2 Timothy 2:1-7

Introduction

Paul writes to Timothy, who is young, timid, and facing opposition.

The Christian life and ministry require endurance, strength, and focus.

The Christian life is not a casual stroll but a demanding journey that requires strength, endurance, and focus.

Paul, writing to Timothy, knew that ministry would test his courage and commitment.

That is why he begins with the reminder that true strength comes only from the grace of Christ, not from our own efforts.

Maybe you are here this morning and your strength feels weak

Peter was able to walk on water because his eyes were on Christ, but the moment he took his eyes of Christ, he began to sink

Refocus your eyes on Christ and be strong in His grace

1. (V1) Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus

Again, this is one of the twenty-five times Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong and endure in his work in Ephesus. 

Timothy was facing great opposition as the leader of the church, from outside the church, but also from within the church

Paul is mindful of his tears and his suffering

Nobody understands the challenges of a pastor more than another pastor, especially a well seasoned one, such as Paul

Paul is aware of the current problems, but he is also mindful of the difficult situations that will come once he is gone

Trials reveal where our strength lies…

We can make the mistake of think the strength is something of ourselves

Maybe mental fortitude

Physical strength

a) Be strong indicates the need for continual dependence on God.

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Zechariah 4:6 ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”

b) Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus

God’s undeserved favor because you are a child of God

Grace refers to all of God's resources that are available to us through Christ.

You are adopted, loved, forgiven, and without blame (EPH 1, tells us that you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

It’s by His grace we have those promises

2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the thorn my depart from him

Strength comes from grace

2 Peter 3:18 “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Spending time with your Heavenly Father

c) We must also be strong in extending grace to others

Showing kindness despite how you may be treated

Forgiving one another

Treating others how you would like to be treated

Thinking the best of each other

2. (V2) The things you have heard commit these things to faithful men who are able to teach

a) The things you have heard from me and other witnesses

The Gospel message

Jesus is the only way to the Father

You can’t earn your way through doing good works

Salvation comes through faith and faith alone

Place your trust in Christ and you turn from the former way of living

Manner of living

b) Paul says, commit the things you have heard to faithful men who are able to teach

Continue with the discipling process

Without discipleship the gospel message wouldn’t spread

I am encouraged to see discipleship happening throughout our church

I see it in men’s and women’s ministry, Youth ministry, theres a natural progression that is taking place

Coming to the church to lead the junior high ministry, one mistake I made was not discipling someone to replace myself until it was needed

c) Commit these things to the faithful and who are able to teach

Faithfulness is the foundation everything is built onto

Breaking down the word faithful its to be…

Believing: The term also describes a person who trusts in God's promises and is convinced of their truth.

They’re Reliable

They’re Trustworthy

Able to teach:

Apt to teach, implies the apt to learn so a steward must be also be diligent student of the word of God

c) I believe character is far more important than gifting

You take some with great gifting who lacks character you have a recipe for major church hurt

The disciple process should not be rushed

1 Timothy 5:22 “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.”

3. (V3) You must endure hardship as a good soldier

a) Endure the hardships, don’t let problems stop forward progress

Paul, telling Timothy hardships come with the job

Timothy, you have counted the cost, now endure the hardship

Hardships can cause us to grow in maturity or cause us to grow in bitterness

James 1:1–3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

Enduring hardships is a lot like football and especially the running back position.

Running backs are known to take big hits, but the greats learn to absorb the hit, maybe they need to change directions and forward progress is never stopped

Sometimes we deal with the problems of life, or maybe its spiritual warfare

Paul is instructing us to endure it and keep pushing forward

1 Peter 4:12–13 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

b) Endure it as a good soldier

A soldier going to war has counted the cost, they are willing to lay down their life for the greater cause

Paul and so many others were soldiers for Christ

Stephan was murdered, the the Apostles were crucified, except John who was exiled

In the OT Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned

He was nothing but faithful, yet he suffered

2 Timothy 4:5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

1 Timothy 1:18 “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,”

Soldier mindset:

They have counted the cost and there willing to follow orders

They’re willing to suffer hardships for greater cause

They have their priorities in order and they don’t loose focus of the mission

3.1 (V4) Do not be entangled with the affairs of this world

a) There is nothing more dangerous in a war than a distracted soldier, for his sake and for the others around him

2 Corinthians 10:3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”

We fight a spiritual battle and because we can’t see it, we let our guard down with distractions

We can be entangled with distraction or with sin, which can render us ineffective for Christ

2 Peter 2:20 “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.”

4. (V5-6) Illustrations

a) Paul uses the illustrations of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer

A soldier disciplined and willing to lay down his life for the greater cause, not distracted by the affairs of this world

An athlete is only crowned if he competes according to the rules

The farmer is hardworking and patient, he must be the first to partake of the crop

5. (V7) Consider what I say and may the Lord give you understanding

a) Be teachable

Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;”

Conclusion

Paul’s words to Timothy are just as relevant for us today.

 Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Not in your own strength, not in your talents, not in your resources—but in the inexhaustible grace of God.

Trials will come, hardships will test us, and the temptation to get entangled with the affairs of this world will always be present. But God has given us His Spirit, His Word, and His promises.

Let us leave here, being reminded to be a soldier for Christ in our day to day life