Chapter 2, verses 22 to 28. Let's hear the word of God. Now flee from useful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace for those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. but refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. For the Lord's fond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wrong, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition. If perhaps God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of truth, and then may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." There is a sermon outline that you can follow along. One of the things that I generally try to do is read Dear Abby in the local newspaper. Now that may surprise some of you. I don't go along with what she says in terms of the counsel that she gives. But I do think it's helpful for me as a pastor, being somewhat isolated, to read one of the issues that people are sending in and addressing to her. And then also, what's her response? Whether it would be sort of the traditional line of thinking in terms of what she would say, and if you followed her column for 40 or 50 years, one of the things you could notice is there's been a vast change in her thinking about things like divorce or homosexuality or that sort of thing. Well, this past week, there was a woman who wrote in. And really, she had a very simple question. Her husband was encouraging her to be unfaithful to their marriage. And her question was, well, if my husband's okay with it, is it adultery? She was confused about that. She was unfaithful. Would that be considered adultery, even though her husband was encouraging it? Now, the interesting thing is that given that that was her question, dear Abby never answered it. She sort of said, well, you probably have some religious upbringing and you maybe don't feel good about it, so you probably shouldn't do it, but it was all based on what she assumed her feelings were to have written her. And the reason I bring this up is this is sort of typical, I think, in society, that there's a confusion about right and wrong, about morals, whether there's a right way or a wrong way, if there's absolute truth, if there's things that are right to do and wrong to do. And it often comes down in society to, how do we feel about it? And if you feel okay, then it's okay to do it. And there's no objective standard. And you realize when you're in that type of situation, that type of thinking, it's very hard to make decisions. How do we make decisions on a national level about health care when you have all these ideas about what is good and bad are floating around? Or how do you make local decisions that affect you personally? How I use my time, energy, resources. It's sort of like being out in the ship of the sea and just floating along. drifting here and there and not really knowing where you're going. That's not a good feeling. But God hasn't left us that way. Because God has given us very clear instructions. There are matters that are right. There are matters that are wrong. And there are things that are indifferent, that He has not spoken about, There's no right or wrong about what color clothes you're wearing to church or whatever. But there are things that God has said, do not do. And there are things that God has said you are to do. And as Paul is addressing and God is speaking through him to Timothy, He's giving Timothy some things to do. some directions that we could really go through the entire scripture, but this portion, there are very definite things that are right, that are to be pursued, and there are things that are wrong, and they're to be avoided. And the question isn't what is right or wrong, the question for Timothy and the question for you and for me is, are we willing to do it? As we understand that we're to do this, and we're not to do that, will we do it? And Timothy is being encouraged to actually live out the things he knows are true. And you and I can do the same thing. As we live the Christian life, we're to choose God's way. We're to follow after God in what He has said. He's made it clear. We can see that as we look this morning and as we would look at the rest of the Scriptures as well. the character that Timothy will demonstrate will be an indication of what he believes and how he tries to live it. Timothy is to pursue God's way, and you and I as well. And so, the first point that we need to see is to do so requires effort, requires really strong effort on our parts. It's not something that we can just sort of lazily weigh out in a hammock and it'll come to us. But look at the commands that are given in verses 23 and 24. They're strong words, imperatives, words that require diligent effort. Flee. Pursue. Refuse. These are not mild words. They're not half-hearted words, but words that call for strong activity, to endeavor to do these things. It's not the attitude of whatever will be, will be. No. When you understand what God's truth is, you're to pursue it. You're to be diligent in seeking after it. And when you see something that's contrary to what God has said, Likewise, strenuous effort is to be made in putting it on. And so as you look at the first point, there are really two sides of a sense of strenuous activity that run. We're not to walk, but we're to run after something, and we're to run away from something. And so we're to flee, or to run from danger, to seek safety by flight. And it recognizes that there's a danger, that when God has said something we're not to do, that's dangerous. It's dangerous to our souls. And we need to get away from it, as hard as we're able to. Jesus Christ uses the same action word in the Gospels, He's talking about how the harling runs away, flees when the wolf comes. He doesn't care about the sheep, so he runs off to keep himself. It's movement away from endanger. Pursue has that same idea of running, but now it's after something. Something is good. And in the Greek, these two words are put side by side to emphasis. Because there's two things you have to do. You have to run away from something, and at the same time, you're running towards something. You have to run away from sin, and you'll be running toward what God has commanded. It emphasizes the importance of making the right choice. Seeing spiritual danger to avoid against seeing spiritual good. and pursuing it with all your might. And both words apply exertion of activity, of diligence. And so when it comes to danger, to things that God has forbidden, you're to flee, to get away from it. And how you respond when you see danger is crucial. I think when I mow the yard, And I'm on this big riding lawnmower and I can see a little bee in front of me. And he likes his flower, but I'm going to mow over the dandelion. That bee has a choice. He can kind of hide, try to hide in the dandelion and think the lawnmower won't see him. Or he can flee away. And if he tries to hide, he's ruined. Because the lawnmower doesn't care. And when we see danger, we're to be like that bee that flies off and tries to get us far away. Because we're in danger. And we're to seek wholeheartedly what is good. It goes on to say in verse 23, we're to refuse or avoid or have nothing to do with. There are things that we're to be keeping away from. We do that if somebody had a contagious disease. You'd want to stay away. We don't want to isolate them. But now we see there's certain things that we're to stay away from as Christians. Well, the second point is, from what is Timothy to run away? To get as far away from? And we can see about three things. First is youthful lust. Keep in mind that Timothy was probably around 40 years old, so it wasn't just something that a teenager might, but there are evil desires to trouble those who are younger. It can also trouble those who are older, but especially for those who are younger. Sexual temptations of all sorts around us. And they can be the undoing and have been the undoing of many a young man or young woman. And so, Timothy, you and I are to be carefully guarding. You know, what do you look at? What do you think about? What jokes do you laugh about? We need to think contrary to what the society around us says. But also included in this, are other sins of youth, the impatience of youth, the love of disputes, the selfish ambition, the arrogance that youth often have, the love of the newest idea, of the latest fad, a stubbornness or hard-heartedness, a rashness. Now, no one's immune from those, but especially the younger. can be prone to those things. And so the Christian is to stay away, is to be aware of the danger that's involved in these things and stay away from it. Or B, as you look at verse 23, Timothy is to refuse or to stay away from foolish and ignorant speculations or arguments. You know, when a person becomes a Christian and understands what God has done for them, they want to be of benefit to those around them and be able to distinguish things that are good, things that are helpful, things that build up others from those things which really tear down, which are of no benefit to others. And you begin to see that a lot of what is said really doesn't help. It's a bantering of words. It's an arguing back and forth, and here it's called ignorant speculation. In a sense, it's an indication of one who's uneducated or uninstructed in God and His ways and in His word. As such, a person will have no standard of right or wrong. of how to make judgments of what's good, and you go back to Deer Abbey and think about that. Each person's opinion is just about as good as anybody else's. So we can wrangle about words, because we don't think our words can help. The Christian knows that's not true, that our words can have a profound effect. Something someone said to you when you were young may still be controlling part of your life now. You know, I think of a young woman in the hospital dying of anorexia because Somebody, when she was young, said, oh, you're too fat. And if she weighs 70 pounds, she still thinks, I'm too fat. If I just lose a few more pounds, I'll be okay. Well, see, as you look at verse 24, we're to run away from quarrels. Timothy must not be quarrelsome. In 1 Timothy 3, it's a qualification for an elder. It doesn't mean that we're devoid completely anything that's controversial, or when someone is error, that we wouldn't seek to point out the truth to them, but rather it's pointing to the attitude. That the attitude is key. That there are times when it's necessary to stand against what is false, but it must be done with the right attitude. And namely, that's an attitude of concern. Of not trying to win an argument, not trying to impress the person with how smart you are, that you can convince them using your words. But a concern that they would know the truth. And to have you think through, Jesus, how did He deal with those who were at error? He didn't really argue back and forth. He would expose. He would ask probing questions. Why do you say this? Why do you say that? Point out their error and then point them to the truth. I know many in their youth I think to some extent I was the same way. Love the good arguments. You know, how many college dorms are filled with, you know, students, long of the night, arguing back and forth on whatever issue it is. Trying to impress. Trying to score points. Trying to show off how smart you are. The Christian is called to avoid such an attitude of being quarrelsome. Well, the third point, those are what are we running away from. What are we to pursue? What are we to be changing after? Well, first of all, as you look at verse 22, you're to pursue or chase after righteousness, faith, love, and peace. And these are all parts of what is involved in becoming a Christian. You know, when you become a Christian, you're seeking after righteousness. You want to become more and more righteous in your conduct, in your speech, in your thoughts. And you ultimately realize that it is righteousness that comes from Christ. You live by faith, not trusting in your own righteousness, but what Christ has done for you. You love, you love God, you love others. You have a goal of being at peace. Peace with your fellow man, but ultimately peace with God as well. That's all a part of a godliness. That's a new lifestyle of a Christian. And although you're not perfect, you need to be cleansed by Christ. You're ambitious. Your goal, your focus is on something new, something above. Like compare it to a navy ship that's first being attacked by submarines and the focus is down below. But then when the planes are up above, your focus shifts and has to shift to what's above. And for the Christian, our focus shifts to what's above, on pleasing God. of having it as our ambition to honor God with our lives. You want a quick check of what you're seeking to do in your life, who you're trying to honor, or what? Look at two things. Look at your checkbook, or your debit card, or whatever is used nowadays, Where are your resources going? What do you spend your money on? Does God have a role in it? And then think about your week. How did you spend your time? How much of it was devoted to God? How much was devoted to sleep and to work, to family, to other things? was given to God. A second thing in verse 24 that we're to run after, pursue, is being kind to all. Able to teach, patient when wronged. We're to have a different type of attitude toward others. We're to be kind to all. And notice, to all. That includes your enemy. That includes someone who would be trying to persecute you. That includes a neighbor across the street that nobody gets along with. Or to be kind to all. Now that word kind is a very rare word in the New Testament. It really has a sense of being mild or gentle. And it's used of a nurse caring for a patient. And just as a good nurse would give kindly, gentle care to a patient, we're to do that to everyone around us. And it's just the opposite of being quarrelsome, of being irritable, of using sarcasm and all the rest. Added to this is the idea that you would be able to teach. that as we interact with others, our goal is to point them to God's truth, that they would understand it. It's not to win arguments, but they would have a deeper understanding of the truth. And then further it says, patient when wronged. Now that's difficult. We want revenge, but how crucial? Literally, it says, ready to put up with evil. Forbearing evil without resentment. Implies a forbearing attitude. And I can guarantee you, as you live the Christian life, there will be somebody who will do you wrong. And the question at that moment is, how do you react? Are you forbearing or not? And Rachel and I, in July, had the opportunity to go to a Church Planners Conference. And as we gathered with these pastors and these pastors' wives, and Rachel had some sessions with the wives, and they were talking about what was going on, it was absolutely amazing. some of the things that went on that some of these men and women had experienced in the church. Things I've never experienced in 30 years of being a pastor. Unbelievable! The gossip, the false rumors, and stuff worse than that. And they face the challenge. How do I respond? Do I get angry? Do I get resentful? Or am I charitable? Do I continue with a cool mind to be pointing to the truth, trying to encourage these ones who stab me in the back? We'll see a third area that we're to pursue in verse 25 is the idea of correction. But with gentleness, correcting. We know what correcting is. We can think of a child. They do something wrong, and a good parent will correct them. We'll restore them to the right way. We'll point out what they've done wrong, and do what is necessary to get them to do what is right. And the goal is to teach them and train them and to lead them on to maturity so that they make wise decisions. Well, so also the Christian. And here it's in the context of the opposition. When somebody is disagreeing with you not to be angry, not to seek to try to get even, but you gently correct, point out the error. There are no gentle Answer turns away wrath. And so it's important that instead of being defensive or getting upset or getting in the heat of the base, when we encounter error, we gently point them to the truth. And what are the results when we do these things? For our fourth point, as we can see, the outcome. First, as you look at verse 22, there's harmony with fellow believers. There's peace, talks about, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. As we do these things, we're drawing closer to Jesus Christ. And as we do that together, we're all getting closer together. I would compare it to the spokes on a wheel where Jesus Christ sits at the center. The closer we are in to that center, the closer we are to one another. And as we're becoming more Christ-like, as we're getting closer to that center, we're all getting closer together. I talked about being pure, cleansed. I mean, remember last week we saw those words being used. that were suitable for the Master's use. And the basis for the harmony we have is our common bond in Jesus Christ that draws us closer together. So we're able to live at peace, even though we maybe have some different characters, male and female, different socioeconomic, different levels of education, it doesn't matter. It all pales in comparison to being in Christ. The second result, and we've kind of looked at this already in verse 23, is we avoid the word battles. We avoid quarrels and foolish and ignorant speculation. And the verb there really means give birth to. So we don't give birth to these things. They don't become part of our lives. You'll show mastery over your tongue. And the third result, as you look at verses 25 and 26, is that some will repent and are freed. And of course, they're freed from the snare of the devil. Now, it's ultimately God's activity that saves. But in His sovereignty, God uses men and women. Christians as His witness. And when we exhibit changed lives, when we don't argue, but gently correct, when we don't quarrel, but show love and peace, it becomes a tremendous witness to those around us. That people actually look at us and say, There's something a little different about the way they behave. You know, that group of Christians is not like others that I've met. They really care about each other. They really make sure that their words don't wound others, but help each other. And they'll be drawn to Christ. Now, there's no guarantee that they're first going to become a Christian, but that's one of the ways that God uses. And when that happens, such ones are said that they literally may return to soberness. It's not that they've been drunk with alcohol, but they've been drunk, essentially, with the spirit of evil. They've been in the snare, the trap of the devil. He has captured them. He's captured them alive. So they're in distress. They may not even know it. And that is his plan. Is to numb the conscience, to confuse the mind and the senses, to paralyze the will. So that when it comes to what's right and what's wrong, who knows? But when you come with God's truth, you're set free. You're able to have a changed life. What's our application this morning? To realize the choices you make are important. They're indication of the character. Whether there's Christian character, you have it or you don't. And we're left not to try to figure out whether something is good or bad. God has told us certain things. We could go to the Ten Commandments and see a list there of what we should or shouldn't do. And as we go here to the end of 2 Timothy 2, we see some things that would be avoided. in our usual lusts, speculations, quarrels. We're to stay away from those things. And we're to be seeking after other things, righteousness, faith, love, kindness toward others, patient spirit, teaching, correcting, the gentleness. It will require effort. These things won't naturally happen, but by the help of the Holy Spirit, we can see these things be incorporated in each one of our lives. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the fact that You have given to us a sure word of revelation. than in a society that increasingly is unsure of the answers or even the questions, who thinks they can't know right from wrong, that you've not left us in a desert or in an ocean just to kind of play around and not know. You've directed us. Just as you directed, Timothy, on the things that are wrong, the things that we need to avoid, and the things that are right, and we need to pursue. Help us each one to do that as we would think about our situations, our lives, each one in a different place. And yet, these things apply. to the young and to the old, to the male and the female, to those who've been Christian for many years or those who've just become a Christian. Help us to pursue you and what you said and to refuse