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PASS IT ON. II Timothy 2:1-7. 9/25/2022. #4.
2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
1. Strong in Christ
a. Paul once again addresses Timothy as his son (“child”)
a1. Paul’s admonition = like a father to a son
a2. He moves now from the negative side (don’t be a coward or ashamed…) to + (stand strong)
b. “Strong” = empowered (endunamou) = God was infused you with his power to do his will
a1. The power does not come from within us
a2. God infused Timothy with power, love, and the ability to use sound reasoning
c. Strong in grace of Christ = along with salvation comes giftedness granted us by the Holy Spirit
in order to accomplish his will (Romans 12:1-8)
d. Paul urges Timothy to avail himself of the strength that the Lord has already given him
a1. This is part of his salvation (gifted to serve)
a2. By obeying he is empowered to succeed
2. From trainee to trainer
a. As Jesus poured his teaching into his disciples, Paul poured his teaching into Timothy
a1. Even though Paul also trained Titus, Luke, and others, he concentrated on Timothy
a2. Timothy’s potential was great
b. Paul now turns over the ministry to Timothy
a1. Everything Timothy heard from Paul => teach
a2. Take faithful men and commit all that Paul taught Timothy to them
b1. Teach them how to teach others
b2. The gospel and discipleship message must be passed from generation to generation
c. Enduring the hardships of the ministry is the price we pay for serving Christ
a1. We owe the Lord everything
a2. The price we pay is small compared to what we actually owe
a3. Must change from fearing opposition to expecting opposition
3. It will be worth it all
a. Uses 3 examples of enduring trials to reach a goal
a1. The soldier lays aside all worldly concerns in order to be an effective soldier for his commander (focuses on task at hand)
a2. The athlete trains vigorously in order to compete lawfully for the top prize
a3. The farmer endures much labor and crop threatening pests and weather to grow crops
b. The rewards are greater than the sacrifices
a1. The soldier participates in the victory over enemy and the pleasure of his superiors
a2. The faithful athlete gains the crown
a3. The farmer is the first to eat of his crops
c. Timothy will be amply rewarded for faithful service
a1. Timothy’s reward = far greater than a battlefield victory, a perishable crown, or crops
b1. Eternal rewards never fade or devalue
b2. He won’t remember any of the trials
a2. Whereas men labor for temporal gain, we are to labor for eternal gain
d. Consider (noeo = bring to mind, ponder, reflect) on what Paul has said (think through the implications)
a1. Important to evaluate our goals and actions
a2. Lasting commitment from serious reflection
e. Don’t stop pondering until your reach resolution
Key verse: Romans 12:1-8
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Serve God with Spiritual Gifts3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.