26-0628p - Detailed Summary

and Sound Mind from 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Tonight we continue with part two of the lesson from this morning on being sound. The morning lesson addressed sound wisdom, which comes from God. There is also the wisdom of the world that refuses to accept God who gives wisdom, making worldly wisdom unfounded. Mike turned to 2 Timothy 1, first reading verse 6: "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." He then read verse 7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

This connects to the James passage where it says if any lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach. God will not reproach or bring up previous requests for wisdom but gives liberally. However, one must ask in faith without doubting. Doubting means thinking perhaps God will not give the wisdom requested. We must have faith that God will provide what we ask according to His will. Wisdom from God is something He certainly wants us to have. Proverbs teaches to get wisdom, specifically the wisdom that comes from God.

If we doubt, we are like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Doubting leads to thinking God is not answering prayers. Mike shared an example from a visit in West Virginia to a man who had stopped attending assembly. The man said he did not see where God was answering his prayers. Upon inquiry, it became clear the man was focused on minor criticisms of the preacher, such as having only a little hair on his chin or leaving early on Wednesday nights for a Bible class with a family instead of shaking hands. These nitpicking issues distracted him from recognizing the preacher’s work, especially midweek. Such a critical mindset hinders faith and prayer.

We need to ask God in faith, expecting Him to grant requests according to His will, just as a father would give bread to his child and not a stone. God gives what we ask for when it aligns with His will. Combining the morning lesson on sound wisdom with the sound mind, these are internal qualities. Now the lesson turns to sound things that come from within outward, including a sound heart and mind. Because of these, there should be sound things manifesting outwardly. The focus shifts to Titus for meaningful aspects of soundness.

First, sound doctrine. In Titus 1:9, Paul describes qualifications for a bishop or elder who must hold fast the faithful word as taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convict those who contradict. In Titus 2:1, Paul tells Titus to speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. Doctrine here is singular. Doctrines (plural) come from men, as Jesus noted with the Pharisees and Sadducees and their commandments of men. We must have sound doctrine.

We must also be sound in faith. In Titus 1:13, Paul says to rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith. In Titus 2:2, older men are to be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, and in patience. Some of these qualities manifest outwardly, but soundness in the faith is essential.

In Titus 2:8, after addressing older men and women, Paul exhorts young men to be sober-minded in all things, showing themselves as a pattern of good works. Paul affirms there is a pattern of good works in doctrine, showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. This ensures that opponents may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say.

Mike referenced a video from gdntv.org where a man mocked faithful teachings, particularly baptism and the use of instruments in worship. The man used the Old Testament to justify instruments but ignored that the old law, including animal sacrifices and incense, was taken out of the way and nailed to the cross (Colossians 2). If instruments are justified from the old law, why not animal sacrifices or incense? The old law was removed. Sound speech that cannot be condemned counters such mockery. Efforts have been made to engage the man in discussion.

Another video showed a debate with a Calvinist who believed in baptizing babies because they are born in sin. After discussion, the man began changing his mind. If one truly stands on the word, it is unchangeable. Changing beliefs reveals a lack of soundness.

Let us be sound in wisdom, have a sound heart and mind. Let us be sound in doctrine, faith, and speech. Sound means complete, perfect, healthy. Healthy teaching requires staying with the word. A sound mind enables a sound heart. Mike recalled Del Tackett’s visual of the heart at the center of the mind, emphasizing biblical belief with the mind. In a debate, one brother pointed to his head when speaking of the heart, clarifying the biblical heart is the mind, not the blood pump, though emotions may be felt lower. From the heart come emotions, but the biblical heart is intellectual and volitional.

In the invitation, Mike encouraged coming to Jesus, the rock, and placing faith on the firm foundation of His word. We need to show soundness in teaching, behavior, and all we do. If anyone needs to respond to the invitation in any way, come to Jesus.