Trustworthy Saying - Part 2

The Saying Is Trustworthy – pt 2

(2 Tim 2:11-13)

Intro:

A. Kerri and I were on vacation last week, and I just wanted to show you some pictures. We take pictures on our phone or, if you are Brad Bull, on an old 35mm camera and develop photos. The reason we take pictures is to capture a specific, and often special, memory.

B. For example, I have a 5-generation picture of my grandmother, dad, me, oldest daughter and my oldest grandchild. That is more than just a picture of a vacation memory, it holds a special place and is something I want to share with my grandson as he gets older. I want to tell him about his great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother and others who have gone on before him.

C. The Bible, as you and have it recorded, is God’s communication to us on how to be in relationship with him and how live a life leads us from this life to our eternal life. Within the pages of the Bible are things that a writer wanted to make sure his reader would remember so he would tell his reader to remember such-and-such, or to teach some eternal truth or hold to some way of life. Paul would write to Timothy and Titus, and he would use a phrase to push them to think long and hard about a spiritual truth. Paul would use a phrase like “This is a trustworthy statement” or “the saying is trustworthy.” We examine another of Paul’s statements today.

I. God Is Faithful

A. Do you hate it when people tell you they are going to do something and then they don’t do it? I do! I get frustrated when I plan my schedule to meet your time frame, and then the other person just doesn’t show. No call. No text. No apology. My kids would say, “They ghosted me.” Now, before I get all self-righteous, I have been the person who did the frustrating. But I am so thankful that God is always faithful to what he promises. Listen to 2 Tim. 2:11-13.

B. There is much debate about this passage. For Paul to use such a strong phrase, “the saying is trustworthy” there are questions around what it is that Paul is saying is trustworthy. Let me put it in Jeffrey easy-speak, “God is always faithful.” That’s a trustworthy saying.

C. Maybe Paul is quoting a hymn or Christian poem of his day. Maybe Paul is the poet of this two-verse poem. While I admit part of this is difficult, the overall, the Big Picture, of this trustworthy saying is the last line, “for he cannot deny himself.” God’s nature is absolute, faithful, just, perfect without any flaw. I can lean on a God who is who he says he is 100% of the time. Here’s my understanding.

II. The Positive Trustworthy Statements

A. Verse 11. Paul seems to be reminding Timothy and through Timothy all of us, that when we died with Christ, we also became alive in Christ. The Christian baptism is far more than a religious sacrament to join a church. It is both symbolic and gives a defining moment of when we are born again and receive the indwelling seal of the Holy Spirit. In order to live, I must die to my sinful self, my old self. When I put that to death, I am born again, clothed with the resurrected Jesus. Sin is gone and salvation is given to me.

B. Verse 12a. The first line in verse 12 is another positive trustworthy statement. The first part of this book, Paul talked about the need to endure persecution. This theme of enduring difficult times is something Paul and many others wrote about. There is a need to help others stay strong when times are tough. Many of you have walked the journey of this life and of spiritual growth for many years. You are called upon to give strength to the weary, help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless. You have seen God work in your life. You have known the beauty of answered prayer and the joy of having God answer you in a way that is even better than you asked in prayer. Stay strong. Be faithful. Keep on keeping and help others along the way.

III. The Negative Trustworthy Statements

A. Then he gives 2 negative statements that are just as trustworthy as the 2 positives. READ verses 12b. The first is straightforward. Listen to what Jesus said in Matt. 10:32-33.

B. To deny Jesus is more than a fit of emotional anger crying out “God, I hate you! Why did you let this happen?” It is more than denying you are a Christians because you are fearful of those around; for if that was case Jesus would have to deny Peter on Judgement Day and this is not the case. So, what does it mean to deny him?