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Sunday Worship 22 October 2023 : “Rightly dividing the word of truth”

Text: 2 Timothy 2
22 October 2023

INTRODUCTION

1. The Place of the Scripture is established

a) With reference to doctrine
b) With reference to the personal Christian life

2. The Problem

a) How do we read the Scriptures?
b) How do we interpret the Bible?
c) How do we apply doctrine to life?

A VITAL REMINDER

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

2 Timothy 2:14

1. The context

a) False teachings
b) False teachers
c) They will strive and debate any topic

2. Never strive about words

a) There is no profit in such strife
b) It blesses no one

3. The danger of ruin

a) Strife can result in great loss
b) Strife can lead to ruination

APPROVED BY GOD

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

2 Timothy 2:15-19

1. Approval from God

a) Being diligent
b) A worker who does not need to be ashamed
c) Rightly dividing the word of truth
d) The Lord knows those who are His
e) Departing from iniquity

2. Disapproval from God

a) Profane and idle babblings
b) It would lead to more ungodliness
c) Their message is compared to cancer
d) They have strayed from the truth
e) They overthrow the faith of some

A VESSEL OF HONOUR

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

2 Timothy 2: 20-23

1. Imagery of A Great House

a) Vessels of gold and silver
b) Vessels of wood and clay

2. Cleansing of Self

a) Becoming a vessel for honour
b) Sanctified
d) Useful for the Master
e) Prepared for every good work

3. Fleeing from the following:

a) Youthful lusts
b) Foolish and ignorant disputes
c) They generate strife

BEING A GOOD SERVANT OF THE LORD

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will

2 Timothy 2:24-26

1. A good servant of the Lord

a) He is not quarrelsome
b) He seeks to be gentle to all
c) He is able to teach
d) He is patient
e) He humbly corrects those who are in opposition

2. The danger of being a servant of the devil

a) They have been ensnared by the devil
b) They have been taken captive by the evil one to do his will

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To be discerning

2. To be diligent

3. To be determined to be faithful servants of the Lord