“Guard …the Treasure”

Scripture: II Timothy 1:13-14

C.I.: The Challenge of Total Commitment

Last week… - Today God lays before us the greatest challenge we could face – the challenge to grow to maturity.
Yet if we are to be successful in reaching this level of discipleship – we must be totally committed to it.
So today we will learn the 3 challenges of Total Commitment!!!

I. Three Challenges of Total Commitment to Grow to Maturity, (II Timothy 2)

A. Challenge #1: Challenge of ACTION , (vs. 1-13) - (Paul uses 4 different role models)!

1. Teacher - ( v. 2 ), “The things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful….”
a. Total Commitment requires the mature Christian to disciple others.
1) ( Heb. 5:12-14 ), “By this time you ought to be teachers… Everyone who partakes only of milk is not
accustomed to the word of R., he is a babe. – But solid food is forte mature, who because of practice…”
2) The mature believer is committed to the propagation of the gospel for 4 generations!

2. Soldier – ( vs. 3-4 ), “Suffer hardship w/me as a good soldier of C.J. – No soldier in active service entangles himself in the
affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
a. Total Commitment requires the soldier to endure any hardship to accomplish his mission.
1) Our mission is the same as that of our Lord, “To seek & to save that which was lost,” ( Lk. 19:10 ).
2) We won't be able to do that – if we allow ourselves to be distracted by everyday life!
3) We are in a war for the souls of men ( including our own ) – We must commit to it, ( Eph. 6:12 )

3. Athlete – ( v. 5 ), “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.”
a. Total Commitment demands our willingness to do His will His way ( 1:13-14 ), “Retain the standard….” !
1) Anything short of this may cause us to miss out entirely, ( I Cor. 9:25f ), “ Everyone who
competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They to receive a perishable wreath, we… I
discipline my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to other I myself might….”.
2) In other words – Paul is aware that he might miss out on that “imperishable wreath” !

4. Farmer – ( vs. 6 ), “The hard-working farmer ought to be first to receive his share of the crops.”
a. Total commitment requires the farmer to finish the job – before he receives the benefit, ( Rev. 2:10 ).

5. Therefore, the totally committed believer will grow in all four of these areas!
a. Which is why Paul says, ( v. 10 ), “For this reason, I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that
they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”
1) Therefore, our commitment isn't just about us – but it is to benefit everyone else.

B. Challenge #2: Challenge of WORDS , (vs. 14-26)

1. ( Jms. 3:2 ), “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man.” –
a. In this section we have a list of “Do's” and “Don'ts” of Christian conversation.

2. Types of conversations which God condemns:
a. ( v. 14 ), “…charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin
of the hearers.”
1) “Wrangle” = quarrel bitterly. – Christians must NOT be quarrelers because…
2) Nothing gets solved – people are lead away from God

b. ( vs. 16-17 ), “Avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread
like gangrene. – Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus.”
1) “Worldly” as opposed to godly. – These are false teachings that destroy (i.e., gangrene ).
2) Paul has no problem “calling out” those who are false teachers!
3) What does the mature believer do in such cases? - “Avoid worldly & empty chatter,” ( v. 16 ).

c. ( vs. 23 ), “Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.”
1) These are the folks who just love to “argue religion” – but don't care to learn about it!
2) ( I Tim. 6:3-4 ), “If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands
nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words , out of which
arise envy, strife, abusive language, and evil suspicions.”
3) Perhaps Solomon said it best, ( Pro. 20:3 ), “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any
fool will quarrel.”

2. Types of conversations that God commends:
a. ( v. 15 ), “Be diligent to present yourself approved unto God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed….”
1) God approves when His people accurately speak forth His words ( word of truth ).
a) Yet for us to do this is not easy. – Requires; diligence, workman .
b) Yet these are words that help, heal, …!

b. ( vs. 24-25 ), “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when
wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition.”
1) Maturity does not come easily. – We must be kind, patient, and gentle – while others are being
quarrelsome, ignorant, and just plain wrong!
2) Yet if we don't live in this life as God has called us to live – they won't live in the next life!!!

C. Challenge #3: Challenge of BEING (cf. I Timothy 3:15)

•  ILLUST.: God's House, (I Tim. 3:15 ) - There are affirmations regarding the external of God's house…
a. From God to us, ( v. 19a ), “The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who….”
1) It's not what a person says about themselves that counts – its all about what God says about us
2) The person who correctly meets Challenges #s 1-2, these are the ones God accepts as His own.
3) Those who “go through the motions,” but don't meet the challenge…! ( Matt. 7:21-23 )

b. From us to God, ( v. 19b ), “…and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”
1) Doesn't deny grace or mercy – it just puts it in its proper place – after repentance, ( Lk. 13:3 ).
2) We need to be totally committed to the idea of “no sin… period!” ( Rom. 6:1-2 )!!!

2. God's house has two kinds of vessels – those that are use-FULL – and those who are use-LESS!
a. ( vs. 20-21 ), “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of
earthenware, some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will
be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
1) Note, the nature of the vessel is determined by the vessel itself.
2) Choosing to get away from the things that defile us (sin ____?) – are essential for us – if we
want to be someone whom “The Lord knows those who are His” and thus we , “…abstain from
wickedness” !!!