Intro:
We hear a lot about baseball players that have used steroids to enhance their abilities on the field. Big names like Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds have tarnished themselves by their use of hormones. Apparently they needed something to help them be better.
The same thing happens spiritually. We can be tempted to look for spiritual enhancing things to help us grow and be better Christians. We can find ourselves looking for that next seminar, that new Christian radio song, that new relationship, that retreat, etc. to wake us up ….. the list is as long as the imagination.
Timothy was a young pastor feeling the burden of the big leagues. He was overwhelmed by the task God had given him and fearful of the future. The culture was not at all interested in his faith in Jesus. So, when Paul writes him this letter it is to remind him of what really matters when it comes to growth and being anchored to God.
When all options were available for Paul to bolster Timothy’s faith he doesn’t pump him up with the next thing, he turns him to the Bible.
Read: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
14But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 15From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
Think:
This section says the Scriptures are valuable for 3 primary things. Can you find them? (hint: there is one in vs. 15, one in 16 and one in 4:2). Answer is at the bottom!
Paul was not telling Timothy something he did not already know but was reminding him of what was most important. How critical mentors and friends are in reminding us of what really matters!
Do you believe the Bible is sufficient for you to grow in Christ? Why or why not?
Do:
Do you have a mentor in your life? Can you identify a person that could be a mentor? Consider approaching someone to mentor you through an issue. Not all folks can work out to be a mentor. Agree to meet for 6-10 weeks and then evaluate the value.
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Answer: the Scriptures are good for:
Salvation (v. 15) - To meet Jesus
Sanctification (v.16) - To grow in Jesus
Proclamation (4:2) - To tell others about Jesus
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