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Will you finish the Christian life?
Look, one of our values here is that we are Reformed. We haven’t just made all this up. No,
we stand in the tradition of the Reformers going right back to the first century church.
And one of the things that being Reformed means is that we believe in the Perseverance of
the Saints. That everyone who has truly repented and put their trust in Jesus - He will keep to
the end. We believe that. Absolutely.
But experience teaches us that many who have claimed to be Christians are actually nothing
of the sort. Time proves them to be fair-weather believers. Sure they liked going along to the
church. They liked the community it provided. But when suffering comes along, or when the
gospel demands of them something they don’t want to give up; they turn their back on Jesus.
So let me ask you, how do you, how do I make sure I am not one of those people?
Listen, statistically I’m speaking to at least 20 people who 10 years from now will not be
following Jesus.
How will you finish the Christian race? How, in the words of the Apostle Peter in the letter
we’re studying in Equip right now, will you “make your calling and election sure”?
“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for
if you practise these qualities you will never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 (ESV)
How will you race with endurance? That’s what we’re thinking about today.
Let me tell you about my finest sporting achievement.
It was the summer of 1995, and I was representing London in the National Sea Cadet
Windsurfing Championship. It was taking place in Portland harbour where we were
windsurfing in between warships and nuclear submarines. And amazingly, I managed to
finish second. Yes, silver medal! My finest sporting achievement of all time.
And what that race did is it taught me three really important lessons. Three key things you
have to do if you want to race with endurance:
1. Avoid shipwreck
2. Follow the right leaders
3. Use the right equipment
And those are our three points today from 2 Timothy 3. First up.
1. Avoid shipwreck – vv. 1-9.
Now the obstacles in that race which caught out some of my competitors were warships,
floating pontoons and strong gusts of wind.

They caused several of the cadets to plunge into the dark, icy waters of Portland Harbour and
three of them had to be treated for hypothermia.
Now the dangers in the Christian life – the rocks that’ll shipwreck us – they’re very different
but no less dangerous.
Take a look at verse 1.
“But mark this” Mark this, Paul says. He wants his apprentice Timothy to take this very
seriously.  “There will be terrible times in the last days.”
Now “last days” isn’t talking about some time in the distant future.
If it was there would be no need to warn Timothy about it. No, the last times, according to the
New Testament, is the whole period between Jesus’ first coming and his return.
The time Timothy was living in. The time we’re living in today.
And Paul says they will be terrible times. Now the word used there is only used in one other
place in the New Testament. Matthew 8:28. Where it’s used to describe two demon-
possessed men in the Gadarenes. The word means “out of control. Wild. Ferocious.”
These are wild, ferocious times, we’re living in as we await Jesus’ return.
Why? Because of the people Paul describes in vv. 2-9.
People who have infiltrated the church. Verses 2-5 describe what they are like. And verses 6-
9 tell us what they do.
And the description can be a bit overwhelming. There are no less than nineteen phrase used
to describe them. But the bookends in the list really help.
Take a look at those. Verse 2 – they – that is the false teachers - are lovers of themselves. End
of verse 4 – rather than lovers of God.
This is so, so helpful.
What makes a person good? It’s not ultimately about what a person believes, or what a
person hopes for. It is about what they love.
Let’s test this. Think of some key virtues.
Take courage. Ultimately, courage is about who you love. Its loving your neighbour’s
wellbeing more than your own safety.
Or generosity. It’s about loving and wanting to benefit others more than yourself.
Or honesty. Its about loving your neighbour enough to tell the truth even if that damages your
own reputation or relationships.

Do you see? The essence of who we are is ultimately down to what we love.
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:36-38
And Jesus said this is the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all you heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind. And love your neighbour as yourself.”
That’s the order. Love God – first. And that will flow out into love for neighbour. Which will
ultimately mean loving – doing what is good - for yourself.
But do you see what’s happened with these people in Ephesus where Timothy is ministering?
They’ve reversed the order. They love themselves – first – which means they’ve become
lovers of money.
And that has rolled out into character that is like highly corrosive acid to good and healthy
relationships.
These people are boastful and proud. Putting themselves first and looking down on others.
Disobedient to their parents.
Then there are the four uns of vv. 2-3: ungrateful, unholy, unloving and unforgiving. Do you
see? Love of self. Failure to love God leads spews out in character which hates other people.
They are slanderous – backbiters, haters. Unable to control their emotions. They fly off the
handle at the slightest provocation. And their motto is: “Look after number one!”.
And it is all because of what they love. Themselves. Not God.
They have disordered loves.
The early church theologian, Augustine of Hippo, said that “The essence of sin is disordered
loves”.
“The essence of sin is disordered loves”. Augustine (photo)
Its not about loving things we should hate. But loving good things in the wrong order or in
wrong proportion.
And I think that’s right.
Let’s have a silly example. Cookies after church.
Plate of cookies
Our cookies at City Church are great. I love them.

But if I go to the plate straight after the service and take four for myself – look I know some
of us do that. That shows I love my own pleasure, my own satisfaction; more than I love you
who are left with the cheap custard creams; or God who has said that I should not be
gluttonous. Do you see?
Or take sex. Sex is a good gift, given by God to us. It is good to enjoy sex. But to look at
pornography or to have sex outside of a marriage between one man and one woman; is to
love our own pleasure more than our future spouse or God who gave the good gift. Do you
see?
It’s about disordered loves.
And this is what makes it so difficult to see in other people. Did you notice that in the
passage?
Those warship and pontoons in Portland Harbour were actually pretty easy to see.
But these people in Ephesus – they’re under the water – like jagged shards of coral.
Verse 5 – they have a form of godliness but deny its power.
Externally they look very good. On the outside they look like respectable, upstanding church
members. But on the inside, they’re seething with pride, envy and selfishness.
It’s how they’re able to wheedle their way into homes – v. 6.
Now, don’t read verse 6 as Paul being misogynistic. He no more thinks that all women are
gullible than he thinks all men are false teachers.
But he does want to put his finger on some power dynamics. These people use their position
and influence to abuse people – preying on their inability to find what they’re longing for,
what they need in Jesus.
They are like Jannes and Jambres – v. 8. Now these two are not mentioned in the Bible itself
but in later Jewish literature they are named as the two magicians who, at the time of the
Exodus, used their secret arts to mimic the miracles Moses was performing. So, when Moses
throw Aaron’s staff down onto the ground and become a snake; Jannes and Jambres did the
same.
They were fabricating the works of God. But doing it for their own gain. They were lovers of
themselves.
They look like Christians but are depraved – v. 8, heading to hell.
So how do we apply this?
I’ve read a number of commentaries and listened to several sermons on this text, and they all
give predictable cautions about the danger of being a “cultural Christian”. You know, turning
up at church on Sundays, reciting the liturgies, being seen to give generously but in reality
just doing it for yourself. “Having a form of godliness but denying its power”.

But that’s not very challenging is it. Because I doubt that any of us here consider ourselves to
be cultural Christians.
So let me ask you.
What’s the reason you come to City Church. Or perhaps it’s easier to cast it in the negative.
What would make you leave City Church?
If the music’s not to your liking
If there’s not enough people like you at the church
If you find the time we meet at inconvenient
If you feel there’s not enough community – by which you mean not enough people giving
you the relational depth and attention you want
If you find City Church uncomfortable
Now, none of those things are wrong things to want. Its good to love good music. Its good to
want deep community.
But that shouldn’t be why you come to City Church. You should come to worship God. To
love him with all your heart, soul and mind. To love your neighbour as yourself. To be a
friend rather than to find a friend. To serve others rather than to be served by others. To
provide comfort rather than gain comfort.
“In religion, as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by
looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look
for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth -- only soft soap and wishful
thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair.” CS Lewis (with picture)
CS Lewis put it really well in Mere Christianity. He said this: “In religion, as in war and
everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for
truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get
either comfort or truth -- only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end,
despair.”
Watch out for disordered loves. It’s so subtle. So hard to spot.
But it will shipwreck your faith.
2. Follow the right leaders vv. 10-15
Secondly, vv. 10-15, follow the right leaders.
You know I actually should have won the 1995 Sea Cadet Championship. I should have.
Because one hundred metres from the finish line I was running in second place and the
person in front of me inexplicably jibed to head towards a buoy that wasn’t part of the course.
The finish line was right in front of me.

But then I started to second guess myself. Maybe the other guy was right and if I kept on
heading towards the finish line I’d get disqualified for cutting the course. So, I jibed,
followed the leader and came through in second.
But it turned out that I had been right all along. Had I stayed my course I would have won the
race.
We must follow the right leaders.
Which brings us to v 10: “You however, Timothy ... you, however, don’t go down that route.
Don’t follow the church members who are lovers of pleasure and lovers of self rather than
lovers of God. No, they will lead you off course. They will shipwreck your faith. Instead
follow ....”
Well, look who he says to follow? In verses 14-15 he seems to suggest that Timothy should
follow his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, the ladies we read about back in
chapter 1.  And in verses 10-11, he definitely encourages Timothy to follow Paul himself.
Who do you follow?
Well, we all follow leaders. We all surround ourselves with people who influence us. Who
shape and guide us.
Some of us do that intentionally. We seek out mentors.
Others of us just fall into friendship groups where we’re influenced by the leading
personalities.
How do you decide who to follow?
I think some of us follow those who make us feel better. What do I mean?
Well, you’re struggling alcohol. You’re not an alcoholic but you know that when you go out
you tend to drink too much and you think: “I need help”. And so, you go to someone who
you know also struggles with drinking too much from time to time. Because you know they’ll
be empathetic: “Yes, I slip up too. It’s hard. But at least we’re saved by grace, hey!” You
follow people who make you feel better.
Others of us follow people whose competence we admire. When Tim Keller was alive, I was
always amused by what happened to him at conferences. There would be a long line of
people queuing up to chat with him and take selfies with him. People admitted Keller’s
preaching, teaching and writing. They wanted to follow him, be like him.
But you know that competence is rarely caught.
Unlike character. And character is precisely what Paul wants Timothy to follow in him.
Did you notice that? Look at v. 10: “You know all about my teaching, my way of life, my
purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings.”

“Timothy, you know what happened to me in Lystra.” If you’re interested, you can read
about it in Acts 14. “You know, Timothy, because Lystra’s your hometown. And when I
went there, I preached, and they stoned me. They were convinced I was dead and dragged me
out of the city. But I survived”.
Timothy, you know my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my endurance. You know I’m
willing to suffer. Because I’m a disciple of Jesus. Thene who carried his cross up a hill
outside Jerusalem. I know – verse 12 – that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted. Everyone.
Now we’re not to seek out persecution.
But beware of anyone who prioritises avoiding it. Who justifies not sharing the gospel
because the environment they’re in is too hostile. Who looks to move to an easier place.
Follow those who endure.
“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be
overjoyed when his glory is revealed” 1 Peter 4:13
Who, in the words of the apostle Peter, rejoice that they participate in the sufferings of Christ
(1 Peter 4:13).
Ah, I wish I wasn’t preaching at City because I want to tell you who I follow. I’m going to do
it anyway – I just won’t name names.
There’s a couple here who are great evangelists. Always seeking to share the gospel. Always
inviting neighbour, colleagues to evangelistic events, even when the invite is thrown back in
their face. They’ve known hard times. Hard times in their extended family, hard times in their
marriage. Yet they persevere. And when they see me, they always ask me how I am. And
they’re genuinely interested. They give as generously as they can. They are encouragers and
see the good. And they are faithful.
That’s who I want to follow. That’s someone who will lead me to the finish line.
3. Use the right equipment vv. 15-17
Finally, we need to make sure we use the right equipment.
I mentioned that three of the sea cadets had to be treated for hypothermia after the race. That
was partly because their wetsuits didn’t fit and their masts detached from their boards
because they had the wrong fittings. They weren’t using the right equipment.
If we want to finish the Christian life, if we want to race with endurance, then we must make
sure we have the right equipment; and that we use it.
Look at how Paul describes the Bible in verse 16: “All Scripture [that’s all the Bible] is God-
breathed”.

Now the Greek word used there – theopneustos –literally means “God – spirated”.
Some older translations, like the King James Version, read “all Scripture is given by the
inspiration of God.”
But that doesn’t quite do it.
God didn’t inspire the Bible like Tessa inspires me to put more effort into presentation slides.
No, what verse 16 is saying is that the Scriptures are the very words of God breathed out of
his mouth.
And God’s word is powerful. It was by His Word that God created the heavens and the earth.
That’s Genesis 1. And its by God’s Word that he brings new life to believers.
And what Paul is telling us here in vv. 16-17 is that it is by God’s Word that he matures and
transforms his people. We’re going to come back to verse 16 next week and think about
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
What I want us to focus on today is how the Scriptures mature and transform Christians.
Verse 15: they do it by making us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
The Bible didn’t save us. You know that. And the Bible doesn’t keep us saved.
No, it’s Jesus.
But Jesus does that work through the Bible because the Bible is His equipment ro bring us to
faith in Him and to keep us going in Him.
Every page from Genesis to Revelation is like a giant flashing signpost pointing to Jesus and
all that he has done to save us.
So, when we read in the opening chapter of Genesis about a child of Eve who will come and
crush Satan’s head – that’s Jesus.
When we read in Genesis 22 of a ram who dies in the place of Abraham’s son Isaac. That’s
Jesus – God’s own Son.
Or the Passover lamb in Exodus 12 who dies in the place of the Israelites. That’s Jesus.
Or the tabernacle – the place where God dwells with His people. That’s Jesus.
When we come to the Kings and meet a shepherd boy – David – who represents his people in
defeating their great enemy. That’s Jesus.
Who goes on to be rejected and forsaken: “My God my God why have you forsaken me”.
That’s Jesus.

And we get to the prophets. Isaiah tells us about one to come who will not break the bruised
reed or snuff out the smouldering wick. That’s Jesus.
A man of sorrows, by whose wounds we’ll be healed. That’s Jesus.
Or Jonah – who to save others from judgments spends three days in the belly of a fish. That’s
Jesus
The whole Bible – the whole of it – is God’s equipment to make us wise for salvation as it
points us to Jesus.
Have you discovered that? Have you let the Bible lead you to Jesus – the one who laid down
his life in your place? Who took the punishment you deserve on the cross so that you don’t
have to. Will you trust in Him today?
Well, if you already have, will you let the Bible keep you going in the Christian life. Are you
using the equipment God has provided?
Reading the Bible daily. Not just to inform your mind but to marinate your soul in the
goodness of who Jesus is and what he has done for you.
Do you hunger after the Scriptures? Do you see them as sweeter than honey, more precious
than gold.
Because they lead you to the only man who ever has lived who had perfectly ordered loves.
Who loved the Lord His God with all his heart, soul and mind and who loved you with a self-
giving, self-denying, life-sacrificing, always and forever love.
Do you let the Scriptures lead you to the only one who will ultimately lead you through
affliction, knowing that the path for the Christian – the Christ follower -  is suffering now,
glory later.
What is the soundtrack of your life. What do you wake up to right now? The new Taylor
Swift album? Travis Scott?
Or when you wake up, do you open the Bible and listen to the lyric and music of the gospel.
Do you let that fill the chambers of your heart. Do you let that order your disordered loves?
Do you let the Bible fuel a gospel dance in your life so that you give yourself away for the
sake of others.

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