The Working Of The Word Of God Series

Title: The Working of the Word of God

Theme:

Text: 2 Timothy 3:16

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10-15 AV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 AV)

It seems that the book of 2 Timothy is a dark book. A book of sadness. A solemn reminder of what is going to happen in the last days. Also Paul is in his last days. He speaks of his famous words in 2 Tim 4:7," I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

Paul knowing his time is ending and that there is going to come a great apostasy in the coming ages gives Timothy some instruction. He also holds up the standard of Christianity and the measuring rod. The ruler of how to avoid apostasy. We find in the book three of the greatest verse written on the word of God

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 AV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. {throughly...: or, perfected} (2 Timothy 3:16-17 AV)

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2 AV)

Listen to Paul’s antidote he gives to Timothy.

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10-15 AV)

Oh the importance of the word of God. The importance of it in the life of a Christian. I know you have heard me say this many time lately but I still feel that I cannot stress it enough when it comes to his word.

Look at what he says in

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 AV)

I. Doctrine-teaching

People are in error in their thinking, feelings, behaving and relationships simply because they "do not know the Scriptures" nor "the power of God’

We see this throughout the life of Christ when the many people such as the lawyers, pharisees and Sadducees would test Jesus only to find that they did not understand the scriptures.

Jesus made it plain when speaking to the Sadducees after they questioned him on the resurrection. They wanted to trick him by discussing married life after the resurrection. Jesus knowing this told them their problem was they did not know the scripture.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? (Mark 12:24 AV)

Many people are in error because they do not know they Bible. They question ideas and teaching not knowing the Bible themselves basing their knowledge on the teachings of others.

II. Reproof-rebuke

reproof-rebuke, reprove, discipline, express sharp and stern disapproval over umbilical and unchristian feelings, and reasoning, thinking, behavior and ungodly relationships

Many times we see the rebuking in scripture.

illustrations: Paul reubukes Peter Gal 2:11-14; Paul speaks of hypocrites rebuked publicly 1 Timothy 5:20; Jesus rebuked the disciples Mark 16:14;

Paul writes of the importance of it in Hebrews 12;5

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.