RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH
II TIMOTHY 2:15
Introduction:
Rightly dividing the truth should be a major concern to a believer in Jesus Christ. The purpose of this study is to look at what the Scriptures say about this subject and determine if we are following those guidelines to the letter.
I. STUDY
A. This requires some effort, Hebrews 4:11, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
B. This requires some diligence, 2 Peter 1:10, 15, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”
1. Constant in effort, 2 Peter 3:14, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
2. Not idle or negligent, Titus 3:8, This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
II. APPROVED
A. Jesus was approved of God, Acts 2:22, “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”
1. His knowledge of the God’s Word was complete, John 7:15-16, “And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”
2. To know the Word of God is acceptable to God, Romans 14:18, “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”
B. Knowing the Word is to be approved in Christ, Romans 16:10, “Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.”
1. Therefore the Christian should labor to be accepted, 2 Corinthians 5:9, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”
2. He labors to be commended by the Lord, 2 Corinthians 10:18, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”
C. This is not an effort to be approve of men, 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.”
D. God has place a great responsibility upon us, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
III. A WORKMAN
A. He has made us capable ministers, 2 Corinthians 3:6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
1. Not that we are sufficient in ability of ourselves, 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”
2. We must trust in His grace to do His will, Matthew 10:19, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.”
3. Paul found God’s grace sufficient, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
B. Mediate on these things, Psalm 143:5, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.”
1. This is God’s formula for success, Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
2. There is profit in following God’s counsel, 1 Timothy 4:15, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”
IV. RIGHTLY DIVIDING
A. That we might be faithful and wise stewards of God, Luke 12:42, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?”
1. Blessed is that servant, Matthew 25:34, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”
2. Blessed is that servant who is watching, Luke 12:37-38, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.”
B. For there is the danger of NOT rightly dividing the Word of God, 1 Corinthians 3:1, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”
1. Some handle the Word deceitfully, 2 Corinthians 4:2, “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
2. Some ought to be teachers but are not able, Hebrews 5:12, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”
3. They have not been diligent in the Word, Proverbs 10:4, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
CONCLUSION:
Let’s be rich in the Word of God for His glory and honor!