WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.560 Thanks very much, Aaron. Good evening, everyone. As Aaron said, it's particularly good to see you this evening when we're a little bit smaller in numbers. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:13.080 I want to begin by talking about two of the finest visiting preachers we've been privileged to have in this church. 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:22.160 Now, I recognise that quite personal, our assessment of preachers at times, and someone I love, you might find unhelpful and vice versa. 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:29.320 But I'm confident that there was probably no more than two or three people here who might remember these men will share my view of them. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:41.740 Derek Prime, for many years, was the minister at Charlotte Chapel, very influential at that time, much loved, and still was influenced by people like Alistair Begg and others who were trained by him. 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:52.960 In his retirement, he came reasonably regularly to Brunsfield, as well as having a really good ministry of writing. I recommend his books if you're interested. 00:00:54.420 --> 00:00:59.359 W.K. Morrison, Willie Morrison, was a head teacher in Falkirk of a big comprehensive school. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:08.079 He won the OBE for his services to education, but was also well known in circles like this as a Bible teacher. 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:14.060 I think like my father and a number of that generation, he would often be out preaching two or three times a week or even more. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:17.819 It's amazing the amount that some of them managed to do. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:22.060 Willie Morrison kept going with his teaching well into his 80s. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:29.600 Even after he was virtually blind, he still had this desire to pass on what the Lord had shown to him. 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:36.100 You may be saying, well, why do I think that these are two of the finest preachers that we've had at this church? 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:37.740 And there are two main reasons. 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:41.900 One is that they made the Bible clear to us. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:44.000 Their teaching was plain. 00:01:44.460 --> 00:01:46.200 It was thoroughly Bible-based. 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:53.820 And you went away thinking, I really understand the passage they've been preaching on and also what it means to me. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:59.320 They didn't go down unhelpful byways or try to show off their learning as some preachers do. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:06.400 They were simply interested in teaching us God's word, helping us to understand it and to apply it. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:14.400 And certainly my ambition tonight, and I know my preaching, would be that people go away thinking, yes, I understand what that passage is about. 00:02:14.540 --> 00:02:17.120 And I hope we will achieve that this evening. 00:02:18.740 --> 00:02:23.379 There's a second reason, though, why I think these two gentlemen were very fine preachers. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:28.580 And that's that in their preaching, they were gentle and humble. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:30.640 Now, we need dynamic preachers. 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:34.439 We need, like, to have a way in certain occasions to come along and to stir us up. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:39.919 But in both Derek Prime and Willie Morrison, they didn't raise their voices. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:45.259 They didn't try to be too energetic on the platform. 00:02:45.639 --> 00:02:57.159 They simply explained God's word and did in a way that helped you to realize that they were humbly passing on what the Lord had given to them and were being very gentle in how they did it. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:02:58.719 And in that, they were compelling. 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:02.919 You don't need to raise your voice for people to listen to you. 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:12.439 If you've got authority and if you come across as someone who really understands and who cares about people, that is enough. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:15.319 And these two gentlemen certainly did that. 00:03:15.579 --> 00:03:19.799 People quite regularly said, I think he's a really nice man when they heard them speaking. 00:03:19.899 --> 00:03:20.739 And they're absolutely right. 00:03:20.799 --> 00:03:21.819 I got to know both of them. 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:23.839 They were lovely Christians. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:32.840 And I think when we come to this pastor in 2 Timothy we're looking at this evening, these are the two key things that Paul is trying to teach to Timothy. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:40.319 One is that you need to deal with God's word in a way that's accurate and that's plain and simple. 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:46.680 Don't get distracted by arguments and by philosophies and by things that are of no great relevance. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:47.920 Teach the word. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:49.840 Teach it plainly. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:57.319 But he's also saying in your dealings with others, as a leader in the church, as a preacher, be gentle. 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:05.099 You're not called to be aggressive in the way you deal with others, even if they oppose you, even if they're wrong. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:09.939 It's much better to be gentle and to correct them in that way. 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:12.379 And I hope we'll see both of these things as we go through. 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:19.319 There's also a bit in the middle which reminds us that our lives matter, that we need to be pure in the way that we live. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:24.159 A bit of background before we get into the pastor in more detail. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:28.339 2 Timothy, as I'm sure you know, is Paul's last letter that we have. 00:04:28.740 --> 00:04:30.259 It was written when he was in prison. 00:04:30.379 --> 00:04:33.300 He expected to be martyred very soon afterwards. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:36.980 And he's passing on his final advice to Timothy. 00:04:37.159 --> 00:04:40.759 He's passing the baton is the title of our series. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:47.819 He's reminded Timothy of the qualities that he needs to stand as a Christian, to stand firm in a world that's hostile, 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:52.519 and sometimes even in a church where there's hostility towards him. 00:04:53.719 --> 00:04:57.779 In chapter 3, that's what we've looked at the last two times with Graham and myself, 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:06.339 and Paul, first of all, talks about three pictures of the Christian and the kind of commitment that we need. 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:12.319 We're to be like a soldier who gives up civilian affairs to be wholeheartedly in service. 00:05:12.799 --> 00:05:15.239 We're to be like an athlete who plays by the rules. 00:05:15.779 --> 00:05:20.319 And we're to be like a farmer who's working hard to bring in a good crop. 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:23.579 Last week, we looked at why this is worthwhile. 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:24.879 Why should we do this? 00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:29.399 There was a summary of the gospel focusing on Jesus and all that he's done for us. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:35.060 Paul talked about a sacrifice that's worth making so that others will come to faith in Christ. 00:05:35.719 --> 00:05:40.439 And then at the end, there's what was probably a song, a song of reward and rejection, 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:43.279 reminding us that there will be a judgment for Christ. 00:05:43.359 --> 00:05:46.859 And our works will be judged before the Lord, not for salvation. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:51.500 But some people will be commended for what they have done for Christ. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:56.959 Others will not be because they haven't lived faithfully for him. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:04.239 This week, we have three more pictures, three more things that Paul uses to describe a Christian. 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:12.680 We're to be an approved worker, we're to be a valuable vessel, and we're to be a gentle servant. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:17.719 So first of all, the Christian as an approved worker. 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:22.520 Paul tells Timothy to remind people of the truth he just passed on, 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:26.220 perhaps particularly that little song in verses 11 to 13. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:30.700 But then he goes on and says, Timothy, you've got to warn people. 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:33.380 There are dangers that need to be avoided. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:38.680 There are challenges that people will face and that you will face as well. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:43.560 And he says, concentrates on three things in particular. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:49.720 First, he says that people are arguing, quarrelling about words. 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:52.459 That's in verse 16. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:53.740 Now, words matter. 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:59.019 I will be talking a bit about the meaning of some words as we go through this evening. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:01.800 It's not that we have to ignore the words of Scripture. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:05.540 All of them are inspired and are from God. 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:09.060 But it looks like some people in Ephesus, where Timothy was, 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:14.240 were spending their whole time quarrelling about the fine detail of words, nuances in words, 00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:15.879 interpretations of them. 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:17.899 And they were losing the big picture. 00:07:18.839 --> 00:07:23.120 They weren't recognising that we need to look at the plain meaning of Scripture. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:25.920 We need to see what God is trying to say to us, 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:32.120 not try to be too clever and argue with people about what this means or what that means. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:39.160 Words, as I said, are important, but far more important is that we understand what God is saying 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:40.780 and that we obey it. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:45.860 Paul says that arguing about words has no value and it ruins those who listen. 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:47.780 The word he uses is actually catastrophe. 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:54.879 It's a catastrophe for those who get involved in this kind of arguing about words 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:59.120 if it has no value, if it's not done with the right motives. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:01.639 And then Paul moves on. 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:04.840 The second thing he talks about is godless chatter. 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:09.480 Now, that would include, I suspect, the arguments about words, but it goes beyond that. 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:15.139 It's a kind of pointless speculation you sometimes get when people are more interested 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:21.019 in showing off their knowledge and understanding than they are in seeing what the Scripture really 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:21.720 has to say. 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:27.500 Discussing things that have no value, leading others astray, perhaps speculating about meanings 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:33.320 of different passages or different words without looking at what God is saying to us. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:39.799 And Paul says that people who are like that, they become more and more ungodly. 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:47.740 That kind of speculation and pointless arguments about Scripture doesn't lead us to God. 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:50.399 It leads us away from God. 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:54.159 And Paul says that kind of teaching is like gangrene. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:09:00.000 If you get gangrene in your body, if it's not treated effectively, it will very quickly spread 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.539 and will paralyze and infect the whole body. 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:09.559 And Paul says these kind of people and these kinds of pointless speculation, that is what they do. 00:09:09.959 --> 00:09:15.240 They mean that the body of Christ, the Church, isn't able to function as it should. 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:21.100 And then finally, he talks about what I take to be straightforward false doctrine. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:25.100 Things that directly contradict the truth. 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:31.960 And he says there are these two men, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who were particularly guilty of that. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:37.980 We don't know anything about these two men, apart from Hymenaeus was mentioned in 1 Timothy in a similar context. 00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:41.159 But Paul tells us a little about their heresy. 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:45.759 They were claiming that their resurrection had already taken place. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:49.720 Now, clearly, they're not talking about the resurrection of Jesus, because that had taken place. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:56.580 So it looks like they're saying that the resurrection of the Christians, such as they believed in it, has already happened. 00:09:56.660 --> 00:10:00.860 It's a spiritual thing that there is no physical aspect to it. 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:06.660 And, of course, the teaching of Scripture is that Christ has been physically raised from the dead. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:11.440 And so will we be if we die before he returns. 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:15.980 The resurrection of Christ was not just spiritual, it was his bodily resurrection. 00:10:16.760 --> 00:10:20.320 And we will be raised similarly if we should die. 00:10:21.260 --> 00:10:24.480 Their teaching must have seemed superficially attractive to people. 00:10:25.280 --> 00:10:30.200 Perhaps they were accompanying it, as some people did, by saying, well, the body doesn't really matter then. 00:10:30.540 --> 00:10:32.680 All that matters is your soul is saved. 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:34.340 Do what you like with your body. 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:36.040 Just feed your bodily appetite. 00:10:36.520 --> 00:10:37.440 It'll be okay. 00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:38.040 Okay. 00:10:38.780 --> 00:10:42.940 So they were taking people away from true faith in Jesus. 00:10:43.420 --> 00:10:46.400 They were destroying the faith of others. 00:10:47.040 --> 00:10:52.720 Paul is very clear that such people should have no place on our platforms and churches, 00:10:53.020 --> 00:10:56.740 or teaching our growth groups, or in any other kind of Christian context, 00:10:56.920 --> 00:10:59.940 because they're not building people up in faith. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:01.560 They're bringing them down. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:03.800 They're destroying faith. 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:07.539 So how can we counter that kind of person? 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.819 Well, Paul says there are two key elements. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:16.059 Our part and the part that only God can play. 00:11:17.199 --> 00:11:24.599 What we're responsible for is to be approved workmen or approved people working for God. 00:11:25.199 --> 00:11:32.539 People who won't be ashamed when the Lord looks at our lives and assesses what we have done with them. 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:34.539 Have we drawn people towards Jesus? 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:39.219 Have we attracted them through Jesus, through our lives, and through what we said to them? 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:43.379 Or have we turned them away from the truths of the gospel? 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:49.199 Paul says if you're going to be an approved workman, Timothy, you need to work at it, 00:11:49.339 --> 00:11:53.219 and you need to make sure you're not going to be ashamed. 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:55.500 And why won't Timothy be ashamed? 00:11:55.500 --> 00:12:01.580 He won't be ashamed, says Paul, because he's correctly handled the word of truth. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:07.000 As I was thinking about Derek Prime and Willie Morrison earlier on as men who did that, 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.460 so Timothy is called to do the same. 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:12.080 And if we're in any situation where we're teaching, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:15.360 or where we're witnessing to others about our faith, 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:19.220 then we need to correctly handle the word of faith. 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:23.240 Not get involved in pointless arguments, but stay true to Scripture, 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:29.540 and point people towards Jesus, and encourage one another in godly living. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.600 And then alongside that, there's God's part. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:39.899 And Paul talks about that by referring to a passage from the Old Testament. 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:42.560 Not entirely clear as you just read the passage, what it is. 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:46.459 But Paul's referring back to a passage in Numbers chapter 16, 00:12:47.079 --> 00:12:50.919 where there was a big revolt against Moses by Korah and others, 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:54.539 and Moses had to put that down. 00:12:55.779 --> 00:13:01.259 And Paul says, well, God has given us these words that are in Numbers 16, 00:13:01.359 --> 00:13:02.339 at least in the Septuagint. 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:04.859 They're not quite that way in the English Bible. 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:07.779 The way they're translated in the Greek version of the Bible, 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:12.159 Paul says, these are like inscriptions sealed by God 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:15.759 to give us a solid foundation to build on. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:21.839 They're there so that we can be sure that we are dealing with the truth 00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:27.179 and that it will never change because it's been sealed by God. 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:33.240 In two quotations, one of them reminds us of what God alone knows. 00:13:33.939 --> 00:13:36.639 God knows those who are his. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:41.679 Our responsibility is to tell others the message of salvation 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:44.480 and to encourage one another in our faith, 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:47.860 but only God knows what's in our hearts 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:51.240 and what's in the hearts of those we may be speaking to. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:57.360 Only those he draws to himself will come to believe in Jesus. 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.679 Salvation is God's work. 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:05.720 Our part is simply to be faithful to the truth and to his word. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:15.120 What is rather more evident in terms of what God does is that if people are truly believing in him, 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.980 if they are truly trusting in Jesus, 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:20.720 that will make a difference in their lives. 00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:24.480 The gospel should have a positive effect. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:29.519 If someone is still living a sinful, a blatantly sinful life, 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:32.200 even though they claim to be a Christian, 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:35.259 then to some extent perhaps there needs to be a question, 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.860 well, is their faith genuine? 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:42.300 Have they really understood what Jesus has done for them? 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:45.539 If we're receiving sound teaching, 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:48.339 if we're believing the word of God, 00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:52.099 if we understand what the Lord Jesus has done for us, 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:55.939 that will affect us in our lives and our attitudes, 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.699 and we'll become more like Jesus. 00:15:00.459 --> 00:15:02.579 That's why we must focus on sound teaching 00:15:02.579 --> 00:15:05.919 and what really matters in our faith. 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:11.819 Before we move on, let me talk just briefly about two phrases in this section. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:19.620 Verse 15 says that the approved worker correctly handles the word of truth. 00:15:20.479 --> 00:15:24.979 Literally, it means that he or she is someone who cuts straight. 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:27.599 And the picture is probably of a road. 00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:30.899 The Romans, as I'm sure you know, were famous for their roads. 00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:32.620 All roads lead to Rome. 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:38.259 And the roads were straight and they went in the direction they were meant to. 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:43.519 A straight road brings you to your destination quickly and efficiently. 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:47.700 Whereas if you have a road that twists and turns or there are lots of detours, 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:52.659 then you're going to take a lot longer and you're much more likely to get lost. 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:56.200 So someone who's correctly handling the word of truth 00:15:56.200 --> 00:16:02.080 is helping others to understand by being clear and straightforward. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:08.759 The second phrase describes those who have departed from the truth. 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:11.500 And literally it means they've missed the target. 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:13.480 Now the analogy is probably archery. 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:16.639 I couldn't find a decent archery picture, so I've used archery instead. 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.720 But that's the picture. 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:21.840 It is someone who has aimed forward, 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:24.980 but they've gone well wide of the target. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:28.460 And if you think particularly in the context of archery, 00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:32.759 if someone shoots the arrow and it goes way off to the side, 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:35.500 is your eye on the arrow or is it on the target? 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:39.940 Your eye follows the arrow and you're led away from the target. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:44.019 Paul says that's the effect of arguments about words, 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:47.060 godless chatter, false teaching. 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:51.439 It takes people's attention away from Jesus. 00:16:52.719 --> 00:16:53.879 So the challenge for us, 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:56.879 whether we're leaders in the church or another Christian context, 00:16:57.119 --> 00:16:59.239 whether we're teaching in any context, 00:16:59.339 --> 00:17:03.119 or whether we're just talking to people about Jesus in our everyday life, 00:17:03.859 --> 00:17:08.700 are we people who lead others to Jesus in a clear, straightforward way? 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:11.179 Or are we those who distract them 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:15.600 and who effectively lead them away from the truth of the gospel? 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:19.920 So that's verses 16 to 19. 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:22.220 Let's look at the next few verses. 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:25.340 I've called this a special vessel. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:30.880 The analogy here is one that we can probably fairly understand fairly easily. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:33.700 I suspect my generation may be almost the last 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.860 where we have special china that you only bring out 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:38.259 on special occasions when you've got guests. 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:41.480 But that's kind of the picture that Paul is painting here. 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:46.079 You've got the house and you've got some vessels that are for everyday use 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.119 and it doesn't matter what they look like. 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.980 As long as they're functional, they're fine. 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:52.660 And then you've got some things that are a bit more special 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:55.619 that you bring out for special occasions. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:18:01.619 And you're kind of showing off that you have got good china or whatever it is. 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:06.400 Now, in one sense, we are never going to be anything more than jars of clay. 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:08.500 That's what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians. 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:11.120 We're jars of clay with treasure in us. 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:16.360 But we are called to be good vessels fit for the master's use. 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:20.120 So that God can look at us and commend us and say, 00:18:20.280 --> 00:18:23.440 yes, these are good vessels that I can be proud of. 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:27.360 They're not things that I should be ashamed of. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:32.519 And the way we do that, says Paul, is to cleanse ourselves. 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:37.379 No one wants to eat or drink out of something that's dirty. 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:41.740 He wants something that's clean and fit for purpose. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:46.720 And Paul says we need to be fit for God's use. 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:51.019 And then we'll be holy, we'll be set aside for good purposes, 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:56.220 and we'll be ready to serve God as he calls us to. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:19:04.799 And in that context, in verse 22, Paul talks about Timothy needing to flee the evil desires of youth. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:09.819 Now, the evil desires of youth can cover a multitude of different sins. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:17.519 But in the context, I think a lot of its significance could be in what's sometimes called the arrogance of youth. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:22.319 Young people often think they know everything and they know better than older people. 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:25.519 Perhaps sometimes they're right, and not all young people are like that. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:30.119 But there certainly is a temptation for young people to think, yes, I know what's right. 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.379 My way is correct. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:34.240 And I'm going to argue with anyone who disagrees. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:37.660 I'm not going to accept a different answer. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:47.500 Sometimes, not always, older people develop a humility which helps them to recognize, well, I may have been wrong in the past. 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:50.319 I've got a picture of Willie Morrison earlier on. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:56.579 And I remember once he said to me that there were things, secondary matters of doctrine, not the key truths of the faith, 00:19:56.960 --> 00:20:04.299 but there were things that he was certain about when he was a young man that he's a lot less confident in as he grows older. 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:14.299 Other Christians who he knows are godly and have similar faith to him or to what he had in God's word came to a different view. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:17.940 And he recognized, well, perhaps I'm not always right. 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:19.659 And we need a bit of humility. 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:23.559 We need not to be too arrogant in our Christian lives. 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:30.940 But whatever the evil that Paul is particularly thinking about, he must flee, Timothy must flee from that. 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:35.099 But at the same time, he must be pursuing a number of things. 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:39.719 Righteousness, faith, love, and peace. 00:20:39.959 --> 00:20:45.839 And joining, says Paul, with those who call on God, the Lord, out of a pure heart. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:49.299 Because all these qualities are ones we see in Jesus. 00:20:49.439 --> 00:20:55.179 And as in everything, if we follow the example of the Lord Jesus, then we will get it right. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:59.359 We will display righteousness, faith, love, and peace. 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:02.439 And that should be our ambition as Christians. 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:05.660 But to do that, we need to purify ourselves. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:11.900 We need to get rid, as far as we can, of the sin of the desires that so easily come upon us. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:17.600 And live lives that are consistent with our testimony for the Lord Jesus. 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:20.720 So that's the special vessel. 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:26.180 Then the third wee section I've called a gentle servant. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:29.539 And Paul ends by returning to where he started. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:36.460 He's back again with these people who peddle false doctrine and would lead others away from the truth. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:43.139 In the early verses, he says he's extracting Timothy to make sure that other people don't follow these false teachers, 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:47.039 to warn people about the dangers associated with them. 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:51.720 Here he's talking about how should you deal with such people. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:58.140 How should you deal with those who come into the church and who would lead others astray? 00:21:58.579 --> 00:22:01.079 And perhaps a little surprising what he says. 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:06.880 In verses 23 and 24, he says that Timothy should be kind-hearted. 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:11.100 He should avoid becoming quarrelsome and resentful. 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:15.759 And instead, he should be kind to everyone. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:19.259 The word translated kind is quite an interesting one. 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:21.759 Paul uses in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:22.980 And he says, 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:28.640 When we were gentle among you like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:35.700 That word that's translated gentle in 1 Thessalonians 2 is the word that is kind-hearted here. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:42.160 So in other words, we are to be like a mother who really cares for a child. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:47.460 There's no more beautiful picture than a mother who is looking after a helpless little baby, 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:53.720 nursing it and taking care of it and making sure it's fed and well looked after. 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:57.779 And that's the attitude we should have towards others. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:01.259 We should be kind, we should want the best for them, 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:05.059 and we should do everything we can to help them. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:09.660 Another thing Paul says is we shouldn't be resentful. 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:16.940 That is the thought of bearing evil when people do bad things to us or for us, 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:19.519 that we shouldn't be resentful about it, 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:22.660 but we should bear with their failings, 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:26.460 their unkindness, their foolishness, their weakness. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:30.980 We should recognize that they are people who need the Lord Jesus, 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:32.660 who need to be corrected, 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:37.019 and we should not resent the way they treat us. 00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:39.420 And again, the example for us is the Lord Jesus, 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:42.400 when he was so badly treated throughout his life, 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:46.500 but particularly as he went to the cross at Calvary. 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:49.580 He went meekly and without resentment, 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:55.720 entrusting himself to God and not seeking to bring others down. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:58.200 And when we can be like that, 00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:01.100 when we have on the one hand the kindness, 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.960 the gentleness of a mother, 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:08.579 when on the other hand we don't get too upset 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:11.700 when people do things that are not right to us, 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:15.220 but we are understanding and to the extent we can be forgiving, 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:18.640 then, says Paul, we're able to teach. 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:20.820 Able to teach, you may remember, 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.220 is one of the qualities of elders, 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.960 as said in 1 Timothy 3. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.680 And this passage reminds us, 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:28.280 it's not just that elders must have good doctrine 00:24:28.280 --> 00:24:31.020 and be able to teach the scripture as well, 00:24:31.520 --> 00:24:36.000 it's that their attitudes and actions must be right. 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.500 And then Paul says, 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:40.340 we're to be soft-hearted. 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:43.000 We're to be gentle. 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:45.279 When people oppose us, 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:48.859 we shouldn't try to outdo them or to wish ill on them. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:51.680 Rather, we should gently correct them 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:54.920 and pray that God will work in their lives. 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:57.299 Remember, gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit, 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.660 and perhaps it comes out most clearly 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:02.400 when we're being gentle towards those 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:05.799 who haven't particularly been gentle to us. 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:08.220 Now, that doesn't mean we overlook sin. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:11.299 It doesn't mean that if someone's teaching wrong things 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.579 that we don't correct them 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:15.359 and make sure people know the truth. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.779 Because, says Paul, at the end, 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:19.319 the devil has captured them, 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:21.200 so they need to be freed, 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:23.180 they need to be able to repent 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:25.819 and to recognize the truth. 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:27.720 We should never accept evil 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:30.819 or wrong doctrine or wrong practice 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:34.240 in our church or among our fellow Christians, 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:36.399 but our priority should be 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:38.019 the restoration of the sinner. 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:41.220 That doesn't usually come from a confrontation. 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.039 approach. 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:44.899 We're much more likely to win people, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.779 whether it's Christians who have gone astray 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:48.399 or whether people are not Christians, 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.519 if we deal gently with them 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:53.899 and explain simply and straightforwardly 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:55.940 the truths of Scripture. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.399 Now, they may not respond the way 00:25:58.399 --> 00:25:59.440 that we would want them to. 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:02.000 They may not repent of what they've done, 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:04.339 and that is dependent on God's work 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.599 in their lives. 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:09.740 But our part in it is to let God do his work, 00:26:10.179 --> 00:26:11.579 but for our part, 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:14.299 to explain the Scripture clearly 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:17.819 and to deal gently and lovingly 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:20.059 with those who go astray. 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:25.319 Let me return to Derek Prime and Willie Morrison. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:27.079 One other fact about them 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:29.079 is both of them started out as teachers. 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.980 Derek Prime obviously went to the pastoral ministry, 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:32.639 but they were both trained teachers, 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:34.240 and I think that comes across 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:37.240 or came across in their ministries. 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.759 Now, if you can cast your mind back to school, 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:41.980 and for most of it's not nearly as long as it is for me, 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.579 but you probably had quite a variety 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:45.559 of different kinds of teachers. 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:47.379 Some of them may have struggled 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:49.240 to keep discipline at all in their classes. 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:52.099 Maybe a few didn't learn very much from them. 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:55.119 Others used their force of personality 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:56.480 to keep discipline. 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:59.399 Sometimes, perhaps, they used threats 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:01.119 or even some kinds of bullying 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:02.859 to get people to go along 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.220 with what they wanted. 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:06.859 The very best of them, though, 00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:08.000 like these two gentlemen, 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:11.179 they rarely needed to raise their voices. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.639 They had a quiet authority, 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:15.960 and the pupils knew 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:17.980 that what they were saying 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:20.280 would be worth listening to, 00:27:21.520 --> 00:27:22.820 that what they had learned 00:27:22.820 --> 00:27:24.180 they were passing on. 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:26.540 And they would accept discipline 00:27:26.540 --> 00:27:29.280 from such teachers as well, 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.740 because they knew 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:33.500 that they really cared for them. 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:35.080 And if, perhaps, the child 00:27:35.080 --> 00:27:36.660 was going through a time of difficulty 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.860 at a particular problem, 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.280 they knew that this teacher 00:27:39.280 --> 00:27:40.740 was someone who would be there 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:42.700 to help them through it. 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:45.380 And so when they had to be rebuked, 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:47.380 they were willing to accept it 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:49.160 from the teacher. 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.140 That, says Paul, 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.740 is what Timothy should be like, 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:56.120 and it's what we should be like as well. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:58.900 As we lead and teach others, 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.900 as some of us do, 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:02.120 and even outside the church context, 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.539 Christian unions and other places, 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:06.480 some of you will do that as well. 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:09.100 Or as we are just living for Christ 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:10.420 in a world that's hostile, 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:12.680 and where we're bound to face opposition 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:15.600 if we're faithful to the gospel. 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:18.600 We need to do it with gentleness, 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:21.820 with love and respect for others. 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:24.480 And we need to be able to explain 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.680 the truths of Scripture 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:27.900 clearly and simply 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:30.580 to attract people to Jesus. 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:32.919 Let me end with a quotation. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:36.000 This lady is Maya Angelou. 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:39.019 She was an American civil rights activist 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:42.639 and also quite a well-known author. 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.480 And what she said with this, 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.539 and I think there's a lot of truth, 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.599 and I've learned that people 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:48.699 will forget what you said. 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:51.939 People will forget what you did. 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:54.500 But people will never forget 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:56.899 how you made them feel. 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:59.160 So let's go away determined 00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:01.019 to be those who have the attitude 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:03.240 and the gentleness of Jesus, 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:05.380 that people can see in us 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:06.820 something that is different, 00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:08.580 something that displays 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:10.759 the qualities of our Lord. 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.440 And as we do that, 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.380 get the opportunities 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.640 to talk about him 00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:17.640 and to lead others to know him. 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.080 Let's pray together. 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.320 Father, we thank you 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.540 for your word to us this evening. 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:24.259 We thank you for Paul 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.379 and for his desire 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:27.200 that Timothy should be an effective 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.859 and approved worker, 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:31.740 that in his leadership 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:33.079 and in his teaching, 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.980 he should be able to draw others 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.920 to the Lord Jesus 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:38.180 rather than turning them away, 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.900 that he should be able 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:41.379 to explain your word simply, 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:43.019 that he should deal with kindness 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:45.099 and compassion with others. 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.539 We pray that you will help us 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.539 to be like that too. 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:50.599 Give us that humility that we need 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.539 as we recognize 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.339 that without you, 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.139 we are nothing. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.799 And unless it's done 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.559 in your strength, 00:29:55.679 --> 00:29:57.159 anything that we try to do 00:29:57.159 --> 00:29:58.679 will be worth nothing 00:29:58.679 --> 00:30:01.359 and have no spiritual effect. 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.480 Make us like Jesus 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:05.119 in our thoughts, 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.439 in our attitudes, 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.179 in our actions, 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.399 in our words. 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.959 We thank you for your presence 00:30:10.959 --> 00:30:11.579 this evening. 00:30:11.699 --> 00:30:12.399 Even though there are just 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:12.980 a few of us, 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.639 we thank you that we can come 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.959 and learn your word together. 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:17.279 And we commit ourselves 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:17.939 to you now. 00:30:17.939 --> 00:30:19.159 In Jesus' name. 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.459 Amen.