Oct 9, 2022. II Timothy 2:8-13

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FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT. II Timothy 2:8-13. 10/09/2022. #5.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.

1. Proclamation and persecution

                a. Paul centers everything on the truth of the gospel

                                a1. Jesus is the promised Messiah

                                a2. He fulfilled all the prophecies

                                a3. Jesus is of the seed of David

                                a4. Jesus’s resurrection = final proof of deity

                b. Since Jesus proved that he was the Son of God

                    who takes way sin, Paul will pay any price to

                    share this news so some may come to faith

                                a1. Evil men reject Christ and Paul’s message

                                a2. Evil men persecute message bearers

                c. One of the unique concepts of the founding of the American republic is freedom of religion

                                a1. Everyone should be allowed to freely worship or not according to choice

                                a2. Men will not tolerate freedom to believe and share the gospel (hatred of God)

                d. Paul suffered trouble (endured hardship) because he shared the gospel with others

2. Worth the cost

                a. The Word of God is not chained, even though Paul was put in chains

                                a1. The gospel spread despite persecution

                                a2. God uses the testimony of the persecuted

                b. Paul states that he suffered for the elects’ sake

                                a1. To bring people to Christ = worth the price

                                a2. Paul expected persecution, considering it a small cost to pay for eternal dividends

                c. The cost does not seem trivial at the time of trials

                                a1. Pain is short-lived compared to eternity

                                a2. Eternal view is important (Romans 8:9-18)

                d. Paul endured (“remained under”) all things so that some would come to Christ

                                a1. A predetermined conviction to pay whatever price was necessary to preach Christ

                                a2. Paul focused on the task and not the cost

                                a3. The joy of spiritual gain swallowed up the suffering of fleshly pain

                e. Paul’s concern for the lost outweighed the concern for his own safety (Christ and other focused)

                f. To be saved is to die with Christ (Romans 6:1-12) and to also live with Christ

                                a1. To endure hardship is to be able to reign with him in his kingdom

                                a2. Matthew 24-25 rewards attend faithful service

3. Denial peril

                a. To deny (renounce, reject, or repudiate) Christ is to make manifest we don’t know him (Matthew 10:32-33)

                                a1. Could be a backslidden state as when Peter denied that he knew Christ (later repented)

                                a2. Could be as a false Christ (I John 2:19) as with Demus, false teachers, or cultists)

                b. Christ will deny (reject, not acknowledge) any who deny him (no secret believers allowed)

                                a1. Even when persecuted saints hide, they do not deny Christ when found out

                                a2. To be embarrassed by Christ and fearful of men is to deny him so that he denies us

                c. Timothy is warned not to deny his Lord

                d. Christ remains faithful, even if we are faithless

                                a1. He forgives the repentant (David, Mark)

                                a2. The pretender is lost with no hope

                e. The test of our faith in witness before scorners

                f. Being hesitant or shy doesn’t mean that you are not saved, but outright denial of Christ does

Key verse: Romans 8:9-189 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Sep 25, 2022. II Timothy 2:1-7

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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.

Sep 11, 2022. II Timothy 1:13-18

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IN GOOD HANDS. II Timothy 1:13-18. 09/11/2022. #3.

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

1. Follow the pattern

                a. Paul was a template for what Timothy should be

                                a1. Paul did not claim to be perfect

                                a2. Paul did set a proper example for Timothy to follow and to teach

                b. Paul set forth an example as a mentor

                                a1. I Corinthians 11:1 follow me as I follow Christ

                                a2. Galatians 1 Paul preached the only true Gospel

                                a3. 1 Corinthians 3 taught same truths as the Lord

                c. Timothy had to be certain of the truths he was taught

                                a1. Paul spent much time instructing Timothy

                                a2. Acts 1:1-8 Paul had given Timothy the

                                      proofs of what he taught (Luke 24)

                                a3. Timothy was well grounded

                                a4. The same truths have been passed to us

                d. Paul tells Timothy to hold onto the pattern of truth committed to him

                                a1. Keep hold of the form or example given

                                a2. “Committed” = deposited or entrusted

                e. Paul had entrusted Timothy with the same Gospel ministry that the Lord had entrusted to him

                                a1. Timothy’s ministry was confirmed by Lord

                                a2. He was not to waver from his calling or what he was taught (many drift away)

                                a3. If you drift from the truth, you never fully believed it to begin with (1 Jn. 2:19)

                                a4. A difference between mimicking truth and fully embracing it

                f. The Spirit had confirmed the truth in Timothy

                                a1. Timothy probably wasn’t wavering in what was true, but he may have been shrinking back from the requirements of ministry

                                a2. Both the truth and calling were his as a trust

                g. Violating sacred trusts and vows brings severe results

2. Paul’s lonely exit

                a. Paul was shaken by a corps of defections

                                a1. He wanted to make sure Timothy was firm

                                a2. After being arrested and charged with sedition his “friends” fled from him in shame, not wanting to identify with him and face his fate

                b. Paul mentions 2 men who fled who he deemed solid

                c. All who came with him from Asia Minor (Turkey) left

                d. Courage is only forged in testing and conviction in trials

                                a1. Talk is cheap; actions reveal the inner self

                                a2. Paul needed Timothy to affirm his faithfulness

                e. No one can ascertain another’s faith (not depend on relying on others)

3. God sends a surprise gift to Paul

                a. Onesiphorus showed up to comfort Paul

                                a1. Onesiphorus came to Rome to seek Paul out

                                a2. Paul was not expecting this kindness

                b. Onesiphorus came from Ephesus (where Timothy was) so that he could comfort Paul in his time of need

                                a1. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chains

                                a2. Onesiphorus risked all to support Paul in his need

                                a3. Onesiphorus had ministered to Paul in Ephesus

                c. Paul prays for an extra blessing on Onesiphorus and his household for their kindness and care of him

                                a1. Extra reward for caring for God’s servants

                                a2. Care for the persecuted puts self at risk

                d. Mt. 25:30-46 the Lord pronounced an extra blessing on those who took care of his children in need

                                a1. Onesiphorus actually sought out Paul to help him

                                a2. Looking to help others brings blessings

Key verse: Acts 1:1-81 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Sep 4, 2022. II Timothy 1:8-12

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NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL. II Timothy 1:8-12. 9/4/2022. #2.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

1. Paul’s urgent admonition

                a. Paul loved Timothy and had confidence in him

                                a1. “My beloved son”

                                a2. Philippians 2:19-23 Paul had no man like Timothy who would take care of needs of Philippians church

                b. Paul did not doubt Timothy’s faith, commitment to Christ, or desire to serve the Lord

                c. Paul was concerned about Tim. lack of courage

                                a1. “Let no one despise your youth”

                                a2. “Reignite the gift within you”

                                a3. “You have not been given a spirit of timidity, but of love, power, and reason”

                d. Tim.’s reluctance to be bold and to face opposition caused Paul to pressure him to stand firm

2. No shame in Christ

                a. Paul urges Tim. not to be ashamed to witness

                                a1. Not to be ashamed to identify with Paul, who was imprisoned for Christ

                                a2. To be willing to suffer along with Paul

                b. Those who seek to avoid ridicule and threats will never be bold witnesses for Christ

                                a1. Avoiding pain = also avoiding testimony

                                a2. Witnessing and opposition go together

                c. Luke 9:23-26 Christ ashamed of those ashamed of him

                d. Tim. was a great servant of Christ, but an introvert

                                a1. Paul states that he had to lay aside his fears and doubts in order to obey the Lord

                                a2. Self-focus is self-defeating

                e. God used many shy, reluctant people

                                a1. Esther was afraid to approach the king

                                a2. Jer. thought that he was too young

                                a3. Moses couldn’t speak well

                                a4. Mark fled from his first mission’s encounter

3. Focus above

                a. Tim. had the wrong focus

                                a1. To worry what would happen to him when he testified of Christ neutralized his witness

                                a2. Tim. had to get his mind off himself

                b. Paul instructs Tim. to focus outwardly

                                a1. Paul and Tm. = partners in ministry and suffering

                                a2. Use the power of God in him to persevere

                                a3. A holy calling given from before time began

                                                b1. Not dependent on our works

                                                b2. Dependent on purposes of God

                                a4. Christ suffered that we might be saved and empowered to do his will

                                                b1. Given immortality in Christ

                                                b2. Service is small gratitude to return

                c. Paul used himself as an example

                                a1. He was called, appointed a preacher and an apostle in order to teach the nations of Christ

                                a2. As a saved and called one, he has a sacred trust to keep the faith entrusted to him

                                a3. Paul believed that all that he committed to the Lord would be kept until His return

                d. Paul was not ashamed of his calling, for the Lord bore the shame of the cross for him

                                a1. Focused on ministry entrusted to him

                                a2. God would protect him until he was done, strengthen him when attacked, and reward him when he exited this present life

                e. Paul wants Tim. to focus on Lord and not his safety

                f. All believers are entrusted with a calling to keep

Key Verse: Luke 9:23-26

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Aug 28, 2022. II Timothy 1:1-7

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20220828_Morning

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE. II Timothy 1:1-7. 08/28/2022. #01.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1. Introduction

                a. Paul had written 1 Timothy after he was released from house arrest in 64 AD (his appeal to Caesar)

                b. Now Paul finds himself rearrested after Christians were blamed for the fire of Rome (64 AD)

                c. By 66 AD, Paul is in a cold dungeon (the Mamertine)

                                a1. Paul knows that his time is short

                                a2. He wants to write Timothy one last time

                d. Paul’s purpose in writing Timothy was to strengthen him

                                a1. Paul was cold, lonely, and bored, so he wanted Timothy to bring some friends, his coat, and books

                                a2. Paul assures Timothy that he is going to his reward, so this is not a sad time

2. Heritage

                a. Paul again emphasized that he was called to be an apostle by the will of God, not of man

                                a1. Paul had not sought out Christ or the apostleship (God does the choosing)

                                a2. Timothy was also call by God

                b. Paul assures Timothy of his affection for him (“son”)

                c. Paul could honestly say that he prayed for Timothy every single day (a pure conscience in saying this)

                d. Paul states that he served God faithfully just as his forefathers before him had done

                                a1. Paul was raised by faithful parents

                                a2. The heritage of faith goes back far in his line

                e. Paul reminds Timothy that his grandma and mom were faithful believers before him (his dad was Greek)

                                a1. The heritage of faith was passed to him

                                a2. Timothy was raised in the faith

                f. Christian heritage is a precious and rare blessing

                                a1. Few people are raised by godly parents

                                a2. Fewer come from a long line of believers

                                a3. To be ingrained with Bible truths from the youngest age is an advantage and trust

                                a4. Godly upbringing = cherished and used

                g. Paul and Timothy bemoan (tears) their separation and their soon earthly parting

                                a1. As it should be = the work goes on

                                a2. Sorrow will culminate in reunion

                                a3. Paul is confident that Timothy will stay true

                h. Paul reminds Timothy that he is grounded and equipped

3. Emboldened to the task

                a. Paul wants Timothy to focus on his heritage and calling

                b. Stir up (lit., kindle, set on fire; rekindle; English Words pyrotechnic, pyromaniac…) gifts in you

                                a1. Eliminate all doubts and hesitation (boldness)

                                a2. Must master our own doubtful and insecure personalities that plague our faith

                                a3. The gift was in Timothy for it was given him by God and confirmed by the laying on of hands

                c. Battle against self-doubt is intense

                                a1. Must choose to obey even if unsure

                                a2. Know the right choice and follow it

                                a3. Ignore or subdue fears and uncertainty

                d. Just as we must choose holiness against fleshly desires, we must choose obedience above fears

                e. Believers have not been given a spirit of fear (cowardice, timidity), shrinking before evil (II Peter 1:1-11)

                f. Paul states that believers have been gifted 3 things:

                                a1. Power (might; English = dynamo) – 2 Corinthians 10

                                a2. Love (charitable love) motivates a desire to witness of your faith (2 Cor. 5:12-15)

                                a3. Sound mind (rationality, soberness, self-control, reasonableness) = faith logic

                g. We have the tools; but we must decide to use them

Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:1-11

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.