Entrusted Series: "The Necessity of Scripture in the Pursuit of Godliness"

2 Timothy 3:10-17

Big Idea: The necessity of Scripture in the pursuit of Godliness

Godly-conforming to the laws and will of God

In contrast to the false teachers…you Timothy. The progress of a believer in contrast to the unbeliever, they go from bad to worse but we should be going from bad to better. We will only do that if we realize the necessity of Scripture.

Three ways this passage teaches us how to progress into Godliness and they all revolve around the Scriptures

1. Follow those who are Godly Vrs 10-12 (Mentors Message)
-My teaching – The Word
-My conduct – Gospel centered living
-My aim - the concept is precise, Paul knew what he was to do…preach the Gospel
-My faith - trusting the Lord no matter what happens
-My patience – serving the Lord no matter what the result. We talk to people and they are not interested. He talked to people and they beat him
-My love - Love the Lord and love others
-My steadfastness – firm in purpose
-My persecution & suffering – dealing with the bad, many times we only want to follow the path of least resistance rather then dealing with disappointment. Thomas Edison “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”
Vrs 12 If we pursue a Godly life we will encounter obstacles

V12 this is not just for a certain group of select Christians…this is for “ALL” who follow after the Lord…at some time or another there will be difficulty

(Vrs 13) Evil people & imposters bad to worse…deceived and deceive others.

2. Learn from those who are Godly Vrs 14-15a (Mentors message Eunice and Lois) Build on the foundation you received from Godly people.

How do you know they are Godly? First clue is… they use their Bible

Spurgeon “show me a man whose Bible is falling apart from use and I will show you a man who is not”

There is a difference between “us” and “them” and it will be marked by reliance on the Scriptures.

These are casual relationships that you may have in life that you can call upon or ask for advice in certain situations. The Bible says “there is wisdom in many counselors”

Listen Timothy these false teachers did not listen to Godly mentors and they did not listen to their Momma and Grand Momma’s and they don’t listen to the Word of the Lord, that is why they are so messed up….not you…

3. Practice the correct use and view of the Scriptures
Vrs 15b-17
• “wise for salvation” 15b Salvation GOSPEL direct contrast to false teaching which leads to damnation.
All Scripture (means Old and New Testament) The law is a tutor to bring us to Christ
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. —Jerome, A.D. 340-420
• “Breathed out by God” Vrs 16 God put His breath in the first man Adam God put His breath in the Word, that is why nothing holds a candle to the Word…God blows it out.

• “Profitable”- It is useful because it is from God. If we forget the nature of the Bible it will erode our faith.
We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.— R.C. Sproul
Average American watches 34 hours a week of tv
You can hear from God as much as you want
The main profit in it is that it is the God of the universe talking to us
Bryan Chapell “Youth Group game”

• Teaching- Exchange of information and gaining knowledge. Doctrine-teaching the ignorant, truths which cannot not otherwise know.
But it is not just Cliff Claven, not just knowledge

• Reproof – conviction – what is amiss
Convicting the erring of their error
(when I was 18 reading the Bible and felt a deep conviction of the sin I living in)

• Correction –setting one right

• Training- How to or how has it worked for you

The Result = Godliness
V17 supports the doctrine of “sufficiency of Scripture” which basically states that Scripture provides what is needed to be Godly.
Complete “Competent” the Word of God Completes us to conform to the law and will of God
An unknown writer said, "This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.