Standing On The Word Of God Series

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.”