The Bible Series 2 Timothy
Notes
Transcript
While visiting Germany, I had the opportunity to tour this massive Cathedral in Cologne. The guide described how it took hundreds of years to build. She spoke of the great detail and care each generation would give to build something they would never see completed nor the magnitude of what it would be!
We come to 2 Timothy today… the church at this time has been around for less than 40 years!
The gospel of Jesus Christ has spread from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and now even to the ends of the world
Due to Paul’s testimony at his trials it has even reached the ears of the capitol of the Roman empire
In this short period of time the church has already encountered:
Opposition
False teachers
… and persecution is growing intense under Nero’s reign
Paul finds himself once again in prison, in Rome, this time facing DEATH! It is from this place that Paul writes his last letter… 2 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy Info
2 Timothy Info
It is 67 AD and Fall is approaching and Paul sits in a Roman prison cell, facing imminent death.
With a heart for the church and a longing for his son in the faith Timothy, who is a fellow minister in the faith. Paul writes what some have called:
His swan song or last will and testament
There is urgency in the tone, a focus intent in the structure, yet it is real and raw with emotion and personal references
Scripture is from God (His Words) written by men…
In this letter Paul states “All scripture is God breathed” (Chap 3)
Peter in states in 2 Peter 1:20-21
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Later in that same letter Peter calls Paul’s writings “Scripture!”
God is using in this letter the heavy heart of Paul, his spectrum of emotions, the urgency he is feeling, the culmination of his life’s experiences, wisdom, the impact of human elements around him, and his personal character to:
Deliver the very words of God through Paul in the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT
DO NOT negate or neglect these personal things as you read this letter
God had His purpose for them, and for us to know of them as we attend our ears and hearts to His message
The church, after its birth at Pentecost, and its short life was progressing forward. IF… this work and movement of Christ was to progress… THEN… there would need to be a passing of the torch, a handing off of the baton… Paul is entrusting Timothy with this and directing him to train others as well…
Second Timothy Overview
Second Timothy Overview
Statistics from Barna, SoulShepherding, and Pew Research concerning pastors / ministers:
75% of pastors report being extremely stressed
90% work between 55-75 hours a week
70% constantly fight depression
70% do not have someone they count as a close friend
21% spend less than 15 minutes a day in prayer… the average is 39 minutes of prayer a day
42% say they are considering quitting due to burnout
43% say they feel lonely and isolated
Those pastors who are not considering quitting:
83% say they believe in the value of ministry
75% feel a duty to stay and fulfill their calling
63% say their family supports them well
60% feel there is important work yet to do
For every 10 pastors leaving ministry we only have 3-4 coming up
Of those considering NOT QUITTING 100% of them have read and understand Paul’s challenge and imperatives in this second letter to Timothy…
Endurance summarizes this letter well…
:the ability to hold up under hardship or adversity. Being able to sustain a prolonged, stressful effort or activity.
no giving in or giving up
acceptance of adversity
(it carries the idea of continuing in the same state or manner. “consistency” Remaining firm without yielding. )
I am confident that this message does not just need to go to pastors and church leaders, but to the faithful believers out there!
I love the picture of track and field competition…
There is a specific way to run
There is a way you finish… with everything you have
There is a hand-off in the relays… while BOTH are running!!!
Paul is still running with everything he has… Timothy with all the energy of youth is running with zeal and passion… (maybe a little timid, maybe lacking power)
Chapter One Reminders
Chapter One Reminders
Paul opens with his heart and a warm greeting. “beloved son” “I thank God for you”
Reminds Timothy it is not us, but the Holy Spirit in us...
He gives: Boldness, Power, Love, and Discipline
Do not be ashamed of the Gospel (it is foundational)
The Gospel is WHY we do what we do… The Holy Spirit is HOW we do what we do!!!
Retain or hold onto sound teaching and doctrine
Guard the treasure, the truth of God’s word (STEWARDSHIP)
Before Paul continues he opens his heart up and expresses to Timothy (VS 15) “You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me”… loneliness in ministry is real!
Chapter Two Requirements
Chapter Two Requirements
Paul opens up a barrage of imperative directives now in a fashion of a last will to a son, or a dying commander to the next one to lead… 2 Timothy 2:1-3
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Be strong… in the grace of Christ Jesus (not ones self) grace is for living just as much as for salvation!
Entrust to Faithful men… pass the baton
We need men to STEP UP!!!
We need men to take the baton
We need men to fight the good fight
Sadly we see the number of only 3-4 for every 10 we lose…
Suffer hardship… ENDURANCE!!!
Fight like a good soldier (don;t get entangled with civilian affairs)
Run to win, run according to the rules (Correctly)…
Work hard
REMEMBER… Christ work, His suffering, His fulfilled promise… from the line of David!!!
REMIND… 2 Timothy 2:14 … this is a present imperative “keep reminding them”
Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
Keep teaching them things they know and do not waste time on foolishness!!!
Christ, his death burial, Resurrection
The centrality of the scriptures
The conduct of the church … 2 Timothy 2:15-16
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
Be diligent / work hard
Accurately handle God’s Word
Avoid worldly empty chatter
In (VS 22) Flee youthful lust or desires (GROW UP)
Pursue faith love peace
REFUSE foolish & ignorant speculations (WASTE OF TIME)
Paul wraps up his directives with this… Timothy, Pastor, Minister… verses 24-25: “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition,…”
Chapter Three Resistance
Chapter Three Resistance
Paul opens chapter three with the FIRST of two prophetic WARNINGS for Timothy and even more for us today… 2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Folks… LEADERS, PASTORS… we are called to look, be aware, JUDGE what you see and take warning!
Paul says to the contrary… (VS 10) Follow my example!
Follow Christ and face persecution
Things will get worse as time goes, evil men will grow more evil, the deceivers will deceive all the more!
The Paul says YOU HOWEVER… continue in the scriptures, hold fast! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 are instrumental in explaining the inspired Word of God and its central place in the Pastor’s life, in the believers life, and the equipping for all we do!
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Scripture is the very FOUNDATION of what we believe
Scripture is the STANDARD for all we do
Scripture is what we take our STAND on
Scripture is what we ENGAGE with (sword of the Spirit)
Chapter Four Real Request
Chapter Four Real Request
Paul carries on this heartbeat for the Word of God as he gives Timothy and every Pastor throughout the ages their marching orders… 2 Timothy 4:1-5
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
In these marching orders are some of the saddest words of prophecy… “in time some will not ENDURE sound doctrine”...
Tell me what I want to hear
Put out programs I like and are entertaining
Don’t make me feel uncomfortable
… and oh how tempting it is at times to fall into the trap of catering to these!
BUT YOU…
Be sober / think clearly
Endure hardship / don’t give up or burnout
Work at evangelizing… the Gospel is vital
Fulfill your MINISTRY… responsibility
Paul closes with 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
The remaining verses deal with REAL LIFE and speaks to REAL PEOPLE…
We see in them Paul has real needs.
They are physical
They are emotional
They are spiritual
All of us… PASTORS INCLUDED, live very real lives.
We all face very real struggles.
We all deal with people… Paul mentions 23 people in this letter
Some he warns about are a danger to the gospel
Some is is blessed by and encouraged by
Some need encouraging
Some are beneficial in ministry work
God has a course laid out for each one of us, He is always looking for men and women who will take a stand, He is desiring to have some men He can entrust with the area of ministry, pastoring, ones to pas the baton to … REGARDLESS each of us should live this VERY REAL LIFE and at the end say:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”
CLOSING
As Paul is passing the proverbial baton onto Timothy and future christian leaders from generation to generation:
Paul CLEARLY saw what the church and its leaders COULD BE … and even more importantly he saw and stated clearly what the church and leaders SHOULD BE!!!