What Matters Most: Character or Competency? | 2 Timothy 2:20-26
Series: Guard the Treasure
Title: What matters most: character on competency?
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26 NIV
Bottom line: Honorable vessels are used for honorable purposes. People with Christlike character will be used by God for kingdom purposes.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
OUTLINES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
INTRODUCTION
I remember in the early 90’s, in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the argument about whether or not President Clinton’s character mattered regarding him being able to lead the country. One argument is that we’re not electing him to be our pastor or priest but our president.
This doesn’t have to be an either-or argument, first of all. Competency (skillfulness) matters, of course. But the case that Paul makes here is that in ministry, character is paramount. It’s essential. I’m making the case that it’s paramount in all leadership.
While I realize that there are some jobs that it matters less in, I think we still underestimate its importance.
Some would say do you want a surgeon with competency or character? Well, for starters, again, it’s not an either-or. I want both. But I think when dealing with life and death decisions in the moment I want someone with character that does the right thing every time. (At least strives for this) There are many ways that a doctor can be tempted to compromise on the operating table for their own benefit instead of for the person on the table.
And the President is certainly making moral and ethical judgments every day in that job.
Yes, character matters most. It’s not really close.
CONTEXT
Paul makes the point here with Timothy (regarding guarding the treasure) that character doesn’t just matter for those in ministry but it’s everything! (Hughes)
The making of his vessel/person requires a radical cleansing (purifying), so it can be used for honorable purposes.
The maintenance of his instrument involves intense flight and intense following—flight from youthful passions, impatience, quarreling, and harshness and the pursuit of profound virtues.
The ministry of his vessel must not be quarrelsome but pastoral—kind to all, teaching, enduring evil, gently correcting.
The hope of such a servant is the eternal blessing of his enemies. (Hughes)
Bottom line: Honorable vessels are used for honorable purposes. People with Christlike character will be used by God for kingdom purposes.
SERMON
Outline heavily influenced by Kent Hughes (see below)
I. The Making of a Noble Instrument (20-21) or How we get clean.
A. Honorable/noble/special articles/utensils/instruments—Believers in good standing with the Lord. When these cleanse themselves from the dishonorable, God
Honors them
Sets them apart (sanctifies)
Makes them useful
Prepares them (makes them ready for use)
B. Dishonorable/ignoble/common instruments—non-believers and false teachers within the church far from the Lord
II. The Maintaining of an Instrument for Noble Purposes (22) or How we stay clean.
Flee the evil desires of youth
Pursue
Righteousness
Faith
Love
Peace
Along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (therefore, remain at peace here too)
III. The Ministry of a Noble Instrument (23-26) or How we serve the Lord cleanly.
Don’t have stupid arguments, leads to fights
Lord’s Servant must
Not be quarrelsome
Be kind to everyone
Able to teach (rebuke, correct, train)
Able to be treated wickedly without resentment
Gently instruct/correct opponents with the goal
Repentance
Leading to knowledge of that truth
Why? So that they will
escape traps and
gladly submit to the Lord
CONCLUSION
Last week we talked about how to shepherd well. (2 Tim 2:14-19) This requires Christlike character, for sure.
“I watched the father who sat in front of us today (in church) manage his squirrelly kids by not reprimanding them, but rearranging the seating so he was sitting in the middle of them, and they all just leaned into him and relaxed, and there’s just a whole sermon there.” @GretchenRonnevik
It’s unlikely that these children would relax this way if this father didn’t have Christlike character. They felt safe with him. This is the fruit of Christlike character. It makes us better shepherds.
(I would add that sometimes 2 parents tackle this differently. The point is that the kids relaxed and submitted when they felt loved with boundaries.)
Bottom line:
Pastors, elders and deacon teams should take note here on how to lead the church in ministry.
Churches should pray for, care for, and provide for their leaders as they engage this essential work.
We should all seek to lead our spiritual household (oikos) well shepherding the flock under our care starting with ourselves and moving to the ends of the eart.
What is God saying to me right now?
What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.
What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.
[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.
Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.
Pray
NOTES
Gangrene
Okay, I'll try to explain gangrene in a way that's easy to understand for a middle school student.
Gangrene is a serious condition that can happen when part of your body doesn't get enough blood supply. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients that all parts of your body need to stay healthy and alive.
Imagine your body is like a house plant. If you don't water the plant, it will start to wilt and die. That's kind of what happens with gangrene. If an area of your body isn't getting enough blood flow, the cells in that area start to die off.
There are a few different reasons why blood flow might get blocked or reduced:
1) An injury that damages blood vessels and cuts off circulation.
2) Diabetes or other diseases that affect blood flow.
3) Severe infections that clog up blood vessels.
When cells start dying from lack of blood/oxygen, that area can turn black, green, or become smelly. It's your body's way of showing that part is dying.
If gangrene isn't treated quickly by doctors, it can spread to more areas of the body and become life-threatening. Treatments may involve giving antibiotics, surgically removing the dead tissue, or in severe cases, amputating the affected limb to stop it from spreading.
The best way to avoid gangrene is to take good care of any injuries, manage diseases like diabetes properly, and see a doctor right away if you notice any areas of discolored, smelly, or decaying skin or tissue.
Does this help explain what gangrene is in simpler terms? Let me know if you need any part clarified further.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Let’s ask some summary sermon questions:
Q. What do I want them to know?
A.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A.
OUTLINES
Outline Bible (Willmington)
—
OUTLINE (by WW)
“The essentials for a successful ministry have not changed: courageous enthusiasm, shameless suffering, and spiritual loyalty.” -WW
THE PASTORAL APPEAL—chapter 1
A. Courageous enthusiasm—1:1–7 4 Encouragements:
Paul’s love. (1-2)
Paul’s prayers. (3-4)
Paul’s confidence in Timothy. (5)
God’s gift to Timothy. (6-7)
B. Shameless suffering—1:8–12
Be not ashamed of the Lord’s testimony. (8-10)
God gives us power. (8)
2 Timothy 1:8 (The Bible Exposition Commentary): “Years ago, I read about a Christian who was in prison because of his faith. He was to be burned at the stake, and he was certain he would never be able to endure the suffering. One night, he experimented with pain by putting his little finger into the candle flame. It hurt, and he immediately withdrew it. “I will disgrace my Lord,” he said to himself. “I cannot bear the pain.” But when the hour came for him to die, he praised God and gave a noble witness for Jesus Christ. God gave him the power when he needed it, and not before.” (WW)
God has called us by his grace. (9)
Christ has defeated death. (10)
Four reasons not to be ashamed of his association with Paul, the prisoner:
Paul was called by God. (11)
A herald—official messenger of the king
An apostle—one sent with a commission
A teacher—shepherd to the local church
Paul was confident in Christ. (12)
C. Spiritual loyalty—1:13–18
Be loyal to God’s word. (13-14)
Be loyal to God’s servant. (15-18)
Outline by Merida
I. A Gospel-Centered Letter
II. A Gospel-Centered Leader (1:1-7)
A. Paul: Called by the will of God (1:1)
The origin of Paul’s apostleship (1:1b)
The purpose of Paul’s apostleship (1:1c)
B. Timothy: Shaped by the grace of God (1:2-7)
A personal mentor (1:2-4)
A godly mother (1:5)
The Spirit and the gifts (1:6-7)
OUTLINE by WW
Key theme: Preparation for the ministry in the last days
Key verses: 2 Timothy 1:13–14
I. THE PASTORAL APPEAL—chapter 1
A. Courageous enthusiasm—1:1–7
B. Shameless suffering—1:8–12
C. Spiritual loyalty—1:13–18
II. THE PRACTICAL APPEAL—chapter 2
A. The steward—2:1–2
B. The soldier—2:3–4, 8–13
C. The athlete—2:5
D. The farmer—2:6–7
E. The workman—2:14–18
F. The vessel—2:19–22
G. The servant—2:23–26
III. THE PROPHETIC APPEAL—chapter 3
A. Turn away from the false—3:1–9
B. Follow those who are true—3:10–12
C. Continue in God’s Word—3:13–17
IV. THE PERSONAL APPEAL—chapter 4
A. Preach the Word—4:1–4
OUTLINE by BKC
I. Salutation (1:1–2)
II. Call to Faithfulness (1:3–18)
A. Thanksgiving for Timothy (1:3–7)
B. Call to courage (1:8–12)
C. Call to guard the truth (1:13–14)
D. Examples of unfaithfulness and faithfulness (1:15–18)
III. Challenge to Endurance (2:1–13)
A. Enduring hardship for Christ (2:1–7)
B. Christ’s example of endurance (2:8–10)
C. A faithful saying (2:11–13)
IV. Marks of a Good Workman (2:14–26)
A. Faithfulness in ministry (2:14–19)
B. A clean instrument (2:20–21)
C. Faithfulness in conduct (2:22–26)
V. Predictions of Faithlessness (3:1–9)
VI. Challenge to Faithful Preaching (3:10–4:8)
A. Faithfulness in the face of opposition (3:10–13)
B. Faithfulness to God’s Word (3:14–4:5)
C. Faithfulness of Paul (4:6–8)
VII. Reminder of God’s Faithfulness in Paul’s Adversity (4:9–18)
A. Paul’s enemies and friends (4:9–16)
B. Paul’s deliverance by the Lord (4:17–18)
VIII. Final Greetings (4:19–22)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really true, what should I do?
What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)
What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)
Who am I going to tell about this?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Final Questions (Write this down)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt
“The Treasure Principle” by Randy Alcorn