Young People's Group

But You Have Carefully Followed (I)

by Mitchell Tan
October 27, 2017

EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO RESISTED THE TRUTH

Young people, we are living in the last days. This is a period of time where there is general apostasy all over the world and people are departing from the faith. Furthermore, in the Church specifically, the apostle Paul warned of how false teachers will rise up and create many problems for the Church (2 Timothy 3:1). These are perilous times. Not only are these people deceived by the evil one, they themselves would seek to deceive others. No matter what, they will never come to the truth of God’s word. They will resist the truth of the Scriptures.

“Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.”
2 Timothy 3:8-9

Jannes and Jambres were most probably the magicians who duplicated the signs that Moses initially did (Exodus 7:11, 22). They resisted Moses, the anointed servant of the Lord and the truth that he stood for. Even as they resisted the truth of God in the days of Moses, so false teachers during the times of Paul also resisted the truth. They too will rise up and resist God’s servants. However, their efforts would come to nothing. Their foolishness would be known to all. Today, we continue to have false teachers seeking to resist the truth.

PAULINE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF LIFE AND MINISTRY

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance”
2 Timothy 3:10

The word “but” denotes the idea that this was in total contrast to what these false teachers were. Paul commended Timothy on being a good spiritual son. Instead of resisting God’s servant and the truth, he was one who followed thoroughly Paul’s life and ministry. Part of the list given were principles that were based on truth. The others were his practices.

1. PRINCIPLES

A. THE PRINCIPLE OF HAVING DOCTRINES BASED ON TRUTH

Paul sought to base his doctrines on the truth of God’s word.

B. THE PRINCIPLE OF HAVING PURPOSE BASED ON TRUTH

His singularity of purpose was directly revealed to him by the Lord Himself.

C. THE PRINCIPLE OF HAVING FAITH BASED ON TRUTH

His vigorous faith was centred on the truth of the gospel and on Christ.

2. PRACTICES

A. THE PRACTICE OF PAUL’S MANNER OF LIFE

Paul was most consistent in the way he lived his life from his first day of ministry.

B. THE PRACTICE OF LONGSUFFERING

He practised longsuffering as he went through much persecution.

C. THE PRACTICE OF LOVE

Paul learnt to love his fellow brethren deeply.

D. THE PRACTICE OF ENDURANCE

He had endured much as a servant of God.

CAREFULLY FOLLOWED PAUL’S EXAMPLE OF LIFE AND MINISTRY

Timothy was able to follow Paul in all aspects of his life and ministry. He studied carefully the life of Paul in what he did and was also taught well by him. He is our example of what we should do too in life and ministry. If Timothy could do it, we too can learn to follow carefully Paul’s example. Let’s spare no effort in emulating Paul’s principles and practices of life and ministry too.

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