Nov 27, 2022. II Timothy 4:1-5

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PAUL’S FINAL CHARGE TO TIMOTHY. II Timothy 4:1-5. 11/27/2022. #12.

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1. Strongest imaginable charge

                a. Paul gives his final charge to Timothy

                                a1. Right after admonishing him to trust in and obey the Word of God (his guidebook)

                                a2. Just before Paul’s final farewell and blessing

                b. Paul had admonished Timothy to stand strong, be faithful, use the Word, rebuke evil, and stay true to his calling

                c. Paul’s charge to Timothy is as strong as it could be

                                a1. God is Paul’s witness

                                a2. Jesus will judge the works of the living (a reference to both the rapture and Judgment of the Nations) and dead (the believers for rewards and lost for eternal condemnation)

                                a3. Jesus will set all things aright when he appears and sets up his kingdom (Matthew 25)

                d. Timothy (and all) will give an account of their calling

                                a1. Timothy must keep his accountability in mind

                                a2. Those who triumph through trials do so eternally (I Corinthians 3:12-15)

2. Ministry of the Word of God

                a. Timothy is told to preach (proclaim, announce) the Word

                                a1. Always ready in season and out of season (formal teaching times and daily unplanned encounters with people)

                                a2. The gospel message is paramount (rescue)

                b. Fivefold approach to witnessing:

                                a1. CONVINCE – to convict of error or reprove (to boldly demonstrate sinful life of hearer)

                                a2. REBUKE – to adjudicate or censure (to warn of dire consequences for sin)

                                a3. EXHORT – to admonish, beseech, or urge (parakaleo – called alongside, in this case, not to comfort, but to encourage repentance)

                                a4. IN ALL LONGSUFFERING – patience, endurance, perseverance (makrothumia – long tempered; neither quitting or wrathful)

                                                b1. Even though we try to convince the lost of sin and call to repentance, we are called to be patient and loving doing so

                                                b2. An angry witness is fleshly and not led by the Holy Spirit

                                                b3. The Lord and Paul saved angry rebukes for false teachers and hypocrites

                                a5. TEACHING – instruction in truth and guidance

                c. Paul gives four final admonitions:

                                a1. BE WATCHFUL – to soberly be alert (refers to both alertness to leading of Spirit and of the opposition of evil against truth)

                                a2. ENDURE AFFLICTIONS – “remain under” trials while serving the Lord (neither quitting or complaining – great testimony to endure)

                                a3. EVANGELIZE – share good news; no matter what our calling, all believers are witnesses

                                a4. FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY – complete the course God has set before you

3. Warning of opposition

                a. Men will increasingly not endure sound doctrine

                                a1. Chase fables and seek pleasure (Matthew 24:3-14)

                                a2. They will hate those who witness of Christ, refusing to submit to the Lord and Savior

                b. Having itching ears (desiring to hear pleasing things), they flock to teachers who tell them what they desire

                c. Timothy is to continue to preach the truth in face of both opposition and rejection as a testimony and warning

Key Verse: Matthew 24:3-14

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Nov 20, 2022. II Timothy 3:16-17

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THE GUIDEBOOK OF LIFE. II Timothy 3:16-17. 11/20/2022. #11.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1. The miraculous canon

                a. The Bible was written over 1500 years by approximately 40 writers from Moses to John

                                a1. Those who were chosen to pen Scripture were moved by Holy Spirit to do so (II Peter 1:19-21 – Scripture is from the Spirit moving select men to “loosen up” or reveal the Word of God – not interpretation as in KJV)

                                a2. The Bible was not “dictated” by the Spirit, but God used the personality and skills of chosen men to reveal his will

                b. Job = ancient Hebrew, Moses = common Hebrew, John = elementary Greek, Luke = polished Greek

                c. Many genres = narrative, history, poetry, prophecy, figures of speech, allegory, parables, doctrine, wise sayings, prayers, biography…

                d. The Bible accurately reveals positive and negative aspects of biblical characters and heavenly beings

                e. Those who received the Word recognized it as from God and they recognized when writings weren’t of God               

f. The Bible has been preserved, is complete, and any differences in copies are minor and mostly easy to reconcile

2. Exclusive inspiration

                a. God inspired (God breathed) the Word of God

                                a1. Man did not originate the Bible

                                a2. The Bible is a miraculous book that progressively revealed God’s plan and will

                b. Word is specifically to instruct man in ways of God

                                a1. Dt. 29:29 reveals all God wants us to know

                                a2. Revealed over time what each age needed

                c. No other writings are God-breathed and can’t be used to reveal the will of God

                d. The Bible claims exclusive rights as God’s Word

3. The unique and eternal benefit of God’s Word

                a. God’s Word is profitable (beneficial, valuable) to instruct man in all spiritual aspects

                                a1. No other writing, people, or organization can claim the authority given only to Word of God

                                a2. Proper interpretation (literal, grammatical, historical, linguistic, contextual, and natural) of Bible reveals God’s will for man

                b. Profitable for DOCTRINE (lit., teaching)

                                a1. The Bible is designed to instruct us in the ways of God (enlightening, convicting, admonishing, corrective, confirming…)

                                a2. Can’t be interpreted by man’s philosophy, opinions, speculation, desires… (Hebrews 4:12)

                                a3. Psalm 119 the Word of God is complete to lead one into all righteousness

                c. Profitable for REPROOF (to discover or uncover error; convict, rebuke) – reveals deviation from God’s will (John 16:5-11 – a work of Spirit with Word)

                d. Profitable for CORRECTION (lit., to place upright again) – not only does God’s Word tell us when we are wrong, but how to get right again (Psalm 1)

                e. Profitable for INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (English word, pedagogy – tutor a child) = the Word tells us how to stay right and teach others correctly

                f. Profitable to thoroughly equip us for all good works

                                a1. Believers are all appointed to be equipped (furnished, fitted out) for God’s service

                                a2. Believers are not saved to sit and enjoy their salvation, but to help others via witness, prayer, teaching, helps, modeling godliness)

                g. We are to equip ourselves by the Word of God

                                a1. The more we know and follow Word, the better equipped we are to be of service

                                a2. Those who know much are more useful than those who know little (Paul vs. Hebrews 5)

Key verse:  Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Nov 13, 2022. II Timothy 3:10-15

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. II Timothy 3:10-15. 11/13/2022. #10.

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1. Paul set a pattern for Timothy

                a. Timothy had traveled with Paul for years

                                a1. He saw his life, heard his teachings, noted his reactions to adversity, and observed the consistency of his walk

                                a2. It was Paul’s life that Timothy was to follow

                b. Paul gave Timothy a pattern in three areas:

                                a1. Teachings (doctrine) = Gospel and theology

                                a2. Character (manner of life) = Paul never wavered in purpose, faith, love, perseverance

                                a3. Endurance = Paul remained faithful under persecution and afflictions

                c. Paul had such a high sense of purpose and calling that he allowed nothing to sidetrack him from his goal

                                a1. Philippians 3:7-14 Paul kept his eye on the goal

                                a2. Paul was so certain of his calling that he refused to allow uncertainty, opposition, or bodily weakness to interfere with his task

                d. Paul wants to instill Timothy with his resolve and purpose

2. Assignment earth

                a. Most believers waffle in doubt and distraction

                                a1. Self-focus never allows one to be God-oriented and secure in our calling as servants

                                a2. Unlike Paul, most believers feel sorry for themselves, question trials, and bemoan lacking perceived “necessities” and security

                b. To Paul, all the afflictions of life are to be expected and even considered necessary in our higher calling

                c. Paul used his own experience as an example

                                a1.  Acts 13 Paul was highly successful in Antioch until jealous Jews stirred up trouble

                                a2. Paul moved onto Iconium, the Jews stirred up trouble there as well

                d. At Lystra, a lame man was cured, and the local citizens tried to make sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas, thinking them to be Roman gods

                                a1. When Paul tried to stop them, the citizens stoned Paul and left him for dead

                                a2. God revived Paul and he went back into the city to finish his ministry there

                e. Paul noted 3 things he wanted to instill in Timothy:

                                a1. Paul endured the persecution

                                a2. God delivered him from the persecution (until God is done with us, he will deliver us)

                                a3. Those who seek to live godly lives will be persecuted (part of rebellion against God)

3. The sword and the stone

                a. Paul states, as he had previously, that men are going to grow increasingly worse

                                a1. Their opposition will be more violent and more persistent

                                a2. There will be many impostors, deceivers, wickedness of astounding proportion

                b. Believers are to stand firm in the face of these threats (must not allow ministry to be silenced)

                c. Timothy was admonished to stand firm in the Word of God, no matter what opposition he faced

                                a1. Important not to doubt Scriptural teaching

                                a2. The pressure of trials and opposition should instill resolve in us and not fear

                d. Timothy is told that he knows what he believes, has seen Paul model faithful service, and must do it also

Key Verse: Philippians 3:7-147 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Nov 6, 2022. II Timothy 3:1-9

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VILE ENDING. II Timothy 3:1-9. 11/6/2022. #9.

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

1. The downward slide

                a. Even though evil has always been prevalent in this fallen world, there are times it is more pervasive

                                a1. Genesis 6 in the days of Noah

                                a2. 1 Kings 19 during the days of Elijah

                b. Though evil has been pervasive in America, up until the last couple of generations, society generally agreed that Judeo-Christian principles were right

                c. Romans 1:18-32 rebellion against God not only entails turning away from God, but defying him

                                a1. Evil is intentional and not accidental

                                a2. Total depravity lurks in the heart of men

                d. As we approach the time of the Lord’s return, men will become increasingly worse

                                a1. They will not repent, heading for judgment

                                a2. Paul lists 18 characteristics of men in the end times

                e. The end times will be perilous (hard, grievous, stressful, difficult)

                                a1. Hard not only for believers, but everyone

                                a2. Murders, attacks, thefts, and vileness abound

2. Corruption of man

                a. Four major categories of sin: lovers of evil, prideful, rebellious, and cruelty

                b. Lovers of self, money, and pleasure

                                a1. Solomon pursued this same course

                                a2. Those who love and exalt self, do not care about others and despise those in their way

                                a3. A great increase of self-centered discourteous unfeeling people around us

                c. Lovers of evil: promoters of promiscuity, perversion, fraud, deception, and hatred of all that is pure

                                a1. Laws are being passed to make it illegal to oppose the perverse agenda of ruling hedonistic elitists

                                a2. Debauchery is codified as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)

                d. Arrogance is rampant

                                a1. There is no fear of God

                                a2. Men promote their own will and desires

                                a3. Men dare anyone to challenge them

                e. The measure of cruelty, brutality, and callousness is rapidly increasing

                                a1. Murders in cities, lack of prosecutions, gangs, drug lords, vilification of police, kidnappings, and brutal crimes on the rise

                                a2. Vilification of standards of decency, Christian values, and honesty abound

3. Paul gives a few examples

                a. These wicked people pretend to be decent people

                                a1. Many are religious (a form of godliness)

                                a2. Their religion is false (no power)

                b. There are politicians who are “for the children”, but promote abortion, encourage drug dealers to cross our borders, groom children to be perverted, teach children to hate their parents, and encourage destructive ideas and behavior (critical race theory, the Lincoln Project, Marxism, voyeurism, and even pedophilia])

                c. Gullible women sucked into lustful evils

                d. They increase learning, but know no truth (Daniel 12)

                e. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses and the truth, wicked people will seek to destroy witnesses of faith

                f. Their folly will come to an abrupt end (Psalm 54:7)

Key Verse:  Romans 1:18-3218 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Oct 30, 2022. II Timothy 2:23-26

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CORRECTION and NOT QUARRELSOME. II Timothy 2:23-26. #8, Oct 30, 2022.

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

1. Avoiding futile arguments

                a. Paul warns Timothy to avoid (turn away from) vain and ill-informed disputes

                                a1. Not to be sucked into useless discussions

                                a2. There is a difference in dialoguing with a seeker versus a scorner

                b. Can only witness to those open to hearing truth

                                a1. The disputer and mocker is not ready to listen to gospel (I Corinthians 14:38)

                                a2. Argumentation doesn’t lead people to Lord

                c. Paul labels disputers as foolish and ignorant

                                a1. Foolish = the English word “morons” (those who promote folly over wisdom)

                                a2. Ignorant = literally, peculiar to oneself (English words idiot, idiosyncrasies, idiocy)

                d. Often it is hard to avoid the disputer, but you can avoid disputing with the foolish (Proverbs 26:1-12)

                e. Several types of foolish and ignorant people:

                                a1. PRIDEFUL – believes he knows all things and possesses all wisdom

                                a2. SPECULATOR – one who expresses opinions without facts and makes assertions

                                      without evidence

                                a3. TOPPER – tries to demonstrate that he has superior knowledge, experience, and wisdom

                                a4. DOMINATOR – shouts down opposition and talks over others, not allowing discussion

                                a5. SCORNER – seeks to mock, tear down, and disparage any witness presented them

                f. Disengage from scorners, the prideful, and disputer

2. The gentle witness

                a. Believers are not to be quarrelsome or combative

                                a1. Our witness needs to be gentle, kind, patient, instructive, and humble

                                a2. We discuss and not argue; teach and not berate; testify and not badger

                b. Persuasiveness is not confrontational

                                a1. We lead people to Christ, not drive them to Christ (testifying, not arguing)

                                a2. The Spirit, not our arguments bring people to the Lord

                c. A combative witness is counterproductive

                                a1. People are not brow-beaten into the kingdom or shamed into it

                                a2. An aggressive witness turns more people away than draws them (boldness is not the same as aggression)

3. God grants repentance

                a. Timothy was not likely to be aggressive

                                a1. He was likely to be reluctant

                                a2. Timothy had to teach those who were more direct than him how to witness winsomely

                b. Paul describes unbelievers as the opposition

                                a1. Until we come to Christ, we oppose God

                                a2. Some who learn the truth are led by God to repent and come to the truth

                c. Some will “come to their senses” (recognize truth that is both rational and reasonable)

                                a1. The gospel is reasonable and demonstrable

                                a2. God opens the eyes of men to truth

                d. Satan attempts to keep people ignorant of truth

                                a1. To enslave them by many untenable lies (evolution, Marxism, hedonism, superstition)

                                a2. The Holy Spirit and not our persuasiveness frees men from Satan and error (John 8:31-36)

                e. Our job is to present the truth that corrects errors taught be godless men

                                a1. The Spirit convicts and draws to Christ

                                a2. The divine partnership wins souls

Key Verse: Proverbs 26:1-12

1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,

So a curse without cause shall not alight.

3 A whip for the horse,

A bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest you also be like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool

Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling

Is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God who formed everything

Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,

So a fool repeats his folly.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Oct 30, 2022. I Kings 11:41-43

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1 Kings 11:41-43

41 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? 42 And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 43 Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.