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THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. II Timothy 3:10-15. 11/13/2022. #10.
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1. Paul set a pattern for Timothy
a. Timothy had traveled with Paul for years
a1. He saw his life, heard his teachings, noted his reactions to adversity, and observed the consistency of his walk
a2. It was Paul’s life that Timothy was to follow
b. Paul gave Timothy a pattern in three areas:
a1. Teachings (doctrine) = Gospel and theology
a2. Character (manner of life) = Paul never wavered in purpose, faith, love, perseverance
a3. Endurance = Paul remained faithful under persecution and afflictions
c. Paul had such a high sense of purpose and calling that he allowed nothing to sidetrack him from his goal
a1. Philippians 3:7-14 Paul kept his eye on the goal
a2. Paul was so certain of his calling that he refused to allow uncertainty, opposition, or bodily weakness to interfere with his task
d. Paul wants to instill Timothy with his resolve and purpose
2. Assignment earth
a. Most believers waffle in doubt and distraction
a1. Self-focus never allows one to be God-oriented and secure in our calling as servants
a2. Unlike Paul, most believers feel sorry for themselves, question trials, and bemoan lacking perceived “necessities” and security
b. To Paul, all the afflictions of life are to be expected and even considered necessary in our higher calling
c. Paul used his own experience as an example
a1. Acts 13 Paul was highly successful in Antioch until jealous Jews stirred up trouble
a2. Paul moved onto Iconium, the Jews stirred up trouble there as well
d. At Lystra, a lame man was cured, and the local citizens tried to make sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas, thinking them to be Roman gods
a1. When Paul tried to stop them, the citizens stoned Paul and left him for dead
a2. God revived Paul and he went back into the city to finish his ministry there
e. Paul noted 3 things he wanted to instill in Timothy:
a1. Paul endured the persecution
a2. God delivered him from the persecution (until God is done with us, he will deliver us)
a3. Those who seek to live godly lives will be persecuted (part of rebellion against God)
3. The sword and the stone
a. Paul states, as he had previously, that men are going to grow increasingly worse
a1. Their opposition will be more violent and more persistent
a2. There will be many impostors, deceivers, wickedness of astounding proportion
b. Believers are to stand firm in the face of these threats (must not allow ministry to be silenced)
c. Timothy was admonished to stand firm in the Word of God, no matter what opposition he faced
a1. Important not to doubt Scriptural teaching
a2. The pressure of trials and opposition should instill resolve in us and not fear
d. Timothy is told that he knows what he believes, has seen Paul model faithful service, and must do it also
Key Verse: Philippians 3:7-147 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.