Pursuing Godliness amid Godlessness

Eddy Jesus Gil

Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

O Come, All Ye Faithful

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MIT: “Paul warns Timothy about the inevitable hardships of those who serve God, but also encourages him on how to endure such times.”

FCF: “Christians, including Pastors, are prone to give in during hardship.”

MIS: “God has made it possible for His people to remain stedfast amid godless times.”

Introduction

Start off with a few examples of funny “atrocities” of our time. Ex. Vegan Burgers.

Transition into actual atrocities of our time. Ex. Abortion & Human Trafficking.

Transition statement: “Paul’s words to young Timothy resonate as much in his time, as in our times.”

Give a brief contextual analysis of 2 Timmothy 3.

The Symptoms of Godless Times (vv1-9)

Paul is not trying to “sugar coat” to Timothy. “In the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (v1)

He goes on to give a list of characteristic or “symptoms” of the people we will encounter during these "last days”.

The list does not follow a logical order. It seems Paul is more interested in giving Timothy a broad picture rather than a detail analysis. Therefore I decided to arrange the list under three subheadings:

Self Lovers

Self Servers

Self Worshipers

The headings are actually the antithesis of the “core values” (for lack of better term) of the Gospel.

Love God

Serve Others

Die to Yourself.

Self Lovers (High Regard for Self)

Here I would explain the essence of sin, that is, self-idolaters.

I would point out how every sin finds it way back to “lovers of self,” instead of lovers of God.

Self Servers (Low Regard for Others)

I would not spend too much time here. I would draw from one or two characteristic relevant to this header and make a contemporary illustration about it.

Abusive (v2).

Treacherous. (v4)

"Sin diminish people into mere objects of self gratification”

The heart behind a pimp, is the same heart behind a dad who finds fulfillment in his children success.

Self Worshipers (No Regard for God)

I would probably camp out a little longer here, since it would be a good time to talk about those “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” (v5)

In summaries, these are men who appear to be piety (godliness), but use “piety” to provide for their own sin (godlessness).

I would caution my audience against these false leaders, but I would also caution them against the danger of becoming that person ourselves.

Because abuses within the church is both a hot and sensitive topic in our days, I would take some time to clarify who these “weak women” (v6) are.

I have to acknowledge the real victims.

But also have to acknowledge those who are not altogether victims .

(I would also seek counsel from a more experience Pastor on these controversial verses.)

The Message of 2 Timothy (c. Their Proselytizing Zeal (Verses 6–9))

The women chosen as victims Paul refers to by the word gynaikaria, ‘little women’, a term of contempt for women who were idle, silly and weak. Their weakness was double. First, they were morally weak, ‘burdened with sins and swayed by various impulses’. Their sins were to them both a burden and a tyrant, and the false teachers, worming their way into their home, played upon their feelings of guilt and of infirmity. Secondly, they were intellectually weak, unstable, credulous, gullible. They were the kind of women who would ‘listen to anybody’, while at the same time they could ‘never arrive at a knowledge of the truth’. Constitutionally incapable of reaching any settled convictions, they were like little boats tossed hither and thither by a storm (cf. Eph. 4:14). In such a state of mental confusion, people will listen to any teacher, however specious. ‘It was no love of truth that impelled them to learn,’ however, ‘but only a morbid love of novelty.’ Such women, weak in character and intellect, are an easy prey for door-to-door religious salesmen.

“Jannes” and “Jambres” were the names assigned in Jewish tradition to the court magicians who opposed Moses before Pharaoh (Exod 7:11–12).

The Prescription for Godly Living (vv10-17)

In contrast with the awful and dire picture Paul just painted to Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy not to feel discourage, for He already has everything he needs to endure, at his disposal.

We must note that Timothy is already facing some of the pushbacks Paul just described.

“You, however,” (v10) - I imagine Paul slapping Timothy on the cheek like a trainer does to his pupil in the ring during a boxing fight.

The following subheadings are a more clear in the text.

Christ-Centered Relationships (v10-11)

Timothy has not only learned from Paul’s teaching, he has also learned from Paul’s example.

This sections is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of godly discipleship (and mentorship) in every believers’ life.

God-Ordained Sufferings (v12-13)

Often times in our culture we believe that, if we are good christians God will give us good lives. Unintentionally, we associated obedience with peace and confort. Paul is saying otherwise.

Not only are suffering means of sanctification. They are also ordained by our loving Father, whom we serve.

It is important to challenge our congregations to “count the cost” of following Christ, but also warn them about the sure suffering ahead.

For illustration, I could number one example of how Christians suffer oversee, and inside the U.S.

“Not all Christian martyrs lose their lives in their witness. In the fifth century, St. Jerome made a distinction between different types of martyrs. Red martyrs (or wet martyrs) are those who lose their lives for the sake of the name of Jesus. They are ‘red’ because their own blood was spilled in their refusal to deny Christ. White martyrs (or dry martyrs) are those who embrace the cruciform life in the humdrum of their own daily walk. For most of us, our lives do not require the shedding of our own blood.”

K. Greene-McCreight, “United in Suffering: Martyrdom as Christian Vocation,” ChrCent, September 30, 2015, 32.

Scripture-Saturated Lives (v14-17)

“Continue” does not only point to the fact that Timothy has already began in this endeavor, but also points out that he cannot remain steadfast unless he continues grounded in the Word of God.

These verses draw me back to the image of Psalm 1.

A life grounded in God’s Word, is like a tree grounded by streams of water.

I would point out that verse 16 is more about the ministry of God’s Word in our lives than the ministry of God’s Word in someone else’s life.

Moreover, people need to be reminded God’s Word is not obsolete. It is as relevant to our times and culture as it ever was when God first breath it through Paul’s pen.

Lastly, I would connect my sermon to the Gospel by calling back John 17:14-19

John 17:14–19 (ESV)

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Our affiliation to Christ will bring hostility in this world.

But Christ would not removed us from hostility, rather, he gives us His Word to sanctify us amid a broken world.

As the Father sent his Son to the World, the Son is sending us to the world.

It is thanks to Christ’s holy sacrifice that we can remains holy steadfast amid this world.

Conclusion

My conclusion would simply invite people to:

If you feel the weight of the evil around you, draw closer to Christ and find strength in Him.

If you feel comfortable with your life, draw closer to Christ and evaluate if you are truly living on mission with God.

What are some indications that a person is beyond reconciliation?

“patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” 2 Ti 2:24–25.

“Avoid such people.” 2 Ti 3:5.

When is time to sit at sinner’s table, and when is time flip the tables?

Note:

Note: Sermon “The Castle and the Wall” by Dr. Joel Gregory (1988)

How do I develop a habit of mentorship in my own personal life while in ministry?

How would it look like for you to regularly sit under the teaching of God’s Word?

Who will Pastor your soul?

How can I foster a continuos growth in my theological training after Seminary?

How can I continue to grow in my knowledge of Scripture for the sake of my people?