How does God grow the Church? - message #6 - God uses the preaching and teaching of His Word

How does God grow the Church?

God uses the preaching and teaching of His Word

Message #6

2 Timothy 3:10-4:5

[Intro:]

Last week in message #5 of our series How does God grow the Church? We studied the biblical truth that God is the one who saves the souls of people and changes their lives. God chose some before the world was created to be save through the Lord Jesus Christ. God made the choice based on His grace, not based on human choice or performance. God is Savior and He alone gets glory for saved souls. We as Christians are just the mirror (reflecting Christ) and the mouthpiece (sharing the gospel).

This morning in our final message in this series. We are going to study the biblical truth that God uses the preaching and teaching of His Word to grow the Church. Preaching is out of style today. Teaching straight Bible without lots of stories, jokes, and steps to recovery is not popular. This is the reason why the Church is in such terrible shape spiritually!!!! We have traded the eternal divine wisdom of Scripture for the psychological wisdom of man, which is a cheap imitation. We have done away with the preaching and teaching of straight Bible and we have/will reap terrible consequences for that in our churches and our lives!!!! We have abandoned the truth as irrelevant. The buzz-word today is relevant. Professing Christians have viewed the preaching and teaching of straight Bible as irrelevant. We have to talk about people's felt-needs, and contemporary issues! We have turned the Church into a Dr. Phil episode. Let's replace the seating with couches and start charging people an hourly rate because we have ceased being the church which Paul describes as, “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Man we have got to get back to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. We need straight Bible! Paul encourages Timothy to teach and preach the Word of God. Paul says, give people straight Bible!

[Message:]

#1 - Obedient Christians will be persecuted (3:10-12)

Paul speaks to Timothy and reminds him of the fact that he has followed Paul's teaching and example. Timothy has even experienced the persecution that Paul has experienced. In each case God had spared Paul's life. Now, some might read this and think well that was out of the ordinary for a Christian to suffer for Christ. Some others would foolishly say that maybe Paul was suffering because he was not in God's will (the prosperity gospel). But Paul clears all of that up for us when he makes the statement, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Ti 3:12). I really want us to think about this biblical truth statement for a moment. God speaking through Paul says that when born-again Christians live obedient lives for Christ, they will suffer persecution. It is not a possibility, it is a guarantee!

Do you know what that does for those that are teaching from pulpits around this country that say God wants you to be healthy, happy, and wealthy? It exposes their teaching for the lie that it is. God has saved sinners from eternal judgment in Hell for the purpose of conforming them to the image of His Son Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). God is more concerned with us being holy, than He is with us being happy. God desires for us to choose joy. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Php 4:4).

John Piper shared the following in his book entitle Desiring God, “[Some] things have changed. But not my commitment to the message of this book. It is my life. That God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him continues to be a spectacular and precious truth in my mind and heart. It has sustained me into my second half-century, and I do not doubt that it will carry me Home.”

Piper writes later, “As we grow older and our bodies weaken, we must learn from the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter (who died in 1691) to redouble our efforts to find strength from spiritual joy, not natural supplies. He prayed, “May the Living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving him, and delighting in him, may be the work of our lives.”

#2 - The Word of God is all that we need to effectively minister for God (3:13-17)

As soon as Paul finishes sharing the truth that godly Christians will suffer he jumps directly into a very serious warning for Timothy. As time goes on evil men and false teachers will get worse (13). Their ministry of deception will increase as they themselves are deceived. There will always be people in the world teaching things that are contrary to the Word of God. Let us make sure that we are not one of their number.

Paul uses this as an opportunity to encourage Timothy in his ministry (14-15). Timothy is not to be like these deceivers. Instead, Timothy is to continue in the Word of God (14). He is to read it, study it, meditate on it, hold to it, and live by it. Timothy is a born-again Christian and he believes the Word of God. He is convinced of its truth. Paul tells Timothy stick to the Word of God. Paul will make it absolutely clear why Timothy should do so in the remaining verses. Even from the time of his childhood Timothy was taught the Old Testament Scriptures by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5). A Jewish boy would begin to formally study the O.T. At the age of five. Timothy was taught by his mother and grandmother before he reached the age of five. The Old Testament Scriptures present prophecies of the coming Messiah. Paul states that Timothy's knowledge of the O.T. Scriptures would point him toward faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins (15). The Scriptures are the means which God uses to bring about the salvation of lost sinners. The Scriptures are sufficient to bring about the salvation of souls. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Ro 10:17). "For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe." (1 Th 2:13).

The next words that God speaks through Paul are huge. Paul writes that the Word of God in its entirety is inspired by God (16). It means God-breathed. The Holy Spirit communicated through the human authors of Scripture what He wanted communicated, without dictation or squelching the unique personalities of the human authors. Timothy already knew that Scripture was inspired. Paul uses that truth to launch into the sufficiency of Scripture for ministry and life. The Word of God is beneficial in four different ways:

1^st - It is profitable for teaching – Scripture is the source of all reliable knowledge of God and His will and ways. "Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." (Heb 5:11-16). Knowledge of the Scriptures leads to a closer relationship with God and an increased level of spiritual maturity (1 Pet. 2:1- 3).

2^nd - It is profitable for reproof – Scripture is the tool to use to confront and expose sin in the life of another believer. God's Word is truth and it is to be used to expose sin/darkness. "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light." (Eph 5:11-13).

3^rd – It is profitable for correction – The Word of God is the tool to use to help someone re-align themselves to what is right. This is the only time this Greek word is used in the N.T. It was used in Greek culture to describe the setting a fallen object upright; or of helping someone who had stumbled back to their feet. The Word of God helps to confront those in sin and also to point the way back to the right path of obedience to God's Word.

4^Th – It is profitable for training in righteousness – The Word of God is the tool to use to help train a person in how to properly live for God. This Greek word was used to describe the training that a child would receive to be able to properly and effectively live life as a productive citizen. The Word of God is essential to the proper instruction of a believer for the purpose of godliness/Christ-likeness (1 Tim. 4:6-16). The Word of God is essential in the process of a believer's mind being renewed (Rom. 12:1-2).

Paul shares this truth with Timothy all for the purpose of what he declares in verse 17. As a result of Scripture being profitable for these four things just mentioned, the man of God (the pastor-teacher, the evangelist) will be prepared for ministry (adequate). The man of God has everything that he needs to minister (equipped for every good work). Two different Greek words are used here that emphasize the truth that the Scriptures are all that the man of God needs to: evangelize (cf. 3:14-15) and to disciple believers to spiritual maturity (cf. 3:16-17). In the day in which we live there are more resources, tools, and strategies than ever before. The Word of God informs us that ultimately all we need is the Word of God preached and taught for the salvation of souls and discipling of the saints. Since that is what our mission is from Christ, the Word of God is all we need. We need to remember that now.

#3 - The Word of God must be preached (4:1-5)

Paul has just given Timothy the all-important reminder that all he needs is the Word of God to be able to effectively reach the lost and effectively disciple the saved. Now he charges Timothy and he brings God the Father and God the Son into the situation (1). Every single person will stand before Christ to answer for how they have lived. Christ will return and establish God's Kingdom on this earth. Paul presents God the Father and God the Son as witnesses in this command he gives to Timothy.

Paul commands Timothy to preach/proclaim the Word of God (2). Timothy is to preach/proclaim the Word of God when it is convenient and when it is not convenient. There are going to be times when people will want to hear/learn the Word of God and there will be times when they won't want to hear it (cf. 1 Tim. 4:6-16). The Word of God must be preached and it must be taught. There is no true Christianity without the Word of God being preached and taught!

As Timothy preaches and teaches the Word of God he is to use it to:

1^st – reprove – This is from the verb form of the Greek word that was used in verse 16. It refers to the Word of God being used to expose the darkness of sin with the light of the Scriptures. It is meant to call a believer to account for how he is living in opposition to the Word of God. You use the Word of God to show a person his sin and call him to repentance.

2^Nd – rebuke – This refers to express strong disapproval for the actions and attitudes of someone involved in sin. It has the idea of strongly warning the individual in sin. Timothy is to use the Word of God to strongly disapprove of sinful actions and warn those involved.

3^Rd – exhort – This refers to using the Word of God to urge, appeal, encourage someone to obedience. People have twisted this idea of encouragement to mean that a person encourages someone to feel better about themselves. This is not biblical encouragement. Biblical encouragement relates to a person urging, encouraging another to obey the Word of God.

Timothy is to use the Word of God to reprove, rebuke, exhort and he is to do this with great patience and instruction (2). Timothy was to be prepared to use the Word of God in any and all situations. The Word of God is sufficient, it is all we need (cf. 3:17)! Timothy was to teach and preach the Word of God with great patience. He was to continue to teach and preach, no matter how long it took for change to take place. Timothy was to endure in teaching and preaching the Word of God because it is sufficient. Timothy was to teach and preach the Word of God over and over. He was to continue to teach and preach the Word of God, no matter how long it took for things to change because it is the only thing that will bring about the salvation of the lost and the maturing of the saved!!!!

In the concluding verses of our message this morning we are going to see another important motivation and warning (3-4). Paul says that there was a time coming when people would not want to endure hearing the Word of God preached and taught (3). This is not referring to those outside of the assembled church, it is referring to those who are assembled!!!! There will be professing believers who don't want to hear the Word of God preached and taught anymore. They will find preachers and teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. Do you think it is any accident that there is more felt-needs, issues-driven preaching than ever before? This is the fulfillment of Paul's warning in Scripture. People want to have counseling sessions, instead of hearing the Word of God preached and taught. The reason why there is so much psychological counseling going on today is because people have refused to obey the Word of God and submit to the Lordship of Christ. The refusal to obey God's Word has led to a lot of depression, bad marriages, and numerous other things. People come to church desiring to feel better about themselves. Pastor-teachers have begun to teach and preach less because of unbelief! We have begun to think that the Word of God is not enough, that it isn't all we need. We are guilty of unbelief!

We need to repent of our selfishness, and our unbelief. We need to be in awe of Almighty God! We need to submit to the Word of God and the Lordship of Christ. Then you will have joy in the midst of intense sorrow and pain. Paul said this time of watered-down preaching and teaching was coming. It is here. Do you know what God says we need? Not felt-needs, issues-driven preaching and teaching. God says we need to have the Word of God preached and taught. That is all we need!!!!

As a result of listening to this felt-needs, issues-driven preaching and teaching the people will turn completely away from the truth of God's Word and they will believe myths (4). Paul calls Timothy to be clear-headed in the way that he conducts himself (5). He is to keep his eyes on Christ and not get all out-of-sorts. He is to make sure that he doesn't begin to preach and teach these watered-down things. Timothy will have to endure hardship and he must cling to God. He is to do the work of proclaiming the gospel. Remember, the Word of God is sufficient for the salvation of the lost. Paul calls Timothy to fulfill his ministry. God called Timothy to preach and teach the Word of God. Timothy is to continue preaching and teaching the Word of God when people desire it and when they don't. He is to remain faithful no matter what the desires of the world or the church.

[Conclusion:]

#1 - Obedient Christians will be persecuted - God speaking through Paul says that when born-again Christians live obedient lives for Christ, they will suffer persecution. It is not a possibility, it is a guarantee!

#2 - The Word of God is all that we need to effectively minister for God - The Word of God informs us that ultimately all we need is the Word of God preached and taught for the salvation of souls and discipling of the saints. Since that is what our mission is from Christ, the Word of God is all we need.

#3 - The Word of God must be preached and taught - Not felt-needs, issues-driven preaching and teaching. God says we need to have the Word of God preached and taught. That is all we need!!!! God called Timothy to preach and teach the Word of God. Timothy is to continue preaching and teaching the Word of God when people desire it and when they don't. He is to remain faithful no matter what the desires of the world or the church.

Spurgeon in the book Lectures to my Students said, “We have a fixed faith to preach, my brothers, and we are sent forth with a definite message from God. We are not left to fabricate the message as we go along.”