The title of today’s study is a question… one of the most important questions to ever be asked. In Christian-circles today, you may find yourself asking this question more often than you might realize at first; but when properly utilized, this question can open our eyes to see truths that we may not otherwise see, and help guide us to where God is leading; allow me to explain…
The question “Where is Jesus?” is not signifying the departure of Jesus, but rather His absence from modern day Christianity, as utterly ironic as that may be. This absence is not because Jesus chooses to be absent, but because believers have removed Him from His role as head and center-focus of the church, and people are for-the-most-part, oblivious to it.
That’s why in this study today, we are going to be examining exactly how this phenomenon is occurring, and how we can re-center and re-focus our lives on Jesus, the one Solid Rock and Foundation upon which everything else can be built, and how this question of “Where is Jesus?” can actually save us a lot of time and problems.
Let’s begin our study be reading 2nd Timothy 2:9-19:
“Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even to bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet he stays faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.
And their word will eat as does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
We see that Paul here is suffering trouble, as an evildoer, even to bonds. He is being bound-up, locked away as a criminal, because the authorities do not like his message… Now what message is this that he is speaking? It’s the Word of God, the Gospel, the Good News of Christ Jesus. Paul makes this fact abundantly clear in Acts 20:25-32.
Notice that Paul though does not focus on his trouble, he instead encourages himself in Christ! He says but the Word of God is not bound. And he continues further in verse 10 saying that he endures all things, not because he is a masochist, but for the elect’s sake. He is so very passionate and zealous to spread the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who have need of it, that he is willing to endure the persecutions of those who are hostile to God’s Word to further the message. Also, he did not do this with selfish ambitions, to build reputation for himself, but he did it so that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. He wanted others to also have what he has… salvation in Jesus.
Today we have those who say that Grace is a false doctrine – but Paul was ready to die for the Gospel of Grace (Acts 21:13, John 1:17).
Paul then goes on to say in verses 12 and 13 of our text, that as we suffer in the name of Christ we will also reign with Him, these are words of further encouragement… not just for himself since he was suffering, but also for us as well. And then, we see a wonderful truth, that many do not see as wonderful because many preachers tend to take it out of context and separate it from the whole: if we deny Him, He will deny us. To understand this, we must understand that Paul is quoting from the Old Covenant, in 2nd Chronicles 15:2 and other places. But now, there is a new addition to it, in verse 13… if you are faithless (utterly lacking and devoid of faith) He will remain faithful, and the reason given is this because He cannot deny Himself. Now again, this is for believers – this is not for the people of the world, who do not know or have not received Jesus. But this brings us to our main topic and point tonight: that even believers do not hear the truth of Christ, because many preachers are teaching as if we are still under the Old Covenant apart from Christ, when in-fact we are under the New Covenant with better promises in Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 8:6). Peter denied Jesus; not once, nor twice, but three times! And not only did Peter deny Jesus three times, but he denied Jesus with cursing and swearing! (Matthew 26:74, Mark 14:71). Even so, yet Peter was forgiven and restored… do you know why? The key is in the last part of our verse: because God cannot deny Himself. Under the New Covenant of Grace, we are in Christ Jesus, and God cannot deny Himself. He clearly sees us in Himself, and we are quite safe and secure in Him.
In verse 14, Paul says to put the people in remembrance of these things… Even going so far as to say that other words are not profitable, and even subvert those who hear any other words. Hearing anything other than words which remind us of our position in Christ actually undermines our power and authority, it subverts us. Which is not what God wants, yet we have preachers today who use the church podium to preach on politics… where sermons are devoted to political causes, and stories of starving children in this-or-that part of the world; and yes those things are real, and emotionally stirring, but it brings us back to our main question: Where is Jesus? You see, politics will not save anybody, and feeding children – as great as that work is – is still a work and will not save anyone’s soul. Should we stand up for what is right in government? Absolutely! Should we feed starving people? Of-course! Jesus even said to do those things, and those of us who genuinely have His Spirit operating within us will naturally and effortlessly do such things. Yet never once does the Bible anywhere say to preach or teach either of those things from the pulpit. Those pastors and leaders who do, have become the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:4, which has lost its first love. Full of perseverance and endurance, but they have forgotten the reason why they are persevering and enduring.
It is entirely possible to be consumed and truly passionate for works and service within the church, but have no real passion or desire for Jesus Christ. Just because you see someone zealous for ministry does not necessarily mean that they are zealous for Jesus – and that includes pastors as well. In a previous study, we learned how to tell the true Gospel message from the many false gospels in the world today. This may come as a surprise, but not all pastors in Christian churches preach the Gospel, and this is why in verse 15 of our text, Paul continues on to say study to show yourself approved to God. Now stop right here for a moment because this verse has been widely misunderstood and misinterpreted to mean that you will be approved by God the more that you study. But no, we are not studying the Bible to earn approval from God. We are approved by God because of Jesus Christ alone, and we cannot do anything to earn approval beyond what He has already done for us.
The word “study” used in this verse can be better translated to mean “Be diligent”, and the reason for this diligence is not so that God will accept you, but because you are already accepted by God. Be diligent to show [others] that you are accepted to God. He counts you as accepted, you have no reason to be ashamed.
Then the second half of this verse: rightly dividing the word of truth. This part also has caused some confusion because of that word “dividing”. Some people actually think that this means separating parts of the Word of God; but no, the word “dividing” used here can be more accurately translated as to handle correctly.
You see, it is entirely possible to preach and teach the Bible in a manner that is not correct, not in-line with the message of Jesus Christ. This is the heart of our topic today and this is why the question at the start of this study is so very important: where is Jesus? If you can listen to an entire sermon, and not hear Jesus mentioned, nor hear about what He has done for you and your position in Him, and leave the service without being uplifted and edified in Him, then the Gospel is not being properly communicated. (1st Corinthians 1:22-24, Acts 20:32).
Contrary to popular opinion, the message of Christ, the whole counsel of God is the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is uplifting and encouraging. The last thing someone needs to hear when they are already experiencing the guilt and condemnation of sin is a misguided sermon from the Law that tells them how horrible they are… God calls such Law preaching “the ministration of death” (2nd Corinthians 2:7). We are not called to preach or teach in that manner any longer, but we are called to preach and teach the New Covenant of Grace in Christ. (2nd Corinthians 3:6); this kind of preaching and teaching gives honor to Jesus and pleases the Father because it exalts the finished work of Jesus Christ and gives no undue glory to the flesh or dead works which cannot save. Christ gets all of the glory because He did all of the work. God has always desired mercy and grace, and this is the covenant we are under (Hebrews 12:18-24).
Today we have preachers spiritually starving their own congregations, because they also are starving from a lack of Grace in Christ. Some preach nothing but law, while others don’t even know where they stand and hop back and forth between mount Sinai and Mount Zion, and claim that they are being “balanced”, when what they are really doing is preaching mixture and practicing spiritual adultery. (Romans 7:4-6) We are married to Jesus Christ alone, and He needs no additions to be complete.
Verse 17 of our text tells us to shun profane and vain babblings, and the word “babblings” there means “empty discourse and useless discussion”, which in the context of the surrounding verses, means anything that is not of faith in Jesus Christ. Any discussion or discourse that tears down and “overthrows faith” as is mentioned in verse 18. Now the example given here is of two people who claimed that the resurrection was passed and was telling believers that they have “missed it.”, can you imagine the negative impact that would have on a believer who didn’t know any better? That would absolutely shatter their faith and quite possibly destroy their life. And likewise today we have preachers telling people that God is angry with them, that He won’t heal them, that it’s wrong to ask God for healing, health and prosperity, and that He leads them into painful trials, and basically is an abusive parent. My friends, as we read in verse 17, we are to shun such profane and vain babblings. Those messages are not of the Holy Spirit, they are evil and designed to overthrow our faith!
Now verse 19 concludes with a reassurance. The foundation of God, which is Jesus Christ stands sure. We do not need to worry, nor should we try to take vengeance on those promoting false doctrines. The Lord knows who are His. And furthermore, let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (which means “injustice”).
I submit to you, the greatest injustice that can be done is not telling someone the Gospel, especially when you are given a platform upon which to preach the Good News of Jesus. To not tell a lost person that Jesus is their complete salvation in all things. To not tell a sick person that Jesus can heal them. To not tell someone in poverty that Jesus can supply all their needs according to His riches. To not tell a depressed and oppressed person that Jesus can totally set them free – but to instead spend those precious opportunities preaching pop-psychology or politics, or to beat the people down further with a self-righteous and very hypocritical rod of condemnation; that is the greatest injustice of all.
I am not saying that preachers can’t preach from the Law – Jesus did it, but take notice of the way in which He did it in Luke 24:27:
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
The way Jesus taught from the Torah was by expounding the things concerning Himself. He did not preach laws, rules or condemnation. He showed them Himself, He revealed Himself to them from the Old Testament writings! So if you are hearing a message, or reading your Bible, regardless of what part of the Bible it is from, Jesus should always be the key central focus and foundation of it. If you cannot answer the question of “Where is Jesus?” in what you are hearing or reading, then you need to take a step back and reevaluate. And if you are hearing a message that is not of Grace, then by all means, shun it!
By keeping Jesus as the central focus, you will find your personal Bible study time to be rewarding, uplifting, fulfilling and enjoyable. After all, this is the entire purpose of the scriptures, to reveal Jesus. The Bible is not a rulebook, it is a portrait of Jesus and a love-letter from Him to each of us, personally.
Read it as such. Study the portrait, look into the face of Jesus. Enjoy it, savor it. And you will find true joy and fulfillment as you draw closer to Him. You will move from finding the Bible a boring chore, to the most valuable and cherished experience in your day that you will long for more of.
I know, because I did.
Stop seeing the Bible through Old Covenant lenses, and start seeing your Savior in all of His Glory and finished work that you get to freely receive and enjoy.