Peter Barnes: Handling the Word of Truth Accurately, 2 Timothy 2:14-15 (Sunday 23 August 2020 Morning Service, 9.00 a.m.)
– 2:2, 8, 10.
1. Do not quarrel about words.
– 2:14. The ‘them’ must be those mentioned back in 2:2. Some quarrels are necessary and some are pointless, and some require wisdom as to when they are becoming counter-productive.
– 1 Tim.6:3-5. Calvin: ‘Satan has no easier or more effective way to undermine our faith than by embroiling us in silly and speculative disputes.’ See the. controversies over the date of the Second Coming, as, for example, in the USA in 1843-44. Note Matt.24:36.
– beware of riding hobby horses.
2. Do your best to be approved by God.
– 2:15a. John Livingstone around 1630: ‘I found that much study did not so much help me in preaching as the getting my heart brought to a right disposition; yea, sometimes I thought that the hunger of the hearers helped me more than my own preparation.’ Work – Col.3:16.
– John Stott tells of one Presbyterian minister who boasted that he prepared his sermons while walking from the manse to the church – so the congregation bought him a manse five miles away!
3. Aim to handle the word of truth accurately.
– 2:15b. ‘Handle the Word accurately’ or ‘cut it straight’. There is always a danger of twisting Scripture – 2 Peter 3:16. If your doctor muses: ‘I wonder where the appendix is’, get a second opinion.
– Billy Sunday: ‘I don’t know any more about theology than a jack-rabbit knows about ping-pong, but I’m on my way to glory.’ Not comforting! – 2 Cor.2:17.
Watch the service below.