Big League Believers – Part 2

Intro:
The Scriptures are able to make us wise. There is a wisdom in the Book that the world in all its wisdom cannot find. We are either dead on it or we are fools. There is no middle ground.

In the first part of this passage Paul reminds Timothy to remain (“hold on to”) what he has become assured of. Are you assured that the Word of God is true? This is a weird world that might accept a god but only if he/she/it is not demanding or exclusive. We use big words like “pluralistic” for a culture like America – basically it means we do not hold to any absolute truth. A little god and a lot of Darwin. A little god and a lot of Freud. A little god and a lot of Capitalism. They want us to keep the mix.

The folks in Timothy’s day were exactly the same. They were good at sales, good a making gods, good at immorality. So Paul reminds Tim to hold on to the Book. It takes a big league believer to hold on the Bible in a culture adrift. Try telling your friends that you believe in God and see what happens. Tell them you believe that Jesus is the only way to God and see what happens (see Acts 4:12).

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.
4
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:
Paul tells Tim to “remain” in what he has learned. This is not a suggestion but a command. It is not just a good thing it is IMPERATIVE. Christians lose anchor when we move away from the Bible. We are people of the Book. How is your grip on the book?

What comes from the Bible that is counter-cultural? Here are some things: creation, service to others, how to approach God, Jesus as the only way to God, a God that takes our place and saves us, a God that prepares a place for us. Listen to song #10 “Famous One” in the “worship center” and worship the God that loves you .

Reflect on what your worldview. How biblical is your view of the world?


Do:
Thank God for guiding you through his Word.

Look up some Scriptures on how to be saved (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8).