2 Timothy 2 Pt. 9 God's Sure Foundation For His Church

Powerful encouragement and instruction.

2 Timothy 2:14-18  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18)  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 

So far in chapter two, Paul has exhorted Timothy to remain strong by depending upon the grace of God. 

Then, the apostle gave Timothy a solemn charge to teach the necessary spiritual disciplines for the next generation of church leaders.

Pastors, elders, teachers, and Christian parents must be a well prepared soldier, battle tested, ready to serve our Master, King and Captain, Jesus Christ.

Pastors, teachers, elders, church leaders and Christian parents must commit themselves to spiritual warfare. Yes, it takes work, time and toil but it is worth it. 

We must see sinners as God sees them. Lost sheep who wandered in sin far away from Jehovah the good shepherd. 

We must love them as Jesus Christ did. We must have compassion for them as Christ did. 

We are soldiers in a battle for the souls of sinners. We must be ready witnesses for the Lord, sharing God's truth in love. 

We must teach our children and grandchildren about sin, the fall, Hell, the Devil, and about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Pastors, teachers, elders, church leaders and Christian parents must be in the faith race for the long haul. 

Each church congregation, each Christian home, each individual believer must pursue the things of God with vigor. 

We are His soldiers engaged in spiritual warfare. 

We are His athletes running the race well, pressing toward the prize of the mark of the high calling of God in Christ. 

We must run faithfully and train ourselves like Olympic athletes so that we have endurance and strength.

We are His farmers, working the fields of men, preparing their hearts to be planted with the good seed of God's Word. 

God's Word will plow to break up the soil of the heart. The Word is like a harrow that removes stumps, roots, stones and rocks that hinder the harvest. 

Luke 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 

Then the good seed of God's Word can be planted in good soil, allowing it to take root and bear fruit. 

Like a good farmer, we must pull out the weeds of heresy, unbelief or false teaching. 

Like a good farmer, we must pour out the water of the Word of God into the hearts of those to whom we faithfully witness (See 1 Corinthians 3:4-9; Ephesians 5:26). 

After all this instruction, Paul commands us to make sure we speak the words of life, with the intent of leading sinners to Christ by sharing gospel truth. 

We must commit ourselves to study the scriptures so that our faith and convictions are well grounded in Divine Truth.

We must vigorously push back on false teaching so that no spiritual gangrene forms within the church.

God's foundation is secure. Christians must separate from evil things.

2 Timothy 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 

The word "foundation" literally refers to a foundation such as the foundation of a large building or the foundation of a notable mansion. 

Using this metaphor the apostle compares Christianity and the gospel of Christ to a magnificent architectural structure.

In ancient times, pagan houses of worship were engraved with inscriptions extolling the attributes of the false gods or goddesses. 

In like manner, this living organism called the church of Jesus Christ, is composed of living stones joined to Christ the chief cornerstone (See Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-8).

We are built upon the foundation of the prophets (Old Testament scriptures) and the apostles (New Testament scriptures).

Each living stone in the church is engraved with the seal of God's Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30).

We are joined together by the indwelling Spirit of God who is our earnest payment and our seal, that we belong to God.

Christ's church must be the foundation for  preaching gospel truth.

1 Timothy 3:14-16  These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15)  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16)  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.  

Paul already alluded to the foundation of the church of Jesus Christ. His church is the pillar and foundation of truth and God intends that the world may hear immutable truth proclaimed from each pulpit.

Jesus Christ is the focal point of all scripture from Genesis through Revelation. This must be preached unapologetically. 

In all these great matters, Jehovah pays close attention to His church. He knows and approves of each born again believer and He is well pleased when we learn to love and serve Him. 

One way that we can show our love and service to God is by departing from any iniquitous actions. There is nothing more tragic than someone who professes faith in Christ, but who lives in sin. 

Each church has wheat mixed in with tares. 

2 Timothy 2:20-21  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21)  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 

Paul reminds us of an important truth. Each local church is composed of sinners saved by the grace of God and sinners who have never repented of sin and turned to Christ in faith. 

Parable of the wheat and the tares mixed together.

Matthew 13:24-30  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26)  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27)  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28)  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29)  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30)  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Thus, as Jesus taught, good wheat that represents the born again and counterfeit tares, representing the unconverted, are mixed together in each church. 

This is a spiritual reality and we must not get upset with professing Christians who do not seem to make progress in their faith or walk with the Lord. 

Rather, we must keep sowing and watering them with the truth of scripture, and trust God for any harvest or fruit that remains. 

In like manner, Paul tells us that there are some valuable vessels in the house of God represented by things made of pure gold and silver. 

Vessels of gold or silver are Christians who are actively loving and serving God. 

However, there are also come vessels made of corruptible things like wood or hay and stubble. These represent professing Christians who love the world or live for self. 

Thus, some vessels are honorable in their walk with Christ and some are not. 

In this church at Ephesus there were vessels of gold and silver, eminent, holy, sincere teachers and members. 

There were also vessels of wood and of earth, false teachers, such as Hymenaeus and Philetus, and their followers. 

A pastor, elder, teacher, or individual Christian must take heed to our way of life and our doctrinal beliefs. All those who truly walk with God, separate themselves from false doctrine and from wicked men. 

Thus, we are sanctified and ready to be used by our Master in every good word and work.

Therefore, we as individual Christian men, women, young or old, are responsible to God for the truth that we have learned. 

We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us live out these truths in our lives, so that we are good vessels that our Lord can and will use in His service.

May we take these things to heart, praying to the Lord about them, asking Him to work godliness into us, and to purge out any dross.

Let us reflect upon the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We are His workers and He has commissioned us to go out into the fields of mankind, to bring in a harvest for His kingdom. 

Bob

John 4:34-38  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35)  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36)  And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37)  And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38)  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.