The Form, But No Power

2 Timothy 3:5

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever been puzzled at how some of the people with the loftiest amount of Bible knowledge can demonstrate so little Bible in their daily lives? Unfortunately, some of these people are standing behind pulpits, filling the airwaves, and flooding the internet with Bible teaching. Those who major on the internet, radio, or television ministries offer no way to examine the practice. The sad fact is that men who have so much Bible knowledge that they cannot fellowship with any other believers, often demonstrate that they are hiding a malnourished Christian practice.

I. THE CONUNDRUM DISCUSSED

A. The Pursuit of Knowledge

1. The scriptural admonition for knowledge (2 Peter 3:18)
2. The scriptural preparation for knowledge (2 Peter 1:5)
3. The scriptural dilemma of knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1)

B. The Implementation of Knowledge

1. Knowledge must be met with virtue (2 Peter 1:5)
2. Knowledge must be followed by (2 Peter 1:6-7)
a. Temperance (2 Peter 1:6)
b. Patience (2 Peter 1:6)
c. Godliness (2 Peter 1:6)
d. Brotherly kindness (2 Peter 1:7)
e. Charity (2 Peter 1:7)

II. THE CONUNDRUM DEMONSTRATED

A. The Possession of a Form

1. Understanding form
a. The word form can indicate shape or appearance (Philippians 2:6-7)
b. The word form can indicate a structure (Romans 6:17; 2 Timothy 1:13).
2. Possessing form
a. The problem was not that these people failed to possess the form of godliness.
b. In fact, the opposite was true.

B. The Denial of the Power

1. I have always been led to believe that this spoke of those who outwardly appeared godly, but denied godliness’ power to work in their lives.
2. However, if you read the context you might be convinced otherwise:
a. They were lovers of their own selves (2 Timothy 3:2).
b. They were covetous (2 Timothy 3:2).
c. They were boasters (2 Timothy 3:2).
d. They were proud (2 Timothy 3:2).
e. They were blasphemers (2 Timothy 3:2).
f. They were disobedient to parents (2 Timothy 3:2).
g. They were unthankful (2 Timothy 3:2).
h. They were unholy (2 Timothy 3:2).
i. They lacked natural affection (2 Timothy 3:3).
j. They were trucebreakers (2 Timothy 3:3).
k. They were false accusers (2 Timothy 3:3).
l. They were incontinent (2 Timothy 3:3).
m. They were fierce (2 Timothy 3:3).
n. They despised those that were good (2 Timothy 3:3).
o. They were traitors (2 Timothy 3:4).
p. They were heady (2 Timothy 3:4).
q. They were highminded (2 Timothy 3:4).
r. They loved pleasures (2 Timothy 3:4).
3. In fact, it seems to match the description Paul offered in Romans 1:18

III. THE CONUNDRUM DIRECTIVE

A. Know (2 Timothy 3:1)

1. Know the times
2. Know the circumstances

B. Turn (2 Timothy 3:5)

1. From such
2. Turn away

CONCLUSION: The thought of this age among Bible-believers is to fill ourselves up with Bible knowledge, but put little-to-none of it in practice. While we can argue the finer points of the nature of angels, the identity of the sons of God, the difference between the Rapture of the Church and the Second Coming, but struggle to maintain godly homes, relationships, and basic Christian character.