Being a workman approved by God
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Introduction-
I had a great time at District Assembly this past week. It is a time where many come together to worship and to experience a fresh outpouring from God. I always come back pumped and ready for good things to happen at Rosedale. My question for you this morning is why would we have to go somewhere else to experience what God is wanting to do right here? Apostle Paul writes to young Timothy II Timothy chapter one that: 1. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, of love, and self discipline. Not to have fear, but faith. Not our own power, but power from God. The ability to live a disciplined and pleasing live for God. 2. He tells us that there is going to be suffering in the world, but that we have to have enough faith that we can proclaim victory even in the rough times. There is going to be things that we do not understand, but faith will help us get through it. “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I believe in and I am convinced that He is able to keep me safe.” 3. Guard that deposit-(that faith) by the help of the Holy Spirit. He says this as he is in prison chained like a criminal, but he says God’s Word can never be chained. That is the back drop of Paul writing to Timothy the text for this morning. 2 Timothy 2:14-26. This passage is about servanthood, but it is also a passage on discipleship and discipline. It is about knowing who you are in Christ and knowing who’s you are in Christ doing Christ-like things. It is praying this prayer and meaning it.. God let your love melt the coldness of my heart and crush the stubbornest of my will. I guarantee that if you pray that prayer and mean it, that God will change your life for ever Paul challenges Timothy and us to be more Christ-like. The problem with most is not finding the truth, it is facing the truth. (Repeat) the problem is breaking the stubborn will of ourselves to be more Christ-like. The problem is not that God won’t change our lives, it is giving it to Him and allowing Him to change it. (V15) “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of truth.” Doing our best is turning our lives over to God. Totally. Leaving no doors locked to God, because we cannot earn salvation. You cannot work your way to favor with God. Ephesians 2:8-9 “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.” faith in Jesus Christ. What Christ did You didn’t come to Christ. Christ went to you, found you, tugged on your hardened heart, and you responded, you accepted that gift that God was offering you. It is a gift from God Amen That is not the end of the story That is the beginning of the story Christ doesn’t just want to save you, He wants to use you. He wants you to be able to live a life that is profoundly different than most others lives that you live around. He wants you to be a part of sharing that experience with all that you come in contact with. Christ came into this world to save sinners. And you are one of them. The Bible says “That Christ might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life” 1 timothy 1:16 When you know Christ as Lord and Savior, you should become a transformed person. Amen. But most people do not live that transformed life. Our Haitian churches dancing at assembly praising God is an expression of their love for God. Our General Superintendent said “Nazarene’s should dance more” not at the firehouse, but in worshiping of God as an expression of a transformed life. Holiness is our heritage as Nazarene’s. It means living a transformed life. It means standing on the foundational truth that Jesus is Lord of our lives More Christ-like. It means everyday allowing God to transform our lives. Part of Satan’s strategy is to mix false teaching in with true teaching. 2 Timothy warns of false teachings that infiltrates our lives. This passage also tells us that as born-again believers, regenerated believers, we are to be vessels for God’s use. If we wish to be vessels of honor, there are some simple things to keep in mind .
1. God desires to use clean vessels.
2. God does not want to share a vessel, he wants the whole house, He wants the whole heart. As Nazarene’s, we have a article of faith that we believe in Entire Sanctification. We believe that God wants us to be set apart. Different. Sold out completely to God. Psalmist wrote: “With my whole heart have I sought thee; O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy words have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Not only does God deliver us from sin, but under the Lordship of the Holy Spirit , will give us a desire to not want to sin against God. A seal of ownership. A desire not “to grieve the Holy Spirit , whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption” God desires to purge us so that we can be vessels of honor.Vessels used of God. Flee lustful things Love like God loves Live in peace as much as possible Have a growing faith Follow others as they are following God Hebrews 10:25 “ Not forsaking the assembling of others together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another” (v19) “The Lord knows those who are His, and everyone who confesses the Name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” Rev. Ray Pritchard says we can be approved workers or ashamed believers. Approved by building our lives on the Word of God. Because we know the truth. We can teach and live out our life that is pleasing to God. Ashamed believers is one tossed to and fro. Weak because they allow unstable things into their lives to be a negative influence. Our General Superintendent this week said: “God wants more of us” if you are willing to give yourself to Him. That is preparation of holiness. That is being a workman. That is approved. We cannot do it in ourselves. There is no list that will save you. There is no list for Sanctification . It is allowing God to disciple you and you are purposely setting aside the things that hinder that and trust God to do the cleansing of His vessel. Listen. If people are your standard of holiness, you are going to be disappointed. “There is hypocrites in the church” I say, you come, and there will be one more. We don’t base holiness on man. We base Holiness on Jesus Christ. “Be Holy as I am Holy.” That is the standard, and that is why it is impossible to do it without God. Holy living is the result of what God is doing in your life. Not a bunch of rules that you follow and without God will be disappointed that you cannot keep. Closing: (v23-26) from the Bible. I said awhile ago that I was not going to get into stupid arguments that produce quarrels. The Lord knows His own, and people know if they want God in their lives. I want to gently instruct those that want to know the truth, and according to God’s word, not me, “come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive. I want to be a vessel God can use. Don’t you? The more you know Jesus Christ, the more your life should reflect Christ-like things in your life. God desires to cleanse us and make us clean vessels. You may be angry this morning- you do not have to stay that way. You may be bitter this morning, but you don’t have to stay that way. You may be critical of others, you do not have to stay that way this morning. You can change But the change begins with you. You will never change until you want to change. John 5:6 Jesus asks the cripple of 38 years, do you want to be healed? Not everyone wants to be changed. Only God can change a heart. Maybe we need to come to our senses? Altar call “I am not ashamed “ because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
