Strive to Give Yourself to the Lord

Strive to Give Yourself to the Lord

2 Timothy 2:14-26

□ Praise and Sharing

Hymn 575 Give precious things to the Lord

Pure vessel

 

How was your last week?

 

Most people value outstanding people. However, God uses godly people more preciously than those with outstanding abilities. A godly person is someone who always strives to sanctify himself and give himself completely to God. Even if you lack ability, you can become a servant of God if you are truly pious(godly). Because people look at the outward appearance, but God always looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his countenance or his stature, for I have rejected him; “But I, the Lord, look at the heart.”)

 

□ The Word and Sharing

1. Paul first teaches the qualities that the Lord’s servant must have at an individual level (verses 14-21)

1) What must the Lord’s workers strive for (verse 15)?

15 Do your best to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

The Lord's servant must strive to present himself to God as one who is recognized as a worker who rightly divides the word of truth and does not need to be ashamed.

 

2) How does Paul explain the words spread by Hymenaeus and Philetus (verses 16-17)?

16 Put away vain and vain talking, for they advance more and more into ungodliness.

17 Their words are like a malignant tumor spreading; among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus.

 

Paul explains that the words of Hymenaeus and Philetus are like a malignant tumor spreading.

 

3) What must we do to become a vessel preciously used by God? (verses 19b-21)

19 But the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’. And, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’

20 In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also vessels of wood and earthenware, some for noble use and others for ignoble use.

21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

 

If you purify yourself, you will become a vessel for honor, holy, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

 

<Sharing 1> The Bible describes false teachings as being like a malignant tumor, or cancer. This is a strong warning against false ideas that destroy faith. What do you think you and the community should do more to protect believers and the church in this era when many people are deceived by heresy?

 

Just as we develop immunity to diseases by receiving vaccinations, we must increase our ability to discern heresy through education about heresy. And through meditating on the Word every day, we must be able to discern between correct and incorrect teachings.

 

<Sharing 2> What is important for a worker of God is ‘discernment’ to distinguish between lies and truth, ‘pure heart’ to purify oneself, and ‘dedication’ to give oneself completely to God. When you think about this, what kind of worker do you think you are before God? Let’s share why we said that.

 

Let us work together to purify ourselves before God and people, become a pure vessel, and become a person worthy of the Lord's use.

 

2. Paul teaches the ministerial qualities that the Lord’s servants must have (verses 22-26)

1) What causes conflict? (Verse 23)

23 Put away foolish and ignorant arguments, for you know that this leads to strife.

Conflicts arise from foolish and ignorant arguments.

2) What must the servant of the Lord do (verses 24-25)?

24 Your servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to all, teachable and patient.

25 In gentleness let them admonish the rebels; perhaps God will give them repentance and the knowledge of the truth.

 

A servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to all, apt to teach, patient, and with gentleness admonish those who are disobedient.

<Sharing 3> The Lord's servants must teach their members to lead them on the right path. For this, we must be patient and not lose gentleness. Let’s share what we need to endure in order to serve our members faithfully and what we need to strive for to achieve meekness.

We must be patient and gently rebuke members who do not keep their promises so that they can become people who keep their promises.

We must gently rebuke our family members and relatives who cause fights and disputes and be patient so that they may be reconciled.

 

□ Let's Pray Together

Lord, help us to keep ourselves pure and give ourselves wholly to You.

Help us not to be deceived by heresy, and help those who have fallen into heresy to return to the true teachings!

Let us be clean and pure vessels so that we can be used for the Lord!

Please gently rebuke our family members, relatives, and church members who have erred and help them return to the right path!

 

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