But as for you ... 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Andy Nagahara
A. People who is having a form of godliness but denying its power
1) The characteristics of them (1-6)
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
2) How can we stand on the side of the truth? (7-9)
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
B. But as for us...
1) Live a godly life in Christ Jesus (10-13)
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
2) Thoroughly equipped for every good work by the holy Scripture (14-17)
(Psalm30:11-12)
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Summary
In order for us to keep standing on the side of the truth, we would rather avoid the people who is having a form of godliness but denying its power, than the ones who have faith in other religions or ideologies. They say they are following Jesus, but actually they are against him and, moreover, they are trying to separate people around them from Jesus. We should have nothing to do with them. Let us be equipped by the Bible teaching and walk with Jesus closely and carefully.
For Discussion
1) What kind people have we be warned to avoid?
2) What is the usefulness of the Bible according to this passage?