Somebody Loves You

Raul Ries: Paul is telling Timothy, "Timothy, these guys are coming into the church and they're bringing in their false doctrine. It doesn't matter what you believe. You can eat, drink, party, fornicate. God will forgive you." He'll forgive you if you repent. If you don't repent, you'll go to hell. That's what the Bible teaches. Really important what the Bible says.

Guest (Male): Welcome to Somebody Loves You Radio, the Bible teaching ministry of Raul Ries in Diamond Bar, California. Raul is continuing our series in 2nd Timothy, and it's great to have you along with us today.

As an end-times believer living in a world full of false religious ideas and widespread opposition to the gospel, it would be easy to walk away from your faith. But today, you'll be challenged to stand firm on the solid rock of Jesus, allowing Him to equip you with His truth and guide you in His ways. Let's listen as Raul Ries begins our study today, Timothy's Practical Appeal Part 3. Join us in 2nd Timothy, chapter 2, verse 19.

Raul Ries: Paul the Apostle, here in the second chapter of 2nd Timothy, spoke to us. Remember what he said? He said, "Study to show yourself a workman that needs not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth." If we don't study God's word, if we don't take the time to really read and pray and seek the Lord, then what kind of a foundation are we really building in our own personal lives?

In the book, he also says that one of the major problems in the 21st century today is that this is probably the Antichrist generation. Surely, when we read the book of Revelation, we see that. There are going to be millions and millions of people that will receive the Antichrist. Why? Because all religions lead to God. We're all the same.

Jesus is the only way, the only truth, the only life. There is no salvation in Buddha or Hindus or anybody else. It's only in Jesus, period. No matter what anybody else says. That's what the Bible teaches. There is no salvation in any other name, for there is no other name in heaven or under the earth, but Jesus Christ is the only name that can save.

And it only comes through repentance. There can't really be a true faith without behavior changing. Jesus said if there's true faith, then behavior changes. You're not the same person anymore. Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if any man is in Christ Jesus, all things are passed away. Behold, all things become brand new."

Brand new. You cannot be the person you used to be and continue to say that you're a Christian and yet do the things that you did before you knew Christ. That's not true. That's not what my Bible teaches. And so Paul here now, in chapter 2, in verse 19—remember he uses the illustration of the church as believers, as soldiers, athletes, and then farmers? Now he's going to use the workman, and now he'll use us as the vessel.

We are the vessels of God. Look what he says beginning with verse 19 here. He says, "Nevertheless," in spite of that literally, "the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from sin.'" Interesting. Depart from sin. You cannot say you're a Christian and live in sin. There's no double standard in Christianity.

He's talking, describing a great house which is the professing church. We are the great house, and the foundation of the house is safe and secure because God seals on it. What is the seal? The seal of the Holy Spirit. We've been branded. Those who are His are branded by the Holy Spirit. And if you don't have the brand of the Holy Spirit, you're not of His. You're not a Christian.

Paul the Apostle, in talking of the seal, is speaking of ownership. He becomes the owner of the house. We are the house of God, and now the Holy Spirit has come in and possessed my house. If He's going to possess the house, the house has to be clean. It cannot be dirty. In the book of Matthew chapter 7, in the Sermon on the Mount, turn there with me for a second. Matthew chapter 7, go down to the end of the verse 24.

He says, "Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to be a wise man who built his house on the rock." He's saying those that really have a true foundation are those that listen to the word of God, to Jesus. They obey. But if you're not really obeying God's word, if you're really not doing what the word of God says, then you're building not on the rock.

Watch what he says in the next verse. He says, "And the rains descended and the floods came, and the wind blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall because it was founded on the rock." When the trials of life come, temptations come, and all kinds of things happen in a Christian's life, a true child of God that has his foundation and security on the rock, Jesus Christ, what happens? The house doesn't move. It's a good foundation.

Praying, studying God's word, doing what's right before God. But if that person says, "Well, I'm a child of God and I love God and I'm a Christian," but he builds his house on the sand, there's going to be evidence that it's not true. Let's read it, verse 26. "But everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does not do them, he will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." On the sand.

What happens? Verse 27: "And when the rains descend and the floods come, and the winds blow and they beat that house, it fell and great was its fall." It couldn't stand. Only a real child of God stands because he's building on the foundation of the rock of Jesus Christ. That's what Paul says to Timothy here. "Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands." Why? Because we build on the rock and we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.

The seal of the Holy Spirit, the one that has sealed us, says, "He's mine. Raul Ries belongs to me." Whatever your name is, He is the owner. He owns you. He paid the price of redemption for you. That's so cool. Imagine the guarantee that I have and you have tonight because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Guest (Male): You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries. If you happen to be in the Diamond Bar, California area on March 14, be sure and make plans to join Pastor Raul and other solid teachers at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs for a family conference titled "Family God's Way."

Whether you've been married for decades, newlyweds, or raising children of any age, this conference offers timeless biblical truths and real-life application to help your family thrive. To get more information, visit somebodylovesyou.com and click on the family conference graphic. Now back to more of our study of 2nd Timothy.

Raul Ries: Notice secondly, in verse 20. He says, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, and some for honor and some for dishonor." I'm glad he brought that in. If you know anything about homes and if you know anything about vessels, what is he saying? In a house, there are vessels that love God and those that do not love God. There are those that are true and those that are phony.

He makes a distinction after he gave us verse 19. He tells you so there's no excuse. What kind of a vessel are you? I can't answer for you; you have to answer for yourself. Because if you walk into a house and you see vessels of clay and wood, those are not really valuable. But if you walk into a house where there are vessels of gold and silver, those are very valuable. Those have a price.

And here Paul is telling Timothy again that these are the people that are faithful in the church, those that are vessels of gold and silver. But those of wood and clay, notice, some to honor and some for dishonor. Paul now is encouraging Timothy to be associated with that which is real and that which is true. Discern what's right, what's wrong, what's real, what's not real. Timothy, open your eyes.

What kind of a vessel are you? One that is honoring God or one that is dishonoring God? How do you dishonor God? By blowing your witness in front of non-believers, you dishonor God. That's why Paul the Apostle, in Romans chapter 12, verses 1 and 2, says, "Therefore, I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service to God. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," which is God's perfect will for my life, that I please God.

He goes on, chapter 6 of 1st Corinthians, verse 18. He says, "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside of the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." You see how clear that is? You're sinning against the house of God, your own body. "Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's." Underline that. You don't belong to yourself anymore. You are God's temple. You are God's property.

That's what he said in verse 19. Very important who we are. He goes on to perfect this because he's really talking about this whole thing. There are those like in the book of Matthew, chapter 13, beginning with verse 29 through 30 and 36 through 43, where he talks about these four types of hearers where the seed is sown. He says the first people that get the word of God, they have no faith. The second ones are emotional hearers.

The third ones, with the cares of this life, they die and they go for the world. And the fourth ones, he says those are really where the word of God goes in and takes root and they water it and thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold in fruit come forth. Those are the true children of God. Out of four types, only one is a true believer. The other ones are phonies.

And then he gives us another parable, the parable of progressing, in Matthew chapter 13, verses 47 and 48. It talks about those that are real and those that are not real. So I think the scripture is very clear to make sure that we understand the question: What kind of a vessel are you? Gold, silver, or wood and clay? One to honor, one to dishonor.

Very clear what Paul says to Timothy. And then check this out, verse 21. "Therefore, because of this, what I've been talking to you about, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter"—what is that? If anyone cleanses himself from sin—"he will be a vessel for honor." You see how clear that is? "Sanctified, set apart and useful for the Master and prepared for every good work."

That's real Christianity right there. Those are the people God uses, those who get rid of sin and then they become vessels of honor and God sets them apart to be used for His glory. Vessels of honor and, notice what he said, "useful." The word that he uses here is interesting. He says useful means in your soul, desire to be used by God. Or here he uses the word again: "Useful for the Master and prepared eagerly for every good work."

Every good work. Why? Because you're aligned with the purpose and will of God and you have submitted your will to the will of God. God can use you and you'll have fruit. Good works will come out of it. We're not saved by good works; we're saved by faith in Jesus Christ, period. But there are fruits that come out of a child of God. He's bringing it all out.

Then check this out, verse 22. "Flee." Keep running, in the Greek. Keep running also from youthful lusts. Young people, he's talking to you because Timothy was a young man in his 30s. "Timothy, I know you're being tempted sexually. I know you're being tempted financially. I know you're being tempted in every way. Flee these things."

Keep running if you want to be usable in the kingdom of God. If you want to be in ministry, if you want to be used of God, then you have to be a clean vessel. A clean vessel. You cannot be a dirty vessel. He goes on to say this, giving good counsel to Timothy: "Keep running. Also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure or clean heart." Out of a pure heart. These are the kind of people you should hang out with—people that love God, people that want to serve God, people that fear God, people that truly, truly know the fear of the Lord. He's commanding. God wants us to have a clean heart.

Now he uses the illustration of a servant. Verse 23 to 26, we'll conclude in a moment. He says, "But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife." False doctrines, debates, arguments, controversies. Stay away from those things. They do nothing but irritate you, they'll get you angry, and you can't argue with people.

If they don't want to hear, don't tell them. But if they want to hear, then tell them. But he says stay away from these people that are always rejecting the truth, refusing the truth. Get away from them. Don't even whip with them. Verse 24: "And a servant of the Lord," a doulos, "must not quarrel." We must not quarrel. In the Greek, it means to fight and to wrestle, to be fighting against people.

He says a servant of God must not be a fighter, but gentle to all and able to teach and patient. Remember, he's talking to pastors and leaders. He must be skilled in teaching, skillful in teaching, and patient, bearing evil without resentment. Gentle means to be kind and effective and not being offensive, but affable in demeanor, humble.

And then verse 25: "In humility correcting those or instructing those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth." What is he saying now? He's saying that if you're going to be a pastor, teacher, or you're going to be a Christian, you need to know the Bible to be able to refute these false doctrines. Because maybe as you're refuting these doctrines, they might get saved. They might repent. And surely we have seen people like that when the truth is presented to them and you show them that they are wrong, but the Bible is right. We're not right; the Bible is right. God's word. That's what he says to Timothy.

Guest (Male): Staying consistent in your walk with the Lord isn't always easy, but as we've learned today, strength comes from regular time in the word of God and personal communion with Jesus. You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries.

If you'd like to review the lesson you've just heard, we'll send you an unedited version for a donation of $5 or more. Just call us at 800-634-9165 and ask for part three of Raul's message titled "Timothy's Practical Appeal." To further support you in a life of faithfulness, we'd like to offer you Raul's entire 11-part study of 2nd Timothy. It's available on both CD and flash drive.

Written from a prison cell by the Apostle Paul, this letter will inspire you to glorify God in your words and actions, holding fast to scripture as you follow a path of obedience. Visit somebodylovesyou.com or call 800-634-9165 to order Raul's 11-message 2nd Timothy series. We'll send you the CD collection for $24 or the thumb drive for just $15.

That's 800-634-9165. Or write to Somebody Loves You Radio, P.O. Box 4440, Diamond Bar, California 91765. Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries is fully listener supported. We're continually blessed by the tax-deductible gifts that enable us to keep sharing the gospel. Join us next time as we continue with more of our study of 2nd Timothy with eye-opening insight into some of God's plans for the world's last days. He hasn't revealed everything about the future, but He has provided glimpses for those who trust His sovereignty and commit to His will.

With a closing comment, here's Raul once again.

Raul Ries: And that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil. Who has people in false doctrine? The devil. The devil takes them captive. Every one of those Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Unity Church, Hindus, Buddhists—we're not talking against the people; we're talking against the false doctrine that has ensnared them. And who's behind that? The devil and his demons.

"And that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." Boy, that makes me pray more for the Jehovah's Witnesses and for the false doctrine teachers. The devil has a grip on their lives. They are not vessels of honor; they're vessels of dishonor unless they repent and get saved.

They'll go to hell. That's what Paul tells Timothy. They'll go to hell. So important, this verse here. It teaches us that there are certain people that have been taken captive by the devil, but we can do what? We can pray to set them free by the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.