2 Timothy: Session 5

When the teacher writes something on the board… you pay close attention.

Or perhaps the teacher repeats a sentence or even says the line, “you might want to write that down.” You know it is a point they are trying to make sure you understand and… remember. It might just be info that shows up on a test.

One professor I watched for some time would do “flashing red lights” as he called it. Whenever he was dropping info that would be on a test he would “ding ding ding” to make sure his students were paying close attention.

In a lot of ways… life is a test. As I have exclaimed before… it’s a test to see if we will choose to love God or not. Yes… there are other options on the table. But GOD is the ONLY option that leads to eternal life.

Paul desires for his friend in the ministry to pass the test.

Recall in the previous chapter, Paul called out those who had deserted him and the faith because of the increasing pressures in the culture.

Paul was is urging Timothy to stay the course… to stay and mission… and we see this appeal renewed in chapter 2 of 2 Timothy. Paul is somewhat repeating himself… reemphasizing the importance of not giving in. He wants to see Timothy pass the test.

Why?

This is for Timothy’s sake true enough. But it is also for those under his ministry. Timothy was in a position of influence. It was very important for him to remain faithful.

Paul drops three points in the first 13 verses of Chapter 2. Let’s read this passage together and then we will break this down tonight.

2 Timothy 2:1-13 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Paul is renewing the appeal to Timothy and he drops three things for consideration.

Recruit

Verses 1-2 show us this part of Paul’s appeal to Timothy. He encourages Timothy… in a sense… to build an army for the Lord.

First, Paul encourages Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Paul knew ALL ABOUT the importance of relying upon the grace of God.

Why is it important that we depend on God’s grace to get us through difficult times?

Paul had received a solid lesson regarding grace. When facing the “thorn in his side” as seen in 2 Corinthians 12, Paul is reminded that God’s grace IS SUFFICIENT and that God’s power is made PERFECT in our weakness.

Weakness is a given… BUT SO IS THE POWER AND GRACE OF GOD FOR THOSE WHO STAY STRONG IN THE LORD.

What about in the story of Zerubabbel working to rebuild the temple? As he took on this task, God reminds him of this amazing truth regarding how the work is done. Zechariah 4:6-7 NKJV reads, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”

It was by God’s grace and Spirit that the work would be completed! And it would be with shouts of GRACE that the mountain would become a plain!

Staying STRONG in the the Grace that is Christ Jesus is the ONLY way we pass the test! WE CAN’T PASS THE TEST IN OUR OWN STRENGTH!

But Paul also goes on to another important point. As Timothy is encouraged to be strong in the grace of Jesus, He is also encouraged to recruit an army.

Paul tells Timothy to take the words he had received and entrust them to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Paul drops two requirements: reliable and qualified. Qualified by whose standards? by God’s standards. These recruits would be entrusted with the true gospel message and would likely be on the front line of ministry. They would most likely have contact with those who were spreading false teaching.

This job was bigger than just one person… but not just any person could be given the task of teaching others. They had to be on the same page… they had to be in agreement with the true gospel message. This means some would make the mark while others did not.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell someone… no. Sometimes it can be difficult to hear that response. But as we aim to serve others… I pray we understand the enormity of the responsibility that comes with that. This is why it is so important that as we pour into others, we also make time for God to pour into our own lives.

Paul encourages Timothy to stay strong in the grace of Jesus and recruit others that are strong in the Lord. This was NOT a mission Timothy could carry out on His own.

It would require the grace of God.

It would require the people of God.

Reflect

This second point comes from verses 3-8. Paul gives encouragement to remain. He invites Timothy once again to join with him in suffering and then look where he goes from there. He compares the work to a soldiers work… to one who remains ON MISSION no matter what.

Paul warns against distraction

Soldiers do not get entangled in civilian affairs but they work to carry out the orders of their commanding officer. They desire to please their commanding officer.

Distraction on the battlefield is a very DANGEROUS thing. It knocks your focus off and you become vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy.

What kind of distractions might believers face today that can “Distract” them from the mission at hand?

First, what is the mission at hand?

Second, how does the enemy try to make us lose focus on the mission?

Next, Paul talks about playing by the rules.

Paul liked to use athletics as an illustration because athleticism in that day was a big deal.

He says the only path to victory is… the path according to the rules. Walk away from these rules and the runner is disqualified for the prize.

Methods can change… but our message must remain the same. AND… our methods must NEVER RISK compromising the message of the gospel.

Paul is urging Timothy to remain faithful to the Word of God.

Third, Paul drops the sow and reap concept. The farmer… no… the HARDWORKING farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

An award awaits the faithful. There is toil in the sowing… and even in the reaping… but the reward is AMAZING. The hardworking farmer will not be cut out from the reward.

In all three of these illustrations… what common tie do you see?

Hard work and dedication to the task at hand. The soldier works hard at the behest of the commanding office. The athlete runs hard according to the rules for the prize. The farmer works hard to sow and to reap.

God NEVER said this would be easy… but it’s worth it. God IS WITH US but we must be willing to work hard and stay on course.

Paul ends this point by telling Timothy to “Reflect” on what he was saying. God would give him clarification. Let it sink in tonight… there is a great work… a hard work… to be accomplished. But it is a work worth doing and a work that will be rewarded.

Remember

And Paul’s last point reminds Timothy why we work hard and why we do what we do. I want to read this passage again.

2 Timothy 2:8-13 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

It’s all for Jesus. It’s all for the One who died and was raised again! It’s all for the One who has brought us victory over sin, death, and the grave.

Even if our work brings suffering, God’s Word will prevail. GOD’S WORD IS NOT CHAINED. We endure for the sake of Christ and for the sake of those who do not know Him yet.

NEVER FORGET WHO we are doing this for. None of us would be here if not for Jesus… He gave it all. What are we willing to give in return?

All He wants… is your heart. When we give our heart… we give all that we are.

Wrap Up

Recruit… Reflect… Remember.

Build an army, prepare for the hard work ahead, and remember why and for who we are doing this for.

And at the very beginning of this a call, a charge was given: STAY STRONG IN THE GRACE OF JESUS.

There is NO WAY we get this done without the help of our God. But God is here to help… and He will NEVER let us down.

He has given us His grace.

He has given us His Spirit.

He has given us His mission.

Write it down… commit it to memory, take a note… DO NOT FORGET.

We have a great work to do… and it is a work WORTH doing. Drop distractions, stay on course… and honor God.