A VICTORIOUS LIFE IN CHRIST
2 Timothy 3:1-17
Key verse 3:14
A VICTORIOUS LIFE IN CHRIST_shDavidGates
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it …”
This week’s message has a victorious title. It seems coincidental to the victorious hope we reviewed in Revelation 21 with the recent Global Leaders Empowerment Forum. It is right at the time when victorious Olympic athletes are all over the news. Did you see any victorious scenes or remember the overcomers empowered by the Bible studies in the forum? (SLIDE Medal Winners) Some athletes surpassed world records in the sports games. They shared some glory and a little praise from the spectators. Only a few get the medals, though all of them train hard and try their best. One bronze medal winner shared a picture of their medal peeling and rusting after just a few days wearing it everywhere. (SLIDE GLEF) In contrast, children of God united in praise and fellowship to pray for each other and brought joy and glory to God in the conferences and worship days. Eternally speaking the latter are much more highly honored and will be blessed forever. They all receive the kingdom of heaven and their treasure in heaven will never perish, spoil or fade. In today’s passage, Paul shares with Timothy some details about the
lifelong journey to eternal life with focus on the right way to go forward to win the prize. Let’s see what more we can do according to his lesson in our days to live victoriously serving the Lord.
(SLIDE v1) In the last chapter. Paul shared some principles to guide Timothy in dealing with controversies, encouraging Timothy to always hope that some will realize their sinful condition and come to the Lord for help. Now he does not shy away from reality as he considers the real world around them. Look at verse 1. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” The terrible theme seems very somber and finite and the last days are reminiscent of the scenes in Revelation that seem to describe the last days of this creation. Many ideas come to mind wondering about the last days Paul was thinking of. Obviously, he expected Timothy to experience the things he’s sharing, so these last days in verse 1 must have already begun. It may be best to think of Paul’s view as a lament over the general characteristics of the world in contrast to what many Jews were hoping for. Terrible times seem like the opposite of a utopian kingdom of God that people have always dreamed of since we lost the right to the tree of life in the garden of eden.
(SLIDE v2-4) Verse 2-4 share the character of terrible times that Paul, Timothy and all God’s people must endure. “2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God …” It is a very concise and clear list of bad attitudes that we all have. It could be the perfect three verse biography of anyone who ever lived, because all those conditions seem builtin to human nature. They are so natural that we don’t even notice those attitudes when we express them. We even justify ourselves very well when we act on those desires. We also tend to complain bitterly and harshly react to others when they behave in those ways toward us. Perhaps the most prevalent phenomenon is that we readily accuse and slander and abuse to satisfy our pleasure seeking selves but we cannot stand it if others act that way.
(SLIDE v5) Verse 5 might explain the root of the situation and shares God’s instruction for handling such things. It describes such people “having a form of godliness but denying its power” and instructs Timothy to have nothing to do with them. It might be expected to find the “terrible times” activities in the lost world around them, but the context of the letter and comparison to godliness seems to stress that those people are bringing terrible attitudes to the believers community. We can see many other religions that seem godly in some ways, as they try to inspire people toward good behavior by claiming authority from a spiritual dimension. Even unbelievers seem to have a form of godliness in their mind that they expect God’s people to act like. They make excuses not to seek God when they notice the so-called godly people not meeting their made up standard. The form of godliness is the measure, but denying its power is the root problem. Because similar cases appear in the gospel community it is important to consider godliness and its power to help us improve our form of godliness and acknowledge its power rather than deny it.
(SLIDE greek godliness) Godliness is mentioned only 15 times in the Bible, and mostly by Paul in his letters to Timothy. Peter also used the term in similar contexts, listing it among desirable characteristics for God’s people. The only case that seems to define godliness is related to Christ in (SLIDE 1 timothy 3) 1 Timothy 3:16. “16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” This description seems not easy to imitate for sinful people but it does point toward a hope for God’s people to share Jesus characteristics, empowered by the same Spirit and even hope of sharing Jesus’ glory in resurrection. Since it is not well described in the other places, we can really only rely on a theological definition and then wonder how it works. (SLIDE greek help) The internet greek study helper has this idea: “… someone’s inner response to the things of God which shows itself in godly piety (reverence).” It is minimally helpful, and matches the “form of godliness” concept that many people from all walks of life might express. After all, we are made in the image of God and we cannot escape from our proper responsibility.
(SLIDE v5) Even though it is a general concept, it is exceedingly important for believers to exhibit. Believers should desire a reverent and holy lifestyle if they believe there really is God and that Christ is their redeemer. Then it is important to consider the power of Godliness. Since it is a difficult subject I decided to share a couple quotes from two 19th century English messages about this. (SLIDE godliness and power messages) We don’t usually give homework, but this week, everyone should try to read the messages about godliness and power for homework. The first one by James Smith, 1859 is just an excerpt, so it is short, and good for ESL readers. The second message is by Charles Spurgeon, 1889. That one has a lot of old connotations and late 19th century context and is more wordy. But it is very thought provoking if you have vocabulary. Even though my English is pretty good, it takes me over an hour to read. Take a minute to open those on the phone for reading later.
(SLIDE Smith) Here is what James Smith said about the power of Godliness. “In Godliness there is power. Viewed as the work of the Holy Spirit in a man, it is a powerful work. For that which gives life to the dead, sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and turns the whole current of the soul into a new, and upward direction — must be powerful.
Viewed as man striving, struggling, and laboring to be like God, it must be powerful. For to crucify the flesh, with its affections and lusts — to put off the old man, and put on the new — to overcome the world — to conquer Satan — to live and walk, as Jesus lived and walked — requires power.”
(SLIDE Spurgeon) And this is Charles Spurgeon’s take: “”They had “the form” of godliness; but they denied “the power.” What is that power? God himself is the power of godliness. The Holy Spirit is the life and force of it. … Godliness is the result of a great change of heart in reference to God and his character. Godliness looks towards God, and mourns its distance from him; godliness hastens to draw nigh, and rests not till it is at home with God. … Godliness leads a man to love God, and to serve God; it brings the fear of God before his eyes, and the love of God into his heart. … The godly man seeks first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and expects other things to be added to him. Godliness makes a man commune with God, and gives him a partnership with God in his glorious designs; and so it prepares him to dwell with God for ever. Many who have the form of godliness are strangers to this power, and so are in religion worldly, in prayer mechanical, in public one thing, and in private another. True godliness lies in spiritual
power, and as they are without this, they are dead while they live.”
(SLIDE v5) These old sermons illustrate God’s work in souls who acknowledge the power of godliness working with them to repent of their “terrible times” attitudes. Then godliness has power to make them content in their situation and comfort them on their journey as imitators of Christ who carry their cross each day. Paul embraced the power of godliness and implemented it. He wished for Timothy to do the same and counseled Timothy to have nothing to do with those who denied the power of Godliness. It is an essential aspect of victorious life to get away from the bad company that entices believers to act according to their terrible tendencies.
(SLIDE v6-9) Paul goes on about the deniers in verse 6-9, even comparing them to the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses when God asked Pharaoh to set the Israelites free. He said those terrible people worm their way into homes, gain control over weak-willed women and pile on their sins as they obey their evil desires. They might even continue attending Bible study and worship service, always learning about the truth but never acknowledging the truth that they are doomed unless they repent. Instead they keep on learning more and more ways to get away with sinning according to their terrible attitudes. Look at verse 8 & 9. “8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth–men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.”
In Exodus, the Egyptian magicians used their secret arts to imitate some of Moses’ and Aaron’s miraculous plagues. It was their form of Godliness while denying the will of God. On their third try however, they were unable to keep up with God’s signs and they had to admit, “this is the finger of god.” They were humiliated when they opposed the truth that Egypt must let the Israelites go. God shamed those deniers by leaving them powerless and then sending Israel out with an impossible deliverance. God will ultimately shame Paul & Timothy’s opponents when they fail to meet the standard for eternal life. Paul said, “as far as the faith is concerned, those who deny the power of godliness are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. Many crooked influencers get away with terrible attitudes for many years, and lost world cults and large groups continually lead people away from Christ who can save them, but they will be rejected when the judgment day reveals all our true motives.
(SLIDE v10 & 11) In contrast to those rejected leaders, Paul reminded Timothy of his own experience in Timothy’s neighborhood as an example of what he might expect. 10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 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. It is likely referring to the first mission journey when Paul faced harsh opposition from establishment Jews who stirred up the crowds so they turned on Paul and tried to kill him. They failed to stop the power of godliness, and Timothy’s family heard the gospel in those days. Timothy joined Paul on his next mission journey and learned his lifestyle one to one. In those verses I think the most important victorious life principle is at the end “… the Lord rescued me …” In the big picture, trusting the Lord to save us from sin, death and eternal destruction is the secret. Anything that happened to Paul on earth was just par for the course in Paul’s life. He embraced the fact that he was here just to serve Jesus and trusted his fate to the Lord every day.
(SLIDE v12 & 13) Looking back on his experience Paul shares another victorious life principle in verse 12&13. “12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” His observation seems gloomy and disappointing compared to a utopian expectation of Jesus reigning over a peaceful world where his followers enjoy the highest positions and unlimited everything. Timothy may have heard such ideas in his early Bible classes with Jewish teachers. When he joined Paul on the second mission journey, Timothy witnessed many events where opposition caused significant trouble. But he also saw God fulfill prophetic promises to Paul and must have been inspired. God even let Paul testify about Jesus to the kings and rulers of the gentiles as he promised. Paul’s example shows the victorious life might be difficult to endure when God sends someone to hostile spaces. Even Jesus shared a similar principle with his disciples in (SLIDE Matthew 10:24 & 25) he said, “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!”
(SLIDE v12 & 13) The ungodly world will not appreciate being exposed, so they will persecute God’s servants. Their influence may tempt believers to satisfy their terrible desires when the evil doers and impostors go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. They might look successful in the world but in eternity they will be rejected. However, the power of godliness makes it possible for the believers to overcome those temptations, endure troubling situations and please God in spite of controversies.
(SLIDE v14-15) In the last part, Paul shares some personal instructions for victorious life and a theological mystery about the word of God to encourage believers during the lifelong struggle in terrible times. “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Paul wants Timothy to continue in what he has learned from the true apostles of Christ. Timothy should not be distracted by the worldly people’s material prosperity, but live out his own mission from God. Continuing in the terrible people’s ways will bring rejection from God and destruction. Let us learn from Paul to see ungodly people’s worldly life as worthless, like a dung heap. Even if this generation is the very last on earth, and God’s judgment is imminent, Timothy should keep his faith and stand on the words of God he learned since infancy. Here is
what Dr. Lee wrote about this part. “In this terrible generation, world mission works might seem foolish. But God calls many to serve his purpose and share Jesus’ victory from every generation. Among the many terrible attitudes that Paul mentioned, maybe two are most influential in our last days era. The first is that sinful freedom has been publicly accepted. The second is that individualism has degenerated into selfishness. Because of selfishness, no one wants to commit to anybody or anything. To the worldly people, Bible teaching is a very funny thing. They scoff at Bible teachers like the doomed generation made fun of grandfather Noah. But without the Bible to guide us, economies and societies become chaotic. People do not know where history is going.” God still needs repentant souls to help the good shepherd lead his flock of sheep. God wants us to seek them as Bible teachers who can share the word of God with them so they find their way to his kingdom and experience the power of godliness. When we calculate, this is an impossible task. But when we obey God’s command it is indeed a glorious mission for us.
(SLIDE v15-17) In the last thoughts, Paul emphasizes the Scriptures as the most necessary guidebook for victorious life. In verse 15 he said it was beneficial to learn the scriptures from infancy, because they are able to make someone wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a critical fact that we cannot enforce salvation on someone by human efforts like a jail sentence, brain washing, cultural influences or even infinitely funded charitable gifts. People will only understand their need for salvation when the scriptures make them wise. (SLIDE v16-17) Let’s read what he said in verse 16 & 17. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Paul’s opinion of scripture is very unique in the world. My ESV study Bible notes said his description, “God-breathed” does not appear anywhere else in the Bible or any Greek literature before it. It seems Paul invented the term, or more likely, God breathed his description into Paul’s mind as he wrote. The majority opinion is, “God-breathed” means the things God recorded for his people to read are somehow dictated to the writers by God himself. It is a very unusual and interesting opinion of the scriptures. God-breathed has a hint of the life-giving power God used in creation when he breathed the breath of life into Adam so he became a living being. If there is a similar connection to God in the scriptures, believers should trust Paul’s view and rely on the word of God to wake up the dead souls whom they share the scriptures with. Relying on anything else seems inferior, even in-effective compared to the life-giving word of God.
(SLIDE v17) Paul wished Timothy may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. He could learn all kinds of schemes and trades and philosophies in the enlightened Greco-Roman world. But he needs the scripture to accomplish the good works that God prepared in advance for him to do. Rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness requires effort and sacrifice to observe the words of God individually and dedication to help others do the same. But there are always obstacles. When things like our jobs, our families, or persecution and suffering hit, it only seems natural to put the Scriptures aside to focus on the things that come up. In fact this seems like common sense to most people. But what does the Bible say? “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” “make disciples of all nations,” “fan into flame the gift of God”, “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved .. a workman who correctly handles the word of truth.” Paul’s admonition wisely reminds us that the victorious life should be based on the Bible in every situation, otherwise our terrible attitudes will take the lead.
Let’s read the key verse one more time. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it …” Today’s passage shares a frightening view of terrible times in the last days in contrast to God’s hope for the victorious believer. The terrible times are marked by sinful man’s disregard for God’s life-giving grace and holy desire for them as revealed in the scriptures. Nevertheless, God never gives up his purpose and hope for his people. God calls his people to share what he taught the world about their terrible attitudes and his everlasting love that forgives them in Christ. Let’s continue in what we have learned from Paul today and strive for the victorious life even if we live in terrible times.