[0:00] 2 Timothy chapter 3, and we may read again at verse 14.
[0:14] 2 Timothy chapter 3 and at verse 14. 3 Timothy chapter 3, and we may read again at verse 14.
[0:48] 3 Timothy chapter 3, and we may read again at verse 14.
[1:18] We read in chapter 3 the great contrast between the first section of the chapter and the second section of the chapter.
[1:31] There is a huge contrast, and I do not wish to pursue the first part of the chapter this evening.
[1:44] But in the section of the letter that begins at verse 10, the Apostle Paul is giving encouragement to Timothy.
[1:55] And I like to think of Timothy in this context as representative of the believer. Perhaps I should say, the last days is a kind of elastic term in the Bible.
[2:15] In the sense that the last days are the days from the time of Christ's first appearing to his second appearing. the first section.
[2:26] But when you read that first section, I do not think you would have any difficulty in applying many or most of the terms that are found in that first section to the current state of the world in which we live.
[2:44] However, that is not my purpose this evening. I would like to highlight three thoughts from our text. First of all, powerful influences on the life of Timothy.
[2:57] Paul writes, but as for you.
[3:13] And the emphasis there falls on the word you. The Greek construction is different to the English construction.
[3:26] And the Greek construction, when wishing to lay a particular emphasis on a word, places that word at the beginning of a sentence. So literally, it is you.
[3:39] That's how the sentence begins. Paul is stating that Timothy must pursue a course that is very opposite to that which is followed by false teachers and their followers.
[3:57] He counsels Timothy to continue in what you have learned. And implied in the word that is translated learned is what Timothy has gleaned by observation as well as by teaching.
[4:18] The first powerful influence that I would like to mention in the life of Timothy is that of the home. It was the influence exercised by Timothy's granny and his mother.
[4:36] We know from the Bible that they were believers. I am sure you are all familiar with their names. Paul writes earlier in this second letter, I am reminded, he says to Timothy, of your sincere faith.
[4:55] A faith that dwelt first in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, Lois, his granny.
[5:06] Obviously, these two women did not conceal their faith, but sought to instruct this additional member of the family in the teachings of the Old Testament.
[5:19] We know from the book of Acts that Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother, but his father was Greek. Acts 16.
[5:31] Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. A Gentile, the implication being that his father wasn't a believer, but his mother, given her background and teaching, sought to continue the example that she had been taught, hence the instruction in the Old Testament scripture.
[6:05] I am convinced that many down through the years have reason to praise God for the influence of grandparents and of parents.
[6:18] Not just for the teaching that they have passed on, but even more by seeing parents or grandparents living out the teaching.
[6:30] They better speak for their families as the educator that the human journey did not receive from Egypt that power MGs, the nations' message andional Together, know the world, right along the way that qualcuns, has been known as the people of Christ.
[6:49] in the Lamb's Book of Life. And in some ways God uses obscurity to extend his kingdom, because the glory ultimately doesn't belong to those who imparted the teaching, but to the God whom they sought to serve.
[7:10] The Apostle Paul was obviously familiar with the home in which Timothy was raised, and so his testimony is very significant.
[7:23] When he speaks of the faith of these two women, I think we can deduce from what is written that these two women played a very large part in the shaping of the character of Timothy.
[7:40] So, before I go on, is there anyone here tonight who can relate to that? The example of Christian grandparents or parents being an influence upon your own life.
[7:59] Perhaps at the time you didn't value the teaching or example. Perhaps you thought it was an obstacle to be overcome and even a hindrance to prevent you, your enjoyment of life as you thought life should be enjoyed, until you discovered that what you tear in joy was no real joy at all.
[8:31] You saw first-hand real joy in the lives of those around you in the home. But it wasn't just the witness in the home that was influential, but the instruction that was imparted from Scripture.
[8:50] For Paul gives us this biographical note about Timothy, how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings. That would suggest, at the very least, that Timothy was instructed in the Old Testament scripture.
[9:09] That's what we understand from the term the sacred writings. It's the kind of terminology that would be used by the Jews to describe the Old Testament.
[9:21] At this stage the New Testament wasn't printed. Timothy then was immersed in the Old Testament teachings of truth, so that he came to faith.
[9:35] Our text states, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed. So that not only was Timothy acquainted with the sacred writings, but he actually came to faith, believing the very scriptures with which he was acquainted from childhood.
[10:01] And that raises the question, when did he become convinced of the teaching that he received? It's not stated.
[10:12] It's not stated. Did he become convinced from an early age? The impression is that he was, but I cannot say.
[10:23] But I will say this, that it is not enough to just learn the scriptures. They must be applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit.
[10:34] So that one also becomes convinced with a conviction that transforms our life. If you ask the question, how many have known the scriptures, at least the letter of the scriptures from an early age?
[10:54] I'm sure many, for example, in this community, enjoyed that privilege. But the question is, what use did they or we make of that instruction?
[11:09] You know, some people take a kind of perverse pride in knowing the scriptures, but not believing in the Christ of scripture alone for salvation.
[11:26] They can quote scripture to you, but they don't trust in the Christ of scripture for salvation.
[11:37] And you know, there comes into play the mystery of human individuality. When people in their formative years are surrounded by what I consider to be inestimable Christian privileges, nurtured in a Christian home, and yet remaining in unbelief.
[12:00] And there is the other side to that. Others who didn't share that privilege to any degree. And they become bright Christians as those who have been called by God's grace.
[12:20] And you may be here tonight and you look back on the instruction received, and you are thankful for the instruction received.
[12:31] And how it was instrumental under the powerful leading of the Holy Spirit in bringing you to faith in Jesus Christ. So we have the powerful influence of Christian witness in the home.
[12:46] The influence of the scriptures themselves. And the latter of the two, I think, is the most important. Two very powerful influences that shaped the life of this man.
[13:00] But there is another influence which I ought to mention. And it is the influence of the apostle Paul himself. You, however, he says, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings.
[13:20] It happened to me at Antioch, at Deaconium, at Lystra, which persecutions I endured. Yet from them all the Lord rescued me. You, however, have followed my teaching.
[13:35] And the word followed there has the implication of conducting careful research. Find the same Greek word used in Luke's introduction to his gospel in chapter 1.
[13:51] Seemed good to me also, says Luke, having followed all things closely, there they have the word, having followed all things closely for some time past to write an orderly account.
[14:05] Dr. Luke could be termed an investigative reporter. Someone who takes great care to establish the facts before he writes them.
[14:19] And the result of Luke's research, of course, is a rich account of the person and work of Jesus Christ. His careful research was done for a specific purpose.
[14:35] Initially, he thought that his friend, Theophilus, may have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. And so here Paul alludes to the way in which Timothy had closely observed the apostle Paul.
[14:53] It is likely that he became acquainted with the apostle Paul on Paul's first visit to Lystra.
[15:04] You may remember how Paul was stunned in that city. On Paul's second visit to that city, he requests Timothy to accompany him.
[15:18] And in travelling with the apostle Paul, Timothy had ample time to observe Paul's ministry, his methodology, Paul's character.
[15:32] And Paul is calling on Timothy to live by the book. Continue in the book, Timothy. Because the book gives you the wisdom that leads to salvation.
[15:45] That book tells you the way of salvation. It tells you the plan of salvation. It tells you the plan of God to redeem sinners into his family. To change them, to transform them, to enable them to walk in this world as his people.
[16:02] And in some ways, as an outpost of glory. One day, they shall enter into the new heavens, and the new earth and dwell with the Lord forever.
[16:21] That's what this book tells you. It's like no other book in the world. It's the one book that teaches the way of salvation.
[16:34] And we are all urged to continue in this book. And notice how Paul says it gives you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.
[16:47] Apostle Paul knows it's not enough to say, oh I believe that book. That's not enough. If you believe this book, you must have faith in Jesus Christ.
[17:01] Because the whole book is about Jesus Christ. And you remember how that surprised the followers of Jesus.
[17:12] Remember on the road to Emmaus. After his resurrection. When the Lord Jesus Christ, you might say, stepped out of the shadows of the Emmaus road.
[17:26] And he accompanied two who were walking dolefully, sadly, pondering on the things that had taken place in Jerusalem.
[17:38] And this, as they saw a stranger, accompanied them. And you remember how he opened up to them the Old Testament.
[17:55] As if he was saying to them, let me tell you something. This whole book. This whole Old Testament is all about me.
[18:10] Remember how he spoke to them as they quizzed him.
[18:24] And as they told him their own circumstances. O foolish ones and slow of heart, to believe all that the prophets had spoken.
[18:38] In other words, he began to preach himself from the Old Testament scriptures. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things, enter into his glory and beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
[19:10] He preached the truth of the Messiah, the Saviour, from the Old Testament. And you wish that that sermon was recorded for posterity, don't you?
[19:28] Such lucid exposition from one who had such an insight into the teachings of scripture that he himself had inspired.
[19:43] The very scriptures that he had given to the church to be passed on. Well, that is what the Old Testament tells us.
[19:58] And if it's true of the Old Testament, it's even more true of the New Testament. The whole book, all the New Testament, is about Jesus Christ.
[20:09] And so if you believe in this book, if you continue in this book, if you persist in this book, if you abide in this book, then you ought to trust in Jesus Christ.
[20:22] It ought to be the aspiration of every Christian to live according to the Word of God. Every believer ought to be saying, all the fullness of its meaning with the psalmist.
[20:37] Oh, how I love your Word. It is my meditation all the day. Love every word of your instruction. That word of instruction that shows me my sin, my need.
[20:53] Shows me the Savior. Shows me the greatness of divine grace. Shows me the way of faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Shows me the way of life. This book tells me everything.
[21:06] I need to know to live in this world. Glorifying God. And enjoying Him forever. And so every Christian ought to aspire to live according to God's Word.
[21:23] Or to delight in the Word of God. God's Word is truth and we are to live by the book. Now, it may be that it was neither grandparents or parents who influenced you the most.
[21:34] It may have been the life of a neighbor. It may have been the life of a work colleague. It may have been the life of a friend. It may have been the life of a godly ministry.
[21:47] But whatever it was, it was an influence for good upon your life. That's my first point then. The powerful influences on the life of Timothy.
[21:59] Continue what you have learned and have firmly believed. Secondly, the practical use of Scripture. The words of Scripture are God-breathed.
[22:10] And the Apostle Paul is affirming here that all Scripture is God-breathed. Now, notice several things about this. First of all, Paul asserts that all Scripture, not just some Scripture, is God-breathed.
[22:27] There are some people who like to go through the Scriptures with a scissors and paste approach. They cut out things they don't like. They believe some things and ignore others.
[22:40] The Apostle Paul says, All Scripture is inspired. And the Apostle Paul is making a distinction here between the sacred writings and all Scripture.
[22:55] The sacred writings refer to the Scriptures of the Old Testament. And they are God-breathed. But they're not all Scripture.
[23:07] All Scripture ultimately is composed of the Old and New Testaments. And notice also that he makes it clear. It's not just the writers of Scripture that are inspired.
[23:20] Or their thoughts that are inspired. It's the words of Scripture that are inspired. Notice what he says. All Scripture. Little word. All.
[23:30] All the writings. All the writings. Every part of Scripture is inspired. It's not just that God, moved by the Holy Spirit in holy men, though he did.
[23:43] It's that he caused them to write in various means and ways precisely his message to his people. The Bible is inspired. And the reason that we believe that God's word is inerrant and without error and authoritative is because it is the word of God.
[24:00] You remember Paul saying to the Thessalonians, I thank God that you received my word, not as the words of man, but for what it really is, the word of God.
[24:16] There's an apostle realizing that the word of Scripture is the word of God. And so Christians ought to have a high view of Scripture.
[24:29] Because the Bible tells us so. God tells us in his word how we are to think about his word. Reminds me of the story told of a famous theologian.
[24:44] He was once asked the question, what proof do you have that you are loved by Jesus? And do you know the answer he gave? Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me.
[24:56] This I know. Why? For the Bible tells me so. For the Bible tells me so. What's the basis?
[25:06] All Scripture is God breathed. But I'm not even convinced that that is the main thrust of this verse.
[25:22] But rather that the apostle Paul is emphasizing the practical use of Scripture. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching.
[25:35] Now, remember this. Practical use is for all believers. Profitable. As already mentioned, they point to salvation in Jesus Christ.
[25:46] They are not of salvation, the Scriptures, but they point to where we find salvation. We are not saved by Bible reading or by the Bible or even by believing what the Bible says, but by trusting in the one who is at the very center of what the Bible teaches.
[26:09] And I think it is well borne out by the way in which Jesus addresses the Jews on one occasion as recorded in John's Gospel. Remember what he said to them?
[26:19] You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. Surely a good practice, yes? For he goes on to say, It is they that bear witness about me.
[26:32] So far, so good. But then there is this indictment of their practice. Yet you refuse to come that you may have life. You refuse to come to me that you may have life.
[26:46] So Paul gives several examples of the profitable or practical purpose of the Bible. Profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
[27:00] Profitable for teaching. The Bible is useful for imparting knowledge about God's revelation of himself in Christ Jesus.
[27:11] Now, that involves much time and effort being put into the study of the Word for the very reason of imparting it to others.
[27:24] It doesn't just happen overnight. You have to be a careful student of the Word if you are to impart the teaching of the Word to others.
[27:37] It's profitable for teaching. It's profitable for reproof and for correction. Now, these two terms may appear to be identical.
[27:51] But to reprove is to show a fault. To refute or rebuke or reveal error. And that shouldn't be done to quote a phrase wearing hobnailed boots.
[28:06] But it should be done in love. Reproof may point out errors of morals or doctrine. And scripture is profitable when it is used in that way.
[28:19] Solomon in the book of Proverbs states, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. Why? Because the instruction will make him still wiser.
[28:32] The scripture reproves, doesn't it? It points out our sins and our wrong thinking. There's, you might say, a cutting edge to scripture.
[28:45] It penetrates all the layers in which we wrap ourselves. There are times when the scriptures are very searching.
[28:56] They leave us no room to hide. They don't give us any wriggle room. And perhaps we then try to shut it out. But the man of God doesn't have that attitude or ought not to have that attitude.
[29:15] To the scriptures. It should be the very opposite.
[29:28] The man of God says, search me, O God. And know my heart. Try me. My thoughts unfold. See if there any wicked way there be at all in me.
[29:42] And in thine everlasting way, to me a leader be. Well, you remember how the writer to the Hebrews speaks of the word of God.
[29:57] The sword of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword. Piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow.
[30:08] Discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. One example of this is in the Old Testament. When a young king, Josiah.
[30:19] He ordered repairs to be made to the temple. Which had become dilapidated. And although that in itself was commendable.
[30:31] It didn't deal with the spiritual malaise of the nation. What did? Well, you remember, they made a discovery during the renovations.
[30:44] They found the book of the law. Probably the book of Deuteronomy. And when Shaphan the king's secretary read from it, the Bible tells us of the profound impact of this fight.
[30:58] When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. Tearing of clothes was an outward sign of inner distress.
[31:09] And in that particular instance, it was a sign of genuine repentance. Temple repairs were okay as far as they went. But what God wanted from his people was a heart of faithful devotion to himself.
[31:27] That's what he still wants. God pardoned Josiah's sin and he will pardon ours. We hear the word of God. Come to him with the same kind of heart.
[31:38] Rend in repentance. Well, Josiah's fresh encounter with the word of God expanded and accelerated the spiritual reformation of the kingdom of Judah.
[31:52] But you know, we can also suppress the voice of truth. And there is a verse in scripture that comes to mind where the Lord says, My spirit shall not contend with man forever.
[32:11] Then there is the term correction. Every time I see this, it reminds me at least of exercises done during school days or even during further education.
[32:29] Exercises that came back with red pen marks. But I don't think that's what's behind this term, correction. The word that is used here is the, is the, in the Greek version of the Old Testament, in the Septuagint.
[32:47] There it is used in connection, the word correction, with the rebuilding, the broken down walls of Jerusalem. And so correction here is to be understood of what God does in his marvelous grace and mercy.
[33:08] He restores broken down lives, piece by piece, until they have turned into something glorious for himself, reflecting his own handwork.
[33:25] The rest of it, process, begins here. And at the day of death, your soul is made perfect in holiness and immediately passes into glory.
[33:46] And then there is training in righteousness. The word used here is a word that is used in the instruction of a child, involves the positive discipline that promotes God-like character.
[34:04] Scripture leads people to the truth and equips them to overcome error. And in all of these terms that Paul uses, what comes across is the emphasis on sound doctrine and healthy Bible practice.
[34:23] The two are inseparable. Paul often exhorts the church to guard the gospel and shun false doctrine. But equally, he declares the necessity of good works.
[34:35] Indeed, in the next chapter, he links sound doctrine and sound living as an antidote to godlessness and shallowness. One theologian expressed it, the goal of theology is to build up people in the Christian faith and obedience to God.
[34:55] The Bible does not merely teach people how to live his life itself. So the practical use of Scripture, the powerful influence on the life of Timothy, and my time is gone, for finally the purpose of the practical use of Scripture.
[35:09] Notice this book is not only inspired and practical, it is sufficient to prepare us for life and godliness.
[35:21] Look again at verse 17. That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Now the term man of God here I understand to mean the Christian believer.
[35:36] In other words, this teaching of which we are to have a high view is designed not simply so that we will know facts about our Bible, not simply that we will assent to the doctrines that are taught in the Bible.
[35:54] This teaching of God's Word is designed to equip us for holiness. Remember again Jesus' words. John 17, sanctify them in the truth.
[36:08] Your Word is truth. Make them holy in truth. Grow them up in godliness in your truth. God's truth is for the purpose of leading to holy living, to godly living, to growing in grace.
[36:29] We really don't have a high view of Scripture until we love and cherish that Scripture and obey and live the Scripture. For it guides us to love the Lord and walk in all his ways.
[36:45] Well, that was the message that Paul was giving to Timothy and it's the message that the Bible still gives to you and me this evening to continue in what we have been taught in a world where the Bible is being undermined in so many different ways on the teaching of the Bible under attack in so many different ways on the witness of the church under attack and so it is all the more essential that we are taught Scripture that we live the Scripture that God might have the glory in our individual lives.
[37:36] Let us pray. O eternal God, we have to confess that we come so far short in everything that we seek to do but we bless thy name for the grace that is extended to us in our deep unworthiness to enable us to look to thee that in thee we might find strength and encouragement and doublet to live the life that is so marvellously set before us thy truth and the glory shall be thine in Jesus' name we ask it Amen.
[38:27] Let us conclude by singing again in Psalm 119 verse 129 Psalm 119 verse 129 Thy statutes Lord are wonderful my soul them keeps with care the entrance of thy word gives light makes wise whose simple art my mouth I have wide opened and panted earnestly while after thy commandments I longed exceedingly look on me Lord and merciful do thou unto me prove so art want to do to those thy name who truly love oh let my footsteps in thy word a right still ordered be let no iniquity obtain dominion both of me these verses thy statutes
[39:30] Lord are wonderful thy statutes Lord are wonderful my soul them keeps with care the end as all thy word to die makes wise to share them out my mouth I have wide open and אנ it am none it be
[40:50] Look on me, Lord, and march me o'er, to love and to give proof, as thou art one to those Thy Compnels theo'd and vertebrate.
[41:26] O let my Children rage, faith come to pure Doppler-prome almost.
[41:41] O let myself strike as Él die åt one to those O let my Wrestleatoon euer, myself carte qunom��ee, Let go in here, where he of came, Amen, Emmanuel, and him.
[42:06] Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit, rest on and abide with you all, now and forever. Amen.