Suffering Servant

Strong in Grace

Claim: The Gospel calls us to singleminded obedience and proclamation at any cost for the reward is great and the elect must hear.

Focus: Work hard at being faithful for the reward is great and the lost elect must hear.

Function: To be emboldened to see faithfulness to Jesus as their highest calling.

v1 in a way nelongs to last weeks passage, in that it summarises chapter 1 v8-18.

2 Timothy 2:1 NIV 2011

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

IF you remember, last week we saw how our motivation for being faithful to JEsus in speaking of him, sticking to the whole truth of God’s word in the bible, and being ready to face any suffering that comes our way as a result, is to remeber God’s grace to us.

That we are saved and called to a holy life (1:9)

SO, Paul reminds Timothy - be strong - do all that I have said already -becasue, you are a recipient of God’s grace.

But Paul’s not finished yet.

Not only is Timothy to gaurd the good deposit of God’s Word, and keep to the pattern of sound teaching that Paul has given to Timothy as an apostle.

Now - Timothy is also to ensure the future of God’s Wrod, the bible - is passed on to future generations:

2 Timothy 2:2 NIV 2011

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

The Letters to Timothy and Titus A. The Appeal Renewed (2:1–13)

“It is right to render the word ‘faithful’ [NIV ‘reliable’], since there are but few concerned to perpetuate and conserve the remembrance of the doctrine entrusted to them.” He continues: “Many are motivated by different kinds of ambitions, some by greed, some by malice and some are held back by their fear of danger, so that here special faithfulness is required.” Paul expects Timothy to give heed not only to his fidelity to apostolic instruction but to that of those he instructs.

Pass on the Apostolic Truth v2

Suffer for the reward is worth it v3-7

The same Gospel that cannot be stopped v8-9

Endure everythgin for the elect to hear - Do what God will do anyway! v10

The Letters to Timothy and Titus A. The Appeal Renewed (2:1–13)

Paul’s ultimate commitment to his gospel calling was so that “they too,” the full gamut of God’s elect, “may obtain” salvation, not only its temporal benefit of present communion with Christ but also “eternal glory.” Paul’s gaze rises above his prison setting and uncertain fate, and so should Timothy’s.

A phrase - 11-13

The Letters to Timothy and Titus A. The Appeal Renewed (2:1–13)

“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off” (Rom 11:22). For God “cannot disown himself.”