RIGHTLY HANDLING THE WORD

The Book of Second Timothy #3

Keith O’Connor

Woodland Church

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

(2 Timothy 2:14-19, NLT) “Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

Theme: Stand Strong for the Faith, Endure Hardship, and Preach the Word

1.  Keep your Focus

(2 Timothy 2:14, NLT) “Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them”

a.  Continually remember

(Ephesians 4:29, NLT) “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them”

(2 Timothy 2:14, NLT) “Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them”

b.  Don’t read your ideas into Scripture (eisegesis); draw meaning out of Scripture (exegesis)

(2 Timothy 2:15, NLT) “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth”

c.  Be Approved by God

• Work Hard

• Be a Good Worker

• Be not Ashamed

• Correctly Explain the Word of Truth

(2 Timothy 2:15) “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval”

(2 Timothy 2:1, NLT) “This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus”

2.  How to Present Ourselves Before God and Receive His Approval

• Prayer
• Read and Meditate on God’s Word
• Use Reliable Sources to help in your study
• Worship

a.  Stay on Track

(2 Timothy 2:15) “Don’t be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth”

b.  The Price of Not Keeping Your Focus

(2 Timothy 2:16-18, NLT) “Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.”

c.  False teaching spreads quietly and aggressively and fast

Paul Gives a Pattern of a:

• Command – Avoid worthless talk

• Reason – Leads to more godless behavior

• Illustration – Spreads like a cancer; quiet and aggressive if left unchecked

• Example – Hymenaeus and Philetus

• Consequence – Turn some people away from faith

d.  The Reward of Keeping Your Focus

(2 Timothy 2:19, NLT) “But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his, and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

• The Solid Foundation of God. Remember He is faithful

• Don’t panic; God is still in control. His firm foundation will stand

3.  Living Your Life and Being Used by God

(2 Timothy 2:20-21, NLT) “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work”

a.  A Vessel of Honor

• Sanctified – Set apart

• Ready for the Master’s use

• Used for every good work

b.  A Pure Heart

(2 Timothy 2:22, NLT) “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts”

• Run from youthful lust

• Pursue righteousness

(2 Timothy 2:22, NLT) “Enjoying the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts”

(Proverbs 27:17, NLT) “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend”

(2 Timothy 2:23, NLT) “Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights”

• Don’t get distracted

4.  The Gentle Servant

(2 Timothy 2:24-26, NLT) “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants”

a.  The Character of the Lord’s servant

(2 Timothy 2:23, NLT) “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people”

Four characteristics of the Lord’s servant, a godly pastor

• Not quarrelsome
• Kind to everyone
• Able to teach
• Patient

5.  The Approach to Conflict

(2 Timothy 2:25-26, NLT) “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants”

a.  The Goal is repentance

b.  The Action is correcting (not just letting it go)

c.  The Attitude is gentleness (not harshness)

d.  It’s not about winning an argument; it’s about winning their hearts for Jesus