Introduction
Do we need good examples? Of course! The sad fact
remains we have had too many bad examples. Last night I saw Ann Graham
Lotz being interrogated by a liberal commentator who tried to challenge
her conclusions, but she kept giving excellent answers about the salvation
God gives through Jesus. She gave a good example for all of us.
1. The . . Crucial Nature of Setting A Good Example.
In Paul's day, and today, a good example is crucial.
Paul called his day the last days, he
nor we have any other option than to believe Jesus will come in our
life time. Today and in Paul's day we see an abuse of love. Note the number
of times the word "love" appears in this section of the text. We see love
of self, money, pleasure, evil. then a lack of love for good, and God.
A good example must show forth in these liberal times where there is a
form of religion without the power of God. This kind of foundation produces
a leaderless generation always learning but never coming to the knowledge
of truth. Good examples will say "thus saith the Lord," and take a stand.
2. The . . Companions of Setting A Good Example.
When we set a good example,
certain companions will walk beside us. Some companions will be very practical;
such as conduct, purpose, faith, love, and endurance. Paul demonstrated
all of these qualities. He also demonstrated what to do with the companion
of persecution. We are told to expect persecution as he said "all those
who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Through
times of persecution; perfidious people will demonstrate their evil practices.
3. The . . Challenge of Setting A Good Example.
v 14-15
Paul gives a challenge for
Timothy, and all of us, to continue firm in the faith remembering the examples
set before us. Timothy's mother and grandmother set good examples, and
passed their faith on to him It is sad so few children have such examples
today. All Christians can accept this challenge confidently resting on
the salvation we received individually, but with appreciation for the example
of those who shared the gospel with us.
4. The . . Cornerstone of Setting A Good Example.
v 14-15
Jesus is the Cornerstone
of our faith. However it is not wrong to say the scriptures also serve
as a cornerstone to our faith. Timothy received training from God's Word.
The scriptures are inspired by God and informative for our faith. The theological
controversies we read about in the news today center on one's view of scriptures.
Is it really the completely inspired Word of God or just a book that contains
the Word of God? The ministers I respect stand firm on the Inerrancy of
scripture. Therefore our Inerrant, Inspired Bible must be the tool equipping
the minister in every good work. Through this he can lead in setting a
good example. Amen? Amen!
Full Outline Below
1. The . . Crucial Nature
of Setting A Good Example.
A. Crucial In the . . Last
Days. v 1
1 But know this: difficult
times will come in the last days.
B. Crucial In The . . Love Gone
Astray Days. v 2 - 4
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers
of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable,
slanderers, without self-control, brutal,
without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless,
conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers
of God,
1. Love
Self.
2. Love
Money
3. Love
Lacking. v 3a
4. Love
Evil. v 3b
5. Love
Pleasure. v 4a
6. Love
of God Lacking. v 4b
C. Crucial In The . . Liberal
Days. v 5 - 6
5 holding to the form of
religion but denying its power. Avoid these people! 6 For among
them are those who worm
their way into households and capture idle women burdened
down with sins, led along
by a variety of passions,
D. Crucial In The . . Leaderless
Days. v 7 - 9
7 always learning
and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as
Jannes and Jambres resisted
Moses, so these also resist the truth, men who are
corrupt in mind, worthless
in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further
progress, for their lack
of understanding will be clear to all, as theirs was also.
2. The . . Companions of Setting A Good Example.
A. The . . Pragmatic Companions.
v 10
10 But you have followed
my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love,
and endurance,
B. The . . Persecuting Companions.
v 11-12
11 along with the persecutions
and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium,
and Lystra. What persecutions
I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from them all.
12 In fact, all those who
want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
C. The . . Perfidious Companions.
v 13
13 Evil people and imposters
will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.
3. The . . Challenge of Setting A
Good Example. v 14-15
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned
and firmly believed, knowing those
from whom you learned, 15 and that from childhood
you have known the sacred Scriptures,
which are able to instruct you for salvation through
faith in Christ Jesus.
A. The Challenge to . . Continue
Setting A Good Example. v 14
14 But as for you, continue
in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing
those from whom you learned,
B. The Challenge to . . Confidently
Set A Good Example. v 15
15 and that from childhood
you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to
instruct you for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
4. The . . Cornerstone of Setting A Good Example. v 14-15
A. Training . . from the Cornerstone.
v 16
16 All Scripture is inspired
by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking,
for correcting, for training
in righteousness,
1. Inspired . . Training.
2. Informative Training
B. Tools . . from the
Cornerstone. v 17
17 so that the man of God
may be complete, equipped for every good work.
1. Tools for the . . Man of God.
2. Tools for the . . Ministry of God.
To Email Dr McCullen: Drjim@preachhim.org