Thoughts From 2Timothy 3 - Part 3

 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  2Timothy 3:10-13

      Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 2Cor.11:24-27

       So, you want to be a leader in the Church? Timothy, knowing often firsthand the trauma Paul had gone through, was told that he too, because he is following Jesus would experience suffering. But Paul emphasizes something involved in following Jesus - living a Godly life. All of the epistles keep hammering this one thought that I keep going back to - we are saved to obey. We are saved to live a godly life. If you get saved and continue in sin (are you really saved?), you won't get persecuted. Why? For one reason, the devil doesn't fear you and you are already doing your part to show unbelievers that the gospel doesn't have power. Why should they persecute you when you are just like them?

     Does this mean if I don't open my mouth and just live a Godly life, I can get by without being persecuted? If I just mind my own business and don't tell people that they are sinning, will I be safe? I think if I stay quiet, I will be persecuted less. I think that's true. However, living an obedient life means I exclude myself from raucous parties, gossip sessions, drunkenness, debauchery, viewing parties of movies I don't want to watch, book clubs of books I don't want to read, and my absence in these comraderies of sin will expose me to persecution. The very fact that I'm not there, convicts people of sin.

      Billy Graham once golfed in a foursome with a famous golfer and when asked afterward what it was like to golf with Billy Graham, the golfer was incensed by Billy Graham preaching at him the whole 18 holes. Later, the golfer admitted that actually Billy Graham hadn't said a word. It appeared that the golfer was just convicted by a righteous presence. We need to radiate Christ and His righteousness in that way and yes, the world won't like it - but we aren't living for their approval anyway, are we?

Thoughts From 2Timothy 3 - Part 2

  They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. 2Tim 3:6-9

         I have heard that Jannes and Jambres were the previously unnamed magicians that served the Pharoah that Moses approached when he said, "Let my people go." Moses proceeded to throw down his staff which turned into a snake, and they did the same thing convincing Pharoah that God was not to be feared. They also were able to turn water into blood further hardening Pharoah's heart. Eventually they couldn't mimic all the tricks and they had to admit, as they should have when their snakes were eaten by Moses', that Yahweh was greater than their gods. Their folly had become clear to everyone that they were "amateur hour". It reminds me of Balaam who also toyed with the supernatural. His folly was exposed by a talking donkey.

     The point Paul is making in this passage, and the preceding ones is that a lot of people toy with Christianity and the power of God but don't jump in. They grab what they like and what they can use for their benefit but the part about total surrender and giving up control is off the table to them. I think of all the widows out there tuning into their favorite TV preachers who are promising them eternal rewards or playing on their heart strings with fake orphanages, giving their money to support these phonies who have wormed their way into their houses. I know one woman who gave thousands to a phony named Creflo Dollar who is now worth $30 million. Kenneth Copeland is worth $500 million, Joel Osteen $100 million, Benny Hinn $60million, TD Jakes $20million, and lesser ones like Greg Locke, Todd White, Julie Green and more, toy with the truths of Christianity but use them to get ahead in this world which is not the world that we are supposed to be living for. They are studying scripture and learning all about it but yet missing the key elements and people are falling for it because it's appealing to the same part in them.

      I listened to a Mormon apologist on YouTube, and he knew scripture as well as the interviewer. The problem is that he was interpreting it through the wrong lens just as these false teachers are interpreting it through the here and now lens. Paul calls this thinking "depraved" which it is because it is from the devil. Let's be wise and discerning and call out falsehood and distortion of the truth when we see it. Don't fall for it!

Thoughts From 2Timothy 3 - Part 1

  But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2Tim. 3:1-5

" I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked person from among you'.” 1Cor.5:9-13

         I included this passage from Corinthians because I think it's essential to the understanding of this passage in 2 Timothy 3. At first glance it looks like Paul is saying that as time goes on, the "world" will get more "worldly" and that is certainly what we are seeing today. However, since Paul says in verse 5, "have nothing to do with those people", according to 1Cor. 5, he isn't meaning "the world" but the church. This passage in 2Timothy 3 has to do with the church! How is that even possible that the church could get this bad? Are we seeing this today?

       Working backwards, does the Church have power? I'm not talking "the moral majority" type of power, we saw that kind of power in the middle ages, but the power to change the hearts of people that comes from a fresh fire of the Holy Spirit. Is there such repentance and revival in the church that like with John the Baptist, people would be drawn just to see what's going on? Or are we seeing more and more scandals associated with the church and that's why eyes are turned in our direction?

      I'm just going to pick on one person here as a prototype - Pete Hegseth head of USA department of defense (war). He claims to be a Christian yet is on his third marriage, been accused of public intoxication, has had multiple affairs and been accused of sexual abuse and rape, has tattoos supporting the crusades, Christian nationalism, and Jesus. He has a $3.2 million home. He describes his Christian faith "more out of diligent habit than deep conviction." Ok, I said I'd pick on one person but let me mention another, Paula White, the spiritual adviser to the president. She is on her 3rd marriage, preaches the prosperity gospel, compares Trump to Jesus, has been addicted to pain medicine, been accused of fraud and running a Ponzi scheme, and been an adulterer. These are two of the most public "Christians" today.

      The church needs a revival. We need mass repentance and a call to obedience. We need to turn to Jesus rather than the allure of the world's things. But most of all we need to die to self which all these sins arise from, the love of self. That's where Paul starts here, "people will be lovers of themselves." When John the Baptist was at the peak of his fame, Jesus came on the scene and John's response was "follow Him, don't follow me. He must increase and I must decrease." Is that mindset where the Church is heading? I don't think so.

Thoughts From 2Timothy 2 - Part 6

 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2Tim. 2:24-26

        In a world that is increasingly divided and I would say more opinionated and confrontational due to social media with platforms which reward polarizing views, hot takes, sports shows based on two people arguing for 30 minutes, a passage like this becomes our playbook for interactions.

     First of all, avoid as many arguments as you can. Everyone has an opinion and that's what makes them different than you. If everyone was like you, the world would be a boring place. If everyone was like me, there would be no New York style pizza, country music, pickup trucks, Cubs, soda water, Rom-coms, horror movies, piercings and tattoos, cats and I could go on. Just think of all the things that would be missing that make the world so diverse. Embrace different opinions and don't feel the need to tell why they are wrong, in non-essentials.

    When you feel the need to speak the truth in issues that do matter, such as the family, sexuality, abortion, the gospel, the Bible and the like, Paul instructs don't be quarrelsome but speak thoughtfully, gently and kindly as you give your case for why you believe what you do. Paul says that they probably won't accept it, but you just pray that at some point in their lives the Holy Spirit opens their mind to it. The Devil has gotten hold of their minds and instead of getting mad that they don't think rationally on a subject, feel bad for them that they can't see clearly.

      It's not up to us to change people's minds. It's up to us to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, not be quarrelsome, know our case and be able to articulate it. God will do the changing.

Thoughts From 2Timothy 2 - Part 5

  In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.   2Tim.2:20-22

      Jesus once taught that if salt loses its saltiness, it's only good for throwing out on the street like gravel, no longer effective for its original purpose but still serves a purpose. Paul taught in Corinthians, in his analogy of the body, that certain parts are essential yet covered or treated with modesty. I think that in the church, some people have sinned so flagrantly and visibly from the evil desires of youth (youth is relative I think), that their function in the church or role needs to be one of background ministry.

       For example, if a pastor cheats on his wife, I don't think he should be restored back to that ministry. Maybe he can head up addiction or counseling ministry or become the administrative or business pastor, but I feel he's been disqualified from being the face of the church and encouraging people on how to live from the pulpit while he can't follow his own advice. Some would say adultery is a sin just like any other. My response is but it's so public. It's like preaching wearing a scarlet letter. I go as far as saying preachers shouldn't be obese because they are publicly saying, "I have the sins of gluttony and lack of self-control." I'm sure that's considered "fat-shaming". I'm guilty as charged. Once again, it doesn't mean that they can't serve the church in a huge way, maybe even more important than the preacher, say as the pastor of outreach and evangelism or missions, but there are certain roles, maybe just one, they shouldn't fill. Being a complementarian, I feel the same could be said of women especially according to Paul's first letter to Timothy, this being different in the fact that it's more creation order and design rather than sin, although there is the lingering result of Eve's sin to consider, too.

      I like the example of a tree being turned into lumber. A tree could be cut into beautiful uniform boards that are nailed and shaped into a pulpit that the preacher stands behind week after week with hundreds or thousands looking directly at it. Also, from that tree was a plank with a huge unsightly knot in it. That plank should not be part of the pulpit but yet it could be part of a floorboard covered in carpet that the preacher stands on while changing lives for 50 years of ministry. No one saw the board, but it played just as vital a part as the board in the pulpit that was visible to all.

      It seems unfair or graceless or merciless to keep a person like Billy Graham's son-in-law out of the pulpit for a sin he committed years ago, or not wanting a divorced pastor, no matter how gifted they are to be your preacher. And yes, our church has glaring weaknesses from not having women's wisdom in the diaconate. And maybe I just think obesity, as a doctor, is gross and I'm biased. But I think the worldly view that power, fame, notoriety is more to be desired than faithful anonymous service has crept into the church making us unwise in making people too visible and exposing the church to charges of hypocrisy from the world. Sin disqualifies us from certain offices, and I stand by that and I think Paul does, too.

Thoughts From 2Timothy 2 - Part 4

 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2Tim.2:15-19

      I used to think that avoiding godless chatter meant stop talking about things like movies, TV shows, sports, or anything that in light of eternity doesn't matter. In context of this passage though, I don't think that's what Paul is saying because the next verse continues on relating it to the false teaching that the resurrection has already happened. In other words, the Lord returned and you missed it. There are many of these false teachings around today and a wise pastor must make sure that he doesn't get swayed from Biblical truth but work hard at studying scripture to make sure he knows what it says and doesn't say. We should all do this, but I say "pastor" here because this is written to a pastor, Timothy.

       What are some false teachings out there that are dangerous? Certainly health, wealth, prosperity teachers because they have turned their focus away from living for treasures in Heaven to treasures on Earth. Then there is the teaching of purgatory and the infallibility of the pope by the Catholic Church and if you are not worshipping on the Sabbath and resting appropriately on that day you are in sin by the Adventist Church. Then there is the teaching on baptismal regeneration by the Church of Christ and if you use musical instruments you are sinning. Jehovah Witnesses say if you pray to Jesus, you are blaspheming and offending Jehovah and only 144,000 make it to Heaven which was filled some time ago. The Mormons teach that we are all going to be gods someday having spirit children which will inhabit humans on earth and the necessity of wearing Holy underwear. Some movements emphasize Biblical diets teaching these from the pulpit. 

        Biblical numerology forgets that chapters and verse numbers were added to the Bible at a later date yet claim things like Trump is the 45th and 47th president and if you look at Ezekiel 45 and 47... These codes claim to have predicted the JFK assassination, World Trade towers attack, Hitler and the holocaust, and Timothy McVeigh and Oklahoma. I have a friend who listens to Julie Green, a self-proclaimed prophet, and warned me lately that JD Vance is the White Wolf who will plan an assassination of Trump so he can take over and he is actually a wolf in sheep's clothing because he is an extreme leftist. He loves to talk to me about all these prophecies and where the USA is headed, but I feel like this is what Paul is warning against here.

        There is a lot of false teaching out there and we need to study the Bible and use sources like Got Questions? or the Bible Thinker when we are unsure what to think, realizing they could be wrong also. (but I trust them to be orthodox) Let's focus on what is true and talk about that!

Thoughts From 2Timothy 2 - Part 3

 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 2Tim.2:14

        I listened to a YouTube discussion between Allie Beth Stuckey and David French yesterday. It was entitled Allie Beth Stuckey (ABS) vs. David French (DF). Now first off, should two Christians discussing different views on contemporary issues use the word "vs."? It implies a battle or a WWF fight. It at least implies a quarrel which Paul is warning about. I will say it was very civil and they handled it like Christians should.

       As Paul talks about quarreling about words, I would say 4 come to mind - empathy, kindness, Trump, and Christian. You might argue pronouns as a fifth, but I will include that in kindness. First, empathy. ABS recently wrote a book called Toxic Empathy and DF referenced it in 2 articles in the Washington Post naming ABS as one of the problems among Christians. He argued that in a world where empathy is needed, ABS and others are labeling it as bad. ABS obviously took offense and said she wasn't saying empathy was bad and they argued over what empathy meant for quite a while. In the end, I think it would have been wiser for ABS to name her book something else because most of my Southern Baptist Church associates won't read the book and think that someone they respect is saying empathy is toxic so stop empathizing.

         Second, they argued about kindness. DF states he refuses to use the preferred pronouns of transgender people he works with (I'm sure he runs into a whole lot more than ABS). Rather he calls them by name. He did use a preferred pronoun in a piece he wrote and got called out, but he says that he didn't mean to. DF said that to call a trans to a female "he" isn't kindness but intentionally hurting them and creating a wall of offense. He will just always use their new name. ABS argued that truth is kindness and gave an example of a trans to a male named Jake where people that loved her refused to call her Jake but her original name and eventually through the reading of scripture, she was convicted and returned to female. DF argued, and I think fairly deftly, that the reading of scripture convicted her, not the refusing to acknowledge her name and pronouns.

       Third, they argued about Trump, how could DF tell people to vote for Harris over Trump when she advocates public funding for sexual conversion therapy even for minors and wants to pass a law legalizing abortion in all states. ABS argued that no matter how many flaws and how sinful Trump is, he is a friend to pro-life, conservative values and judges, families and non-woke ideology and is much better for America than Harris. It basically came down to priorities where DF valued the Ukraine war and NATO and the lack of constraint on Trump as more harmful to America. I personally agreed with DF on everything up until this one. I think his priorities are wrong here.

       Lastly, DF endorsed Tallarico, who is running as a Democrat for office in Texas and said that he was more "Christian" than most on the right because he exhibited more kindness, civility - basically more fruit of the Spirit than other candidates. ABS said that he may be acting more like a "Christian" but he is only acting. The fruit of the Spirit is from other spirit. How can a person who is pro-abortion, pro-gay, and says God is bi-sexual be saved? DF said that he wasn't willing to judge someone's soul. I had to agree with ABS on this one, too, that the antichrist is probably going to be the most winsome person ever. I think DF is so disliked, actually by both sides, that he can't help but wish people would be civil to him, and therefore elevates civility above everything.

      Anyway, Paul says arguing about words has no value and reading the comments I have to agree. I don't know if anyone changed their opinions but rather, if they hated DF going in, they hated him more now or despised him so much that they couldn't even listen to him and had to shut it off. Some were mad that ABS even gave him a platform. I didn't read a whole lot of pro DF comments because they probably don't subscribe to ABS and would be afraid or at least reticent to comment on her feed because it wouldn't end well. Paul instructs Timothy, as a pastor, try to avoid these things. Make the main thing, the gospel, the main thing. My comment on Paul's YouTube channel - I agree 100%.