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Pastor Alan finished up his series in the book of 2 Timothy with chapter 4, verses 9-22, “The Final Farewell.” We have a tendency to skip over these verses at the end, but they hold very valuable lessons. To hear this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

The Final Farewell

2 Timothy 4:9-22

Paul is dealing with final matters, and as he does, he mentions numerous people. Some are his friends and allies; others are harmful enemies. Paul did not have a problem calling people out by name if they were causing harm to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Dealing With a Deserter (v. 10)
   • Demas – loved this world
   • Drift happens when we love the pleasures of this present world more than the coming Kingdom
   • John’s description of the “world”
     • kosmos – a sphere of order that is in direct opposition to God
     • 1 John 2:15-17 – lusts of the eyes, lusts of the flesh, pride of life
     • 2 Timothy 3:2-4 – lovers of self, money, pleasure
     • Revelation 2
       • Smyrna
       • Pergamum
       • Thyatira
   • This world is insidious, and it is tugging away at us constantly
2. Dealing With Others (v. 10b-13)
   • Sending them out
     • Timothy
     • Luke
   • Seeing their best
     • Mark
   • Give them a mission
     • Paul asks Timothy to bring him his most necessary items:
       • cloak (warmth)
       • Scripture
3. Dealing With Opposition (v. 14-15)
   • Don’t be afraid to confront opposers
   • Realize God’s in charge
   • Always be on guard
4. Dealing With Being Alone (v. 16-18)
   • Practice forgiveness
   • Practice Christ’s presence
     • Paul’s secret to ministry:
       • Colossians 1:27
       • Philippians 4:13
       • 1 Corinthians 15:10
       • John 17:20-23
       • 1 Kings 19
   • Stay at the task
     • David’s folly
   • Remember the final outcome
   • Praise God
5. Dealing With Fear & Weakness (v. 19-22)
   • Rely on the truest friends
   • Remember the Spirit God gave us
     • 2 Timothy 1:7
   • Pray for the grace of God in everything we do
     

We were blessed to have Dr. Jeff Leigh visit our little church and share a wonderful message with us. He taught about Elijah’s experience from 1 Kings 19. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes from his message with links to Scriptures he references. Enjoy!

Lessons from the Valley – 1 Kings 19:1-18

Ephesians 6:13 – it’s not about the tremendous victory in your battle; it’s about simply standing strong in the midst of your valleys.

Valleys are tough things to go through. They reveal our character and weaknesses, what we are standing on. But they can also strengthen us.

1 Kings 19:1-18

• Elijah had a tremendous victory in 1 Kings 18 – then Ahab & Jezebel threatened his life. Instead of standing, Elijah ran.
• Simple things can send you running if you don’t stand in the Lord.

1. What Are the Valleys We Create?
   • Fear + Running
   • Expectations
   • Self-orientation
   • Isolation
2. Things We Run to Instead of God
   • The past (what worked before)
     • What is the significance of Mt. Horeb?
     • How are v. 11-12 similar to things in Exodus 19 & 20?
       • Exodus 19:16, 18 & 20:18, specifically.
   • What we understand (our own wisdom)
     • What does Jesus teach the disciples in John 16:25-33?
3. How Does God Rescue Us?
   • Still, small voice; His Word
     • “What are you doing here?” v. 13
       • Echo of Genesis 3:9
   • Gets us up & starting to fulfill His commands v. 15-16
     • Directing us uniquely
   • Helps us to see others v. 18-21
     • Those who are around us
     • Those who are also IN the fight
       • 7000 faithful
       • Elisha
4. What Mountain Can We Always Stand Upon, Even When in a Valley?
   • Luke 10:17-20
     • Don’t rejoice in the little (or even big) victories in your valleys – rejoice in your salvation by faith through grace. That is the unfailing/unfading mountain that will always give you strength.

Pastor Alan is still taking us through the book of 2 Timothy. One week did not get recorded properly, but I have posted the outline below (for 2 Timothy 2:14-26). The following Sunday took us into 2 Timothy 3. To listen to that message, simply click play on the audio player below. The outline can be found below, with links to Scriptures referenced. Enjoy and be blessed!

2 Timothy 2:14-26: A Study in Contrasts

1. Marks of a Good Teacher (v. 14-15)
   • gives constant reminders (v. 14a)
   • gives direct warnings (v. 14b)
   • is accountable to God (v. 15a)
   • can pass inspections (v. 15b)
   • has nothing to be ashamed of (v. 15c)
   • gives straight direction in truth (v. 15d)
2. Marks of False Teachers (v. 16-18)
   • practice empty chatter (v. 16a)
     • all style, no structure
   • teach and live ungodliness (v. 16b)
   • spread destruction (v. 17)
   • stray away from the truth (v. 18a)
   • undermine people’s faith (v. 18b)
3. A Firm Foundation (v. 19)
   • false teaching gives no foundation (v. 19a)
   • God’s solid foundation has two dynamics (v. 19b)
     • it bears a seal
     • it demands an action
4. Two Types of Lifestyles (v. 20-26)
   • Marks of a Noble Lifestyle
     • cleanses himself of evil behavior (v. 21a)
     • is used of God (v. 21b)
     • pursues righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace (v. 22a)
     • keeps company with true believers (v. 22b)
     • doesn’t engage in controversy and infighting (v. 23)
     • doesn’t lose their cool (v. 24a)
     • kind, competent, patient, correcting (v. 25)
   • Potential Results of a Noble Life (v. 25b-26)

2 Timothy 3: Two Kinds of People Contrasted

1. What are the Last Days? (v. 1)
   • The period between Christ’s ascension and His return
   • “the days of Noah” – the last of the Last Days
     • 2 Peter 3
     • Jude 18-19
     • 1 Timothy 4:1
   • Described as difficult
   • The Amplified Bible says, “dangerous, troublesome, great stress”
   • The Greek word is the same as translated “violent” in Matthew 8:28, describing demon possessed men.
2. The People of the Last Days (v. 2-4)
   • Paul uses 18 words to describe them.
   • They can be summed up as the:
     • decadent
     • deviant
     • defiant
     • deceitful
     • disobedient
3. The Three Deviant Affections
   • All begin with the phrase “lovers (philos – emotional affection) of…”
     • self
     • money
     • pleasure
4. The Other 15 Vices or Sins
   • Romans 1:18-32
     • boastful
     • arrogant
     • blasphemers
     • disobedient to parents
     • ungrateful
     • unholy
     • unloving
     • irreconcilable
     • slanderers
     • no self-control
     • savage
     • opposed to good
     • treacherous
     • reckless
     • conceited
   • Use this list to examine yourself!
5. The Cloak of Religion (v. 5a)
   • There is only the outward appearance of goodness and religiosity
   • No Holy Spirit
6. How to Respond (v. 5b)
   • Avoid!
7. The Predators (v. 6-9)
   • This is NOT saying that all women are weak-minded!
   • It is saying that there are predators who prey on the weak and vulnerable.
8. Switch Gears! (v. 10-17)
   • What to be and do in the last days:
     • “You, however…”
       • follow sound teaching and teachers (v. 10)
       • have a purpose (v. 10)
       • have faith, patience, love, and endurance (v. 10)
       • accept suffering (v. 11-12)
       • beware of evil people (v. 13)
       • be grounded in Scripture (v. 14-15)
       • accept rebuke/correction (v. 16)
       • be capable of getting equipped (v. 17)
9. Conclusion
   • We should always be in the process of self-examination, confession, and repentance in light of the certain accountability.

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
         • It never returns void
         • 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 – preach the death and resurrection of Christ
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.

Alan finished up the first chapter of 2 Timothy a few weeks ago. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

2 Timothy 1:9-18

Timothy was the pastor of the church of Ephesus (the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor). Paul is in prison, and this letter was his final written word.

1. Paul’s Declaration (v. 9-12)
   • these verses were a hymn in the early church
   • Paul is declaring things that God has done for us through Jesus – fundamental things that we MUST be clear about.
     1. Christ saves us. (v. 9)
        • from sin & the curse of sin
        • we’re all physically dying, but everyone who is apart from Jesus is dying spiritually (Ephesians 2)
        • Salvation is an umbrella term for:
          1. justification: have been saved – reconciliation at the moment of trusting Him as our Savior (Romans 10)
          2. sanctification: being saved/changed – reconciled by His death; saved by His life (Romans 5)
          3. glorification: will be saved – away from the effects & presence of sin (1 Corinthians 15)
     2. Christ calls us to holiness. (v. 9)
        • ecclesia (Church) = called out ones
        • korban = something dedicated to the Lord
        • We are called out to be dedicated to the Lord.
        • “Be holy as I am holy.” (1 Peter 1)
          • Put off impurity – called to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4)
        • Our righteousness must be greater
          • inward righteousness (Christ in us)
     3. Our saving & our calling are by God, not by us. (v. 9)
        • Not by our works, but by God (Ephesians 2)
     4. Everything about the gospel is centered in grace, not works. (v. 9)
        • All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
          • sin = falling short of God’s glory
     5. Christ destroys death & reveals eternal life. (v. 10)
        • eternal life = to know God & His Son (have an intimate relationship with them) (John 17)
        • opposite of the gospel = Satan, who comes to steal, kill, & destroy (John 10)
     6. The gospel has to be preached. (v. 11)
        • The gospel has apostolic authority.
        • The gospel has to be taught (delved into) with the aim of making disciples.
     7. Christ will guard Paul’s work. (v. 12)
        • Like he’s made a deposit & Christ is keeping that work safe & ready for that day
          • lay up for yourself treasures in heaven (Matthew 6)
          • Christ, the Good Shepherd, guards (John 10, Psalm 23)
          • what we do for Christ is kept
2. Paul’s Admonition (v. 13-14)
   1. Holding fast/enduring is a major theme in this letter
      • hypomeno = stay under the load
   2. Hold fast to what you’ve heard.
      • sound words/teaching
   3. Act on what you hear in faith & love
      • balance is necessary
   4. Sound words must be protected.
      • There must be objective truth or there’s nothing to hold on to.
      • Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life
      • No one comes to the Father, except through Him (John 14)
3. Paul Deserted and Refreshed (v. 15-18)
   1. The importance of presence.
      • We need other people in our lives.
   2. Those who show mercy will receive mercy.
   3. Deed done in the name of Christ will not be forgotten on “that day” (the day of judgment for reward)

How do you want to be remembered? As someone who refreshed others or as one who deserted those who needed you?