If you have your Bible, we’re in 2 Timothy, chapter 2. We’re going to go to verses 22-26. As you remember from last week, we talked a little about how Paul invited Timothy to ‘join with him in suffering,’ and how that’s not something you might hear the top preachers of our day say or invite their Church to do nowadays. Many of our biggest and most popular preachers and best-selling Christian authors want us to join with them in their wealth.
But the gospel is not always about health and wealth. It’s about dying to ourselves daily and following Christ. Another set of churches out there will tell us that we are to become more accepting of others. While there is some truth to that, being an open and accepting church means that we are not calling others to deny themselves–just the opposite. We are in fact being enablers of sin. Just prior to today’s scripture, in verse 19, Paul says, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
So not being an affirming church is definitely going against the grain of society today. I think it may have a lot to do with why churches such as this are dwindling. But we are to hang on to the truth, no matter what, and that’s what I want to talk to you about today. At the beginning of 2 Timothy, Paul again encourages Timothy to join with him in suffering for the gospel.
Paul says in verses 8-10, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”
So that kind of gives us where Paul is coming from in this chapter. Let’s go to 2 Timothy, 2:22-26 and look at these words more closely.
Scripture: 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
As you can see, Paul kind of segues from suffering for the gospel to teaching the gospel. So in order to teach the gospel, you have to be willing to suffer for it. And what Paul is trying to get across to Timothy is that he (and we) shouldn’t have to give anyone any good reason to hate us. Have you ever met anyone who did more harm for the gospel than good? Perhaps they were judgmental or mean. Maybe they were all truth and no grace. Maybe they were the president of the local chapter of ‘Jerks for Jesus?’
But what Paul is saying here is, let’s not give anyone any ammunition against us. Let us be full of both grace and truth when we present and represent the gospel. A few weeks ago, I gave a sermon on love, and what love is. If you remember, love is a verb. It is an action, not a feeling. It’s what we do and how we act regarding how we feel and even in spite of how we feel. What Paul is saying to Timothy here, is to remember to be the embodiment of love when presenting the truth of the gospel.
If we go back to verse 22, we see that Paul instructs Timothy to, “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace…”
Fleeing the evil desires of youth? What are the evil desires of youth? Remember, Timothy was pretty young here, probably around 20 years old. So Paul was telling him that there are certain things that he may be prone to doing because of his age. There might be some immaturity that Timothy needs to get rid of. And that immaturity might be the opposite of righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Now, youth might be more prone to this type of immaturity, but the reason why I bring this up to us today is because it’s not just relegated to the youth. In the world we live in today, it is so much easier to fall into the trap of arguing–especially with social media.
There have been a lot of sermons that I’ve had over the years that have been based on discussions that I’ve had on social media. Some of those discussions were pleasant; some were not. Some people respectfully disagreed with me; others did not. There were times when I really had to keep my cool.
I have had a blog called, A Closer Look, where I write about a variety of topics from a Christian perspective. Those topics range from The Bible to entertainment to the evening news. My intent was to inform and give some wisdom and insight, not to start arguments. But, it got to a point where I was arguing so much that I decided I really needed a break.
I’ve even tried to take a break from social media altogether, and I’ve weaned myself down from controversial topics–for the most part–but have not yet been able to take a break completely.
The point that I’m making is that, even for pastors, this is a lifelong process of something we have to pursue. It may be the ‘desires of youth’ and we may have matured, but we will never quite get it perfect. This isn’t just for Timothy, even though it was written specifically to him, it’s really for all of us. Humanity hasn’t changed in 2,000 years–let me correct that. The Hebrew New Year will be changing this week to 5785. So humanity hasn’t changed for nearly 5800 years. For as long as we live on this earth, we will never quite get righteousness, faith, love, and peace absolutely perfect. Paul tells Timothy to pursue it, and for us, it is a lifelong pursuit.
Paul adds, “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
But notice Paul isn’t saying not to say anything at all–he’s instructing Timothy on how to speak, more specifically, how not to speak, also implying how to speak. It reminds me of a very famous passage out of Ecclesiastes which begins with, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Then, going down a few verses, Solomon said, “A time to be silent and a time to speak,”
We should take heed of that as well.
When it comes to even the most important topics of our day–when it comes to the political landscape; or when it comes to who we are and what we believe as Christians; when it comes to the gospel itself; when it comes to correcting those who say they are Christians but have no idea what Christianity is–we have to keep in mind to control what we say and how we say it.
Remember, Paul is speaking to a young pastor here, and James begins the third chapter of his epistle with this, “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
And a few verses down, he says, “9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
So in other words, stand back, observe, and think before you speak.
I had a passenger in my shuttle van who started talking about politics and, I think, assumed I would agree with her, and then after spending a good half-hour spewing about a certain political candidate, realized I disagreed with her. This was one of the few times when I couldn’t wait to drop off a passenger–like, I can’t get there fast enough. It seems to mostly be when people are discussing politics and go off on the candidate you’re voting for.
But I kept my mouth shut until we got to her driveway, and I can’t remember exactly what I said, but I remember her asking me something, and trembling when I said it because I was so worked up by what she said. And I did end up talking some on social media with her because she wanted to know how I could ever vote for someone like that–especially as a pastor.
I answered–on messenger after I calmed down, and I did so in a kind and loving way. If and when we speak, and if we’re worked up, we need to take a break and calm down first. Thankfully we have messenger so that we can reply at our best convenience.
If and when we are placed in a position to answer, we should do so as Paul says–not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
I’ve said this many times, but it bears repeating. 1 Peter 3:15-17 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
It reminds me of another passage from Paul. This is to the Ephesian church–which, by the way, Timothy was a pastor of an Ephesian church, so the letter to the Ephesians might have also been to Timothy, we don’t know for sure.
But if we go to Ephesians 4, some Bibles have the heading, “Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ.” Remember, our scripture verses out of 2 Timothy is about fleeing the evil desires of youth–being a mature Christian. So in Ephesians, Paul said to, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
A few verses down, he adds, “speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
Going further, Paul ends this chapter with, Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold…
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen… Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Do you see how this all ties in together? We must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and in a way that is not quarrelsome or resentful.
Continuing on in verses 25 and 26, “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
So again, we are to say something–in the right time and in the right way and for the right reason. What is that reason? So that, “they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
Again, I don’t want to get too political, but the lady I was telling you about who was in my van thinks that I’m trapped by the devil. And I think the same of her. There are others out there who call themselves Christian–and maybe they are Christian, and think the same way she does. Can the devil trick a Christian? Sure.
Last week, my main sermon topic was called “Fan into Flame,” and was from 2 Tim. 1. In that, I mentioned that in order to get a fire going again, you fan it to give it more oxygen. The Holy Spirit is that oxygen. I think a lot of Christians fall for Satan’s lies because they haven’t fanned that flame. That oxygen of The Holy Spirit isn’t running through their veins. They might still have warmth and kindling, but the fire of God isn’t running through their veins the way it should be.
Let me read to you last week’s verses again from 2 Tim. 1:6-9. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me as his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
Did you catch that part in the middle? At the end of verse 7, Paul says that the Holy Spirit, “gives us power, love and self-discipline.” There it is again. Self-discipline–maturity. Love, and power. Power? Yes, but a dynamic power that is authoritative, not domineering, proud, and brash. Again– “Jerks for Jesus.” Have you met those kinds of people? I have. They try to twist your arm to say ‘uncle’ so you’ll give in regardless of whether or not you actually believe their stuff.
How do we stand against those Christian bullies? We have to practice in keeping our mouths shut while not budging on our beliefs and not saying ‘uncle.’ And, those Christian bullies will try to pull you into their trap of arguing and quarreling because they’re usually narcissists and it’s a sport to them. Don’t fall for it, ‘cause they’re not going to listen to reason–they just want to win an argument because it’s how they hold power over you–yes, even Christians.
People like that may or may not, “come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
But you know what, even if they don’t, it’s not on us. We haven’t failed if people don’t come to their senses. We just have to be faithful in what God has called us to do. Be quiet, gentle, humble, and know–as Kenny Rogers used to say, “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.”
So to bring this all together this morning, if and when we have to speak, we must remember to control our thoughts and emotions, and if and when we must speak, we need to speak the truth in love.
Going back to Ephesians again. Ephesians 4:14–15 tells us: “We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”
Nathan Busenits, writing for Ligonier Ministries, said, we recognize that biblical love is patient, kind, humble, selfless, and not-easily provoked. It is a sincere love that is characterized by the phrase: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18). It exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23); consequently, it is not quick-tempered, self-willed, pugnacious, or needlessly quarrelsome (2 Tim. 2:24–25). It is definitely not soft on sin, error, or false teaching; but it is softened with compassion and seasoned with grace in the way it interacts with other people.
In our evangelism, Paul’s instruction to speak the truth in love helps us remember that the goal…is not merely to win arguments, but to win people. And in practicing biblical confrontation with fellow believers, this same principle reminds us that the goal is restoration.
One more time from 2 Tim. 2:25-26: “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
I want to leave you with this question this morning: in our everyday lives, how can we be salt and light; truth and grace to a lost and dying world? You never know how that one seed can impact someone later on in life. Again, God calls us to be faithful in planting regardless of the soil, or the watering, and the results are up to Him, not us.
It might be social, it might be political, it might be religious. But in our everyday lives, we are going to be challenged with our beliefs in one way or another. How we respond should honor God, honor others, and if done correctly, plant that seed. Let’s be faithful, bold yet humble and gentle. And let us continue to pray that we can be effective not through our failed human effort, but through fanning the flame of The Holy Spirit’s oxygen within us.
Featured Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay
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