, that repentance will come, not by our power and might, but by God's Spirit. God's power and his wisdom will work it in time. Encourage each other to patiently wait on him.
But I can't and mustn't agree with the offended party by pointing out the offense of the father to the child. The holds true for the wife. It holds true for you to your pastor and of all of us toward one another.
1) If I do so, it will excuse the needy child from not heeding the truth you father's have spoken.
2) I would be undermining the authority God has given you as the ruler over your household.
3) I would be loving that son or daughter more than Christ. Not because you fathers are God, not because your pastor is God, but because God put you in that office to have the rule over your house just as he has sent me to be your pastor. To disregard the truth and to engender strife by focusing on the flesh is always a rejection of Christ. He may present a cross to us and it shall but we must always choose Christ over the flesh. (Matthew 10: 37, 38.)
So if I--your pastor--lose patience, I ask you to bear the same patience and wisdom with me and handle it in that manner. If we strive, it will gender to strife. If we charge, it will gender to charges. If I present a stumbling block because of my flesh, that is bad enough (no brethren want to do that) but we do not want to make it worse by uncovering or magnifying each others sin to those who need to hear the gospel.
When we are speaking the truth to someone and lose patience, the word God will use to grant us repentance is the very truth of the gospel we want others to hear. Repeat that gospel of Christ to each other and wait on God to grant repentance to the erring brother. And as we do this for one other, we need to remember to exercise the same patience and longsuffering toward each other, because IT IS GOD THAT GRANTS REPENTANCE.
It may take a little time. Our word may be rejected at first. We will have to bear the cross of rejection, following Christ. But God help us to wait on God to grant repentance to the acknowledging that only God can save, that we may be recovered out of the snare of the devil.
Amen!