[0:00] Okay, good morning.
[0:16] Let's get into the Word of God and go to 2 Timothy chapter 3. 2 Timothy 3, we'll pick up something we began last Sunday morning.
[0:33] And the overall concept is simple. But I was thinking on it some more this morning and it's needed to be reminded of some things and to have your, just to target your thoughts to be scriptural and to know what this book is for and to allow it to do a work in you.
[1:00] That's what we've been looking at starting last week, the work of the scriptures in the individual. And that would be personally in me as well as you. So 2 Timothy 3, let's take a look at verse 16 and 17 again.
[1:15] And the Bible says that from a child, I'm sorry, that's 15, but we'll read that one. That from a child that has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[1:27] All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
[1:42] And last week we looked and saw the first thought there from the verse of that it's profitable for doctrine and the word of God is given by inspiration of God. You can trust it.
[1:54] It's not just the words and writings of man. It's not just the beliefs of certain people and some translators that had their opinions and they worked in their thoughts into the text.
[2:04] But no, this is the words of God. And we have them in a book bound from cover to cover. We can trust every word and the words are given for doctrine. And so the first thought we had last week was that the work of the scriptures inside of you is to convince you of some things.
[2:22] It's to convince you that some things are right. It's to display a cause, a reason for more than just, oh, this world exists, but that's a good one.
[2:34] Somebody that comes and looks at this thing, they're confronted with it. They have to understand or decide, what do I believe about this thing? And the word of God will give you that doctrine, which is a teaching.
[2:47] It will give you the doctrine of God being the creator and an all-powerful, all-being, eternal God. You may not be able to really fathom and just wrap your mind around that concept.
[2:58] I surely can't get it. One day I will. But for now, I believe it. And I'm convinced of it because of the words of this book. Not because of a scientist.
[3:08] Not because of some evangelist. But because of the word of God. And so the Bible has convinced me. I hope it's convinced you of some things. I showed you a few things last week where you need to be convinced about the person of Jesus Christ.
[3:22] And the apostle Paul used the scriptures. And he spent time in the writings of Moses, the law of Moses and the writings. And he showed them from the prophets that Jesus was the very Christ.
[3:34] And you need to be convinced of who Jesus Christ was. Was he some cult leader? Was he some maniac? Was he some just crazy guy that made a lot of... To say that he is the way.
[3:47] That no man cometh unto the Father but by him. That just completely wipes out, oh, 90%, 95% of religions.
[4:00] So is he a lunatic? Or are you convinced that he is in fact the way to the Father? And that he died. That he suffered for sins. That he might bring us to God.
[4:11] Because he can do it. Are you convinced of that? If you are, it's from the scriptures. You ought to be also convinced of doctrine. Of sound doctrine. And we studied that in Titus. And we looked in the book of James.
[4:21] And showed that the scriptures can convince you that you're guilty. And so that's going to lead into the second thought here this morning. In 2 Timothy chapter 3. Before we go there, let's pray together.
[4:32] And then we'll continue. Our Father, we ask that you would minister to us the truths of this book. And may you just completely take control of this room.
[4:45] And of our thoughts. And of our attention. May they be placed upon the words of this book. And as we are attentive and obedient, I pray that your spirit would grow in us.
[4:58] And illuminate us. And reveal some things about us. And some things about you. And help each one to get something today. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright, second thought.
[5:10] It says, scriptures are given by inspiration. God is profitable for doctrine. Secondly, it's profitable for reproof. For reproof. Now, nobody likes to be reproved.
[5:22] I don't think you like to be reproved. That's somebody telling you that you're wrong. And the scriptures will tell you that you're wrong. It's a work of the scriptures to reprove you.
[5:34] They're profitable for reproof. And so the second thought, not just does the scriptures convince, but secondly, it condemns. Originally, I said it convicts, which I stand by that as well.
[5:47] But it's a little easier to make the case with the word condemn. The word condemn is a declaration of guilt. And that's what the scriptures will do. Without the scriptures, who's to say whether I'm right or wrong, or you're right or wrong, or if we have differing opinions about something, who's to say who's right?
[6:05] Everybody can just say, well, that's your truth. Hasn't that been a popular thought today? That's just your truth. That's my truth, and I'm going to abide by it and live by it. What is that? Where did man come up with this thought that you can have your own truth that is just unique and applies to you only?
[6:22] And you don't have to push it on. That's just such a pretty thought, but so unfounded. And it goes nowhere. It goes nowhere at all. The scriptures, though, are given to declare if you are wrong and when you are wrong.
[6:40] And so why should I value any person's opinion over another's, over my own, or my own over yours? Why do I have value above you?
[6:52] It's easy for me to point at you and say, why is your opinion better than mine? But I'll just flip it around and be honest. Why is my opinion better than yours? It's not. It might be to me, but it's not.
[7:03] And so the scriptures are going to have to, there's got to be some kind of authority here. The word of God condemns. And it's a work that it will do inside the individual. Look at Romans chapter 3.
[7:15] That's a big reason why man is afraid of this book. Or why he avoids this book.
[7:28] Because the scriptures are given and are profitable for reproof. And whether you like to admit it or not, church, you need reproof.
[7:41] We all need reproof. Even the best of men need to be reproved when they're wrong. All right, Romans chapter 3, verse number 19.
[7:51] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, talking about the word of God now, the scriptures. It saith to them who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God.
[8:10] The scriptures declare man to be guilty. That's condemnation. That's what the scriptures will do. It declares that all mankind is guilty before God.
[8:22] Look at verse 23. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Isn't that one of the, if not the most popular verse that you want to show somebody that's a sinner that doesn't know they're a sinner?
[8:35] You want to say, do you want to know what God said about you? He said that all have sinned. You and me are sinners. We've fallen short. We've come short of the glory. We want everybody to understand that.
[8:47] It's such a simple thought. The scriptures will do that. They will work inside somebody to declare to them that they're guilty. To condemn them. Apart from Jesus Christ, no one's ever lived guiltless in this world.
[9:02] Everyone's violated the commands of God. It says this earlier in this passage. Come back to verse number 9 of Romans 3. And as Paul is talking about Jews and Gentiles, he says, what then?
[9:14] Are we better than they? No, in no wise. For we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin. As it is written, there is none righteous.
[9:25] No, not one. There is none that understandeth. There is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way. They are together become unprofitable.
[9:39] That's Jews, Gentiles, the whole bunch, all the human race. There is none that doeth good. No, not one. Sometimes you ask somebody how they're doing.
[9:49] They're like, I'm good. And it's just a little stupid quirk in me. I say there's none that doeth good. That's just stupid of me. But I just can't help but let the scripture remind me.
[10:01] Their throat is an open sepulcher. With their tongues they have used deceit. This is God's view of mankind. This is what he sees when he sees man.
[10:12] Oh, but I'm a good person. This is what God sees. The poison of asps is under their lips. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood.
[10:24] Destruction and misery are in their ways. The way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. And then it goes on to show you that the law tells them they're guilty.
[10:37] Guilty, guilty, guilty. The scriptures will condemn. Without the scripture, what do you have that's going to show you where you're wrong?
[10:48] You might say, well, I have a conscience. And God put a law inside of my heart and gives an old man a conscience. And I'd say, yeah, we all have a conscience. A conscience that we don't follow fully.
[11:02] And some do. And some men do. You find them in the Bible. Some are going by their consciences. And they're trying to walk before God justly. So a conscience is given to man.
[11:12] But without the scripture, is the conscience enough? Is it enough for all of society today to just live by their conscience?
[11:23] There was a time when it was. There was a time when God allowed that. But obviously he sees a need for something greater. A standard. A rule that's written.
[11:35] And not going anywhere ever. So God gave us the scriptures. Because we're real good at justifying the things that we like. Or that we want to hold on to.
[11:46] Even if our conscience pricks us in our heart. And says that's wrong. We still can just. We're so good at justifying it. And so there needs to be something written down. Look at Romans chapter 7.
[11:59] And God gave us. By inspiration of God. Words of God. And written. Called a scripture. And they'll do a work. Inside of you.
[12:11] And the second thing they'll do. Is they'll condemn you. They'll condemn you. Here's Paul's first hand account of this happening in his life. Start in verse number 7. We'll read down to verse 14.
[12:24] What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin. But by the law. For I had not known lust. Except the law had said.
[12:35] Thou shalt not covet. In plain words. Paul didn't know that he was lusting. Until the scripture did a work in him. And revealed that you're wrong Paul.
[12:47] It reproved his lust. By showing him. He's not supposed to do that. Verse 8 says. But sin. Taking occasion by the commandment. Wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.
[12:59] For without the law. Sin was dead. For I was alive. Without the law once. But when the commandment came. Sin revived. And I died. And the commandment. Which was ordained to life.
[13:10] I found to be unto death. For sin. Taking occasion by the commandment. Deceived me. And by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy. And the commandment. Holy and just and good.
[13:22] Was then that which is good. Made death unto me. God forbid. But sin. That it might appear sin. Working death in me. By that which is good. That sin by the commandment.
[13:33] Might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual. But I am carnal. Sold under sin. So the word of God. When it appeared. When it came to him.
[13:44] When it quickened his mind. To know his sin. It reproved him. And it left him dead. In his sins. The example he gave was lust. The scriptures condemned him.
[13:56] Without the word. Verse number nine. He was alive once. But being alive. And not being. Not being accountable.
[14:08] Is what we would say. For his sins. Sin was alive in him. And it was working in him. And it was working. All manner of concupiscence in him.
[14:19] And it was. In verse 13. Working death in him. And so the whole time. Sin's growing. And growing inside him. And he's ignorant. Of it being sin.
[14:30] And being wrong. Until the scriptures. Did a work. Until the scriptures. Opened his eyes. And showed him. That's wrong. And it reproved him. Of his sin. So the scriptures.
[14:41] Will condemn. Not just a lost man. But will condemn. A saved man. And it should very much. Be condemning you. As a saved child of God. It should be what shows you.
[14:52] Your sin. Anybody that's not living up. To the standard of holiness. The scriptures will condemn you. There was a time in my life. When I. Allowed certain words.
[15:03] To come out of my mouth. Words that. I was not. Taught. In my home. Words that my mom and dad. Did not use. But words that I decided.
[15:14] They're not so bad. I can speak like this. I can let these words. Come out of my mouth. And so I decided. They were okay. And. And part of my basis. Or my justification. Was that there was men.
[15:25] That I knew. That use these words. In my church. They were Christians. They were the same age. As my father. And they came to church. Every Sunday. And I'd hear them. Snickering in the side.
[15:36] And I'd hear them. Telling stories. And I'd hear them at times. Using this language. And so. I wasn't raised to talk like that. But I decided. They can do it.
[15:47] So can I. And so I started talking like that. I started letting certain words. Come out of my mouth. And then. Along came the word of God.
[15:58] Look at Ephesians chapter 4. This is a work. A personal testimony. Of a work. Of the word of God. In my life.
[16:09] It condemned me. Ephesians 4.
[16:22] In verse 29. The Bible says. Let no. Corrupt communication. Proceed out of your mouth.
[16:35] Toby. The word of God. Stopped me in my tracks. And spoke to me. And personally. Dealt with me. Let no corrupt communication.
[16:49] Proceed out of your mouth. But that which is good. To the use of edifying. That it may minister grace. Unto the hearers. And in that verse. And in that moment.
[16:59] Of reading that. The Lord said. You've allowed yourself. To say things. That are not. That are not approved. Of me. You didn't get them from me. It's not the new man.
[17:11] It's the old man. And you've just. And I knew it. I knew it the whole time. I just pretended it was okay. Justified it. In my own heart. Look down at chapter number five. Continued reading.
[17:22] And saw verse four. Neither filthiness. Nor foolish talking. Nor jesting. Which are not convenient. But rather giving of thanks. Look at verse number eight.
[17:35] For ye were sometimes darkness. But now are ye light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. And the Lord was dealing with me.
[17:45] Saying you didn't learn that speech from the scriptures. You didn't learn it from me. So cut it out. Clean it up. For the fruit of the spirit.
[17:56] Is in all goodness. And righteousness. And truth. Proving what is acceptable. Unto the Lord. This was just. Getting me. Real good. Verse 11.
[18:08] Have no fellowship. With the unfruitful works of darkness. But rather reprove them. For it is a shame to even. Speak. It is a shame even to. Speak of those things.
[18:20] Which are done of them in secret. And the Lord smote my heart. And showed me. You're wrong. You are wrong. And it was me. And the word of God.
[18:31] Me and a book. And the book was condemning me. Come back to the Proverbs. This is another one that I would read on a regular basis. And this one.
[18:42] I ignored it. Until I couldn't ignore it anymore. I ignored it. Proverbs chapter 8.
[18:54] Proverbs chapter 8. And just reading through a proverb.
[19:04] And on the eighth day of the month. I'm coming through this. Proverb. Just kind of. Ripping right through it. And I got to verse 6.
[19:15] And 7. And 8. And something slowed down. And reproved me. In verse 6. Here. For I will speak of excellent things.
[19:26] And the opening of my lips. Shall be right things. For my mouth. Shall speak truth. And wickedness. Is an abomination to my lips.
[19:37] All the words of my mouth. Are in righteousness. There is nothing froward. Or perverse.
[19:48] In them. And those verses. Whew. They cut me. They got right into my heart. The scriptures.
[20:00] Remember last week. I showed you that they can. That they're alive. And I showed you in 1 Peter 1. That the word of God liveth. And abideth forever. And I showed you that the scripture.
[20:11] Can dwell in your hearts. By faith. It can dwell inside of you. It can live in you. And then I showed you in 1 Thessalonians. That it can work in you.
[20:23] It can do a work in you. And that's what we're studying. One of the works that it did. In me. Is it condemned me. It condemned my speech. It revealed to me.
[20:35] I didn't have my dad in my ear. I didn't have a pastor. A preacher in my ear. It wasn't somebody yelling at me. For something. It was. It was that still small voice. Of God. From the words of his book.
[20:47] Smiting my heart. Convicting. Condemning me. And so I'm still not flawless. In my speech. But I realized. I was wrong.
[20:57] I was allowing. Or had determined. Some things that were not okay. To be okay. And the Lord dealt with me about it. And I thank God for that.
[21:08] I'm not a perfect man. But there's one area. I know. In that case. I can tell you. By experience. The word of God. Does a work. It does a work.
[21:19] Now my question to you this morning. Is has the word of God. Operated in your heart. In this work of condemnation. Because that's a work that it will do.
[21:30] It will condemn you. The word of God is holy. You and I are not holy. So what it will do. Is point out where you're not holy. It'll reveal it to you.
[21:42] It may be. You may right now today. Just in me giving you a testimony. Of my own. You may be getting. Beat around by the book yourself. In that area of language. Has it reproved you in some way.
[21:55] It should have. If you've picked it up. That's a work that this book will do. It will reprove you. It will show you where you're wrong. And again.
[22:06] There's all the reason. Many have not to touch it. They don't want to deal with their sin. They don't want to give in. They don't want to let go of it. They don't want the Lord of God.
[22:16] To confront them. About their sins. Has it operated in your heart. In this work of condemnation. Could you. Could you give your own testimony. Of the Lord dealt with my heart.
[22:28] About something. And you have a verse on it. A verse that strengthens you. Gives you victory. When that sin or temptation. Creeps back up in your flesh. And you have the word of God. That's putting it down.
[22:39] And it's showing you. That's wrong. That's not the standard. I'm going to submit to the scriptures. Has it reproved your speech. Has it reproved your deeds. Your works of the flesh.
[22:52] Has it reproved your lusts. Like it did Paul's. Has it reproved your pride. You can't read too far through this book. Without getting dealt with your pride. Has it reproved your selfishness.
[23:04] Or your greed. Or your anger. Or your bitterness. Because the word of God. Will condemn you. It's built that way.
[23:15] It's holy. It's like a heat seeking missile. It's deployed. And it scans. And finds that object. That heat. That target.
[23:26] And it locks in on it. And it just goes. Until it gets it. And the scriptures like that. Look at Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4. The scripture.
[23:37] Will scan your heart. And it will find something. That's unholy. And unrighteous. And it will lock in on that.
[23:48] And try to get it out. It will try to destroy it. Hebrews chapter 4. And look at verses 12 and 13.
[24:00] And like that illustration. Of the heat seeking missile. The scripture scans your heart. Hebrews 4. 12. For the word of God is quick. We said that last week.
[24:11] That means it's alive. It's quick. And powerful. And sharper than any two-edged sword. Piercing. Even to the dividing.
[24:22] That's what the word of God is doing. It's piercing. Even to the dividing. Asunder. Of soul and spirit. And of the joints and marrow. And is a discerner.
[24:33] Of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It can pierce through anything. To get to your heart. And it discerns what's in that heart.
[24:45] It scans and sees it. And it reproves every single thing. That's wrong inside of that heart. Verse 13 says. Neither is there any creature.
[24:55] That's not manifest in his sight. But all things are naked. And opened unto the eyes of him. With whom we have to do. So the scripture will scan your heart.
[25:09] It'll find that sin. And it'll reprove it. People like to say things like. Well this is just how I am. Or I was born this way. Or it's just my personality.
[25:21] It's just me. It's who I am. I can't change that. And that's really just some lame line. To excuse and justify your sin. This is how I was born.
[25:33] Yeah you were born a sinner then. The scripture will reprove that. And say you're wrong. You can't just chalk it up to how I was born. Or how I was raised. The word of God will work against that.
[25:45] It'll reprove you. It'll condemn you. Bible says that Christ died for our sins. So you have him. He gave himself to redeem us.
[25:57] From all iniquity. The way you were born. The way you were raised. The way you think. Your personality. If it's wrong. He died to redeem you from that. And to purify unto himself a peculiar people.
[26:10] Paul asked the question. Shall we continue in sin? Shall we pretend it's okay? The scripture is given to us. To clean us up.
[26:21] But before it does that. It first reveals to you your sin. It condemns you. It reproves you. Now the scripture doesn't just condemn you.
[26:31] The ultimate goal is to clean you up. It is to fix that. And so come back to 2 Timothy chapter 3. 2 Timothy 3.
[26:44] We're good at making excuses. But we read that passage in Romans 3.
[26:56] That every mouth may be stopped. And what a glorious thought. It's just a holy thought. Just a powerful almighty God. Judging sinful man. Just every mouth is shut.
[27:06] And I get a... I get a... In my mind sometimes. It's pretty pathetic probably. But a vision. A picture. As I try to conceive eternity.
[27:19] And the great white throne judgment. Or the judgment seat of Christ. Or being in the presence of a holy God. In his glory. And being before him. And in my mind.
[27:32] From the scripture. And from what I gather. It's pure fear. This being is so high. And so holy. And too much for me.
[27:43] Peter. When he got a glimpse of Jesus Christ. He's like. Depart from me. I'm a sinful man. How much more so. When his glory is unleashed in front of us.
[27:55] We're all going to just fall on our face. And a sinful man. Oh my goodness. The sin inside of a man. He's not going to boast. His mouth is going to be shut.
[28:07] He's not even going to want to justify himself. In front of God. He's not going to want to talk that talk. He's just going to want to have mercy. If I just be quiet. If I'm just quiet.
[28:17] And don't say anything. Maybe he'll be kind to me. I love the thought. That every mouth may be stopped. There'll be no more excuses. There'll be no justifying. And today though.
[28:28] This is the point. Is the scripture was given. To show us all of this right now. To show us where we're wrong. To reprove us. And to show us that God's right.
[28:39] Now we're in 2 Timothy 3 again. In verse number 16. We've covered the first two. That the scripture is given by inspiration of God. It's profitable for doctrine. For reproof. And now thirdly for correction.
[28:53] That's the third work that we see here. Where the scriptures will work inside of you. It will correct. It'll convince. It will condemn.
[29:04] And then correct. Fix the problem. Not just point out the problem. But remedy it. You know when a teacher. A student.
[29:15] Turns a test in. The teacher can mark wrong. Just condemn. Condemn. Condemn. You're guilty. You're wrong. You're wrong. You're wrong. Reprove. But sometimes they'll say this.
[29:26] Now. Fix it. They say correct it. Bring it back. Correct it. Because the goal is not just to show them how bad they are. And how wrong they are.
[29:37] But to get them to see their error. And fix the error. And now they've learned. And now they've grown. And that's what ought to happen in the word of God. The goal is to get it right.
[29:48] The work of the scriptures. It's not merely just to show you where you're wrong. But it's to help you get it corrected. And so correction in the Bible can be accomplished.
[29:58] The correction shows up a few times what it is as far as a definition. And it can be accomplished through words. Through reproofs. And through rebukes. You can find that in the Proverbs.
[30:10] That those things will correct someone. You can do it. Some kids you just have to say it. And they fix it. And then others need what's called the rod of correction. And then the actual physical punishment that is there to correct.
[30:24] But the word in the Bible is used both ways. To the reproofs. But also for the punishment. Or the chastening as it's called.
[30:36] But the point is the punishment in correction is aimed at changing the behavior. Right? It's aimed at getting it fixed. It's not just aimed at wrong, wrong, wrong.
[30:46] And so you go to the optometrist. And they check your eyes. And they say, yep, there's a problem. But they offer you corrective lenses.
[30:57] To correct the problem. We send, we call jails today. We call them correctional facilities. And that may be a bit of a joke.
[31:08] In what they actually do. But the theory is that if you implement some punishment. In hopes of correcting the unlawful behavior. And maybe that's, well, our jail system is rather unsuccessful at that.
[31:21] Why? Well, because they don't consult the word of God. Which is profitable for correction. And if the word of God was introduced and taught and implemented. Boy, that could really change some people's hearts.
[31:33] Now, the scripture. The work of the scripture in the individual is a work of correction. Now, turn to Titus. Turn just to your right a little bit. To Titus chapter 2.
[31:50] Titus 2. Not only does the word of God tell us where we're wrong. Or where we fall short of the glory of God. But it also tells us how to fix it. And it's usually in that order.
[32:01] It's usually where it gives us the negative first. This is wrong. Don't do that. But do this. And I want to show that to you here. This is just a small sample size of the scripture and the commands.
[32:13] But look at Titus 2. And notice this in verses 12 through 14. Teaching us that negative. Denying ungodliness. Because it's wrong.
[32:23] And worldly lusts. Because it's wrong. We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
[32:38] Who gave himself for us. That he might redeem us from the negative. All iniquity. And purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.
[32:50] The negative comes first. Don't do. And then the correction follows. Look back at 2 Timothy chapter 2. 2 Timothy 2 verse 19 through 24.
[33:01] 2 Timothy 2 verse 19.
[33:12] Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal. The Lord knoweth them that are his. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. There's the negative.
[33:23] Get that out of there. But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and earth, and some to honor and some to dishonor. And if a man, verse 21, if a man therefore will purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor.
[33:39] Sanctified in meat for the master's use, prepared unto every good work. It's the negative first. It's purge yourself from these. And then you can be that. Depart from iniquity, and then you can be a vessel of honor.
[33:52] Verse 23. Flee also youthful lusts. Negative. But positive. Follow righteousness. Faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
[34:03] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strives. But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle. The negative first. Avoid this.
[34:15] This is a reproof. This is where this stuff is wrong. The striving and strife. But be gentle unto all men. Apt to teach, patience, meekness, instructing, and so forth.
[34:25] The negative first, followed by the positive. The best place to see this, I'm saving it for last, I think it's the best, is Ephesians 4. We were there a little bit ago. Let's go back to that passage and back up a little bit from where we were in verse 29.
[34:40] And we'll back up to verse 22. And then come back through the passage. And now Paul's talking about the old man and the new man, but notice how he's reproving and saying this stuff's wrong, and then gives you the positive, the corrective side of it.
[34:55] So let's notice that in Ephesians chapter 4. Verse 22. That you put off concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
[35:08] That's the negative verse. Now the next two are positive. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Verse 25.
[35:19] Wherefore putting away lying. Negative. Speak every man truth. Positive. With his neighbor for your members, one of another. Be angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil.
[35:32] Let him that stole steal no more, but rather. Positive. What do you do with your hands instead of stealing? Let him labor. Working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may give to him that needeth.
[35:44] Negative. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good. There's the positive. To the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearer. It keeps going.
[35:54] Verse 30 and 31. All this stuff needs to go. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed under the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice.
[36:08] And then the positive. The correction. Be ye kind one to another. Tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
[36:20] Now this is a biblical principle here of the negative is first. They call it the power of negative thinking. When you think that way first, you'll be much better to bring the positive in in its absence.
[36:34] But you get the negative out, you flee the youthful lust, and you follow this instead. If you do it backwards, it's not going to work. And that's why the scripture gives it to you that way.
[36:45] And it's even that way in our study here in 2 Timothy 3. It's for reproof. And then for correction. And it should always be in that order.
[36:56] And so the scriptures will do that work in you. It ought to have done some work in you. By the grace of God, since you've been born again and trusted Jesus Christ, that first moment of salvation may have been glorious for you.
[37:08] It may have not felt like anything for you until you learned and grew and understood what God has done for you and given you what you have in Christ. And as you grow, there ought to be some visible, and I think visible, but maybe it's not all visible yet, but some true working of the scriptures on the inside of you.
[37:30] And the work they'll do is give you some doctrine, give you some, it'll convince you of some things, and then it'll also condemn you and start to reveal all of this filth inside of your heart.
[37:44] And the Lord knows how to do it. He's not going to put it all on you in one moment. And if a brother or sister comes to you and starts pointing out all your flaws, just get away from them because they're not helping you.
[37:56] We'll talk about that next hour a little bit. Let the word of God deal with your heart because that's the Holy Spirit's channel or avenue or medium by which he'll deal with your heart and speak to you and convince you of your sin, condemn you of your sin, and then correct your sin.
[38:14] And the book will do all of that. And so my hope and prayer is that you have some evidence of this. Like you could get up right now or with some thought, you could come down, you could actually testify to this church and say, this has happened in my life and give the scripture and show us all that it's the book that has declared that and has corrected that and now you're different and changed and renewed and transformed because of that book.
[38:45] The book will do it. Now if you avoid the word of God, you're handcuffing it. You're handcuffing or you're grieving the Holy Spirit of God.
[39:00] You're not allowing him to work. You're not allowing him to point out things inside of you and show you and guide you and grow you. And so a daily time in the book is important.
[39:12] It's important to settle your spirit and to shut off your world and to focus in on the Lord God, your creator and your savior and your relationship with him.
[39:24] And as you do prayerfully allow him to speak to you from the holy words of this book, don't be afraid of it. You don't have to fear God.
[39:36] He's never going to be hard. He's never going to be pushy. He's never going to be like, what's the word I want there?
[39:47] Like try to advance you beyond your capabilities. God is always just going to take you one step, one step and deal with you here and deal with you there.
[40:00] He's never going to throw the whole load on you and say you're pathetic. I'm holy. You're not even close. And so you can go to the book and you can trust your God. You can trust him to work on your heart and to grow your heart.
[40:13] As you're open to him, he will lead you to a better person, the one that he wants you to be. Be careful of men. Be careful of men that don't have the patience that God has.
[40:26] Be careful of men that have been in different situations than you have and don't realize it and they just think that the way that they were dealt with and the Lord, that that's what he wants for you too.
[40:36] That may not be the case. But the word of God is never going to be wrong. And if you'll read it and walk in it, it will do a work in you. And I'm just trying to convince you that you should want that.
[40:48] That you should desire that book to change you and to clean you up. It can do so much more than these few things that we're talking about. But we'll do one more week of this study of what the work of the scriptures in the individual and I hope that it's something that you can testify to and say, yeah, it's done a work in me.
[41:06] I know exactly what you're talking about. All right, so let's take a break right there.