An Approved worker

Have you ever had expectations on anyone before? If you are honest the answer has to be “yes, of course.” Expectations are what Paul is addressing of Timothy in our passage today and we will be focusing on that.

(Insert expecting picture here)

What is a mother to be called, expecting, and with the expectation comes a hope, right? (expand)

When you think about expectations, do you have expectations of others?

Do you have expectations of yourself?

Do you think God has expectations of His servants?

(Transition) Do you think we should have expectations of our servants? I think Paul addresses that issue in our passage today.

(Insert A worker approved picture here)

As you know Timothy and Titus are what are considered the “pastoral epistles” and the information provided is focused on pastoral care of the church. There is much we can glean regarding leadership, but also as the body service within the body.

So, Lord willing as we look at an approved worker this morning, here is the aim:

An approved worker reminds (2Tim2:14)

An approved worker charges (2Tim2:14)

An approved worker displays (2Tim2:15)

An approved worker rightly divides (2Tim2:15)

An approved worker shuns (2Tim2:14, 16-18)

2 Timothy 2:14–15 NASB95

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:16 NASB95

16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

2 Timothy 2:17–18 NASB95

17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

(Prayer)

Approved worker Reminds

“I’ve heard that preached 1000 times! Have you ever thought that, said that in your mind, or maybe out loud? An approved worker will remind, retool, reuse, repeat so to resound the message for understanding and application.

An approved worker reminds of these things (v.14)

As Paul did in Rome (Rom15:15)

As Simply Christians we need to look at more word

Romans 15:14–15 NASB95

14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,

Romans 15:16 NASB95

16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

They knew, Paul was confident but yet he reminded them!

As Paul through Timothy in Corinth (1Cor4:17)

To remind them of Paul’s teaching was the same in all the churches

As Paul did to Timothy in Ephesus (2Tim1:6)

2 Timothy 1:6 NASB95

6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

And, if we are honest to be reminded to kindle afresh the gift of God.

Oh wait, there were others

As Peter did to stir them up (2Pt3:1)

As Peter did when death was imminent (2Pt1:12-15)

2 Peter 1:12–13 NASB95

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

2 pet 1:14-15

2 Peter 1:14–15 NASB95

14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

Remind them they have been established in the truth, to stir them up as mentioned here and in (2Pt3:1) too.

But wait there is more reminders

Jude did (Jude1:5) because of the ungodly men (Jud1:3-4)

I should keep it in context

Jude 3–4 NASB95

3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude 5 NASB95

5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.

I wont spend much time on these, we have been studying Jude on Wednesday nights. But we need reminders of warnings for our protection. Jude is speaking of the protection of the church from those within the church trying to divide the church and destroy the church.

Repetition is necessary for our knowledge and our application. So, I think this is the kind of worker, servant that not only is approved by God, but would be approved by us and should be us!

Approved worker charge

An approved worker charges, challenges, encourages and helps to empower the church for the work of service.

To the church at Thessalonica

For spiritual growth (1The4:1)

To abound more and more, to walk and to please God

To withdraw from unruly/disorderly (2The3:6)

2 Thessalonians 3:6 NASB95

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.

Paul did to Timothy

To observe without partiality (1Tim5:21)

He was charged before God to observe without prejudice and partiality.

And, to preach the Word (2Tim4:1-2)

2 Timothy 4:1–2 NASB95

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Why charged, charged with being ready in and out of season, to reprove, rebuke, exhort patiently and instructively.

(Transition) the charge of God’s word and rightly using and dividing it would make an approved worker . (expand, briefly)

Approved worker displays

Your life is on display as a servant of the Lord. What the approved worker displays matters. In our passage it mentions “diligence” but there is more to it too.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95)

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

This is for all Christians not just ministers/leaders

Lest you fall short (Heb4:1, 11)

Jews fell short, Christians in 1st century were apt to fall short, we today can fall short, so we need to be diligent! Diligent to enter the rest.

So you are assured of calling and election (2Pt1:10)

Let me share with you 2Pt1:10 passage (not on screen)

2 Peter 1:10 NASB95

10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

Being found by the Lord without spot or blemish (2Pt3:14)

How are we cleansed? By the washing of the water of the word. How are we being perfected by the work of the word and the Spirit in us, transforming us daily by the renewing of our mind (Rom12:2) in true knowledge of Him (2Pt1:3) which we get from from word.

We need to give attention to, take heed of the word (1Tim4:13, 16)

Timothy to the doctrine, to the teaching (v.13)

Not only charged (v.13); he was commanded (v.16)

(Transition) The word is vital and you wants your workers to be people of the word, as in reality we all should be people of the word. but it takes effort, it takes diligence.

Approved worker rightly divides the word

It’s not enough to just know the word, but need to know the context, the definition and the application of the word.

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

Maybe I should define the divide here. Greek word is

(insert Orthotomeo picture here)

Orthotomeo; and this is only place found in the N.T. and according to Thayer Bible Dictionary means:

To cut straight, to cut straight ways; to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv to doing right.

To make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly according to Ibid.

Handling aright - ASV

Rightly handling- ESV

Correctly teaches - GNB

Handing with precision - ISV

Accurately handle - NASB

Rightly explaining - NRSV

In case you are wondering, don’t, for we are talking about the word, the importance to know it and be able to handle it, explain it, teach it properly, or our verse says accurately

Dividing and handling accurately

Understanding old and new (Mt13:52)

Jesus says the one who brings out his treasure things new and old.

Distinguishing the old and new covenant (2Cor3:6-11)

The old kills, was of condemnation and the new of life in the Spirit and of glory, the old points to the glory of the new.

Remembering difference of meat and milk (Heb5:12-14)

The meat for the more mature the milk for the infants, and within the body there are both, our hope, desire as workers, approved workers are to take the infants and grow them.

Oh, not forgetting that some are still carnal and not spiritual (1Cor3:1-4)

You can look at the 1Cor3 passage and see they were being called men of flesh, carnal, infants and it was causing division because they were not growing up in unity of the word.

The approved worker needs to know the sword and use the sword properly.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

(Transition) Bear with me, we are doing good on time, hopefully, for we still have one more point to cover about an approved worker. An approved worker our leadership, and approved worked in which we should all be too.

An approved worker shuns word battles

Have you ever gotten in an argument with someone over words? An approved worker needs to have grace and mercy when it comes to words sometimes.

We better give the text on this again.

2 Timothy 2:14 NLT

14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

And jumping down a few verses

2 Timothy 2:16–18 NLT

16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

(insert wrestling over words picture here)

Do not wrangle over words that can ruin, or are of no profit (v.14)

Do not strive, wrestle about words that can lead to the ruin of the hearer (expand)

Avoid foolish talk, it only leads to more godless behavior (v.16)

Foolish talk, anger talk, godless talk oftentimes leads to more ungodliness, or to godless behavior. You can chose not to be a participant!

Paul offers up some examples

Hymenaeus - We have seen him before with Alexander

1 Timothy 1:20 NASB95

20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

They, being from Ephesus (where Timothy is now) shipwrecked their faith, believing that the final resurrection had already occured. Paul even handed them over to Satan, similar to what you find in 1Cor5, Rom1 too. Shipwrecked faith and wrecking the faith of others.

2tim2:18

2 Timothy 2:18 GNB

18 They have left the way of truth and are upsetting the faith of some believers by saying that our resurrection has already taken place.

So, now comes to so what, the so that, the therefore, in other words the application when it comes to an approved worker and words.

Avoid foolish talk, disputes, idle babblings (2Tim2:23; 1Tim6:20-21)

1 Timothy 6:20–21 NASB95

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

Do not give heed to fables and endless genealogies (1Tim1:4-6)

Another good reminder

1 Timothy 1:4–6 NASB95

4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

Don’t get caught up in wrangling over useless words (1Tim6:3-5)

1 Timothy 6:3–5 NASB95

3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

(insert approved worker picture here again)

(Conclusion) - Not only should we as the church be careful about our leadership, that they have these qualifications, we too as members of the church should have, strive for these things too. It is not just for ministers, evangelists, preachers, elders, it is for the body of Christ, the church.

There is so much false doctrine in the world today, we need to be beacons of light, the light of truth, carefully handling the word of truth.