Month: July 2024

2 Timothy 2:8-13

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Alan continued to take us through the book of 2 Timothy with a teaching on the second chapter, verses 8-13. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

2 Timothy 2:8-13

A key concept of 2 Timothy is enduring in both hardship and in the good times (since we can become complacent). We must remain faithful (not deny the faith). Paul is a picture of remaining faithful – 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 is a resume of suffering. Remaining silent can be a form of denying Christ.

  1. Priorities (v. 8-10)
    • Remember Jesus Christ
      • we fail when we forget who Jesus is & who we are in Him
      • 3 R’s
        • the Resurrection & its implications
          • without the resurrection, we can’t live out the life we are to live IN Him
          • the resurrection makes it possible for Him to work in & through us
        • Christ Reigns
          • He is the King of a kingdom, a descendant of David
          • we will reign with Christ
        • Results of the Gospel
  2. Promises (v. 11-13)
    • This section of Scripture is believed to be one of the earliest hymns in the Christian Church.
    • It contains four conditional clauses.
    • It is a “trustworthy saying” – you can believe it to be true.
      1. If we died with Him (died to self), we will also live with Him.
        • Galatians 2:20
        • Faith is expressed in confession.
          • Have you confessed you sin to Christ?
          • Have you denied your self?
      2. If we endure, we will also reign.
        • the promise of reward
          • He won’t deny us salvation, but He will deny us reward.
        • 2 Types of Inheritance in Scritpure
          • Heirs of Christ by faith
          • Co-heirs with Christ by suffering & enduring for Him (Romans 8:17)
        • reward = eternal glory (see v. 10)
      3. If we deny Him, He will deny us.
        • denial is born of fear
        • perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18)
      4. If we are faithless, He remains faithful.
        • We can’t change the faithfulness of God.
        • Our lack of holiness can’t affect the holiness of God.
        • He cannot deny His character.
          • It’s not what He does; it’s Who He is.
    • You know a person by their fruit.
    • True belief brings change.

2 Timothy, pt. 4

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

In Alan’s series on 2 Timothy, Paul’s Final Words, he took us into the second chapter of the book. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

2 Timothy 2:1-7

  1. Stand Strong in Grace (v. 1)
    • Grace = that which is given is neither earned nor merited
      • works are NOT required to be saved or to stay saved
      • Ephesians 2:8-10
        • grace + faith = salvation
        • not of yourself: grace generates faith
      • works follow salvation
      • if we have to work for salvation, it negates all Christ did on the cross
      • grace is God working in our lives to bring us closer to Him
    • How do you stand in the sphere of grace?
      1. You reject the idea that you are strong enough to stand on your own.
        • If you don’t stand in grace, you’ll fall in your works.
      2. You resist the temptation to boast about your seeming indispensability.
      3. You receive what God has given and appropriate it.
        • It’s all IN Christ Jesus who was full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
      4. You access grace by faith.
        • Romans 5:1-4
        • You are justified by faith, which gives you access to grace.
  2. Teach & Equip (v. 2)
    • Teach what? The gospel.
    • Prerequisites: those who will be taught to share the gospel must be:
      • faithful
      • able to teach others
      • Hebrews 5:11-14
      • One should never coast on their giftedness:
        • gifted is not an excuse for lack of preparation & competence
        • must rely on God & give Him credit
      • Part of ministry is to entrust the gospel to faithful & competent people
  3. The Cost of Carrying Out the Charge (v. 3-6)
    • Three Metaphors
      1. A Soldier
        • 1 Timothy 1:18-19 KJV – war a good warfare
          • engage the enemy
          • prayer is warfare
        • dedicated
          • not entangled by distractions
          • focused on the mission
          • carry out orders
            • we are subordinate to Christ who recruited us
        • 600 Legions of Roman soldiers (360,000 men)
          • most feared warriors of their time
          • carried a short sword with two sharp edges
            • for stabbing, not slashing
            • the Word is a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) able to pierce in spiritual warfare
      2. An Athlete
        • Olympics: had to sign up for 10 months of dedicated/disciplined training
          • no breaking protocol
          • no commitment to anything else – period (even family)
          • must follow the rules or become disqualified
          • Crown of Victory for the winner
      3. A Farmer
        • lonely, hard-working, patient
        • endure hardships season after season
        • leadership involves loneliness & disappointment, but perseverance allows for a share of the crop/harvest
  4. The Point of Reflecting (v. 7)