Journey into

Usefulness

Second Timothy 2:14-26

2nd Timothy 2:1426

14.Remind them of these things, charging
them before God not to fight about
words; this is in no way profitable and
leads to the ruin of the hearers.
15.Be diligent to present yourself approved
to God, a worker who doesnt need to be
ashamed, correctly teaching the word of
truth.
16.But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for
this will produce an even greater
measure of godlessness.

17.They have deviated from the truth,

saying that the resurrection has already
taken place, and are overturning the
faith of some.
18.Nevertheless, Gods solid foundation
stands firm, having this inscription: The
Lord knows those who are His, and
Everyone who names the name of the
Lord of the Lord must turn away from
unrighteousness.
19.And their word will spread like gangrene,
among whom are Hymenaeus and

20.Now in a large house there are not only

gold and silver bowls, but also those of
wood and earthenware, some for special
use, some for ordinary.
21.So if anyone purifies himself from these
things, he will be a special instrument,
set apart, useful to the Master, prepared
for every good work.

22.Flee from youthful passions, and pursue

righteousness, faith, love, and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord
from a pure heart.
23.But reject foolish and ignorant disputes,
knowing that they breed quarrels.
24.The Lords slave must not quarrel, but
must be gentle to everyone, able to
teach, and patient,

25.instructing his opponents with

gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them
repentance to know the truth.
26.Then they may come to their senses and
escape the Devils trap, having been
captured by him to do his will.

Usefulness
Part of Gods Eternal Plan for You
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His creation
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared ahead of time so
that we should walk in them.

A Purpose of Scripture
2nd Timothy 3:17 All Scripture is inspired
by God and is profitable so that the
man of God may be complete, equipped
for every good work

Usefulness
Gods Grace Enables Us to Excel in Good
Works
2nd Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make every
grace overflow to you, so that in every way,
always having everything you need, you may excel
in every good work.

Our Choices Set Us Apart as a Useful

Instrument
Vs. 21 So if anyone purifies himself from these
things, he will be a special instrument, set apart,
useful to the Master, prepared for every good
work.

1. Doctrinal
Integrity
Vs. 15 Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God, a worker
who doesnt need to be ashamed,
correctly teaching the word of
truth
Literally, Straightcutting the word of
truth

1. Doctrinal
Integrity
Vs. 15 Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who doesnt need
to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of
truth
Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you
ought to be teachers, you need someone to
teach you again the basic principles of Gods
revelation. You need milk, not solid food.

1.1

Not Intellectual
Debate

Vs. 14 charging them before

God not to fight about words; this
is in no way profitable and leads to
the ruin of the hearers
This persons concept of truth is
that it is a theory to be debated
rather than something
authoritative and life-changing.

1.2

The Right Mental

Diet

Vs. 16 But avoid irreverent, empty

speech, for this will produce an even
greater measure of godlessness
NAS95: But avoid worldly and empty
chatter, for it will lead to further
ungodliness
Right Thinking Leads to Right Living

2. Moral Purity
Vs. 22 Flee from youthful passions,
and pursue righteousness along with
those who call on the Lord from a pure
heart.
NLT: Run from anything
that stimulates youthful
lust

2. Moral Purity
Vs. 22 Flee from youthful
passions, and pursue
righteousness along with those
who call on the Lord from a pure
heart.
Hard
pursuit

3. Spiritual
Maturity
Vs 22 pursue righteousness, faith, love,
and peace
Righteousness: conformity to the will of God in
thought, word, and deed
Faith: Consciously and specifically trusting Jesus to
do for me what I cannot do for myself
Love: Seeking the best interest of the others now
that Christ has released me from my selfcenteredness
Peace: The harmony and concord I can
have with others because Christ
has healed my inner discord.

4. Personal
Geniality
Vs. 24-25 The Lords slave must not quarrel,
but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,
and patient, instructing his opponents with
gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them
repentance to know the truth.
Amplified: And the servant of the Lord must
be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered
[preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a
skilled and suitable teacher, patient and
forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. He must
correct his opponents with
courtesy and
gentleness

Gods Counter-intuitive
Order
A difference in priorities
1. Doctrinal
Integrity
2. Moral Purity
3. Spiritual Maturity
4. Personal
Geniality

1. Personal
Geniality
2. Spiritual Maturity
3. Moral Purity
4. Doctrinal
Integrity