The Word of God 2 Timothy 3:10-17

-We can finish faithfully by continuing in the teaching of the Word of God

Many professional athletes have their trademarks when it comes to celebrating their wins. Tiger Woods has his legendary fist pump. The eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has his signature "lightning bolt" pose.

Once in a while, athletes celebrate prematurely, which has proven costly. Cyclist Luka Pibernik from Slovenia sprinted to the finish line and raised his arms in triumph. Unfortunately, the race was not over and another lap remained. After a grueling 3.5 hours of cycling, Pibernik's reserves were empty and slipped from 1st place to 148th.

I. Follow the Faithful v. 10

In our passage this morning, Paul continues his words to Timothy with some words of praise that are intended to help him endure faithfully in his own walk with Christ

He begins by contrasting Timothy’s example with those difficult people whose falsehood is eventually exposed

Timothy’s life looks different because he has followed Paul’s own faithful example:

Timothy has learned from Paul, remembering and applying the truths that he taught

This is the Gospel

This is the “teaching that accords with godliness”

However, it goes deeper than practicing principles; Timothy has imitated Paul

His conduct

His aim in life

His faith

His patience

His love

His steadfastness

The principle here is very simple:

If I want to be faithful, I need to walk in the footsteps of those who are found faithful

Sometimes we are far too impressed by how someone starts and we never really examine the evidence of their lives

Who are you following?

Eli Black was a brilliant businessman best know for two events in his life: He masterminded the multimillion dollar takeover of the United Fruit conglomerate, and he jumped to his death from the 42nd floor of the Pan Am building in New York City in 1975.

In the book An American Company, an executive described a business lunch he had with Eli Black. When the waitress brought a plate of cheese and crackers as an appetizer, Black reached out and took them, placed them on the table, blocked them with his arms, and continued talking. The executive hadn't eaten for hours and hinted that he would like a cracker. But Black acted as though he hadn't heard him and went on with the business meeting. After a while, Black placed a cracker and cheese on the tips of his fingers and continued to talk. Several moments later, Black placed the cracker on the executive's plate and then blocked the rest as before. It was clear that Black was in charge, manipulating others as he pleased. When you play "follow the leader," check to see who is at the head of the line. Eli Black, for all his power, ended up in suicide. Jesus Christ, in all His humility, ended up the Savior of the world.

II. Endure with the Persecuted vv. 11-13

Next, Paul’s words take a turn towards his hardships:

Timothy has been just as consistent in following Paul in persecution and suffering

At Antioch, Paul was kicked out of the city for preaching the gospel

At Iconium, he escaped a plot to kill him with stones

At Lystra, Paul was stoned and left for dead!

Yet through all of this, Paul was able to see the faithfulness of God displayed

Witnessing all of this shaped Timothy’s faith in critical ways

He was able to see a truth Paul expresses here:

All who desire to live a godly life in Christ will suffer persecution

It turns out that suffering is not an indicator of God’s displeasure; sometimes suffering is the cost of faithfulness

Further, he was able to understand that the wicked will have success for a season

Evil people will go from bad to worse and they will deceive many

However, we must not be deceived in this!

What is the deception that we avoid when we endure with the persecuted faithful?

That my persecution means that God has forgotten me or is angry with me; this causes you to give up!

That success and popularity are the markers of faithfulness so that I compromise in my faith; this causes you to give in!

Instead we must endure!

Matthew 25:34–40

[34] Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (ESV)

III. Continue in the Faith v. 14

The focus shifts then in a positive direction. What should Timothy do?

He must continue in the faith

This is not a call to a fresh approach; it is a continuation of what he already knew to do

Why should he continue in this?

Because of his teachers

If he can trust Lois, Eunice, and Paul, he can trust the things that they taught him

Their teaching has carried him this far, now he must trust it to take them a little further

There will always be a desire in our life for a silver bullet, something new and novel that will solve all of my problems

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way

We have to continue in the faith if we want to receive the outcome of our faith

That outcome is the salvation of our souls!

1 Peter 1:6–9

[6] In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, [9] obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (ESV)

IV. Remember the Scripture vv. 15-17

Finally, Paul points Timothy to the Scripture

Timothy, from his earliest days, was immersed in the Scriptures

Their truth is critical because it tells us what we need to know to be saved and how to live as one of God’s people

Truth be told, not all of us have a Paul in our life; some of us have been inundated with bad examples!

However, none of us have an excuse, because we have access to the Bible

Regardless of how good or bad our examples might have been, we all need God’s Word because it is His Word, for us

Why does the Bible matter so much?

It is “breathed out” by God:

It is His Word to us

It is trustworthy and tells us what He wants us to know

It is profitable:

It teaches- it gives us the truth about God, Man, the world, and the world to come

It reproves- it tells us what is wrong

It corrects- it shows us what is right

It trains us in righteousness- it is able to direct us from where we are to where God intends for us to be

It has a purpose:

It makes us complete, being “perfect” or mature in the faith- we have the character of Christ

It equips us so that we can participate in the mission of Christ- we share in His competencies

This is what it is going to take for us to live faithfully!

In 1973, a horse named Secretariat became a legend in his time. Not only did Secretariat win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, but he did it with an unprecedented performance. At the Belmont Stakes, he not only won the race by 31 lengths, but he set new records along the way as he went faster with each phase of the run. For one-and-one-half miles, that famous thoroughbred ran faster every second. Secretariat was accelerating at such an incredible pace that his trainer noted if the race had been extended another lap, his heart would have literally exploded. It is always tempting to settle in to status quo performance, but the greatest joy is found in straining ahead to not just finish, but to finish well (2 Timothy 4:7).

So, what do you need to do?

Who are your examples?

How are you enduring hardship?

Are you continuing in the faith?

Are you immersed in the Bible?