2 Timothy 3:1-17

1. 2 Timothy 3:1-17 Auditorium Class Fall 2013

2. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 • 3:1-4 Times will be difficult, and Paul describes the nature of man’s ungodliness: • lovers of their own selves • covetous (lovers of money) • boasters • proud (haughty / arrogant) • blasphemers (railers / revilers) • disobedient to parents • unthankful (ungrateful) • unholy • without natural affection (unloving) • trucebreakers (irreconcilable) • false accusers (slanderers / malicious gossips) • incontinent (without self control) • fierce (brutal) • despisers of those that are good (haters of good) • traitors (treacherous) • heady (headstrong / reckless) • highminded (puffed up / conceited) • lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God

3. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 • 3:5 Some will have a “form of godliness” but deny its power. • Like comparing a house in the framing stage to a completed house. • They have a semblance of religion and give it lip service, but their religion does not affect their life. James 1:27 • The gospel should change our life so that we aretruly reverent and devoted to God. Romans 12:2 • 3:5 Turn away from them. • Ephesians 5:7 “Do not be partakers with them.” • 2 John 10 “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.”

4. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 • 3:6-9 Men such as this resist the truth and will not succeed. • 3:7 They are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” • They could not “find” the Truth (Matthew 7:7) because they did not love it, but rather loved pleasure (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:4). We can know the Truth (John 8:32) if we seek it (Matthew 7:7). • 3:8-9 They will be “as Jannes and Jambres” who withstood Moses • “Folk lore” describes these men as magicians who opposed Moses (e.g. supposed Exodus 7:12, 8:18). I don’t find that the Bible reveals the event. But we do know from verse 9 that these men who opposed Moses came to nothing and their foolishness was evident to everyone. To illustrate Paul’s point, consider events in Moses life that showed this same result that Paul describes: • Exodus14,15 After Moses led Israel across the sea and the Egyptian army was destroyed, men believed the Lord and his servant Moses (14:31, 15:14-15). • Numbers 12 When Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses, God was angry and struck Miriam with leprosy. • Number 16:1-40 When Korah, Dathan and Abiram withstood Moses, it became evident to everyone in the end that God had truly sent Moses (16:28-30). • These men resist the Truth and will come to nothing.

5. 2 Timothy 3:10-17 • 3:10-11 In contrast to these in verses 1-6 who had a “form” of godliness, Timothy knew Paul’s character and how that he had suffered for true godliness. Timothy knew Paul’s: • doctrine (teaching) • manner of life (conduct) • purpose • faith • longsuffering (patience) • charity • patience (perseverance) • persecutions, afflictions (sufferings) at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra • Acts 13:14-50 (50) Paul was expelled from Antioch of Pisidia • Acts 14:1-6 Paul fled Iconium and an assault to stone him. • Acts 14:7-19 (19) At Lystra, Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuaded a multitude to stone Paul and drag him from the city supposing him dead. • Paul endured these sufferings, and the Lord delivered him.

6. 2 Timothy 3:10-17 • 3:12 Everyone who lives godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. • One might have a “form of godliness” and be respected by the world. One’s bad language, drunkenness, and immorality might be “counter-weighted” by “going to church.” • But truly living “godly in Christ Jesus” is going too far in the worlds eyes. • 3:15 From childhood, Timothy knew the holy scriptures (OT). 2 Timothy 1:5 • 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God • 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 The writers used words that the Holy Spirit gave them. • 2 Peter 1:20-21 Men spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. • Something does not have to originate from the mind of God to be recorded by the will of God. The Holy Spirit gave Matthew the words to record when he wrote that the devil said ,“if thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” (Matthew 4:3 ) He directed Paul to write the words, “But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 7:40)

7. 2 Timothy 3:10-17 • 3:16 And is profitable for… • The scriptures are the basis of our teaching. • We have book, chapter and verse for our teaching. • 1 Peter 4:11 “if any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” • Acts 17:2 “Paul… reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” • 3:17 That the man of God may be complete… • The scriptures alone (“sola scriptura”) provide us with everything we need to know to please God. 2 Peter 1:3-4 • The man of God . One who is spiritually minded (1 Corinthians 14:37) and who is one of God’s (2 Timothy 2:19) recognizes that God’s word provides the light for his path (Psalm 119:105, Jeremiah 10:23). • One who is not a man of God is free to choose anything they want to guide them. • Pleasure (2 Timothy 3:4-7) • Unsound words from someone other than the Lord (2 Timothy 1:13) • Profane and vain babblings (2 Timothy 2:16) But thatwill not lead to salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).

8. Schedule • Next: • 2 Timothy 4:1-22