Notes of Faith April 26, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
September 22, 2002
“BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN TURBULENT TIMES”
II Timothy 3:16, 17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
I don’t feel that I have to remind you of the nature of the times in which we are living. Even children, in their own way, are aware of the tensions that are swelling within our society. However, I would like to remind you of the Divine resources which God has given us to withstand the turbulence in which we find ourselves.
This passage also teaches us how to build confidence in situations of difficulty. The Word of God is the Christian’s source of confidence and direction in this confused world. The main thrust in these verses is that ALL Scripture is profitable, useful and advantageous.
1. Why is Scripture profitable? It is “God breathed (16a)!” Scripture is the reflection of God’s mind and character. Scripture is the philosophy of the Christian’s life. Scripture is without error or ambiguity.
2. How is Scripture profitable (16b)?
a. It teaches us what is right for our life. Scripture is profitable for Doctrine (in contrast to what society is telling us is right.) This is why the Bible places so much emphasis upon the systematic teaching of Scripture.
b. It teaches us what is not right for our life! Reproof is to rebuke, to convict or expose. We teach our children what is right. We also teach them that which is bad for them.
c. It teaches us how to get right in our life! Correction is restoration to a right condition. The reproving ministry of the Word points out our wrongness. The correcting ministry of the Word gets us back on the right path (see Psalm 19:7.) The negative and positive commands of Scripture are found in Ephesians 4:23-29 where there is both reproof and correction.
d. It teaches us how to stay right in our life! It instructs us in righteousness (see Titus 2:11, 12.) The Grace of God teaches us to live Godly lives. The Word of God traces out the details of Godliness and establishes us within the pattern of Grace. May I get “teachy” here? In the original text the Greek word paideian used here is the word for instruction of children (see Hebrews 12:5, 6.)
In verse 17 Paul tells us that all of this results in the gradual shaping of our lives into useful, effective ministry where we are men and women of confidence. We are light and salt, well balanced, well equipped to serve God in a very sick society.
Beloved, let us stay in the Word every day of our lives! As Christians we can’t afford not to! God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Pastor Charles thought we were a sick society in 2002…what would he think now? We are so much better? We continue to improve on human life? No! We are moving toward a time of released restriction on evil. Some day, perhaps soon, the Holy Spirit will be taken away, the rapture will take place, the bride of Christ will leave their present life and be transformed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds, taken to be with Him forever! Since the restraining force of the believing in Christ, those filled with the Holy Spirit are gone…evil will run rampant. We may think things are bad now…but as has been quoted in many circumstances… “you haven’t seen anything yet”. In other words, there is much worse evil that will be experienced and it could be coming very soon.
You can listen to the Word of God with your phone, a “stick” the size of a small pencil with the entire Bible on it. We have no excuse not to be in the Word of God every day and find the truth of human life, from our creation, to our character, attitudes, thoughts and actions…all to be a reflection of our Creator and Sustainer, the Lord Jesus Christ! May you be encouraged, lifted up, inspired to read or listen to the Word of God today and every day, that you might know Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and grow in His grace and mercy through every moment.
Love God! Love others!
Pastor Dale