November 3 - 2 Timothy 2:14-3:17 - "Walking the Talk and Talking the Walk"

MPC 3rd November 2019.

Phil Campbell

Ahhh, good workmanship. Do you remember it? Back in the days when car doors closed with a clunk, when watches made in Switzerland actually counted for something. When furniture didn't come in a flat pack box with an Allen key.

Good workmanship. By good workers. Craftsmen.

Which is of course the problem these days with buildings like the Mascot Towers complex that was evacuated in June. That's cracking up five years after they built it.

So apparently now people are lining up at auction to buy units that are at least 50 years old. Because they're looking for good workmanship.

Which you should also be doing, and even more so... when it comes to looking at the sort of workmanship that goes into building a church. And I'm not at this point talking about a church building. Although it will be nice if it stays standing. But more specifically, as we look at our passage from 2 Timothy, the workmanship that goes into building a church family.

The question is, though, what does that kind of good workmanship look like? Because this is a job that needs more than just skills. It needs character.

I've heard it said if you can fake integrity you've got it made. But it's not actually true.

See, in a world where winning is everything, all you really need is skill. Competency. And relentless drive. That's prepared to cut corners.

But this is different.

In the Chicago Sunday Times, the columnist Sydney J Harris put it this way:

Since most of us would rather be admired for what we do rather than for what we are, we're normally willing to sacrifice character for conduct; and integrity for achievement.

In other words, doesn't matter what you have to do to win. As long as you win.

Is that you? Doing whatever it takes to win an argument? Cutting moral corners; bending the truth? Winning is winning.

If it is, don't bother applying for Timothy's job. Being a church builder starts with who you are. Rather than a set of skills. Starts with character. Before it gets to competency. Starts with Godliness. Before it gets to gifting.

Our growth group through the week had problems with Paul's little story about the household articles. In verse 20 and 21.

But as I've thought about it, it's actually a good place to start, and then we'll work backwards.

It's a story about the sort of garbage bins and fruit bowls you'd find in your average kitchen.

And I've gotta confess our kitchen garbage bin; sorry, this is oversharing, but our kitchen garbage bin two weeks ago had maggots. Which is entirely my fault because I hadn't taken out the rubbish.

Now not far from the bin; is our fruitbowl. Full of beautiful fruit that's ready to eat.

I want to suggest, you wouldn't want to mix up the bin and the fruitbowl. Especially at our place.

Although you could. I guess. If you gave the bin a good scrub. If you properly cleaned it. On the inside.

So read what Paul's saying. And see if you can pick it.

Imagine the fruit bowl is gold. The bin, okay, ours isn't wood or clay. Maybe back in Paul's day.

20 In a large house there are articles not only fruit bowls of gold and silver, but also garbage bins of wood and clay; some are for special purposes. Like the fruit bowl. and some for common use.

Like the bin. The Campbell's kitchen. Now. Here's his point.

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter. From the common garbage receptacle stuff. He's talking about people now, will be instruments for special purposes.

You might have been full of rubbish. But if you clean up; starting on the inside; you'll be useful to God. Made holy, verse 21, and prepared to do any good work.

That's what you've gotta be up for. To be a good workman.

That's the challenge he's putting out to Timothy.

Which becomes even clearer in verse 22. Where though we don't see it in our English translation, he uses exactly the same word he used in verse 21 about cleaning the bin.

It's clear, verse 22, that he's talking to Timothy. That it's part of the church building job description. That it's gotta start from a genuine heart.

Flee the evil desires of youth, says Paul, and pursue rightousness instead. Faith. Love. Peace. Along with those who call on the Lord out of a cleaned... That's the literal word. Same as before. Clean the bin. Out of a cleansed heart.

Which is exactly what he just said back in verse 19 as well. Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.

Look, Timothy's not perfect. Church leaders are totally and completely human. Had you noticed that yet? Church leaders fail.

And yet. Says Paul. And yet. You've gotta be serious about turning away from wickedness. You've gotta be serious about running away. From evil desires of youth. Grow up a bit. And I think in this case he's not just talking about girl problems. But more in the context Paul's setting out, very much being sucked into foolish youthful arguments. Being the guy who's always right. In a way that's always wrong. Being the guy who wins the arguments. But loses the people.

Instead, pursue righteousness. Verse 22. Faith. Love. And peace.

just as I have. Says Paul. In chapter 3 verse 10, let me be your model.

Here's the old guy. Talking to the young guy. And he can say this. Read his words. "You however... " Young Timothy. "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose; my faith, says Paul, my patience, my love." You've seen me model that it's not just my teaching; it's not just words. It's a way of life.

Trusting Jesus. Patient. Loving. All the things I'm reminding you to be. As a clean pot for God's purposes. You might have "bin a bin". But now by the spirit you've got a clean heart. So be what you are, says Paul.

And just notice. Chapter 3 verse 11. It comes with endurance as well. And persecutions. And sufferings.

And it's not just leaders.

In fact, everyone, verse 12, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

So. Do you? Do you? Want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus? Because there'll always be imposters around offering something easier.

Paul says to Timothy, I've modelled it for you. Character. Godliness. That's prepared to wear the cost of following Jesus. Now that's for you. To model for everyone else. You've gotta walk the talk.

But having said that, never forget the flipside. That Timothy's also gotta make sure he's always doing the other part. That Timothy's got to talk the walk as well.

Which takes us back to chapter 2 verse 15. To the launchpad of Paul's charge to Timothy to be a good workman.

Not just a workman with integrity who isn't shameful. But most especially; read what he says...

15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed... and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Church building isn't so much about wood work as it is about word work. And so Timothy first and foremost over every other skill and gifting, it's not so much make sure you correctly handle the budget process; or not first and foremost make sure you correctly handle pastoral care. It's not make sure you get the music right. But make sure you correctly handle the word of truth.

Although the idea that you can correctly handle to word of truth is an unpopular thought these days, because we live in an age where everyone is equally right about everything. As long as you're sincere.

Have you heard that? Do you think that? You'll find almost exactly those sentiments in The Weekend Australian magazine. This weekend.

Well, Paul says, and okay, you might want to say this is just my interpretation, so read it for yourself!

Paul says, that's not how you treat the scriptures.

A good workman in the original Greek wording is going to cut straight the word of truth. The word used of a woodworker cutting on the line. A word used in a contract with an ancient Greek road builder. Who was going to cut a straight road through the forest. No diversions.

Timothy. Do that. Cut straight. Like a craftsman.

If you run your eye down to the very famous verses in chapter 3 from verse 14 to 17, you can see what that's going to look like. Here's the cutting guide.

Other people are teaching other stuff. Deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, chapter 3 verse 14, continue in what you've learned and become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it and how from infancy you have known the holy scriptures; Grandma Lois, Mother Eunice; and here's the point ... the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

That's the straight road. That's where a truth teacher is going to lead you; a straight cut through the scriptures will always lead. To wising you up for salvation through just believing and trusting the Lord Jesus.

That's where the straight road runs. And then verse 17, correcting us and rebutting us and training us in righteousness. To equip us for the good work of serving others.

That's the game plan. That's cutting straight. Now sadly, the key reason Paul's saying all this, and the dark side of the whole passage, is that things aren't always how they should be.

Gospel ministry doesn't go uncontested. And Godly living among people who want to call themselves leaders sadly isn't something you can take for granted. Motives. Are not always right and pure.

And so while good workers like Timothy will live the truth as well as teach the truth. Let's look at the dangerous flipside.

And track through the passage quickly again.

Because there are those back in chapter 2 verse 14... who'll do neither.

Which puts them in line for a Choice magazine shonky award.

Like last year's winner, the $200 toaster that just doesn't cook toast. According to the judges, "All it served up was dry, slightly warm bread."

When it comes to the guys Paul's talking about, he says, they're the type who love nothing more that to pick fights about words.

Paul says in verse 14, keep reminding people about these things; the verse before, he's talking about the resurrected Jesus. And warn them before God against quarrelling about words. It's of no value. And only ruins those who listen.

See, instead, Timothy's gotta be the guy who correctly handles the word of truth. More in verse 16.

Avoid godless chatter. Same issue. Those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Like Hymenaues and Philetus, verse 17, who instead of paying attention as Timothy cuts straight to the word of truth, what they've done is they've departed from the truth. Ditched it.

Because the particular word they're quarrelling about is the word resurrection. Which for Christians actually is a big one.

They're not talking about whether Jesus has been resurrected; it's more subtle. Because if you've read much of Paul in the New Testament sometimes he'll actually say, count yourself as raised with Christ already. When things are tough, he says, think of yourself as seated alongside Christ on the heavenly throne.

So near you can almost touch it. Now it's one thing to offer that as a word of encouragement in tough times. And it's true.

But it's another thing. To pitch that as an experience for the Christian elite. As if we're meant to get all the blessings of our final resurrection on the last day now.

Because Paul at no point loses track of the fact that life now is tough. And we're drawn forward by our hope. That's why he's so willing to suffer persecution.

Hymenaues and Philetus are different.

They want to quarrel about resurrection. Because they're saying, verse 18, that the resurrection has already come. And they destroy the faith of some.

The final resurrection. We're risen already. We've got it all. Now.

Now let me ask you for a minute, especially if you're doing it tough at the moment. Maybe you can't find a job. Maybe you're struggling to meet budget. Maybe marriage issues. Maybe so disappointed at how things are turning out with your kids. Maybe just getting out of bed to face the day is a struggle.

How do you feel. When Pastor Brian Houston who wrote the book There is More says in the media last week "Jesus won the victory, and we get to enjoy the spoils right now." By which he means, if you're faithful: prosperity. The Mc-Mansion. The dream car. The $4,500 Air Jordan sneakers. (Look, I don't know what brand of sneakers he wears.) All yours. All now.

See, for a percentage of every crowd, that's true already. You've got that stuff. You're doing fine. And for another percentage of the crowd, if you listen to Brian and you're motivated and you work hard; and you grab that business opportunity, maybe it works out. And you get the dream sneakers.

But what happens when it doesn't work out? What if right now you don't get the dream job. What if right now you're in jail like Paul? What if right now you're actually being persecuted? Does that somehow mean you've missed out? On the resurrection life?

No wonder Hymenaus and Alexander are destroying the faith of some.

So verse 23, Paul's advice to Timothy is avoid stupid arguments. Don't get into fighting about words. But keep on teaching with a kind of winsome kindness. With gentle instruction. Hoping that God will do the work and grant them in verse 25, repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

Because while Timothy's job is teaching the truth. It's only God by his Spirit... who changes hearts.

And look, and I don't want to finish on a negative, but the reality is that if they don't repent, if they don't come to their senses, then rejecting the truth leads to all kinds of ungodliness. That are listed at the start of chapter 3.

This is what it looks like to be captive to the devil to do his will. This is what it looks like. When you teach the un-truth. Like Hymenaeus and Philetus. And so you live the lie.

By my count, in the first six verses of chapter 3 Paul list 21 features. Of what it looks like to live the lie that comes from these teachers who have rejected the truth. And you might be relieved at this point that I'm not going to go into detail on all of them.

But as I looked at them I was trying to group them. Because I want to suggest first of all their loves are all wrong. The "resurrection blessings now guys", says Paul, have got disorded loves. Because you'll see spread through the list... they love all the wrong stuff.

They'll be:

- lovers of themselves,

- lovers of money,

- They'll be without love for others,

- not lovers of the good,

In short they'll be lovers of pleasure , verse 4, rather than lovers of God

They're just in it for them. For more money. More stuff. More pleasure. Even though they might appear to be lovers of God they're not.

There's more. It's all about them in the way they talk. Because they're...

- boastful

- conceited

- proud

Even worse, if you cross them, you'll find they're...

- abusive

- brutal

- slanderous

- and verse 4, treacherous

Turn your back. And they'll stab you in it.

And to top it off, don't ever expect gratitude from these guys... you can give them the world and they're...

- ungrateful

- unholy

- and unforgiving

Three uns. That if you reverse them are a reminder that we're meant to be grateful, holy and forgiving.

Nearly done. They're ...

- without self-control

- rash

They're even disobedient to their parents,

The problem is, verse 5, they're hard to pick at first. You've got to look closely. Because they have a form of Godliness...

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

A form of religion, in a sense, not powered by the Holy Spirit like it should be at all. But motivated from somewhere else. A form of piety. That's driven more by ambition than by service.

Paul says, have nothing to do with such people. Which I reckon is pretty good advice. Because they just gather the sort of people who in verse 7 are never quite able to settle. Never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

They're like those historic opponents of Moses. Who actively in verse 8 oppose the truth.

And the rot spreads like gangrene. In quarrels, in foolish and stupid arguments, in endless debates. In loss of faith.

Though here's a happier thought. Or a bit more optimistic at least.

Verse 8 and 9. They won't get far.

But they won't get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Is it true? Is their folly clear to you? Can you see a difference? Hope so.

Now look, as we draw to a close this morning, I want to remind you we're in a series that's all about our role as a church in raising up and sending the next generation of Timothys.

Because if everyone of us is sitting here this morning and thinking, well, this is all a bit academic, and it's not about me, then that really is the end of the line isn't it?

And if it's not going to be a well resourced and well taught church like us at MPC, where will the next generation of Timothys come from? Who's going to send if we don't?

Paul's looking for people who live the truth and can teach the truth. Even though he says everyone who does that will face different kinds of persecution.

Not to become more argumentative. But more gracious. In the way you live the gospel and speak it. The way you both walk the talk and talk the walk.

Now again. Timothy's a model for all of us. If you're a growing follower of Jesus, that's you.

But. As a sending church. I just want to say today there are. People in our church family. Who need to take this to heart even more deeply. Who will be hear God's words through Paul to Timothy as words directly to them. Who need to stop what they're doing and start training. To lead God's people in the next generation. Maybe that's you. Please come and talk to me later. Or tell me if there's someone you've spotted.

And we together need to be prepared to invest in them and to train them. And to support them. And to send them. Into what lies ahead.

Be a recruiter. A talent scout.

Lou and I were leading a growth group together, years ago. And two couples in the group, they approached us. And said, you guys have got gifts for this. And you're having a shot at living it as well. Phil, you're a bit inclined to want to be right all the time. (Actually, they were too polite to say that bit.) But we want to help support you through bible college. Which kind of rocked us to be honest. But rightly or wrongly we took them seriously. And he we are.

Anyone. Can talent scout like that. And encourage. And finally, as part of that. Everyone. Should know what to look for in a Christian leader.

So hold us accountable. To make sure we're serious about living the truth and teaching it.

And don't be fooled when Hymenaes and Philetus come to town, promising the world, and everything now, and only out for themselves. And their own advantage.

Who look impressive and tell you they are. And yet achievement must never ever trump integrity of character.

Because sometimes; there are wolves that are dressed very much like sheep. And we've gotta learn to pick the difference.