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Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become
convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and
how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture
is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training
in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
I have watched several foot ball games in the
past few weeks and I discovered something as I watched, the teams that were the
most prepared and who knew their play books well usually won the game.
For a moment I want you to think of the
Apostle Paul as a coach for young Timothy. He is trying to convince Timothy to
stay with his game plan. He has reminded him of what the false teachers will
try to do when they enter his church. He has detailed the game plan of the
enemy so when he sees the formation taking shape in his church he will know how
to reset his people so they can win the war with sin and false teaching.
Let's see if we can discover the proper game
plan for winning in this thing called life. He has already told Timothy to
"study to show himself approved." Know the plays you need to use and
practice them. He has replayed the game films of the false teachers so Timothy
can spot their deceptive techniques. He has played the film of the ultimate
defeat of Jannes and Jambres to remind Timothy that he does not need to worry
about the ultimate outcome of the game for every false teacher will be exposed,
they will not get away with their deception.
Now Paul wants to give Timothy another
principle he must use if he is to stay in the game. The principle he gives to
Timothy in this passage is the principle of staying with the game plan. In
Paul's words, "Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced
of . . ."
What exactly is he trying to get across to
Timothy? He is directing him to think back across his life of following Christ
with Paul and remember the times when things looked bad but how God delivered
them. What was it that gave Timothy or Paul the victory every time? Was it
their quick thinking, their superior intellect? It was not. Paul reminds
Timothy to remain in the Scriptures, to not let anything keep him from the
reading and meditating on the Scriptures.
Every good coach has his or her reasons for
their game plan and Paul is merely telling Timothy, "Our play book is
superior to every other team's play book. If you stay in this and learn from it
and obey its precepts you will endure to the end. IF you do not stay in this
play book you will not win but you will go down to defeat."
I like to win, so I am choosing to stay with
the play book that God has given. Any other takers?
Living out of the Ultimate Playbook,
Pastor Phil