Messages on the Bible
Approved and Unashamed
by Pastor John Khng
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Introduction – On May 4, 2012, Bro. Cedric’s family will be going back to the Philippines to continue with his Bible Training at Bob Jones Memorial Bible College (BJMBC). They made history in Mount Calvary Baptist Church being the first family to be supported for Full Time Bible training. This is a good time to look at 2 Timothy 2:15 and we entitle our message: "Approved and Unashamed". We need to emphasize that every Christian is to be a student of God's Word and not just those who are undergoing Bible College Training.
I. A Student of God’s Word – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God,” - 2 Tim. 2:15
A. Study is Hard Work – some may laugh and say you are wrong – study is so easy – true for someone who is smart or who is lazy - I am saying the word “study” calls for hard work because this is the meaning of the word - Study – spoudazō - to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
B. Study What? (Singlish) What should we study? The Bible – Our basic textbook – the more effort you put into studying the Bible, the more jewels of truths you will find.
The Study of the Bible
1) Needs to have Heart Work - Desire to Study – No desire = No understanding
2) Needs to have Hard Work - Another reason some people do not understand the Bible is because they do not work at understanding it. Anything really valuable requires diligent attention. You have the heart and you work for it but you need the third factor – same in any study or endeavour in life –
Heart Work + Hard Work + God’s Help
3) Needs to have Holy Spirit’s Work – Ps 119:18; 1 Cor 2:13
C. Some of you may ask me, "Are you limiting our study just to the Bible?" – No but the Bible is the foundation, then you build on this solid foundation other studies – reason for going to school to study whatever major you are interested in.
D. Why Study? – To be Approved Unto God – To get the A.U.G. degree
Approved – dokimos dok'-ee-mos- properly acceptable (current after assayal), that is, approved: - approved, tried.
Wuest writes that A workman approved is a workman who has been put to the test, and meeting the specifications, has won the approval of the one who has subjected him to the test. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)
Steven Cole illustrates the approval every workman should strive for...
A young man once studied violin under a world-renowned master. When his first big recital came, the crowd cheered after each number, but the young performer seemed dissatisfied. Even after the final number, despite the applause, the musician seemed unhappy. As he took his bows, he was watching an elderly man in the balcony. Finally, the elderly one smiled and nodded in approval. Immediately, the young man beamed with joy. He was not looking for the approval of the crowd. He was waiting for the approval of his master. Christians should be living for God’s approval. We will be approved unto Him as we use the Bible to grow in godliness. Are you growing as a craftsman who uses God’s Word of truth accurately and skilfully to grow in godliness? The misuse of the Bible will lead you to ruin. The proper use will lead you to godliness. (2 Timothy 2:14-19 Using the Word Properly)
A.U.G. Degree -Why Study? – The Purpose is to be Approved Unto God
When Jim Elliot, who was later martyred in the jungles of Ecuador, was a student at Wheaton College, he wrote in his diary, “My grades came through this week, and were, as expected, lower than last semester. However, I make no apologies, and admit I’ve let them drag a bit for study of the Bible, in which I seek the degree A.U.G., ‘approved unto God’” (Shadow of the Almighty [Zondervan], p. 43).
E. Every Christian should be a student of God’s Word – know what to believe and know how to live – Doctrine and Duty, Faith and Action, Belief and Practice must all be according to the Bible
Transition: A Student of God’s Word must also be A Workman (Teacher) for the Lord.
II. A Workman for the Lord – “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,” - 2 Tim. 2:15
A. Workman or Teacher of God’s Word – application of knowledge
B. Workman – er-gat'-ace - Gk meaning – a toiler; figuratively a teacher: - labourer, worker (-men).
C. Zeal without Knowledge is No Good says the Bible – leads to Emotionalism - Hot and Dangerous or leads to being Blind leaders - having Heat without Light thus leading followers down a Dangerous path of wrong beliefs (see blind guide leading the blind – Mt 15:14; 23:16, 24 – false teachers).
Pro 19:2 - “Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth” - Without knowledge, we tend to make mistakes just like he that is hasty makes mistakes or misses his way
D. Knowledge without Zeal is No Life – leads to Formalism which is Cold and Lifeless
“You can have zeal without knowledge, but I think real knowledge without zeal would require a pretty calloused heart” – quoted
Calloused - 1. made hard; hardened. 2. insensitive; indifferent; unsympathetic: They have a callous attitude toward the sufferings of others
Problem with many Christians – they have knowledge without zeal so we often need to pray for revival and that God will put fire into our soul. We need Zeal with Knowledge and Knowledge with Zeal – We need to have both – do not be happy with just having one.
Gal 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
III. Approved and Unashamed – “rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Tim. 2:15
A. “The Word of Truth”
“The Word of Truth is the workman’s tool for building, measuring, and repairing God’s people. Carriers of the truth of God are to represent that truth and the God of truth well enough that we need never apologize for ourselves. God wants His people to be well prepared in the interpretation of God's truth. The messenger who interprets God's truth for others is an agent of His revelation” - quoted
B. “Rightly Dividing”
1) Handling Accurately - means to make a straight cut, cut straight (of a craftsman cutting a straight line, farmer plowing a straight furrow, mason setting a straight line of bricks, workmen building a straight road.
Spurgeon commenting on "handling accurately" writes...
“Rightly dividing, or Straight Cutting. A ploughman stands here with his plough, and he ploughs right along from this end of the field to the other, making a straight furrow. And so Paul would have Timothy make a straight furrow right through the word of truth. I believe there is no preaching that God will ever accept but that which goes decidedly through the whole line of truth from end to end, and is always thorough, honest, and downright. As truth is a straight line, so must our handling of the truth be straightforward and honest, without shifts or tricks. There are two or three furrows which I have labored hard to plough. One is the furrow of free grace. “Salvation is of the Lord,” — he begins it, he carries it on, he completes it. Salvation is not of man, neither by man, but of grace alone. Grace in election, grace in redemption, grace in effectual calling, grace in final perseverance, grace in conferring the perfection of glory; it is all grace from beginning to end. If we say at any time anything which is really contrary to this distinct testimony that salvation is of grace, believe us not. This furrow must be ploughed fairly, plainly, and beyond all mistake. Sinner, you cannot be saved by any merit, penance, preparation, or feeling of your own. The Lord alone must save you as a work of gratis mercy, not because you deserve it, but because he wills to no it to magnify his abundant love. That is the straight furrow of the Word. (sermon on "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth")
2) Handling Accurately All the Time - The present tense calls for us to continually rightly divide the Word of Truth.
Conclusion:
Our Lifelong Learning – the Bible
Our Lifelong Service – a Worker for the Lord
Our Lifelong Goal – to be Approved and Unashamed as a student of God’s Word and a teacher / worker for the Lord
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Introduction – On May 4, 2012, Bro. Cedric’s family will be going back to the Philippines to continue with his Bible Training at Bob Jones Memorial Bible College (BJMBC). They made history in Mount Calvary Baptist Church being the first family to be supported for Full Time Bible training. This is a good time to look at 2 Timothy 2:15 and we entitle our message: "Approved and Unashamed". We need to emphasize that every Christian is to be a student of God's Word and not just those who are undergoing Bible College Training.
I. A Student of God’s Word – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God,” - 2 Tim. 2:15
A. Study is Hard Work – some may laugh and say you are wrong – study is so easy – true for someone who is smart or who is lazy - I am saying the word “study” calls for hard work because this is the meaning of the word - Study – spoudazō - to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
B. Study What? (Singlish) What should we study? The Bible – Our basic textbook – the more effort you put into studying the Bible, the more jewels of truths you will find.
The Study of the Bible
1) Needs to have Heart Work - Desire to Study – No desire = No understanding
2) Needs to have Hard Work - Another reason some people do not understand the Bible is because they do not work at understanding it. Anything really valuable requires diligent attention. You have the heart and you work for it but you need the third factor – same in any study or endeavour in life –
Heart Work + Hard Work + God’s Help
3) Needs to have Holy Spirit’s Work – Ps 119:18; 1 Cor 2:13
C. Some of you may ask me, "Are you limiting our study just to the Bible?" – No but the Bible is the foundation, then you build on this solid foundation other studies – reason for going to school to study whatever major you are interested in.
D. Why Study? – To be Approved Unto God – To get the A.U.G. degree
Approved – dokimos dok'-ee-mos- properly acceptable (current after assayal), that is, approved: - approved, tried.
Wuest writes that A workman approved is a workman who has been put to the test, and meeting the specifications, has won the approval of the one who has subjected him to the test. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)
Steven Cole illustrates the approval every workman should strive for...
A young man once studied violin under a world-renowned master. When his first big recital came, the crowd cheered after each number, but the young performer seemed dissatisfied. Even after the final number, despite the applause, the musician seemed unhappy. As he took his bows, he was watching an elderly man in the balcony. Finally, the elderly one smiled and nodded in approval. Immediately, the young man beamed with joy. He was not looking for the approval of the crowd. He was waiting for the approval of his master. Christians should be living for God’s approval. We will be approved unto Him as we use the Bible to grow in godliness. Are you growing as a craftsman who uses God’s Word of truth accurately and skilfully to grow in godliness? The misuse of the Bible will lead you to ruin. The proper use will lead you to godliness. (2 Timothy 2:14-19 Using the Word Properly)
A.U.G. Degree -Why Study? – The Purpose is to be Approved Unto God
When Jim Elliot, who was later martyred in the jungles of Ecuador, was a student at Wheaton College, he wrote in his diary, “My grades came through this week, and were, as expected, lower than last semester. However, I make no apologies, and admit I’ve let them drag a bit for study of the Bible, in which I seek the degree A.U.G., ‘approved unto God’” (Shadow of the Almighty [Zondervan], p. 43).
E. Every Christian should be a student of God’s Word – know what to believe and know how to live – Doctrine and Duty, Faith and Action, Belief and Practice must all be according to the Bible
Transition: A Student of God’s Word must also be A Workman (Teacher) for the Lord.
II. A Workman for the Lord – “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,” - 2 Tim. 2:15
A. Workman or Teacher of God’s Word – application of knowledge
B. Workman – er-gat'-ace - Gk meaning – a toiler; figuratively a teacher: - labourer, worker (-men).
C. Zeal without Knowledge is No Good says the Bible – leads to Emotionalism - Hot and Dangerous or leads to being Blind leaders - having Heat without Light thus leading followers down a Dangerous path of wrong beliefs (see blind guide leading the blind – Mt 15:14; 23:16, 24 – false teachers).
Pro 19:2 - “Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth” - Without knowledge, we tend to make mistakes just like he that is hasty makes mistakes or misses his way
D. Knowledge without Zeal is No Life – leads to Formalism which is Cold and Lifeless
“You can have zeal without knowledge, but I think real knowledge without zeal would require a pretty calloused heart” – quoted
Calloused - 1. made hard; hardened. 2. insensitive; indifferent; unsympathetic: They have a callous attitude toward the sufferings of others
Problem with many Christians – they have knowledge without zeal so we often need to pray for revival and that God will put fire into our soul. We need Zeal with Knowledge and Knowledge with Zeal – We need to have both – do not be happy with just having one.
Gal 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
III. Approved and Unashamed – “rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Tim. 2:15
A. “The Word of Truth”
“The Word of Truth is the workman’s tool for building, measuring, and repairing God’s people. Carriers of the truth of God are to represent that truth and the God of truth well enough that we need never apologize for ourselves. God wants His people to be well prepared in the interpretation of God's truth. The messenger who interprets God's truth for others is an agent of His revelation” - quoted
B. “Rightly Dividing”
1) Handling Accurately - means to make a straight cut, cut straight (of a craftsman cutting a straight line, farmer plowing a straight furrow, mason setting a straight line of bricks, workmen building a straight road.
Spurgeon commenting on "handling accurately" writes...
“Rightly dividing, or Straight Cutting. A ploughman stands here with his plough, and he ploughs right along from this end of the field to the other, making a straight furrow. And so Paul would have Timothy make a straight furrow right through the word of truth. I believe there is no preaching that God will ever accept but that which goes decidedly through the whole line of truth from end to end, and is always thorough, honest, and downright. As truth is a straight line, so must our handling of the truth be straightforward and honest, without shifts or tricks. There are two or three furrows which I have labored hard to plough. One is the furrow of free grace. “Salvation is of the Lord,” — he begins it, he carries it on, he completes it. Salvation is not of man, neither by man, but of grace alone. Grace in election, grace in redemption, grace in effectual calling, grace in final perseverance, grace in conferring the perfection of glory; it is all grace from beginning to end. If we say at any time anything which is really contrary to this distinct testimony that salvation is of grace, believe us not. This furrow must be ploughed fairly, plainly, and beyond all mistake. Sinner, you cannot be saved by any merit, penance, preparation, or feeling of your own. The Lord alone must save you as a work of gratis mercy, not because you deserve it, but because he wills to no it to magnify his abundant love. That is the straight furrow of the Word. (sermon on "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth")
2) Handling Accurately All the Time - The present tense calls for us to continually rightly divide the Word of Truth.
Conclusion:
Our Lifelong Learning – the Bible
Our Lifelong Service – a Worker for the Lord
Our Lifelong Goal – to be Approved and Unashamed as a student of God’s Word and a teacher / worker for the Lord
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