Sermon Tone Analysis

2 Timothy

Illustration: “The sum of all it’s parts” (Models)

“Display an 2 unassembled items, showing the large number of parts.

Explain how there are two options for assembling this item.

The first option is to ignore the instructions manual and just hope for the best as you begin assembling the parts.

The second option is to use the instruction manual an follow its guidance for assembling the item.

(Let one group try with instructions and one group without.)

Focal Scripture:

-17

3:16 All scripture The Greek phrase used here, pasa graphē, may refer to the totality of Scripture or to every passage of Scripture.

From this passage we see three things about Scripture:

Scripture is God Breathed

inspired by God Paul uses the Greek term theopneustos here (meaning “God-breathed”) to assure Timothy that Scripture is, in fact, from God.

Although God used people to produce the Scriptures (2 Pet 1:20–21), their ultimate origin is God.

By contrast, the false teaching that Timothy opposed comes from evil forces who spread their doctrine through errant teachers (1 Tim 1:3–7; 4:1).

The word theopneustos only occurs in the NT in 2 Tim 3:16; its precise nuance is uncertain.

It may be a compound word: theo (“God”) and pneustos (“breath” or “Spirit”), meaning “God-breathed.”

Based on other compound words in the NT, such as theodidaktos, which may be rendered “taught by God” (1 Thess 4:9), the word may be translated as “inspired by God”—meaning that the breath or Spirit of God is the source of Scripture.

Paul was likely referring to the OT, but he may have also been referencing books and letters, circulating among churches, which would eventually become canonical NT books.

This means to us that God’s words were given to us through men by the Holy Spirit.

It means that God’s Word is without error.

It means that what is says is what it is 0 even if you (or I) don’t agree with it or even like it.

Simply stated “God is God and we are not.”

The bottom line: Because God’s Word came form God it is both authoritative and trustworthy.

What does that mean to us? Let’s go back to the instruction manual illustration: “The folks that created that model know everything about it, they know each and every piece, how it was designed and how each piece is supposed to fit together and work with other pieces.

The writers of that instruction manual are the authority on their product so it makes since to listen to them.

Their manual is trustworthy.

For the most part you can trust the instructions that you get from that manual to put the model together.

However, this is where this illustration breaks down.

This instruction manual is totally designed, created, and put together by humans - and humans like you and I are imperfect.

At our very best we will always fall short of perfection.

God has given us His word - and it is completely trustworthy!

Why would you not follow it?

So we know that scripture is both authoritative and trustworthy so how can we apply this to our lives?

Here is the second thing we learn from 1 Timothy.

1 Timothy:

Scripture is Useful for Ministry and Life

(Try to relate each of these to the instruction with the model.)

profitable Scripture is valuable because it corrects false teaching while building up believers to live godly lives.

profitable Scripture is valuable because it corrects false teaching while building up believers to live godly lives.

teaching Timothy’s primary task in Ephesus (1 Tim 4:6, 13).

reproof To rebuke false teachers and admonish those who believe their teaching (e.g., 1 Tim 6:3–10).

correction To help believers grow in godly behavior.

teaching Timothy’s primary task in Ephesus (1 Tim 4:6, 13).

training in righteousness Describes training in doing what is right or what is in accordance with godliness.

reproof To rebuke false teachers and admonish those who believe their teaching (e.g., 1 Tim 6:3–10).

correction To help believers grow in godly behavior.

training in righteousness Describes training in doing what is right or what is in accordance with godliness.

The third thing this passage teaches us about scripture is this.

Scripture Equips Us

3:17 equipped for every good work Scripture is profitable because of this purpose (2 Tim 3:16).

Paul reminds Timothy that Scripture helps believers fulfill the work of the ministry (4:1–5).

It is therefore a gift to His people.

God has not left Timothy or the believers in Ephesus to do good works on their own; He has provided them with Scripture and each other, all for doing good works in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10; 2 Tim 2:21; Titus 3:1).

Scripture trains us to do God’s Work!

What does it mean to be equipped?

It means to be prepared, made ready, supplied withe the necessary skills and things to accomplish a task before you.

Illustration: Grand Canyon Hiking Trip

(What it took to get ready: Supplies, gear, knowledge, training, practice)

Show picture of falls at bottom.

Talk about the reward we recieved.

God has a reward bigger and better than anything you or I could ever imagine for us.

Heaven and eternal life with Jesus is of course our ultimate rewards, but He also blesses and rewards us for faithful living.

The journey of faith begins with His Word.

What kind of place does God’s Word have in our life.

Is it in the forefront of what you say and do on a daily basis or do you just mostly ignore it and hope for the best?

Are you willing to take your faith in God seriously?