Good evening, everyone. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to gather together with our brothers and sisters in Christ for the purpose of hearing your words. Father, please bless your word as it goes forth. May it be accurately handled, and may you just make it to be so, and we trust you for that. Just bless it to our hearing, our understanding, and may we all be able to glean something from it that's Very profitable for each one of us, maybe something we can keep. Thank you for all these things, I ask in Jesus' name, amen. Okay, so this evening we're gonna look at chapter two of 2 Timothy. And its primary purpose being a letter from Paul to Timothy, instructions for pastors. but it's definitely to be considered by all. It's definitely for everybody, and because it's made it into the Bible, so it's for all of us. So let's turn there, starting in verse one, which in itself is a spring of water in a dry land. That's a greatly encouraging command. and it's by grace that we even stand. So, 2 Timothy 2.1, you therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. It says, therefore, you, my child, you are to be made strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And we know 2 Corinthians 12.9, we know His grace is sufficient. It's our keo. His grace is a barrier that wards off. His grace avails. It wins. It's enough. It's sufficient. So we're to diligently apply ourselves to it, for it, drawing near with confidence. due to his character, his unchanging character, to the throne of grace so that we might receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, Hebrews 4, 16. And in John 15, 5, he plainly tells us that apart from him, we can do nothing. So apart from him, we will fall short, we will fail, screw up, That's why we're instructed, even commanded, to be strengthened, enabled, empowered, made strong, made able, and made sufficient by His grace. And He Himself is the grace of God. So consider that, you know, consider Him instead of ever even coming close to reducing grace down to something even slightly resembling a license to sin, which in itself denotes a slavery to it. Absolutely, the grace of God is there when we need it to recover, even 70 times 7 for the same thing in the same day. But it is He who is there, faithful and righteous, to forgive and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1, 9. So verse two, the things which you've heard from me in the presence of many witnesses and trustees, the faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. So Paul's telling Timothy here that the things which he has heard from him through many witnesses, through much proof, these things are to be sat in front of others like a plate of food. Serve it up to him. Pass these on to faithful men or men that are full of faith. by which are ample and fit and made that way. Consider 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17, because it's the God-breathed word that teaches, reproves, corrects, it trains in righteousness, making men of God adequate and equipped for every good work. And by it we'll be able or will rather be enabled by that same enabling, strengthening, empowering grace that is in Jesus Christ. Because apart from Him, we can do nothing. But by the word of His grace, we are ample enough, adequate, fit, and equipped for every good work. Hebrews 13, 20 and 21. Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus, our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. So in going on here, verses three and four, instructing, still instructing and encouraging, says, to suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. So Paul here encouraging, giving the green light to go ahead and be a co-undergoer of afflictions along with him, just as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Even through the rough terrain, unfavorable conditions, for these result in endurance, constancy, and abiding, enduring. And just as it is for a soldier, your every need is provided for you, and the Lord indeed provides." Soldiers don't just wander off and improvise, but they follow direct orders from the Word of God. They don't use natural thinking or modes of seeking natural problem-solving devices, or using a pragmatic approach like a guess and check or walk by sight. but instead they follow the clearly written, revealed commands, the orders, and to be heavenly-minded, filled overflowing with the Word of God. and able to mix faith with it, and thereby being pleasing to the one that enlisted him as a soldier, because apart from faith, it's impossible to please him. And faith comes by hearing, Hebrews 11.6, Romans 10.17. Again, not using natural weapons for spiritual warfare, 2 Corinthians 6.7.10.3, and Ephesians 6.12. not looking at things as they are outwardly from human viewpoint. And again, as a soldier in active duty, there's no need to look frantically around or to be entangled in our concern for our basic needs because the Lord provides. He provides our necessary clothing and our sustenance, the necessary food and drink that is a source of strength and nourishment. And we have no need of saying, what will we eat, or what will we drink, or what are we going to wear for clothing? But we're to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Everything else will be additive. And we don't disregard our other responsibilities, but we're actually even better equipped to perform them and even perform them well. Second Timothy 2.5. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. But also, if anyone is competing in the competitive games, He will not be adorned with the winner's wreath if not according to the rules would he compete. So the word of God being that gold standard and the exact boundaries by which one may win the gold, they might win the prize. 1 Corinthians 9.24. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They, then, to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not without aim, I box in such a way as not beating the air, but I discipline my body and I make it my slave so that after I've preached to others I myself will not be disqualified." We don't want to appear as the contrary evidence to his word, being the disproof rather than the proof, but we stay in bounds, we compete by the rules, we practice. By presenting ourselves for training and transforming, we aspire to be the living, breathing, walking, talking proof that the Word of God is true. Just as to six the hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of crops. So the hard-working farmer that often toils until tired ought to be the first to participate in, partake of, eat, and enjoy the fruit of the crop. The faithful farmer derives his fruit, resulting in sanctification. Hear then the parable of the sower, Matthew 13. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. One on whom seed was sown on the rocky places is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary. And when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. It brings no fruit to maturity. The desire for other things outranks the desire to be well-pleasing to God, and therefore fruit does not come to maturity. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it. This hard-working farmer who dwells in the land and cultivates faithfulness, telling the good soil faith in his heart, who indeed, it is he who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. To seven consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. So with the thought of the hard-working farmer still freshly in view, as a laborer, we're to allow our minds to be worked, to consider towards perceiving, thinking, resulting in understanding. This is why and what we're doing when we daily present ourselves to the Word for the renovation of our thinking. Paul says by doing this, the Lord will give us understanding. God-given, enabling, strengthening, enduring ability to put it all together mentally, a.k.a. to understand. Paul says in Colossians 2 that there's great wealth that comes with this, attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, that fully convincing conviction of these things for it results in a true knowledge of God's mystery, Christ. The full assurance of understanding as a winter's wreath or an abundant crop that does not wither, rot, or expire. So we're to remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel. This comes in like a deep breath from Paul. He just takes this moment just to stop and say, remember Jesus Christ. We're to remember. That is, exercise our memories, recollect in our collections, consider and reconsider, be mindful of by having a mindful of his mind, which is the word of God, Jesus Christ, who was raised out from death, descendant of David, and why is that important? Because he's the one being spoken of in 2 Samuel 7, 16, from the line of the forever enduring house and kingdom, his throne forever established. David having been promised that one from his line would sit on that throne forever, Jesus Christ being that promise. So Paul is qualifying and clarifying here, saying yes, that one. and according to all that the gospel given to him has to say about him. The gospel that, through the power of God, establishes and turns one resolutely in one direction, Romans 16, 25, and the gospel that was revealed to him by revelation in Ephesians 3, 2, and 3, and Galatians 1, 11, and 12. 2 9 goes on to say, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal, but the word of God is not imprisoned. So that same gospel for which he undergoes hardship as far as even up to including imprisonment, being bound as a common criminal. See, Paul was charged and imprisoned as a criminal for teaching the word of God. So considering that, do you think we should continue to bad mouth and ridicule our leaders or should we earnestly pray for them that they be God-fearing men and women that are governed by the word and that they would keep it legal for us to gather in a setting like this as well as that they would be guided from it or guided by it But even so, the word of God is indeed not imprisoned, but it is completely unbound. Psalm 19, 1, the heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse is declaring the work of his hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words. Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterance is to the end of the world. In them he has placed a tent for the sun. which is a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoices in a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens and a circuit to the other end of them, and there is nothing that's hidden from its heat. In Psalm 119.96, the psalmist says, I've seen a limit to all perfection, yet your commandment is exceedingly broad. The Word of God is unhindered, completely unbound. It's living and active, and it rushes forth in all directions with violent force. The activity of the Word and the Spirit, though unseen, even undetected, is undeterred in its pursuit of its target. Isaiah 55 10 for as the rain and the snow come down from heaven do not return there without watering the earth and making it bare and sprout and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater so will my word be which goes forth from my mouth and will not return to me empty without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the manner for which I sent it and it still goes forth even with that same intensity. 210, for this reason 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 and with it eternal glory. So because of this Paul says he endures all things and considers it worth it because of those choice ones of God. in order that they also may hit the mark of salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and with it, eternal glory. So here the juxtaposition here of these temporary afflictions that he's undergoing, they're not worthy to be compared with the weight of eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2, 11 to 13, it is a trustworthy statement. For if we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we're faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. So Paul goes on with this statement, again expressing that the hardship The training, the suffering, the charges and the chains, worth it because faithful is the word. Faith as an adjective here. So what kind of word, saying, statement is this? It's a faithful, trustworthy word. And it's worthy of our trust indeed. For if we die with him," and this can be translated since because we know, Galatians 2.20, it says, we've been crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live by Christ living in us. As well as Romans 6.4, therefore we've been buried with him through baptism into death, we're fully identified with him. So this Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. So now we walk in that newness of life, and if we continue, if we stay with Him, simply abide and endure through rough terrain, peaks, valleys, afflictions, which cause us to cling to His Word. Psalm 119.67 says, Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your word. and sincerity and truth guarded from loss. And if we stay with him, we'll also reign with him. But if we don't, if we drop out, if we quit the race and go looking for our primary source of help at some other place, he'll say no to us in regards to reigning. Revelations 3.19. Those whom I love I reprove and discipline, therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, will die with him, and he with me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. So it's marvelous and magnificent that the ones that he loves are the ones he continues to work on. He continues to work on the ones that continue on. And even if we become unfaithful, adulterous, He remains faithful for He is unable to deny Himself. It's impossible for Him to be unfaithful. This speaks to the consistency of God's unchanging character, just how finished His finished work is, just how thoroughly we are saved. Hebrews 7.25, therefore He's able also to say forever. Those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 goes on to say for it was fitting for us to have such a high priest holy innocent undefiled separated from sinners And exalted above the heavens who does not need daily verse 27 like those high priests to offer up Sacrifices first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people because this he did once for all when he offered up himself so being the guarantee of a better covenant With this truth in view, He is able to save, deliver, protect unto the entirety, the full-ended uttermost. He, for those drawing towards God through Him, For he's always living, it's an undeniable fact, unto the purpose to make intercession. He steps in the way on behalf of them that approach God, that approach the Most High Supreme only on the basis of his finished work, on the basis of the atoning, the all-covering, once and for all exact price that needed to be paid. 726 Hebrews goes on to say that he was the exact fit for us So such a high faithful such a faithful high priest we have Continue on in verse 14 Remind them of these things and solemnly charge them in the presence of God. They're not to wrangle about words, which is useless leads to the ruin of the hearers and These things, quietly remind them, consistently suggest, put them in our minds, in each other's minds. Hupo mim nesko, remind to re-mind, put in the mind again and again. It's a safeguard. And we're to earnestly protest not to laga make'o, which is engage in a war of words. Arguments, quarrels, disputes about the meaning of words. There's no profit to such behavior and can subvert those that hear such arguments. Subvert means to take out at the knees. Why would we want to do that when the whole idea is to edify and to build up and not to tear down? However, when it comes to the Word of God, we're to be diligent. Verse 15, to present ourselves, prove to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth. So we're to be diligent, we're to use speed, we're to be prompt, constant, earnest in our presentation of ourselves to God, present ourselves as proof, as an unashamed worker, by being one that makes straight cuts with the word, carefully studying so not to bend it to fit our opinion or our corrupt inclinations. but by the Holy Spirit and the entirety of the revealed Holy Scriptures were to scrutinize the Word. We'd use the entirety of the Word of God to decipher, discern, and accurately handle the Word of God. Not in words taught by human wisdom, but those taught by the Spirit, combining the spiritual with the spiritual, 1 Corinthians 2.13. And in 2 Corinthians 4.1, it's because of mercy that we continue. We continue to show up for the fine-tuning where we need it. Again, 2 Timothy 3.16, all scripture is inspired by God. It's God-breathed and it's profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate and equipped for every good work. The word avoid worldly and empty chatter will lead to further ungodliness. So worldly derived, profane, empty, fruitless discussion. Those empty worthless tones that don't say anything intelligent. were to shun them, were to avoid them, and certainly not partake in them. Why? Because for only unto more ungodliness will it accumulate. Indeed there is no profit in ungodliness. This isn't condemning every conversation you have even if the subject is secular, but if the speech starts to deny God, represent unbelief instead of faith, or anything contrary to sound teaching, then that needs to be tightened up. We're to stop being lazy, stupid, and a waster of opportunity, and a repeater of worldly fables fit only for old women. But we should discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness, for there is much profit to be had in the accumulation of that, holding profit for this life and the one to come." 1 Timothy 4, 7, and 8. So continuing this type of speech, the speech that does not stick to the revealed Word of God, the truth, the speech that does not say in the boundaries of Scripture, Not only is it unprofitable, but it spreads sickness. 2 Timothy 2.17, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus. These errant, ungodly, vain, worldly-minded, completely imagined words imagined as an image, a vision, a false claim of some sort of mystical communication. It's by the things by which cults are spawned and somehow they suck in the unsuspecting. but only because they don't have enough truth in their soul to refute the falsehood. Just as it says in Job 34.3, for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. So it pays to have the truth to discern truth from error. We're to test the spirits to see if they're from God. Because they're errant and ungodly words, The ungodly word of men like these, it will spread like gangrene, like a spreading cancer, a wasting disease by which any part of the body becomes so corrupted that unless the remedy be applied, it will continually spread. It'll start to attack other parts of the body, and at last, even eats away at the bones. of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, these apparent or rather obvious apostates, which we can define as one who forsakes the right way, deviating, of course, from the truth. There are men who have gone astray from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place. They upset the faith of some. These which in regards to the truth have ostakeo. They have missed the mark completely. They've deviated from the truth. They swerved off course. Proverbs 3.32, for the devious, they deviate. And they're an abomination to the Lord, but he's intimate with the upright. So they're an abomination to the Lord. They're detestable, they're even disgusting to the Lord. Because they say things like, the resurrection has already came and went and you missed it. Which is absurd. And vain babblings like that can hijack the faith of some. can hijack right out of their hands the once for all handed down faith so yes definitely contend earnestly for the faith daily presenting for the purpose of keeping lean and to be well manicured not being sloppy in our application of scripture Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, the Lord knows those who are His, and everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness. Lo, these untaught and unstable men, they waver and swerve. Nevertheless, as in, it's never anything less than this. It's firm. It's stable. Steadfast and solid as a rock is how the foundation of God perfectly stands. Having this seal, the Lord knows those who are His. We may or may not know those who are His, but He knows those who are His, and He never loses one. For everyone that is naming the name of the Lord, so it's everyone that accurately identifies Him, this one is to instigate a revolt away from atakia, wicked unrighteousness, literally meaning that which is apart from what is right. having a general disregard for what is right, not properly fearing the Lord, partly by making exceptions and excuses instead of confessing, forsaking, and forgetting. Proverbs 28, 13 and 14, he who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. He who really digs his heels in and his hard heart will fall into calamity. So again, there's much profit to be gained by following the commands of our Lord. 2 Timothy 2.20, now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. But in a great big house, not only are there vessels of gold and silver, but also wooden and terracotta, like bathroom fixtures and drains. even some to indeed value and honor, but others to dishonor and disgrace. just as there are building materials that are more valuable and longer lasting than others, gold, silver, and precious stones tested by fire and approved for building due to their value and undiminished longevity, as opposed to those that go up in smoke like wood, hay, and straw. Therefore, we should build with what remains, what will remain. It's 1 Corinthians 3, 10 and 15. You can take a look at that. Just as therefore, 2 Timothy 2.21, therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he'll be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the master, and prepared for every good work. Therefore, if anyone cleanses themselves, cleanses, cleans, purges out all the atakia, even ruperia and the remnants of kakia, we used to have it all over us. But now we're to keep ourselves clean from these defilements. There is no need and certainly no profit to remaining in that state. If anyone does cleanse himself, he'll be a vessel to honor, sanctified and easily used by the Master, prepared, repaired, and made ready for every good work. Not like those it speaks of in Titus 1.16, Those that profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. But the one who actively and continually seeks Him is actively and continually cleansed and indeed prepared for every good work. 222, now, flee from youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. So these in comparison, juvenile, youthful lusts, were to run away from them like a house on fire, but instead, zealously pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those that call upon the Lord from a thoroughly cleansed heart. Pursuing righteousness is right things done in a right way, for the right reason, at the right time. Feeding off each other's faith, even imitating the faith of those who have led us, who spoke the word of God to us by considering the result of their conduct. imitate their faith even. In Hebrews 13, 7, loving one another, cherishing one another as our own, doing no wrong to each other, actively seeking peace with one another, being a peacemaker, being a son of God in that regard, imitating the God-man, not just keeping peace, but bringing it to where it's not. while sharing in sweet fellowship, joyously partaking of these things along with others that call on the Lord from a pure heart. That honestly sounds like a great time. made clean by being washed all over once because of the word spoken to us by him, and properly maintained and sustained by abiding in him. John 15, three and four. 223, but word of refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. We're to ask to leave, show the exit to, these moronic and uninstructed, unlearned, stupid speculations. Knowing full well that they spawn, they beget, they bring forth and further disputes, quarrels, and strifes. So we're not even to entertain them. So think of the same warmth that we pursue the lovely things of the previous verse with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. We should, with that same zeal, shun the perverse speculations of those that do not call on the name of the Lord, those that attempt to undermine our firm foundation. The Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach patient when wronged. But the bondservant of the Lord, the one belonging to him, must not be a quarreler. So that's why we shun putting up with the vain speculators. They make trouble, they attempt to entice, and attempt to get you to dishonor the office, your position, and the word. So don't take the bait. Those that speak off the wall, stupid, out of bounds, unlearned, completely unstable, mentally ill babblings. They're to be shunned because that kind of talk leads to nothing but fighting and arguing and disputing. And it's a bad luck. But instead, he, the one belonging to the Lord, is to be kind, gentle, mild, not a quarreler, Towards all, able to teach, instructive, patient when wronged, who does that sound like? That's right. So be strengthened, enabled, supplied by the grace that is in our Lord Jesus Christ, for apart from him we can do nothing. Verse 25, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of the truth. So it's in gentleness, not fighting, arguing, yelling at, That's how to correct those who are opposed to the sound teaching of the truth. Perhaps God might give them a change of mind unto the full knowledge of the truth. And if that be the result of being humble and gentle, then we should all aspire to be as such. being like him who desires all men to be saved and after that come to a full epignosis knowledge of the truth. First Timothy 2.4. So he's the changer of minds. And we're charged to be imitators of him in that regard. And perhaps who knows? So we ought not think lightly of the riches of his kindness, tolerance, patience. For after all, How does he change a mind? It's by the kindness of God that leads one to repentance, Romans 2, 4. It's verse 26. And they might come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. Having their minds changed, they might return to their senses, Sober up and recover out from the devil's trap. Snare, trick, noose, net. Really, anything that catches and holds one's fast. The scheme, which captures and holds one as a POW, a prisoner of war held captive by him to do his bidding. But as we saw all the way back in verse three, the good soldier of Christ, he doesn't improvise, he doesn't go off course, stays in line, by continuing on and strictly adhering to the commands of the revealed Word of God, is made and kept free indeed. In John 8, 31 and 32, Jesus says that if we continue on in His Word, then we are truly disciples of His. and we will know the truth, and the truth will make and keep us free. So let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. May we all get something from it that is very profitable and give us understanding, because we so desperately need it. We can't do anything apart from you, so we ask that in Jesus' name, bless the offering.