Standing on the Word of God
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Rev. Brian Bill
August 12-13, 2023
A week ago, Beth and I were in New Jersey where I spoke at a Bible Conference at America’s Keswick. The good news is you guys finally had some good preaching around here as Pastor Chris and Pastor Kyle faithfully proclaimed God’s Word!
Our time at the conference was very special as we met people who were hungry for God’s Word. People listened to the preaching with eager expectation along with a willingness to put it into practice. After one of the sessions, Beth mentioned how much she loves Edgewood and sees the same thing here! I agreed. God is doing something here that is very special.
Please turn in your Bible to 2 Timothy 3:10-17. We’re going to see how God works through fellow believers and faithful Bible exposition to accomplish His purposes.
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Here’s our main idea: To stand strong, make sure you are being discipled by fellow believers and by faithful Bible exposition.
1. Be discipled by fellow believers. One of the highlights of our time away was that Beth and I had the joy of spending five days with Pastor Ray and Marlene Pritchard. 30 years ago, I served closely with Ray for three action-packed years as his associate pastor. I consider him to be one of my closest friends and my mentor in ministry. Much of what I know about ministry has come from long discipling discussions with Ray over fajitas in a Mexican restaurant or by just listening to him preach and teach.
Over the years I’ve learned many things from him, including how to preach from a manuscript and make it available as a tool for others. Here are some of Ray’s sayings that are etched upon my soul:
• “He is God, and we are not.”
• “Faith is belief, coupled with some unbelief, and then acting on the belief part.”
While he was preaching a week ago, I wrote down another quote: “Never apologize for the Bible. As we move closer to the return of Christ, there will be no middle ground. Lukewarm Christians will be knocked off the fence.”
Pastor Timothy had a ministry mentor who discipled him as well. Serving as Paul’s associate for several years, timid Timothy became the pastor of the church at Ephesus. As Paul neared the end of his life, he longed for Pastor Timothy to stand firm in his faith no matter how much suffering he experienced.
Three weeks ago, we were challenged from the opening verses of chapter 3 with this truth: No matter how bad things become, our great God is in control. Look back at verse 1: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” Paul then describes what increasing godlessness will look like, especially among false teachers in verse 2: “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
In contrast to all this, in verse 10 Paul says to Timothy, “You, however…” Drop down to verse 14 where we see this command: “But as for you…” Now look at the first verse of chapter 4: “I charge you…” Timothy, no matter what others are doing, you do this. Even when times get tough, you stand firm, even if you have to stand alone.
Timothy was on a different course than the false teachers according to verse 10: “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness.” The word “followed” means, “to diligently walk in someone’s footsteps.” It was used of conforming to something as a matter of conviction. Timothy had become a devoted and dedicated disciple. One commentator writes, “The best kind of Christianity is not only taught but is also caught when we see it lived out in other people.”
Paul celebrated seven qualities in Timothy in verse 10.
• Teaching. This is where we get the word “doctrine,” which refers to a body of truth. Timothy heard multiple sermons and had one-on-one discipleship sessions with Paul where he developed his doctrine and theology. Brothers and sisters, it is essential for us to hold to biblical beliefs because 2 Timothy 4:3 says, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching…”
Speaking of theology, I’m delighted that over 500 of you have taken the Edgewood State of Theology survey! If you’ve not completed it yet, you can access it on our website or mobile app through August 15. Pastor Kyle and I did a livestream analysis of the results on Thursday night. This is archived on Facebook, YouTube, our website, and our mobile app. I’d encourage you to watch it. There is no doubt we are a doctrinally sound church! Firm doctrine must be the foundation of our discipleship.
• Conduct. Timothy not only heard what Paul preached, he also watched how he lived. We see this in Paul’s departing words to the church in Ephesus in Acts 20:18-19: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility…”
• Aim in life. This phrase can be defined as “purpose, plan, and design.” Timothy followed Paul’s teaching and his conduct, and he knew what motivated him. He knew Paul’s purpose was to bring glory to God as stated in Colossians 1:28: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” In short, Paul lived on mission.
• Faith. Paul’s faith sustained him when things got tough.
• Patience. Paul demonstrated forbearance and long-suffering, which is something I need more of for sure.
• Love. Paul was able to continue loving people as we see in 1 Timothy 1:5: “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart…”
• Steadfastness. This has the idea of “bearing up and enduring” when it would be easier to quit.
In verse 11, Paul points to the excruciating suffering he endured: “My persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra – which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.” The word “persecutions” has the idea of “being put to flight because of hostile pursuit.” It also means, “to snatch or drag.” The word “sufferings” is translated as “affliction,” and goes back to Paul’s conversion when Jesus said to him in Acts 9:16: “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
While Paul was persecuted in many places, he mentioned three locations Timothy would be familiar with – Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. Paul was kicked out of Antioch for preaching the gospel (Acts 13:50) and was almost stoned to death in Iconium (Acts 14:5). These three cities were next to each other, and Timothy grew up in that area. It would be like saying Sherrard, Orion, and Taylor Ridge, or Eldridge, Davenport, and Bettendorf, or East Moline, Silvis, and Colona. Listen to what Paul says took place in Lystra according to Acts 14:19: “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.”
After talking about his own persecutions, Paul expanded the scope to let us know that every serious follower of Christ will face pushback for their faith according to verse 12: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” If you’re serious about Jesus, you will suffer for your faith. If you’re not serious, you might be able to skate by on suffering. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
There are many passages that promise persecution. I want to share a few so we’re not surprised when suffering comes our way.
• John 15:20: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3: “That no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.”
• Philippians 1:29: “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for his sake.”
This week, I came across a powerful quote from Alistair Begg: “Christians are increasingly going to have to choose between obedience and comfort. The next decades will not bring apathy to the gospel, but antagonism.”
Continuing with the theme of our world continuing to spin out of control, in verse 13, Paul writes: “While evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” The “evil people” are out in the open, while “imposters” are “cunning charlatans,” who deceive others because they are deceived. The phrase “bad to worse” is quite strong. The KJV translates it this way: “will wax worse and worse.”
Paul is confident Timothy won’t bail on his faith because of his solid foundation.
We see this in verse 14: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.” This is the key point in the passage as Timothy is told to “continue,” which is the same word translated as “abide” in 1 John 2:24: “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you…”
I’m looking forward to our new sermon series this fall called, “Unshaken and Unashamed.” Seismic shifts have hit our society, leaving people unmoored from truth and unsettled in their faith. The question asked by David in Psalm 11:3 resonates among many today: “When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
In our present cultural environment, it’s imperative for followers of Christ to be convictional, courageous, and compassionate. We must know what we believe, why we believe it, and how we can communicate it to others. In short, we must be unshaken in our faith (Psalm 62:2), and unashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Grounded in truth and lived out in God’s grace, our faith in Christ will change our own lives and ultimately help transform a broken world.
Timothy had been equipped and established because he was discipled by Paul, and in 2 Timothy 1:5, we know his mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois also poured into him. I love this model. Timothy was discipled by a parent, a grandparent, and by a mature believer. When things got hard for Timothy, he could continue faithfully because of the doctrine he learned and because of how it was modeled for him.
One of our vision points for 2023 is for everyone to be discipled or to be discipling someone else. Parents and grandparents, we must begin with our own children and grandchildren. But let’s not stop there. If you are new in your faith, we’d love to connect you with someone who is a bit further along. And, if you’ve been walking with Jesus for a while, it’s time to help someone else.
According to the Edgewood State of Theology Survey, 43% of respondents have been at Edgewood five years or less and 64% have been here 10 years or less. Another interesting insight is that 66% of those who took the survey have been following Christ for over 30 years! Can you imagine what would happen if those of us who’ve known Christ for many years intentionally discipled someone who is new to the church!
To stand strong, make sure you are being discipled by fellow believers and by faithful Bible exposition.
2. Be discipled by faithful Bible exposition (the meaning of Scripture). Timothy had at least three mentors who discipled him, but he had one main discipler – the Word of God. We see this in 2 Timothy 3:15: “And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” The word for “childhood” is “infant.” Here's an application for us: from birth on up, children need to be taught about the new birth as found in the sacred Scriptures. Notice the Scriptures make us wise for salvation, but we need to extend faith in Christ in order to be saved.
That’s why we read Bible stories and sing songs in our nursery. BTW, we are in need of more servants for our nursery, 3-year-olds, and preschool ministry. The nursery could use at least one more person every Sunday at 9:00 service. On top of teaching the Word of God to the next generation, most serve on the same Sunday each month with the same team of servants so it’s a great way to get to know others.
Let’s look closely at 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Notice the very first word “all.” Every single word, letter and “jot and tittle” of Scripture, from the first verse in Genesis to the last verse in Revelation, is “breathed out by God.” That’s where we get the word “inspiration.” Because sacred Scripture is inspired by God, it’s also inerrant (free from error in the original manuscripts), infallible (incapable of error), authoritative, completely sufficient, and magnificently potent.
The Word of God is …
• A sword that pierces (Ephesians 6:17).
• A mirror that reveals (James 1:23).
• A seed that reproduces (1 Peter 1:23).
• More precious than gold (Psalm 19:10).
• Milk that nourishes (1 Peter 2:2).
• Sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103)
• A lamp that shines (Psalm 119:105).
• A fire that consumes (Jeremiah 23:29).
• A hammer that shatters (Jeremiah 23:29).
The word “profitable” means “beneficial, advantageous, and useful.” Notice the four ways the Bible is beneficial in our lives:
• Teaching provides doctrinal content, so we know what is right.
• Reproof brings rebuke and conviction, so we know what is not right. The root of this word is “to prove what is true.” When the Bible says something is wrong, it is wrong because when God says it, that settles it.
• We’re corrected so we know how to get right. Correction is the positive side of rebuking. This has the idea of restoring someone by helping them get back on their feet.
• And training speaks of chastening by changing our character so we can stay right by living righteously.
Verse 17 tells us when we allow the Word to do its work, we will be equipped and outfitted for effective ministry: “That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The word “that” could be translated as “so that.” The word “complete” means “capable, sufficient, and qualified.” The word “equipped” has the idea of being fully furnished or “fitted out.” Literally, it means to be “super-equipped.”
Finally, we see how the Word does all this so we can be involved in “every good work.” Do you see the link between learning in verse 16 and living in verse 17? We’re to get the Bible into our heads and hearts and then live it out through our hands because what we believe about the Bible affects our beliefs and our behavior.
One of the highlights of the Bible conference was hearing testimonies from those who have been set free from life-dominating addictions through the Colony of Mercy for men and Barbara’s Place for women. During the 120-day residential phase of the program, residents memorize one verse a day, for a total of 120 verses! They know the hope of victory and the path to freedom from addiction is not found in recovery alone, but in REDEMPTION through Christ alone.
As a result, they literally saturate themselves in the sacred Scriptures. Even the trees around the residential facility have Scripture verses on them. For almost 120 years, more than 20,000 men have passed through this place, and countless lives have been transformed by the grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Brothers and sisters, as we do in Celebrate Recovery, we declare that Scripture is our highest and final authority, not tradition or our politically correct culture or our feelings or our political party or the church or the Pope or the Supreme Court. The Bible alone and only the Bible is the basis of our faith.
The highest marks in the Edgewood State of Theology Survey all had to do with the accuracy and authority of the Bible! Way to go, church! At the bottom of one of the surveys filled out by hand, someone wrote these words: “I am so thankful for the Edgewood Baptist Church where the truth has been faithfully taught for 118 years; thankful for faithful pastors and teachers; thankful that God’s Word, the Bible is still loved and honored.”
Write this down: What you believe about the Bible will determine your beliefs and your behavior. If you don’t believe the Bible, you will make up your own beliefs and behave however you like. If you believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, then your beliefs and your behavior will reflect that.
Only the Bible and the Bible alone became the foundational battle cry of the Reformation. The question is the same in our day, isn’t it? What is the final authority for the Christian? When asked to explain why the Reformation spread throughout Europe, Luther simply said, “The Word did it all.”
When the preacher Charles Spurgeon was asked to defend the Bible, he replied, “Defend the Bible? I’d sooner defend a lion! You don’t defend the Bible; you open its cage and let it roar.” If you want God to speak to you, open the Bible and start reading.
I’ve been reflecting on a powerful statement related to the authority of the Bible: “God didn’t spend 1600 years and use over 40 different authors (most who never met each other) for us to now rely on personal experiences and extra-biblical revelation to determine His will.”
We get the Bible into our head by getting into it. The Word resides in our heart when we let it get into us. And it’s fleshed out in our daily lives through our hands when we live it out obediently.
We are committed to live out what the Bible teaches – regardless of the cost, no matter the pain, without regard for the consequences. If you stand on the certainty of Scripture, you will be going against the tidal wave of moral relativism in our society. You will be mocked, ignored, and perhaps even persecuted.
Action Steps
Ultimately the Bible must move from importance to authority to encounter to our very existence. Here then are some steps we must take.
1. Need the Word. Are you desperate to hear from God? Do you long to know what God says? Donald Whitney writes, “Some of the most important changes in my life occurred when I asked, ‘What does the Bible say about this?’”
2. Read the Word. Jesus assumes that believers will know the Bible by reading it regularly. Matthew 21:16: “Have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”
3. Feed from the Word. Be like the Psalmist who prayed in Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Let’s not be content to just skim on the surface of Scripture but instead to dive deep.
4. Heed the Word. It’s not enough to just believe in the inspiration of the Bible, we must also live under its authority. We must believe the Bible and then behave accordingly. 2 Peter 1:19: “You will do well to heed…” Get in the practice of saying to God, “I will do what your Word says, no matter what it says, no matter how hard it is.” If you’re looking to find your purpose in life, obey the Bible. You will find the will of God in the Word of God.
5. Seed the Word. Finally, we’re to seed the Word by sharing it with others. Let’s redouble our efforts to go with the gospel to people.
Billy Graham’s faith came under siege in the summer of 1949, just before the Los Angeles Crusade which propelled him onto the national scene. Graham had been invited to speak at a retreat center. Also speaking was his good friend and fellow evangelist Chuck Templeton, whose views on the authority of Scripture were quickly changing. Templeton challenged Mr. Graham: “Billy, you’re 50 years out of date. People no longer accept the Bible as being inspired the way you do. Your faith is too simple.”
Alone in his room that night, Mr. Graham studied the Scriptures profusely and one phrase kept coming up: “Thus sayeth the Lord…Thus sayeth the Lord…”
Later, Billy wrote, “I had no doubt concerning the deity of Jesus Christ or the validity of the Gospel, but was the Bible completely true? With the Los Angeles Campaign galloping toward me, I had to have an answer. If I could not trust the Bible, I could not go on…I would have to leave pulpit evangelism.”
His heart heavy, he went for a walk. The moon was out, and the shadows were long in the San Bernardino Mountains surrounding the retreat center. Dropping to his knees in the woods, he opened the Bible at random and placed it on a tree stump in front of him.
“O God!” he prayed. He paused, and then continued: “Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word—by faith! I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word.”
When he stood up that August night, his eyes stung with tears: “I sensed the presence and power of God as I had not sensed it in months. Not all my questions were answered, but…I knew a spiritual battle in my soul had been fought and won.”
The resulting change did not go unnoticed. The next day Billy Graham spoke at the Conference Center, and 400 people made a commitment for Christ. Henrietta Mears remarked that he “preached with an authority” she hadn’t seen before from him. From that point on, Billy Graham’s signature phrase became, “The Bible says…”
Let’s end by declaring the authority of the Bible three times in a row, getting louder each time.
“The Bible says it. That settles it. I believe it!”
“The Bible says it. That settles it. I believe it!”
“The Bible says it. That settles it. I believe it!”
