First Baptist Church, South Haven
Join us for in-person worship in the sanctuary or live on Facebook at 10:30am. The service will also be posted to YouTube and Archive Sunday after church.
What to Pursue in Life
2 Timothy 2:20-22
Pastor Jerry Koller
2 Timothy 2:20-22 NIV
It is important, when interpreting any passage of Scripture, that one does not isolate the passage from the context in which it is found.
2 Timothy 2:19 NIV
Today’s Scripture can be broken down into two parts: vss. 20-21, and verse 22.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. (vs. 20 NIV)
...some to honor and some to dishonor (NASB)
...some for honorable use and some for dishonorable (ESV)
All four—gold, silver, wood and clay—can be used for honor or dishonor.
Within the church at Ephesus, there were people who are noble as well as people who are ignoble. There were some that are truly in Christ Jesus and some who may have appeared to be so but were not.
2 Timothy 2:21 NIV
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
2 Timothy 2:19 NIV
2 Timothy 2:22 NIV
· It is not uncommon for biblical admonitions to have a two-part command such as do this and don’t do that.
· Youthful desires—or lusts—could be a characteristic of those who are literally young and immature.
While Paul tells Timothy to flee these desires, he also tells him what he should pursue something instead. He should pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.
1 Timothy 6:11 NIV
The word pursue is to be understood as a continuous action rather than a one- or two-time occasional attempt.
Timothy was to pursue righteousness.
Matthew 5:6 NIV
Righteousness is a state of being or a condition of being right or just before God.
Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones states that “To hunger and thirst after righteousness is nothing but a longing to be positively holy.” In other words, “His supreme desire is to be like Christ.”
Romans 1:17 NIV
The closest Scripture itself comes to defining faith is what Heb. 11:1 states
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
The Reformers came to the conclusion that faith has three aspects to it.
· Notitia, Assensus, and Fiducia
· Knowledge, Assent, and Trust.
· Knowledge has to do with information.
· Assent has to do with being in agreement with the knowledge you have.
· Trust includes a volitional choice to embrace and act upon the knowledge we have that is true regarding God and the things He has revealed to us.
Timothy was to pursue love. This love would ultimately be displayed in his relationship with God and with those created in God’s image.
Timothy was to pursue peace which has to do with having a person, a situation, or a place be the way God intends for it to be.
Not only was he to do this individually, he was to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (v. 22)
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
APPLICATION
You and I must flee youthful desires—lusts—sin—in all its shapes and forms. This is something all who are in Christ must pursue. We must turn from wickedness.
For those in Christ, we are to pursue righteous as individuals and as a body of believers.
We must live out our faith.
We must pursue peace.
· Nate & Chelsea Hagger and their new daughter, Eleanora Marie, who arrived on 3/5.
· Susan Seitz is recovering from successful back surgery.
· Joyce Bocock is recovering from surgery. Pray for a speedy healing and minimal pain.
· Cindi Layendecker (former FBC member) had Covid in January and now has a blood clot in her left leg and is requesting prayer for healing.
· Nick Sebasta (friend of Allie Wilson) has been diagnosed with cancer in his sternum, spine, liver and pelvis . He and his wife, Lena, have three children ages 10, 14, and 16.
· Steve & Lisa Follman and their family upon the loss of Lisa's father, Al Dubuisson, on 2/15.
· Tina Dell and her family upon the loss of her husband, Ken, on 2/10.
· John Ellis finally has a diagnosis of very treatable condition that should have very few (if any) long term effects. Please continue to keep him in prayer as he goes through treatment for the next few months.
· Martha Dubuisson (Lisa Follman’s mom) continues to have health issues and concerns with dementia related issues.
· Linda Pries is recovering from a total reverse shoulder replacement surgery.
· Steve Follman is recovering from a successful hip replacement surgery.
· Linda Rooker is recovering from a successful hip replacement surgery.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.
First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com