Strathalbyn Church of Christ

2 Timothy 2. Theme: Gospel carriers. Sermon at Strathalbyn Church of Christ, Pastor David Williams, 31 January 2021.

Prayer: Lord, open our ears to hear your word, and hearing, to believe and to obey. Amen

Passing it on - human to human

Our 5-year-old granddaughter calls her brother, “my cute little baby”. And she often warns him, “Now think about what you’re doing Gordon!” It’s funny what kids pick up from their parents isn’t it. And even with all the time kids spend on screens, they still pick up much from their parents.

And so, it is when it comes to faith – yes, we are surrounded by technology: apps, e-bibles and zoom services – but human to human contact is still important. We might think in the global village, in the age of the mega church, that my little contribution, our churches contribution is insignificant, unimportant. But most people still come to faith through human contact – often, a friend or relative, one person to another. And to grow in faith, we need other fallible humans to help us. Without human help, I doubt anyone can grow. This is why it is so vital that we do not give up on meeting together (Heb. 10:25). Yes, it is a challenge during COVID, and a challenge when health limits us, but together we must seek ways to keep connecting, keep encouraging, challenging, teaching and praying with one another.

This contact, this human-to-human communication is what Paul begins today’s passage with. “You have heard me teach in front of many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to teach others also” (v 2).

Old man Paul was about to be executed. He’s passing on the baton to young Timothy to carry on teaching the message of Christ. And Timothy is to do this by passing the baton on to others also. There is a change of baton three times here.

1. Paul to Timothy, “You have heard me teach in front of many reliable witnesses.” The message of Christ was proclaimed in public – The good news is not a masonic secret, not some secret only known within a cult. It is preached to all, for the good news is for everyone.

2. Then the baton is passed from Timothy to other teachers, “Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people”.

3. Finally, the baton goes out from these trustworthy people, “who will be able to teach others also”.

As it was in Paul’s day, so it is in ours. The message of Christ is passed on by people. Technology helps but the normal way is from person to person, from generation to generation. But I hear you say, “I’m not a gifted evangelist or preacher”. Maybe, but we can at least point people in the right direction. I like Philip, a quiet disciple who didn’t say much, but he did point others to Jesus (John 1:45-46; John 12:20-22): “Come and see”. Passing on the message of Christ, pointing people to him, is a job for all Christians. It is why you and I were chosen by Him, the task we’ve all been called for.

What do I need to pass on the message of Christ? Paul spoke of “trustworthy people … able to teach others”. Paul is not talking about clever talk; Paul himself said he was not a clever preacher (1 Cor 1:17; cf., 2 Cor 10:10). He could teach because he had been taught. He could speak because he had first listened. He could speak of Christ because he knew Christ. So, he called on Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ” (v 1). Don’t rely on your own resources, Timothy, rely on the grace that is in Christ. We have nothing in ourselves to offer – no wisdom, no clever theories. But we were drowning men and women who were thrown a lifeline, and we can tell others to grab hold of it too. Like Philip we can point others to Christ.

Well, as Christ’s messengers, what do we need to know? Paul uses four images

1. The suffering soldier,

2. The unchained Word,

3. The unashamed worker, and

4. The cleansed vessel.

1. First, the suffering solider, verses 3-7.

Christ’s messenger is to “Share in suffering as a good solider of Christ” (v 3). Paul presumes that suffering is inevitable for Christ’s messenger, just as it is for soldiers. Soldiers must be ready for danger and death. Soldiers must also be loyal; they are trained to obey commands instantly. A good soldier does not get distracted. “Soldiers don’t get tied up in civilian activities, for then they cannot please the commanding officer” (v 4).

We live in an age of distraction; people pride themselves on multitasking. Dating must be a disaster these days. Just picture it: a young lady who is all set for the perfect romantic evening. Then the boyfriend spends the whole evening distracted by texts and twitter messages! Women tell me that this is not a good start to romance.

Distractions take us away from what is really important, don’t they? How much time do you think the average dad spends alone with his children? On a weekday, in Australia, would you say he spends 10 minutes? Five minutes? It is just one minute a day.[1] When was the last time you spent 30 minutes talking to your spouse or child? When did you last spend 30 minutes talking with God? Is your relationship with God a bit empty? Are you spending time with him – quality, undistracted time?

Paul ends this part with_, “Think over what I say for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything”_ (v 7). Now, we are to _think_. Jesus said love God with all our _minds_ – so use them! I’m not talking about being academic geniuses but thinking about what is good and right. There is a trend in the world to despise knowledge, to despise science, to despise theology. Christians are especially prone to this – we tend to divide Spirit and mind and say – “whatever the Spirit tells us is good, whatever involves thinking and study is unspiritual”. But this is not God’s way. _“Think over what I say”_, says Paul. Use the minds God has given you – then, _“the Lord will grant you understanding in everything”_. True, minds like anything can be used for good or evil, but when used well, science and theology can be great blessings. So, use the mind that God has given you.

2. Paul’s second image is of a word unchained, verses 8-13

We say, “don’t shoot the messenger”. Well Paul, the messenger was in chains for the message_. “I am suffering for the gospel and wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained”_ (v 9)_._

Being chained really restricts you. When I was a lad I loved going to my uncle’s farm at Buccleuch in the Mallee and riding on his Bantam motorbike. One day I came across a chain in the back paddock. Looked to be in good nick too – I reckoned Uncle Jo would be thrilled that I’d found it. So, I hitched it to the carrier and took off. Well, I hadn’t noticed the other end was tied to an old stump. And the chain worked really well too – in stopping the bike dead while I went flying.

Yes, chains restrict us, but “the word of God is not chained”. Christ’s messenger may suffer, but he knows the message will get through – even through his suffering. The Word is under attack – In France, it is illegal to hold bible studies in schools and universities. In Saudi Arabia, you can be executed for carrying a bible. Yet God’s word is unchained and his word is being proclaimed even in these countries.

Paul’s passion was to preach the gospel. And while he had breath, nothing could stop him – not beatings, nor prison. He was even thankful for his chains as “the whole palace guard” got to hear the gospel, (Phil 1:13). And it was in prison that Paul wrote one third of the New Testament. Others saw obstacles, Paul saw opportunities, God given opportunities for the gospel.

So, what is stopping you, Christian, from serving your Lord well? If old man Paul could serve Christ in a cold prison, what is stopping you from serving your Lord? Yes, we may have many limitations, but God’s word is unchained.

3. Paul gives his third image – Christ’s messenger is to be a worker who is not ashamed, verses 14-19. “Be a good worker who is not ashamed of their work, one who correctly teaches the word of truth” (v 15).

A master craftsman knows their work will stand up to any test. We used to live in Bridgewater, and a master craftsman put in cupboards for us, not the particle board ones that crumble, but solid timber. You couldn’t fault them. You might have heard of this craftsman, a chap by the name of Doug Schultz!

Well Christ’s messenger is also to be a master craftsman – of what? Of the word of truth. “Be a good worker who is not ashamed of their work, one who correctly teaches the word of truth.” Paul contrasts the worker of truth with those who handle words wrongly. Words bring harm in many ways. There are:

· those who “fight about words” (v14) “which ruins those who listen”;

· “stupid senseless arguments” (v23) “that only start fights”;

· “worthless and foolish talk” (v16) which “spreads like gangrene.” Words are important. Word can harm or heal. Words can bring life or death_. “Foolish talk … spreads like gangrene”._ Gangrene unless it is cut out, can kill the whole body. Watch your language! Is it leading to life or to death?

· Then there are false teachers like “Hymenaeus and Philetus” (v17) “who are destroying the faith of some.” These two denied the resurrection. Ever since Paul’s day, so-called “Christians” have denied the resurrection. It is a good question to ask any teacher: “Did Christ rise bodily from death?” If you can’t get a simple “yes” or “no”, then listen no further. They’ve swallowed some theory that explains away the miracle of the resurrection. These theories are rife in some theological colleges. But “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:17).

Ultimately the source of all false words is Satan. The first lie in history was the serpent questioning God’s word, “Did God really say?” (Gen 3:1). Jesus condemned Satan as “the Father of lies” (Jn 8:44). Paul cautions that some “are in the trap of the devil – captured to do his will” (v 26). The master craftsman does not fight about words. Rather he or she is “a good worker who is not ashamed of their work, one who correctly teaches the word of truth.”

4. Finally, Christ’s messenger is to be like a cleansed vessel, verses 20-26.

Paul is using images of sacrifice here. “If anyone cleans themself from anything ignoble, they will be a special vessel, set apart, useful to the Master, ready for every good work” (v21).

I used to love honey – being a regular Winnie the Pooh – and we had a beekeeper on our farm who gave us big honey tins each year. I’d put the honey into large jars and eat my way through them while at Uni. But one lot seemed to be off. It tasted a bit strange. It wasn’t until I was cleaning out the last dregs that I happened to read the label and the penny dropped. I’d been eating from a pickled gherkin jar, a jar that hadn’t been cleansed!

But we are to be special vessels, clean vessels. A special vessel, set apart, is a holy vessel. In the Old Testament God is often called holy, meaning that God is pure, totally good and perfect. But we are impure mortals, so how can we come before a holy God? Sacrifice for the Jews involved special or holy things; special vessels and innocent animals to deal with Israel’s sin. But this system could never solve the problem of sin. Rather “the sacrificial system was only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven”; it was a pattern of what came in Jesus (Heb. 8:5). Paul uses images of sacrifice here, “If anyone cleans themself from anything ignoble, they will be a special vessel, set apart, useful to the Master, ready for every good work”. Clearly, we cannot purify ourselves, but Christ has already done this. “The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7). By believing in him, we are cleansed, and so we are to live as people who are clean. As Paul urges, “flee youthful passions and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (v 22). Knowing Christ cleansed me should propel me to live a clean life worthy of him. Yes, I will fall again and again, but I just need to get up and keep on striving. But notice why I strive: I strive not so I can be forgiven. No, I strive because I _am _forgiven.

Life and teaching

Let’s pull all of this together. Paul has spoken both of the need for truth and for pure hearts, being “cleansed from anything ignoble” as well as “a workman who correctly teaches the word of truth” (v21, 15). We tend to separate these – we separate words and actions. So, we might say “He’s a good man but doesn’t believe”. On the flip side, “he’s a fine preacher but is sleeping with his secretary”. Yes, we separate words and actions, but in the Bible, right thinking and right actions are two sides of one coin. So, “keep a close watch on your life and teaching” (1 Tim 4:16). Paul’s aim is that people will both “repent and come to know the truth” (v25). It’s about life and truth coming together.

The church is tipping into a chasm of heresy over gender identity. Yes, we do need to show Christ’s love to all people regardless of the labels they use. That’s not what I’m talking about. Rather, we have Church leaders who are walking away from the Bible’s clear teaching on marriage – from Jesus’ teaching on male and female identity. They are denying this teaching in their lives and their teaching.

If we accept this, what will we throw out next? Bad teaching and bad morals go hand in hand. But as for us, “keep a close watch on your life and teaching”.

So as Christ’s messengers, how will we pass on his message, his gospel, to the next generation? Will you be a suffering soldier? Will you be an unashamed worker? Will you be a cleansed vessel? Will you serve a Word unchained?

Prayer: Lord, thank you that whatever happens to us, your word of truth remains free and unchained. Give us the faith and courage to speak it boldly, and to suffer for it and for you. Amen.

---

[1] Craig, L., & Mullan, K. (2008). Father care, father share in international perspective: does context matter to the gender division of childcare time. Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales.

Series: 2 Timothy

Topics: #2 Timothy