II TIMOTHY

WHAT WE NEED TODAY–II TIMOTHY 4:1-8

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WHAT WE NEED TODAY

II TIMOTHY 4:1-8

Introduction:

What is it that we need to do God’s will? Is it gimmicks? Do we need to do God’s work in the energy of the flesh? Here are some things that I have been thinking about and what I have seen over the years. Let us consider what we need to do.

I. TO DO AWAY WITH UNSCRIPTURAL METHODS THAT…

A. Cheapen the name of God – Romans 2:24-25, “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25-For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.”

1. Obeying the Law of God shows that a Christian is faithful.

2. Breaking the Law make him look like an unbeliever.

B. Cheapen the Word of God – Jesus gives the example of the Pharisees, Matthew 15:4-6, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5-But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6-And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”

C. Cheapen the power of God – 1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

II. WE NEED TO RETURN TO GOD’S PLAN

A. The flesh must be crucified – Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Colossians 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

B. God must be recognized as holy – 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16-Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

C. He must be given His rightful place.

1. The Lord has make room for us – Genesis 26:22, “And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

2. We must give Him His rightful place in our lives.

III. THE WORD OF GOD MUST BE…

A. Read and Studied – 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

B. Preached – 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

C. Practiced – 2 Timothy 2:20-21, “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

1. Vessels of dishonor – unclean.

2. Vessels of honour – purged.

D. Promoted – by witnessing; and visitation must become an every day practice.

IV. PRAYER MUST BE ENGAGED IN

A. Not as a formality as one would repeat a ritual – Mark 12:38-40, “And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.”

B. It must become a part of our life as common as talking with our earthly father – 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”

V. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT MUST BECOME A REALITY

A. So that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh – Galatians 5:16, ” This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

B. In order to get along with one another – Galatians 5:25-26, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

C. In order to glorify our Lord – Romans 15:6, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

CONCLUSION
What we need to do is live for the Lord and stop thinking of ourselves so much. We need to read His Word and pray for one another instead of looking for each other’s defects. We need to serve the Lord with all of our strength.

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH–II TIMOTHY 2:15

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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!

PREACH THE WORD–II TIMOTHY 4:1-4

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PREACH THE WORD
II TIMOTHY 4:1-4

Introduction:

The Apostle Paul said that “… the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. Today more than ever that is true.

We will not stop preaching until Jesus comes for man needs the truth. He needs salvation in Jesus Christ because He is the ONLY SAVIOR. That is why Paul admonished Timothy to continue (be instant) to spread the Gospel of the grace of God. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 40:9, ”I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.”

I. PREACH GOOD TIDINGS

Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2- To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3- To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

A. He hath sent me…

1. To bind up the brokenhearted, Isaiah 57:15, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

2. To proclaim liberty to the captives, Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”

3. To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD [the year of Jubilee], v. 2; 2 Corinthians 6:2, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

4. To comfort all that mourn,

a. To give unto them beauty for ashes.

1) The ashes of persecution, Esther 4:1-3, “When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”

2) The beauty of salvation, Esther 8:15, “And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.”

b. The oil of joy for mourning, Psalm 45:7, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

c. The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

B. Warning every man, Colossians 1:27-28, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

1. To establish them in the faith, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, “And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:”

a. Unblameable in holiness, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

b. Confirming the souls of professed believers, Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

2. That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 4:12-13, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

C. Continuing “instant in season, out of season,” standing by:

1. Preaching the Kingdom of God, Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

2. Give thyself wholly to these things, 1 Timothy 4:15-16, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

II. REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT

A. Exhorting every man, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

1. Warning the unruly, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

2. That they may be sound in the faith, Titus 1:13, “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;”

B. Teaching doctrine, 2 Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

1. Instructing (chastening) those that oppose themselves, Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

2. That those who are lost might be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

C. Paul charged every one that they “would walk worthy of God,” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

1. To please God, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

2. Worthy of your calling, Ephesians 4:1-2, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”

CONCLUSION

Preach the Word! That is what we need to be doing. Preach and teach the truth not only to believers, but also to those who are lost.

ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?–2 TIMOTHY 3:1-7

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ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?
2 Timothy 3:1-7

Introduction:

Are we really living in the last days? For the answer to that question we need to look into the Word of God. Paul, writing to Timothy warns him of the dangers of these “perilous times.” They were not imagined, but rather, very real in his day as in ours.
Let’s examine these things to see if we are truly in the last days, some two thousand years after Paul warned Timothy.

I. PERILOUS TIMES
[HARD TO TAKE; HARD TO BEAR]

A. These are unholy times:
1. Irreverent, profane times, Hebrews 10:29, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
2. Wicked times, Proverbs 6:14, “Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.”
B. Without natural affection, Matthew 10:21, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.”
II. TROUBLESOME TIMES
A. For men shall be lovers of their own selves:
1. Loving one’s self, selfish, self-centered, 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
2. Too intent on their own interest, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
B. Covetous: loving money, avarice, Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
C. Unthankful: ungracious (wicked, odious, hateful), Deuteronomy 8:10, “When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.”
D. Disobedient to parents:
1. Disobedient, non compliant, Mark 7:10, “For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:”
2. Insubordinate, Mark 7:11-12, “But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;”
III. DANGEROUS AND HARSH TIMES
A. Blasphemers,
1. Speaking evil, Daniel 7:25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”
2. Slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive, Psalm 101:4-5, “A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”
B. Boasters:
1. An empty pretender, Jude 16, “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”
C. Proud:
1. showing one’s self above others, 1 Timothy 6:4, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
D. Heady:
1. Rash (too hasty in acting or speaking), Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”
E. High-minded:
1. To make proud, to be insolent; Psalm 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”
F. Having a FORM [semblance] of Godliness:
1. Having the external appearance of reverence, respect; piety towards God, Isaiah 29:13, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”
CONCLUSION
From what we have seen in God’s Word, we are surely living in the last days. That being the case, it means that the Lord will be coming again soon. ARE YOU READY TO MEET THE LORD. ARE YOU SAVED.
What about you, the believer? Are you ready to meet the Lord? Is your house in order? Is HE SATISFIED with you? I believe that I would be getting things straight with Him because there is not much time left.