Being Properly Equipped! – 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Being Properly Equipped! – 2 Timothy 3:10-17
By Lee Hemen
September 28, 2008 AM
I learned from my father-in-law that having the proper tool to do a job is important. It can make all the difference in a job well done or one that is only half finished. There are those in our day who actually think that only doing a job part way is good enough. “At least you tried,” is their reasoning. But folks, only trying does not get the job done and it does not get it done right. How many of us would say to a surgeon, who was supposed to do a by-pass on our heart, but decided not to finish, “At least you tried”? You not only need the proper tools, you also need to finish what you started!
Timothy was an example to others in his church. He was to finish what he started. Paul intimately knew this to be true in his own life and expected it from others. This is why Paul had had problems with John Mark early on in his own ministry (Acts 15:37-40), and John Mark needed to mature in this area! Later, after Mark had matured, Paul readily accepted him back and writes to Timothy, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11) Paul understood what it meant to be properly equipped as a Christian and his advice to Timothy will help us as believers. Let’s discover the importance of being properly equipped…
READ: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
We have all heard or seen the pithy saying, “Do not do as I say, do as I do!” However, far too many believe instead: “Do not do as I do, do what I say!” Why? Because, sadly, too many folks realize that they are not the best examples in life to follow! Paul never had that problem. He knew whom he believed in and he knew what it meant for his life. Paul had no delusions about his life in the Lord. No Christian should. He wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ!” (1 Corinthians 11:1) And, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you!” (Philippians 3:17) Being properly equipped for Paul meant…
I. Following those who are godly examples! (vv. 10-11)
1. A godly life is better caught than taught! Paul confidently wrote Timothy, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11) Paul’s life was an open book for anyone to see. Timothy saw and heard about Paul’s life lived in the Lord. Paul did not mind that he knew. He did not mind because he knew who his life was patterned after and who he lived for! This is why he confidently wrote Timothy, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13) Remember, Paul told other believers bluntly to “Join with others in following my example… live according to the pattern we gave you!” (Philippians 3:17) He would boldly relate that Christians were to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!” (Romans 12:2) It was only then that the believer would be “able to test and approve what God's will is!” (Romans 12:3) In contrast to the false teachers who wanted people to adhere to their ungodly teaching, Paul was content that anyone look at his life to judge whether or not his teaching was true to Christ! His “way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, [and] sufferings,” were all laid bare for anyone to look at and judge. Paul was a godly example for Timothy to follow. Today’s Christian needs to find those who are worthy to learn from. Being properly equipped means following those who are godly examples!
EXAMPLE: It is amazing how one ungodly story can ruin a person’s life. This is true for George Washington, our Nation’s first President. There has been a persistent and unworthy tale told that while Washington was a “deist,” (meaning he believed in God) he was not a Christian. This was and is simply not true. In fact, his daughter spent the rest of her adult life trying to right the wrong done her father. Where did this lie originate? It was published by a writer in the 1800s in a biography of Washington. The writer had not liked Washington’s faith and sought to tarnish this great man’s reputation. Washington could not refute it because he had already died. Washington’s daughter brought together men and women who had personally known her father to testify to the fact that Washington was indeed a strong Christian. She related how he daily prayed and read the Bible. How horrible that people incorrectly learn a lie and believe it instead! Washington was not a deist, he was a firm believer in Jesus! Being properly equipped means following those who are godly examples!
You may wonder, “How do we know for sure who is a godly example or not?” The “proof is in the pudding.” It is not so much what a man can purchase in life that matters as much as what he produces in life that does. Here is what I mean: All people’s lives leave a legacy of sorts. Someone once quipped, “We all leave footprints in the sand, the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul.” What is your life producing for future generations? Paul’s produced 13 letters in the New Testament, dozens of churches, hundreds of salvations, and literally millions of people who placed their faith and trust in Christ because of his life! For Paul being properly equipped means…
II. Understanding what living a godly life produces! (vv. 12-13)
1. It is not as important what you gain in life as what you are willing to give in life! Paul bluntly tells Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted!” (2 Timothy 3:12) Can you imagine an emergent church telling people, “If you follow Jesus, you will be a target!” (I wonder if some churches would be willing to paint a big red bull’s eye on anyone who came through their doors instead of handing out lattes?) It was important for Timothy, as for all Christians, to realize that persecution awaits everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ! Why? Jesus related, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19) And just as godly people are persecuted, “evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived!” Some churches have so focused on the “everything is beautiful” aspect of faith that they have forgotten to teach the spiritually unsuspecting that as soon as you believe in Jesus, you become an enemy of the world. How horrible that some churches try to be as much like the world as possible so as not to “offend” the ungodly that crawl through their doors. An ungodly life produces ungodliness, and a godly life will produce godliness. This is why Paul tells Timothy that “evil men… will go from bad to worse!” He wanted Timothy to be properly equipped as a Christian and understand what a godly life produces!
EXAMPLE: Reciprocity is a spiritual concept found throughout the Bible. One reaps what one sows in life. If you live an ungodly life, your children will often follow your example. The same holds true for a spiritual life. Interestingly, “When asked to choose between a church that teaches the traditions and background of their faith or a church that teaches how their faith should influence everyday decisions and lifestyle, most teenagers preferred the latter (39% versus 16%). In fact it was discovered that “Eleven percent of 12 to 14-year-old youth belonging to families that are heavily involved in some form of religious activity during the week (such as attending church, praying or reading scriptures together)… are significantly more likely than other youth whose families do not engage in religious activities throughout the week to: 1) Have stronger relationships with both parents, 2) To participate in family activities, and 3) Are less likely to not run away from home.” College youth revealed that 69 percent of students with two highly religious parents reported a strong personal faith themselves, compared to only 39 percent of students with only one devout parent.” (youthandreligion.org) Paul would say that being equipped properly means understanding what living a godly life produces!
Being true to one’s convictions is often held in high regard, unless it concerns spirituality. For many in our world they believe that one should have an “open mind” as far as spiritual things are concerned. Easy believe-ism is often the mantra for our day and age. Whatever one wants to believe is fine as long as it does not have any “Christian” overtones. This is held true for many politicians who love to quote the Bible for their own political proclivity out of context. It seems as if for a moment of self-gratification people are often willing to suspend their core beliefs. Either the Word of God is held firm in the life of a believer or it is not. Paul wrote Timothy that being properly equipped means…
III. Being faithful to the Word of God! (vv. 14-17)
1. Those who say they “know” God, should also know His Word! Notice that Paul quite frankly reminds Timothy of several important things in these last verses: To “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of” because Timothy knows “those from whom [he had] learned it” from! They were his own family! It was from Timothy’s “grandmother Lois” and his “mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5) that he had “from infancy… known the holy Scriptures!” Paul knew that it is the Word of God alone, that was “able to make [Timothy] wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” The same is true for us as well! God’s Word makes us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus!” Jesus is the embodiment of the Word of God. It tells His story from beginning to end. The whole panorama of biblical history is about Jesus. This is why Paul could honestly say that “All Scripture is God-breathed.” It came from God and was about God. But more than that, the Word of God “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” It is within the pages of Scripture we discover what life is about, how to live our lives, and how we can be God’s children! As His children we find within its context our training, our encouragement, our discipline, and our ability to walk with God. It is more than just owning a Bible, you have to know the Bible, and make it known to others around you “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Paul wrote Timothy that being properly equipped means being faithful to the Word of God.
EXAMPLE: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is fond of quoting a particular passage of Scripture. The quote, however, does not appear in the Bible and is “fictional,” according to biblical scholars. In her April 22, 2008 Earth Day news release, Pelosi said, “The Bible tells us in the Old Testament, ‘To minister to the needs of God’s creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us.’ On this Earth Day, and every day, let us pledge to our children, and our children’s children, that they will have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature.” As nice and grandiose as that sounds it is not a biblical quote. Cybercast News Service repeatedly queried the speaker’s office for two days to determine where the alleged Bible quote is found. No response. Professor Mariottini, of Old Testament studies at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, related that the passage does not exist and is “fictional.” “It is not in the Bible,” Mariottini said. “There is nothing that even approximates that.” The same could go for the idea of “liberation theology” or the idea that God “loves everyone just as they are.” While these sound like biblical ideals, they are simply not sound biblical teaching. This is why Paul wrote Timothy that being properly equipped means being faithful to the Word of God.
Conclusion:
Being properly equipped means following those who are godly examples, understanding what living the Christian life produces, and being faithful to the Word of God!
----
This article is copyrighted © 2008 by Lee Hemen and if you desire to use it, print it, or copy it you must do so in its entirety.
By Lee Hemen
September 28, 2008 AM
I learned from my father-in-law that having the proper tool to do a job is important. It can make all the difference in a job well done or one that is only half finished. There are those in our day who actually think that only doing a job part way is good enough. “At least you tried,” is their reasoning. But folks, only trying does not get the job done and it does not get it done right. How many of us would say to a surgeon, who was supposed to do a by-pass on our heart, but decided not to finish, “At least you tried”? You not only need the proper tools, you also need to finish what you started!
Timothy was an example to others in his church. He was to finish what he started. Paul intimately knew this to be true in his own life and expected it from others. This is why Paul had had problems with John Mark early on in his own ministry (Acts 15:37-40), and John Mark needed to mature in this area! Later, after Mark had matured, Paul readily accepted him back and writes to Timothy, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11) Paul understood what it meant to be properly equipped as a Christian and his advice to Timothy will help us as believers. Let’s discover the importance of being properly equipped…
READ: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
We have all heard or seen the pithy saying, “Do not do as I say, do as I do!” However, far too many believe instead: “Do not do as I do, do what I say!” Why? Because, sadly, too many folks realize that they are not the best examples in life to follow! Paul never had that problem. He knew whom he believed in and he knew what it meant for his life. Paul had no delusions about his life in the Lord. No Christian should. He wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ!” (1 Corinthians 11:1) And, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you!” (Philippians 3:17) Being properly equipped for Paul meant…
I. Following those who are godly examples! (vv. 10-11)
1. A godly life is better caught than taught! Paul confidently wrote Timothy, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11) Paul’s life was an open book for anyone to see. Timothy saw and heard about Paul’s life lived in the Lord. Paul did not mind that he knew. He did not mind because he knew who his life was patterned after and who he lived for! This is why he confidently wrote Timothy, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13) Remember, Paul told other believers bluntly to “Join with others in following my example… live according to the pattern we gave you!” (Philippians 3:17) He would boldly relate that Christians were to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!” (Romans 12:2) It was only then that the believer would be “able to test and approve what God's will is!” (Romans 12:3) In contrast to the false teachers who wanted people to adhere to their ungodly teaching, Paul was content that anyone look at his life to judge whether or not his teaching was true to Christ! His “way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, [and] sufferings,” were all laid bare for anyone to look at and judge. Paul was a godly example for Timothy to follow. Today’s Christian needs to find those who are worthy to learn from. Being properly equipped means following those who are godly examples!
EXAMPLE: It is amazing how one ungodly story can ruin a person’s life. This is true for George Washington, our Nation’s first President. There has been a persistent and unworthy tale told that while Washington was a “deist,” (meaning he believed in God) he was not a Christian. This was and is simply not true. In fact, his daughter spent the rest of her adult life trying to right the wrong done her father. Where did this lie originate? It was published by a writer in the 1800s in a biography of Washington. The writer had not liked Washington’s faith and sought to tarnish this great man’s reputation. Washington could not refute it because he had already died. Washington’s daughter brought together men and women who had personally known her father to testify to the fact that Washington was indeed a strong Christian. She related how he daily prayed and read the Bible. How horrible that people incorrectly learn a lie and believe it instead! Washington was not a deist, he was a firm believer in Jesus! Being properly equipped means following those who are godly examples!
You may wonder, “How do we know for sure who is a godly example or not?” The “proof is in the pudding.” It is not so much what a man can purchase in life that matters as much as what he produces in life that does. Here is what I mean: All people’s lives leave a legacy of sorts. Someone once quipped, “We all leave footprints in the sand, the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul.” What is your life producing for future generations? Paul’s produced 13 letters in the New Testament, dozens of churches, hundreds of salvations, and literally millions of people who placed their faith and trust in Christ because of his life! For Paul being properly equipped means…
II. Understanding what living a godly life produces! (vv. 12-13)
1. It is not as important what you gain in life as what you are willing to give in life! Paul bluntly tells Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted!” (2 Timothy 3:12) Can you imagine an emergent church telling people, “If you follow Jesus, you will be a target!” (I wonder if some churches would be willing to paint a big red bull’s eye on anyone who came through their doors instead of handing out lattes?) It was important for Timothy, as for all Christians, to realize that persecution awaits everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ! Why? Jesus related, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19) And just as godly people are persecuted, “evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived!” Some churches have so focused on the “everything is beautiful” aspect of faith that they have forgotten to teach the spiritually unsuspecting that as soon as you believe in Jesus, you become an enemy of the world. How horrible that some churches try to be as much like the world as possible so as not to “offend” the ungodly that crawl through their doors. An ungodly life produces ungodliness, and a godly life will produce godliness. This is why Paul tells Timothy that “evil men… will go from bad to worse!” He wanted Timothy to be properly equipped as a Christian and understand what a godly life produces!
EXAMPLE: Reciprocity is a spiritual concept found throughout the Bible. One reaps what one sows in life. If you live an ungodly life, your children will often follow your example. The same holds true for a spiritual life. Interestingly, “When asked to choose between a church that teaches the traditions and background of their faith or a church that teaches how their faith should influence everyday decisions and lifestyle, most teenagers preferred the latter (39% versus 16%). In fact it was discovered that “Eleven percent of 12 to 14-year-old youth belonging to families that are heavily involved in some form of religious activity during the week (such as attending church, praying or reading scriptures together)… are significantly more likely than other youth whose families do not engage in religious activities throughout the week to: 1) Have stronger relationships with both parents, 2) To participate in family activities, and 3) Are less likely to not run away from home.” College youth revealed that 69 percent of students with two highly religious parents reported a strong personal faith themselves, compared to only 39 percent of students with only one devout parent.” (youthandreligion.org) Paul would say that being equipped properly means understanding what living a godly life produces!
Being true to one’s convictions is often held in high regard, unless it concerns spirituality. For many in our world they believe that one should have an “open mind” as far as spiritual things are concerned. Easy believe-ism is often the mantra for our day and age. Whatever one wants to believe is fine as long as it does not have any “Christian” overtones. This is held true for many politicians who love to quote the Bible for their own political proclivity out of context. It seems as if for a moment of self-gratification people are often willing to suspend their core beliefs. Either the Word of God is held firm in the life of a believer or it is not. Paul wrote Timothy that being properly equipped means…
III. Being faithful to the Word of God! (vv. 14-17)
1. Those who say they “know” God, should also know His Word! Notice that Paul quite frankly reminds Timothy of several important things in these last verses: To “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of” because Timothy knows “those from whom [he had] learned it” from! They were his own family! It was from Timothy’s “grandmother Lois” and his “mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5) that he had “from infancy… known the holy Scriptures!” Paul knew that it is the Word of God alone, that was “able to make [Timothy] wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” The same is true for us as well! God’s Word makes us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus!” Jesus is the embodiment of the Word of God. It tells His story from beginning to end. The whole panorama of biblical history is about Jesus. This is why Paul could honestly say that “All Scripture is God-breathed.” It came from God and was about God. But more than that, the Word of God “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” It is within the pages of Scripture we discover what life is about, how to live our lives, and how we can be God’s children! As His children we find within its context our training, our encouragement, our discipline, and our ability to walk with God. It is more than just owning a Bible, you have to know the Bible, and make it known to others around you “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Paul wrote Timothy that being properly equipped means being faithful to the Word of God.
EXAMPLE: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is fond of quoting a particular passage of Scripture. The quote, however, does not appear in the Bible and is “fictional,” according to biblical scholars. In her April 22, 2008 Earth Day news release, Pelosi said, “The Bible tells us in the Old Testament, ‘To minister to the needs of God’s creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us.’ On this Earth Day, and every day, let us pledge to our children, and our children’s children, that they will have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature.” As nice and grandiose as that sounds it is not a biblical quote. Cybercast News Service repeatedly queried the speaker’s office for two days to determine where the alleged Bible quote is found. No response. Professor Mariottini, of Old Testament studies at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, related that the passage does not exist and is “fictional.” “It is not in the Bible,” Mariottini said. “There is nothing that even approximates that.” The same could go for the idea of “liberation theology” or the idea that God “loves everyone just as they are.” While these sound like biblical ideals, they are simply not sound biblical teaching. This is why Paul wrote Timothy that being properly equipped means being faithful to the Word of God.
Conclusion:
Being properly equipped means following those who are godly examples, understanding what living the Christian life produces, and being faithful to the Word of God!
----
This article is copyrighted © 2008 by Lee Hemen and if you desire to use it, print it, or copy it you must do so in its entirety.
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