What to Expect When You Are Expecting (Part 2)- 2 Timothy 3:10–17

Last week we began this two-part series of end times events discussed in Paul’s second letter to Timothy.

One aspect of suffering Christians endure is suffering through this life as it reaches its climax of evil and wickedness prior to the judgment of Christ and His final victory over all the enemies of God.

Learning to live in light of this truth, however, is difficult. It is one we easily forget, and one that Paul constantly reminds the young pastor about.

Whereas last week we focused primarily on the wicked, this week we will contrast the lifestyle of the wicked with the lifestyle of the righteous.

If we could summarize this section with one sentence, it would be this:

By focusing on the God of the righteous, faithfully studying, and earnestly living the Scriptures, we will endure suffering with steadfastness.

What should we expect with the end times? Evil people and fake-Christians growing from bad to worse. What do we do in response? We live a faithful Christian life.

I. Focus on the God of the Righteous- 3:10–13

This passage picks up right after the depressing discussion of the evils of the end times. Paul elaborates, as you may recall, on the seasons of increasing wickedness, the willing deception of certain people, and the deviant teachers. Although Paul encourages us that they will face judgment, he further encourages us through these reminders: focus on the God of the righteous.

Whereas the wicked focus on their selves and their pleasures, the servant of God focuses on God and those who are of the same mind (cf. 2 Tim. 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” )

Timothy has observed, first hand, all that consumed Paul: a desire to know God and make Him known. This, as we see in the book of Acts, comes often through suffering: my persecutions and sufferings,” of which Paul elaborates on in 2 Cor. 11:23–28). 1 Cor. 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

All of these persecutions Paul endured, practicing what he was preaching to Timothy (and to us today!). But Paul’s point is not to lift himself up, as if he was something amazing as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He uses his sufferings to glorify God.

Yet from them all the Lord rescued me—not that Paul was free from suffering, as we have just considered. No, Paul is not saying that the Christian life is a bed of ease, on the contrary, it is a bed of roses, filled with the beauty and aroma of Christ as life’s thorns pierce our skin. But the Lord is faithful to keep His servants safe until their work is done.

Don’t focus on me, Paul tells Timothy, focus on the God I serve!

Verse 12 reminds us that all who want to live the Christian life will face persecution. This phrase deserves some attention, because it may give off the wrong impression.

Paul is not saying that we will all face the same intensity of persecution, or the same type of persecution, or the same frequency of persecution. The Sovereign Lord knows that His children cannot handle the same trials equally.

However, Christians should expect some persecution. It may be simply from living a different lifestyle than those around you. It may come from family members or close friends. It may be from coworkers. Expect it!

But through it all focus on the God of the righteous, who delivers His children from persecution, sin, and death. The wicked will continue growing in their wickedness, don’t let that distract you. You focus on the Lord. But you also faithfully study the Scriptures.

II. Faithfully Study the Scriptures- 3:14–15

Paul contrasts the increasing wickedness of evil persons and fake-Christians with Timothy’s expectation to increase in godliness.

Perhaps you have asked yourself that question: How do I become more godly? Paul answers this vital question for us here.

“Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed”—stay faithful, day by day, week by week, year by year.

The Bradford pear is beautiful in the spring, quick growing and easily transported tree that abounds in SC. Although these are true, ultimately the Bradford pear tree is not good precisely because it grows quickly but has weak branches. 15–24 years lifespan. When storms come, or ice hits, the branches break easily. It cannot withstand times of difficulty.

The redwood tree, however, though it experiences incredible growth initially, can also live to be thousands of years old. They can withstand powerful storms and even intense fires.

The analogy is clear: if we want to be Christians who have solid, faith-infused lives we must realize it will come through a lifetime of suffering and study.

We could say live in these things. They are the Scriptures, the very means by which Timothy has been led to salvation. According to our own constitution and by-laws as a church, if you are a member you should be “faithful in all duties essential to the Christian life.” One of those duties is to study the Scriptures faithfully.

And by the way, the “sacred Scriptures” to which Paul refers are primarily the OT scriptures. Let us not neglect any of God’s Word, but be faithful to study it.

If we were to take the time, we could see the vital correlation between study and living the Word of God (this and our next point). **PSALM 119** We will make these connections as we consider living the Word.

Do you regularly spend time in the Word of God? Do you bring your Bible with you to church? Do you realize what a privilege it is to have God’s Word in your own language?

Do you study the Word of God? Do you read actively, trying to understand what you are reading? Do you look up words with which you may not be familiar?

Faithful study it, seek to know God through His precious Word, but with as much effort earnestly live the Scriptures.

III. Earnestly Live the Scriptures- 3:16–17

The entirety of God’s Word hold practical value. It is “useful,” Paul tells us, for four things: teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

The purpose of this four-fold usefulness is to equip fully the man of God. Earnestly live the Scriptures by asking four questions that align with the four-fold usefulness of God’s Word.

Before we ask these questions, let me briefly remark that this does not mean every verse will contain all four of these elements. They may only contain teaching, or training in righteousness. They may not all have the same clarity, either. Peter tells us that some of what Paul wrote is difficult to understand (cf. 2 Pet. 3:16). That is why we must faithfully study the Scriptures.

Assuming these issues, though, we can ask ourselves four questions concerning the Scriptures we read.

A. What does this passage teach?

What does this passage tell me about God? Does it describe His character? Does it reveal His beauty and glory? Does it tell me of His wonderful love and forgiveness?

Perhaps it reveals the truth about humanity, that although we bear the image of God we are fallen creatures who seek after sin rather than the Savior.

The Bible is useful for teaching, instruction, and therefore we must study (see second point) to know what teachings they are providing.

B. Of what do I need to repent?

The Bible is useful for reproof, pointing out an area (or, areas) in our lives that go against the holiness of God. As we learn (teaching/instruction) from God’s Word we realize that we may be doing things God forbids (sins of commission) or not doing things God commands (sins of omission).

We learn things to avoid and things to do from God’s Word and frequently realize that we are violating His truth. God’s Word is described for us in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The next question to ask logically is, how can I correct it? In addition to seeking a restored relationship with the Lord through confession, we may also need to rectify relationships with one another. We may need to confess our faults one to another (James 5:16). We may need to go before the church and ask for forgiveness for something we have done.

C. How can I correct it?

Once we learn the truth (teaching) and repent from the sin (reproof), how can we return to the path of righteousness?

When we sin against someone, not only do we primarily sin against God (cf. Psalm 51:4), we also sin against someone else. Jesus tells us if we are offering an offering to the LORD and remember we sinned against someone, seeking forgiveness from them is a more pressing matter (cf. Matt. 5:21–26).

Our last question, then, seeks to avoid violating God’s Word completely, and Paul describes this as “training in righteousness,” or even simply “being like Christ.

D. What steps can I take to be like Christ?

This is where it gets even more practical. If I struggle with sinful anger, I need to learn that God is patient and longsuffering, meditating on those precious truths.

Then I need to repent from that sinful anger, correcting it with God first and foremost, then with others (my wife, children, etc). But then, if I am to be a complete man of God (or, for you ladies, to be a complete woman of God), I must seek to avoid it altogether. What steps do I need to take to do that?

By focusing on the God of the righteous, faithfully studying, and earnestly living the Scriptures, we will endure suffering with steadfastness.

Chris comes to lead us in our invitational hymn Near to the Heart of God, we have in song a prayer for the fulfillment of this sermon. How do we live life in the end times: near to the heart of God.