December 14, 2014
Evening Service

II Tim. 2

 

What we recall concerning Timothy.  Paul met Timothy at Derbe, and Lystra, ( Acts 16 ) right after the first council meeting of the church ( Acts 15 ).  To eliminate arguments from the Jews, Paul had Timothy circumcised.  Timothy’s Mother was a Jew, but his Father was a Greek.  Paul took Timothy with him going throughout all the churches telling them what was decided by the church Fathers at the council meeting.

Paul writes these letters to Timothy, and Titus while imprisoned in Rome.  This second letter is believed to have been written about a year after the first, Paul’s second imprisonment at Rome.

We find memorable Scriptures in every chapter.  It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to read many of these letters of Paul. 

 

Let’s see what chapter two holds in store for us.

 

2Ti 2:1-26  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

·         The grace of God, unmerited favor.  God’s love for mankind supplies and unending amount of this wonderful grace. 

·         When we hear the Apostle tell Timothy how this good news, or gospel is to be handed down, it makes me think of how he was called into service by Jesus Christ, ( Chapter 9 of Acts. )  It makes me think of what he told the Corinthians, “If any among you think himself to be spiritual or a prophet, let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”  I Cor. 14.

·         If we accept the Bible as God’s inspired Word then we must believe all Scriptures.

·         As we look at church history we recognize how that pride, and the desire for power allowed satan to take control of certain church leaders, and corrupt the Word of God, and the pure, simple Gospel of love, mercy, and grace.  That was to be handed down to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others this wonderful message.

 

Then the comparisons Paul uses to the furtherance of Timothy’s dedication:

 

(3)  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  (4)  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

·         Urriah comes to mind.  His dedication to being a warrior, and soldier, would not allow him to sleep with his wife Bathsheba,  while his soldier buddies could not be with their wives.  He was dedicated to David his king, and his fellow soldiers.

·         God ask us, as His soldiers, not to get entangled in the affairs of this life.  Don’t let the things of this world come between you, and your God.  He allows us all the things that are good for us, but we cannot allow the things of the world to come between you, and your God.  Listen to John.

·         1Jn 2:16-17  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 (5)  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 

·         Paul as he often does refers to the Grecian games of contest.  So we can relate to the games we play.  Unless you play by the rules, you will not win.

 

(6)  The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 

·         You work hard at getting a crop in, you should be the first to enjoy your labors.

(7)  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 

(8)  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:  (9)  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.  (10)  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  (11)  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:  (12)  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  (13)  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 

·         If you have never read Fox’s Book of Martyrs, you should.  It’s hard to believe that people can by that mean to other people.  Especially to someone that is taught to LOVE.

(14)  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 

·         1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

·         Be ready to share the love of God, and the message of Jesus Christ, you never know when someone will say, “that’s just what I want.”

 

(15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

·         This is one of my favorites.  When we study, ask God to help you understand the Scriptures the way He meant for them to be understood.  That is His will, that we would all speak the same thing.

(16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  (17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;  (18)  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 

·         You see error has already began in the early church.  And as these men were teaching others they no doubt had some following.  Probably dynamic speakers, without the truth.

(19)  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.  (20)  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 

·         Jesus gave the parable of the wheat, and tares.  Telling us that there would be those that were not of us, or not true to the faith, but we should not attempt to throw them out, because He will do that at the judgment.

(21)  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 

·         Paul tells us more than once to put certain things out of our lives, and to add certain things to our lives.

(22)  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  (23)  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  (24)  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  (25)  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  (26)  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

·         There is no place in the life of a Christian for anything other than that of LOVE.

·         Some are taken captive by satan at his will.  It is those that oppose themselves, and will not accept the truth.