2 Timothy, pt. 4

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
       • Galatians 2:21
     • 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
            • 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
          • 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)
   • Think on these things
   • Colossians 1:9-14