INTRODUCTION

“Bad doctrine demolishes faith, causing people

to think and live wrongly”.
This is the message of Apostle Paul to his
letter to his son in faith, Timothy.
He warned him to protect the message of
salvation in Christ Jesus and his life as he
reflected in his teachings.
Oppositions arose from among of them;
specially the leadership of the Ephesian
church.
Paul reminded Timothy to fight a good fight
of faith and contend for the sound doctrine
even if it means suffering just as he suffered
and chained because of the Gospel of Christ.
Paul demonstrated his life as God’s vessel as
he showed it in his last letter to Timothy; to
follow his example just as Paul follow Christ.
God is looking for a Vessel (servant) that is
fit to carry His word and proclaim it.
What are God’s criteria for becoming His
vessel?
2 TIMOTHY 2:14 – 18

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as

one approved, a workman who does not need to
be ashamed and who correctly handles the word
of truth.
WHO ARE QUALIFIED AS GOD’S
VESSEL?
THOSE WHO ARE APPROVED BY GOD
(14 – 18)
THOSE WHO ARE SANCTIFIED (19 –
21)
THOSE WHO STRIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS
(22 – 26)
THOSE WHO ARE APPROVED BY GOD
(14 – 18)
14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warned
them before God against quarrelling about words; it
is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a workman who does not need to be
ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
God sets standard for those whom He
approved.
God rejects those who are not qualified to
carry His word and that lead others to quarrel
and ruining the faith.
Just like Hymenaeus and Philetus who were
both church leaders but Paul wanted them to
step down from leadership. (vv. 16 – 18)
2 TIMOTHY 2:14 – 18
16 Avoid godless chatter. Because those who
indulge will become more and more ungodly.
17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene.
Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who have wandered away from the truth.
They say that the resurrection has already
taken place, and they destroy the faith of
some.
For Timothy to become God’s approved
servant, he must take an effort to do so.
He must be courageous and diligent to
handle the word of truth.
He must shun unwholesome talks that will
produce quarrels and will lead to ungodly
living.
THOSE WHO ARE SANCTIFIED (19-21)
The visible, professing church – pictured here
as a temple that has God as its foundation –
contains Christians as well as those who merely
profess to be Christians.
These servants (vessels) within the house of
God are either honourable or dishonourable.
2 TIMOTHY 2:19 – 21
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands
firm, sealed with this inscription, “The Lord
knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who
confesses the name of the Lord must turn away
from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only
gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some
are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he
will be an instrument for noble purposes, made
holy, useful for the Master and prepared to do
any good work.
The Lord wants holy people doing His work –
those who are cleansed of wrong conduct as
well as wrong doctrine.
THOSE WHO STRIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS
(22 – 26)
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue
righteousness, faith, love peace with those who
call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes,
knowing that they generate strife.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel
but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in
opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 and that they may come to their senses and
escape the snare of the devil, having been taken
captive by him to do his will.
The word Flee and pursue imply urgency,
intentionally, choice, and movement.
four attitudes that can defuse any contentious
situation
1. Gentle/Tender – is an attitude that brings
calmness. If you rebuke a person in a harsh
manner it will leads to quarrels and
misunderstanding.
2. Able to teach
3. Patient - being temperate, a controlled spirit.
This form of correction has the potential to
literally awaken people (bring them to their
senses as if from a drunken stupor or being
released from a spell) so that they may
escape the enemy.
4. Humility
CONCLUSION
Timothy 4:6 – 8 “For I am already being
poured out like a drink offering, and the time
for my departure is near. I have fought the good
fight of faith, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will award to me on that day –
and not only me, but also to all who have
longed for his appearing.
This is the last word from Paul, being an
example of a servant/vessel approved God.
By continuing in this endeavour of true faith,
not just believing but pressing on toward the
finish line.
This gave him an encouragement to move
forward despite of the oppositions he was
facing, that God is able to guard what he had
entrusted to God until the end.
Let us make every effort to present ourselves
to God by sanctifying our lives for Him every
day and pursue righteous to become useful for
His glory.