2 Tim 2:1-13 notes

Outline:

What do we need to be strengthened FOR?

Suffering

How are we to be strengthened?

By the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus

Exegesis:

V. 2

Does this apply only to PASTORS/elders like Timothy, [bishops!], responsible for entrusting the apostolic message to other MEN (elders!) who are able to teach** (qualification for elders alone – not all people…)? Or does it apply to ALL believers called to multiply – every “Paul to have a Timothy, and to have your *3*, and then your *12*... ?

I think it applies FIRST to pastors/church leaders in training up fellow elders/pastors/leaders in the church, BUT with a practical application to ALL saints: we should be seeking to SHARE what we’ve learned from God with others, with our kids, with our neighbors and coworkers, in such a way that can multiply – in such a way that will equip them to share with others…

Hah - this is what you are doing with LG: training up Carter, Cody, and Alex to be able to TEACH others in the LG setting. They are not pastors, at all–but they are capable to teach others! And ANY mature disciple will be able to TEACH others. Heb 5 – by now you should be TEACHERS, he says to ALL his audience! Not just to the pastors.

The problem of the hearers of Hebrews is that they had grown “dull of hearing”; they need someone to teach them again the BASIC principles of the oracles of God, needing milk, not solid food.

They SHOULD have – at this point in their Christian journey – been able to instruct others, teach others (2 Tim 2:2!!!), been able to eat MEAT, solid food – been MATURE, mature ADULTS!!! SKILLED in the word of righteousness!! Those who have their “powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

So OBVIOUSLY there is a clear application – those who are MATURE in the faith, will be those who TEACH others.

You may not have a pulpit

You may not be able to give sermons

You may not be able to exegete and exposit the word like Colin Smith

But with maturity, and with SKILL in the Word, with the powers of your discernment TRAINED by constant PRACTICE of distinguishing good from evil, you will be able to EXPLAIN the gospel, SHARE God’s truth with others more effectively.

2 Timothy 2:3 (ESV)

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

JESUS is the Commander! the GENERAL of the Army of which we are a part, in which we FIGHT!!!

2 Timothy 2:4 ESV

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

What are civilian pursuits?

that which soldiers get entangled in, taking him OFF his aim of PLEASING his commander (displeasing or disappointing or making angry his commander)

distractions — what do soldiers need to do?

Think of Uriah, not willing even to sleep in his own home, or make love to his wife, while the rest of the men were in battle — his AIM was to PLEASE YHWH, the ultimate Commander of God’s army!!!

Not nec. SINFUL things, but things that distract us from our BATTLE, that remove us from the being the fittest, most effective soldiers, warriors…

What are the civilian pursuits in your life that disable you or distract you from the battlefield?

videogames

movies/entertainment/social media

bad friends, wasting time

Not all HOBBIES are BAD … but do they help you RUN?

Don’t just ask, is this a sin? or how far is too far? how much is too much? Ask, does this help me FIGHT for Christ? RUN for Christ! WORK for Christ!

Your AIM in life is to PLEASE Jesus!!!

Outline:

The Christian life is one of suffering and temptation, in which we NEED the strength of God to endure and finish strong.

How to Endure Anything

Be STRENGTHENED by grace

2. Share the Gospel, and train others

3. Receive suffering as a privilege

Don’t get distracted

disqualified

discouraged or lazy

4. THINK on Scripture

5. Remember Jesus

our pattern, example of suffering preceding glory!

6. Recognize the WORD is not bound

7. Realize your endurance affects other Christians

8. Beware of making shipwreck… denying Christ

its a process...

9. REST in the faithfulness of the God who cannot deny himself