2 Timothy 3:14-4:5. Stick to what is right and good! 17/10/10
(2 Tim 3:14-17) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, {15} and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim 4:1-5) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: {2} Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. {3} For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. {4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. {5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Here today as we think of our families and the important role that they play in our world, we have a message that is vitally important for them and for us all. As Christians, we know what it is that Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. We know what it is to have been baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. We know that he loves and forgives us and assures us eternal life with himself in heaven. We know that the Christian life is important for us.
We know all of this and we agree with it, despite the fact that so many around us today say the church is dead; that it has lost its relevance and appeal; despite also the fact that there are many ways put forward as to how we can keep in touch with the supreme being behind the universe, whoever we want to call him. Here we face the situation where Islam, Eastern meditation, astrology and other forms of religious and spiritual activity are promoted as being acceptable. With post-modern thinking saying that we can accept a little bit of truth here and there and thereby make up a truth that is suitable for each of us individually. After all these truths are all equally valid ways of finding God and keeping in touch with him.
Perhaps, more importantly, they are simply ways that we can find and achieve the greatest benefit for ourselves and our happiness. So God becomes for many an abstract idea that fits our perception of what we want him to be and what he can do for us. Sadly, this thinking has infiltrated right into the heart of the Christian church as well. Here all too often God is seen to be someone who allows us the freedom to do as we please; and as long as we are reasonable about it and as long as we say we believe in God, whoever and however we perceive him to be. As a result, God looses his ultimate position as God Almighty and we merely find God within ourselves and in our finding fulfilment in life. Thereby the reality is that we are not Christian at all – and according to Scripture, that thinking has only one end – Hell.
The other difficulty that is faced in conjunction with all of this, is; what then is truly right and good for us? Can we really base our lives on a little bit of this truth and a little bit of something else; Because, after all that is the thinking that abounds today? How much can we sit back and say; it is all too confusing, so we won’t be all that involved and we won’t impose any thinking on our children? Can we also assume that our children will automatically pick up what will be good for them? Can we say that as long as we believe, that is all that matters? Can we, not be here, week in week out, and still expect that our children will grow up to understand that Christ and his Church is all important? These and many other questions along this line are very important for us to consider; even though it is difficult.
Remember that day will come when we all will have to stand before God, as judge, and we will be held accountable for what we believe, teach and have passed on to the next generation. We will not be able plead; ‘look I was just going along with the crowd and the opinions of the time. After all, I did have these religious feelings and thoughts. I did try to be a pretty good bloke.’
No, that will not hold water. We are reminded that we do know what is right. He has given us his Word and his Spirit. God also warns us here, that there will be times when many will not listen to the sound and true doctrines of the Bible, but follow their own desires. That human nature will only want to listen to what they want to and what will allow them do what feels good. He tells us here that there will be many who will not listen to the truth, but go to those groups which sound good, even though they might be right off the track. We are living in one of those times now; and God says to us - don't fall for it - God will judge us all for what we take on board and teach to our children. And if we think we can ignore what he has told us here in the Scriptures - look out!
So here the true and only God - the real God - our Lord, says; Continue in truth that you were taught and which we have in the Bible – God’s Word in its entirety – and firmly believe it. Stick to what is right and true – and which has stood the test of time. Stick to the Bible and what it has to say, rather than listen to that which merely makes us feel good. Hold fast to the fact that our salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Know that we have been joined to Jesus Christ at the baptismal font; and that there we became his people who listen to and follow him, alone. Do this and we will not go wrong.
This was God's advice to Timothy and to us here today as well: to us as individuals; as families; as leaders and as a church. Stick to the Bible and the truths that have been handed down to us from it: Because it is the right way – the only way. Make sure that we and our families, continue in and learn that which is able to make us wise unto salvation.
In this reading here, this is all spelt out quite clearly for us. There is only one way to salvation for us and for our families. And that is through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. There we have the central, most important truth for us all. We, and our families, will only have life, salvation, hope, happiness and peace of mind through what Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. These things he gives to us all freely, out of his goodness - without us having do anything to earn it. We are saved by grace through faith – and there is no other way.
It is there that we have the truth of this whole matter: The central, basic point for us all, to hold on to and live in light of. Go to the Scriptures – that is God’s Word to us – and that is what you will find. This truth you will not find anywhere else; and it is the only truth that will lead to eternal life with God. It is all in the Bible; and that is what you have been taught; and that is what our church holds firmly to. And that is what we must stick to all the way, and make sure that we pass on to our children and grand-children.
Then because it is right and true with regard to that which is essential, we are reminded that it is right in all others aspects as well. So we need to take careful note of everything else that God has to say as well. We are reminded that God’s Word is the criteria by which we can see, understand and correct all the other thinking that are put forward for us to take on board. We need hold fast to that which is true and reject that which is false according to what God has to say, instead of the thinking of the day. We have no excuses for being dragged into being slack in our Christian life or to getting caught into other spiritual groups and churches which are on the wrong track.
There in the Bible, we also find how God expects us to live and act as his people. There he calls for our obedience and commitment to what he sees as important for us as his people. As his people, we are not free to do as we please. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Through his Word, he wants to lead, guide and direct us each and every day. He wants us to love and forgive, as we have been loved and forgiven. He wants us to be diligent in raising our families as Christian; and that means setting the example. There is no easy way around it and we cannot plead ignorant.
God - the only God - has given us all we need to know and believe: all that we are to stick to and to live in light of. So let us continue in the truth that we were taught; holding fast to that wisdom which leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and we will not go wrong. Keep control of ourselves in all circumstances - endure suffering – and do the work of sharing and passing his Good News on to those whom we have the responsibility of doing so - perform our whole duty as servants of God. And through it all may our families continue to give all glory and honour to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
(2 Tim 3:14-17) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, {15} and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim 4:1-5) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: {2} Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. {3} For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. {4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. {5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Here today as we think of our families and the important role that they play in our world, we have a message that is vitally important for them and for us all. As Christians, we know what it is that Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. We know what it is to have been baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. We know that he loves and forgives us and assures us eternal life with himself in heaven. We know that the Christian life is important for us.
We know all of this and we agree with it, despite the fact that so many around us today say the church is dead; that it has lost its relevance and appeal; despite also the fact that there are many ways put forward as to how we can keep in touch with the supreme being behind the universe, whoever we want to call him. Here we face the situation where Islam, Eastern meditation, astrology and other forms of religious and spiritual activity are promoted as being acceptable. With post-modern thinking saying that we can accept a little bit of truth here and there and thereby make up a truth that is suitable for each of us individually. After all these truths are all equally valid ways of finding God and keeping in touch with him.
Perhaps, more importantly, they are simply ways that we can find and achieve the greatest benefit for ourselves and our happiness. So God becomes for many an abstract idea that fits our perception of what we want him to be and what he can do for us. Sadly, this thinking has infiltrated right into the heart of the Christian church as well. Here all too often God is seen to be someone who allows us the freedom to do as we please; and as long as we are reasonable about it and as long as we say we believe in God, whoever and however we perceive him to be. As a result, God looses his ultimate position as God Almighty and we merely find God within ourselves and in our finding fulfilment in life. Thereby the reality is that we are not Christian at all – and according to Scripture, that thinking has only one end – Hell.
The other difficulty that is faced in conjunction with all of this, is; what then is truly right and good for us? Can we really base our lives on a little bit of this truth and a little bit of something else; Because, after all that is the thinking that abounds today? How much can we sit back and say; it is all too confusing, so we won’t be all that involved and we won’t impose any thinking on our children? Can we also assume that our children will automatically pick up what will be good for them? Can we say that as long as we believe, that is all that matters? Can we, not be here, week in week out, and still expect that our children will grow up to understand that Christ and his Church is all important? These and many other questions along this line are very important for us to consider; even though it is difficult.
Remember that day will come when we all will have to stand before God, as judge, and we will be held accountable for what we believe, teach and have passed on to the next generation. We will not be able plead; ‘look I was just going along with the crowd and the opinions of the time. After all, I did have these religious feelings and thoughts. I did try to be a pretty good bloke.’
No, that will not hold water. We are reminded that we do know what is right. He has given us his Word and his Spirit. God also warns us here, that there will be times when many will not listen to the sound and true doctrines of the Bible, but follow their own desires. That human nature will only want to listen to what they want to and what will allow them do what feels good. He tells us here that there will be many who will not listen to the truth, but go to those groups which sound good, even though they might be right off the track. We are living in one of those times now; and God says to us - don't fall for it - God will judge us all for what we take on board and teach to our children. And if we think we can ignore what he has told us here in the Scriptures - look out!
So here the true and only God - the real God - our Lord, says; Continue in truth that you were taught and which we have in the Bible – God’s Word in its entirety – and firmly believe it. Stick to what is right and true – and which has stood the test of time. Stick to the Bible and what it has to say, rather than listen to that which merely makes us feel good. Hold fast to the fact that our salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Know that we have been joined to Jesus Christ at the baptismal font; and that there we became his people who listen to and follow him, alone. Do this and we will not go wrong.
This was God's advice to Timothy and to us here today as well: to us as individuals; as families; as leaders and as a church. Stick to the Bible and the truths that have been handed down to us from it: Because it is the right way – the only way. Make sure that we and our families, continue in and learn that which is able to make us wise unto salvation.
In this reading here, this is all spelt out quite clearly for us. There is only one way to salvation for us and for our families. And that is through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. There we have the central, most important truth for us all. We, and our families, will only have life, salvation, hope, happiness and peace of mind through what Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. These things he gives to us all freely, out of his goodness - without us having do anything to earn it. We are saved by grace through faith – and there is no other way.
It is there that we have the truth of this whole matter: The central, basic point for us all, to hold on to and live in light of. Go to the Scriptures – that is God’s Word to us – and that is what you will find. This truth you will not find anywhere else; and it is the only truth that will lead to eternal life with God. It is all in the Bible; and that is what you have been taught; and that is what our church holds firmly to. And that is what we must stick to all the way, and make sure that we pass on to our children and grand-children.
Then because it is right and true with regard to that which is essential, we are reminded that it is right in all others aspects as well. So we need to take careful note of everything else that God has to say as well. We are reminded that God’s Word is the criteria by which we can see, understand and correct all the other thinking that are put forward for us to take on board. We need hold fast to that which is true and reject that which is false according to what God has to say, instead of the thinking of the day. We have no excuses for being dragged into being slack in our Christian life or to getting caught into other spiritual groups and churches which are on the wrong track.
There in the Bible, we also find how God expects us to live and act as his people. There he calls for our obedience and commitment to what he sees as important for us as his people. As his people, we are not free to do as we please. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Through his Word, he wants to lead, guide and direct us each and every day. He wants us to love and forgive, as we have been loved and forgiven. He wants us to be diligent in raising our families as Christian; and that means setting the example. There is no easy way around it and we cannot plead ignorant.
God - the only God - has given us all we need to know and believe: all that we are to stick to and to live in light of. So let us continue in the truth that we were taught; holding fast to that wisdom which leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and we will not go wrong. Keep control of ourselves in all circumstances - endure suffering – and do the work of sharing and passing his Good News on to those whom we have the responsibility of doing so - perform our whole duty as servants of God. And through it all may our families continue to give all glory and honour to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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