Life in the Powerful Word

Sunday Worship 15 March 2009
Speaker: Ps Barnabas Boon
Text: 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5

When Paul urged Timothy to continue in what he has learned, to be convinced in what he has received and then to conquer the evil one with the good works with which he was taught (v14), he is in effect also challenging us to continue and to be convinced of the power and efficacy of scripture. Our meditations from this passage will seek to teach us to do the same.

Paul reminds Timothy of his long association with scripture from infancy(v15). The place of memory is important. Our first contact with scripture will make an impact when we begin to earnestly study scripture. What we say and do in front of our infant children matters. Live a godly gospel-led life and our infant children will recall that. Timothy’s life bears witness to this important truth. If our children see us reading the Bible in our quiet time daily as well as in times of crisis and see us turning to the Lord, they will form a strong impression of the efficacy of the word and will live according to it.

Second, in bible study, the ‘who’ is important. We do not study the bible solely with ourselves. Sometimes it is good to band together to study the bible together. When we are mentored by another as we study the word together, we must be mindful that the life and purposes of the mentor matters. V10 is all about Paul’s life of faith, patience and love. Bible study is all about life touching life through the word. Paul reminds Timothy about his life when they were together. Is Paul egoistic? No. Bible study is very much a teacher-student relationship. Hence what is conveyed is more than a set of instructions and facts. Paul the mentor reminds Timothy that his life was devoted to the word. The mentor's faith in Jesus also matters. Paul shares his purpose in life and the struggles he went through for the sake of the gospel (v11). And as he shared his experience with the Lord, Paul shares his secret of life. Paul’s secret of success is that the Lord always comes through for him.

Thirdly, life in the powerful word entails the practical and four practical considerations may be derived from this passage.

First is that of observation (vv3,4) In Paul’s day as well as ours, people will turn away from sound doctrine and will hanker after the esoteric and exotic. In such a time, we must live a life in complete obedience to his word as a counter to the prevailing philosophies of the world.

Second, we must keep our heads (v5). Ministry and life in the word will always invite persecutions and hardships. As Paul would remind Timothy, do not lose control. Be faithful in all you do. If you are sharing the word do so with courage. Continue in the work of the Lord. Where you have a ministry, be faithful. God will reward and give strength to continue. The word will feed us and inspire us and refresh us. Cling to the word of God and he will empower us for the task.

Third we must be prepared to share the gospel in all circumstances(v2). In whatever times we are in, we must be prepared to encourage, with great patience and careful instruction those that are the least, the last and the lost. We expect life to change when we encourage people to read the bible.

And fourthly, consider the witnesses who look down on us (4:1). As we prepare and teach the word, God is looking, Jesus is looking and the Holy Spirit is looking. The whole host of heaven is looking down on us. And when he comes back, he will judge us.

So as we live in his powerful word, let us do so with all of the resources made available to us. Our childhood first experiences with the word, our mentors and the supreme realization that God and all in heaven is looking down on us, all of these should drive us to our knees, with the word of God before us.