2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, sermon from Thursday Night Worship on October 17, 2019

Photo by Christian Begeman, Praire Sanctuaries

Last Thursday night the Lectionary had us once again in 2nd Timothy.  This time, we found ourselves covering the verses that bear that often quoted verse of "16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness".

Often this verse is used like a club to confront anyone we disagree with.  There are a couple issues here though in that much of scripture can be interpreted in more than one direction and then there is the real issue of just what was scripture in the understanding of the Author of 2nd Timothy.  There certainly wasn't the understanding we carry today as these verses (no matter who wrote them) predate any concept of a canon for either the Old or the New Testament.  But, this issue aside we should not let it prevent us from finding the untold value of these verses.

There are at the beginning of Chapter 3, verses warning us about the state of the world and cautioning us about becoming entangled with these things.  The larger point though of these verses are to continue to teach people in the tradition of Christ using Paul as an example of how we as disciples are to carry forward the message of Christ.

Paul was not perfect and we ourselves will never be perfect, but we are called to teach the perfect love, the perfect grace, the perfect forgiveness, and the desire for absolute reconciliation that is the unique message of Christ.  Let us work together, as imperfect and flawed as we may be, to let all know that in spite of the trials and travails of life... there is a God who loves them and desires a relationship with them... and with you... and with me.  Praise God!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

32 Timothy 3:14-4:5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is[a] useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Footnotes:
a) 2 Timothy 3:16 Or Every scripture inspired by God is also


2 Timothy 3:1-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Godlessness in the Last Days
3 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! 6 For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, 7 who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. 9 But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men,[a] their folly will become plain to everyone.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived.

Footnotes:
a) 2 Timothy 3:9 Gk lacks two men