ALL SCRIPTURE IS USEFUL FOR TEACHING

PROCLAMATION

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this third chapter of this second letter to Timothy, Paul tells him that there will be terrible times in the last days of earth and he goes on to describe the sinful activities that will occur. (2 Timothy 3:1-8)  He tells Timothy to have nothing to do with such people.  They will not succeed for very long. (2 Timothy 3:9)  He tells him that he knows what he has been taught and he knows what Paul has been through.  Then he again charges Timothy to preach and teach what he has learned. (2 Timothy 3:10-15)  Paul says that all Scripture is from God and is good for teaching and for preparing the people of God to do good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

 

APPLICATION

The Word of God was written by men under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God and it is therefore referred to as “God-breathed.”  All of God’s people should read and study The Holy Scriptures, not just preachers and deacons.  Only by reading and studying will we be able to correctly divide the word of truth and distinguish that which is false. (2 Timothy 2:15)  We must have a good understanding of The Word of God in order to explain it and teach it to others. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  But hearing it and reading it is not enough, we must also be doers of The Word. (James 1:22)  Jesus, The Christ, said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)  We are a chosen people who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9) to work in some type of kingdom building activity. (James 2:26)  We are being watched, and our actions speak louder than our words.  Those who can teach, let them teach; those who can’t teach, please do something else.

 

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD

PROCLAMATION

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this second chapter of this second letter to Timothy, Paul repeats his appeal for him to be strong in the grace that is Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1)  He encourages Timothy to join him in the suffering as a soldier.  He compares it to an athlete in competition and also to a hardworking farmer. (2 Timothy 2:3-7)  He reminds him again that he is chained to a criminal but says that The Word of God is not chained. (2 Timothy 2:8-10)  Then he reminds Timothy of a trustworthy old saying about dying and living with Christ; and enduring and reigning with Him. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)  He tells him to remind the people of the things which he has been taught and to warn them about quarreling over words.  Then Paul tells Timothy to “study” so that he can correctly divide the truth from that which is not. (2 Timothy 2:14-15)  He also tells him not to engage in idle conversation and to avoid those who engage in false teaching.  He says that the people of God are made for special purposes and they should flee from the evil desires of their youth. (2 Timothy 2:16-26)

 

APPLICATION

We all need to be diligent students of The Word of God.  We need to know what The Bible says and know what it means.  False prophets will present things which are not in The Bible and intentionally misinterpret what it does say.  We need to “Study … rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 – KJV)  When people tell you that something is in The Bible, ask them for the book, chapter, and verse where it can be found so that you can verify it for yourself.  When we know what The Bible says, we should do what it says. (James 1:22)  We need to humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  We need to flee from the evil desires of our youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. (2 Timothy 2:22)  None of us will ever be perfect, but when we know better, we should do better.  Let us do that which gives God glory.

IT IS WITHIN US

PROCLAMATION

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”  2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  Paul begins this second letter to Timothy with a self-introduction and Christian salutation. (2 Timothy 1:1-2)  He thanks God and says that he prays for him day and night.  He also says that he longs to see him again. (2 Timothy 1:3-4)  Then Paul tells Timothy that the sincere faith in God which he saw in his grandmother and in his mother, he now sees in him. (2 Timothy 1:5)  He encourages him to fan the flame, the gift of God which is within him, which gives him power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-7)  Paul tells him not to be ashamed of God or of him in his current situation chained in prison. (2 Timothy 1:8-14)  He ends this first chapter talking about those who were loyal and disloyal to him. (2 Timothy 1:15-18)

 

APPLICATION

Most of us acquired our religious beliefs as children from our parents.  Their instructions, guidance, directions, and examples left a significant imprint on us.  We may have rebelled as teenagers and went our own different way as adults, but most of us retained our childhood training.  As we read and study The Bible for ourselves and grow in knowledge and holiness, we find that some of the things which we were taught were not Bible based.  None of us will ever be perfect, but when we know better, we should do better.  The moment that we accepted Christ, we received the indwelling of The Holy Spirit of God and became babes in Christ.  Our growth in Christ requires an active effort on our part but the foundation is already within us.

 

THE LOVE OF MONEY

PROCLAMATION

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this sixth and final chapter of this first letter to Timothy, Paul continued the discourse which he began in chapter five.  Paul begins by telling Timothy how he should treat slaves and how they should treat their masters. (1 Timothy 6:1-2)  Then he tells him about riches and personal gain and ends with a statement regarding the love of money being the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)  He ends the chapter with a final charge to Timothy telling him basically to keep the faith. (1 Timothy 6:11-21)

 

APPLICATION

There is nothing wrong with money of itself, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil.  Those who covet money will do wrong to family and friends in order to get more of it.  The desire to acquire money will cause people to take advantage of anyone and everyone for their personal gain.  It is the pursuit of ill-gotten gain which is the problem that has led to sinful behavior. (1 Timothy 6:9)  Additionally, those who acquire large sums of money tend to put their faith in their money rather than in God.  Money is just the means to an end, a medium of exchange.  Don’t sell your soul in order to get it.  The greatest personal gain is godliness and contentment. (1 Timothy 6:6)

  

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU REPRIMAND OTHERS

PROCLAMATION

“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.  Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”  1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In the fifth chapter of this pastoral epistle, Paul begins by telling Timothy how to treat older men and women, and those who are younger than he is. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)  Then he goes into a lengthy discussion regarding the treatment of widows. (1 Timothy 5:3-16)  He follows this with instructions regarding the treatment of the elders of the church. (1 Timothy 5:17-21)   

 

APPLICATION

The advice which the apostle Paul gives Timothy, the young preacher, regarding rebuking, or reprimanding, or correcting people is appropriate for all of us.  We are taught to let all of our conversation be full of grace and seasoned with salt. (Colossians 4:6)  Salt adds a certain flavor to food, but salt has a purifying influence; it was used to preserve meat before refrigeration.  Our words, like salt, should add something and be helpful to the hearer, including our words of correction or reprimand.  A soft word turns away wrath, while a harsh word can stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)  We should speak to our elders respectfully and differently than we speak to those our own age and younger.  However, all of our conversation should be done out of love, brotherly love.

 

DO NOT ABANDON THE FAITH

PROCLAMATION

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”  1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this fourth chapter of this pastoral epistle, Paul begins by stating that The Holy Spirit of God says that there will come a time when some people will turn away from the faith.  They will follow deceiving spirits and prefer to be taught things by demons. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)  Paul advised Timothy to explain the truth to the people. (1 Timothy 4:4-11)  He said that Timothy should not let anyone look down on him because he is young.  He should lead by example in what he says and what he does.  Paul told him to read the scriptures, to preach, and to teach.  He also told him not to neglect his gift, to be diligent in his activities, and to watch his life and doctrine closely. (1 Timothy 4:12-16)

 

APPLICATION

Everyone that we meet will not believe in Christ, and some people will claim to be believers only to later on turn away and follow some cult.  As believers we should not let our worldly friends lead us away from Christ and down the road to destruction.  We need to pray, to read The Word of God, to exercise our faith, and to fellowship with other believers in order to grow spiritually and to stay encouraged.  Everything that we hear, see, and read should be compared to what The Bible says before we accept it as the truth.  The devil is busy.  He is going back and forth all over the earth seeking whom he may devour. (Job 1:7 and 1 Peter 5:8)  Put on the whole armor of God and stand strong, do not abandon the faith. (Ephesians 6:11)

QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHURCH LEADERS

PROCLAMATION

“Here is a trustworthy saying: ‘Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.’ ”  1 Timothy 3:1 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this pastoral epistle Paul began by stating the qualifications one must have in order to become a bishop, or an overseer, or a pastor. (1 Timothy 3:2-7)  Then he goes on to state the qualifications for becoming a deacon. (1 Timothy 3:8-10 and 3:12-13)  He interrupts his discussion regarding deacons with a statement about women. (1 Timothy 3:11)  Some Bible scholars feel that this applies to the wife of the pastor or the wife of a deacon.  Some Bible scholars feel that it applies to deaconesses or any woman in a leadership position within the church.  Paul ends this chapter by stating his reasons for writing this letter. (1 Timothy 3:14-16) 

 

APPLICATION

Any individual who desires or holds a leadership position within the church should read this chapter.  It has been said that those who lead or teach will be held to a higher standard.  Just like those to whom much is given, of them shall much more be required. (Luke 12:48)  In my opinion, this should apply to all positions of leadership, including secular positions, elected, appointed, and all others.