2 Timothy 2

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
​Series: 2 Timothy

Rusty's Notes

67 AD (4 years later)

• Paul is in prison in Roman
• Nero has been persecuting the believers in Rome.
• Believers are staying clear of Paul.
• No one came to support Paul in his preliminary hearing.
• Luke visits Paul and pens the letter for Paul.
• Paul knows his time is near.
• Paul warns Timothy about those who will fall away from the faith.
• Needs to encourage Timothy to keep discipling.

 
Be Strong in Grace
2 Timothy 2
1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

• Be
• strong (dunamus = power) – empowered with grace
• We are empowered by Jesus… not our own strength.
• Continuous active cooperation & dependence with Jesus

2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

• Thankful to be gone occasionally
• Keith, Matt, Terry and others are incredible at teaching.
• “Faithful”… not ordained.
• We do not test modern teachers by their popularity, education, or skill.
• We test them by the Word of God, and particularly the doctrines of grace as given by Paul.[1]
• You are encouraged to do ministry here.
• Hand off… Figure this thing out… Go… Go…

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

• We are in a spiritual battle. It is all around us.

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter.

• Stay focused… don’t be distracted with nonsense.
• Our time can be consumed with “good things”…
• Bump that up to “excellent things”
• Choose right priorities

5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

• Romans were enthusiastic about their sports.
• An Olympic athlete swore to an oath at a statue of Zeus that they had physically trained for at least 10 months.
• "It's been crazy for me," Joe Jr. said. "I never thought you'd see a 55-year-old running back. I'm just proud of him. He made his mind up to do something and stuck to it."

6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.

• Planting and nurturing leads to a harvest.
• All three illustrations teach us that faithfulness is a huge portion of the formula that leads to reward.

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

• Caught vs Taught
     - Avitar –
              Neytiri: Why save you? 
              Jake Sully: Yeah, why save me? 
              Neytiri: You have a strong heart. No fear. But stupid! Ignorant like a child! 
              Jake Sully: Well, if I'm like a child, then maybe you should teach me. 
              Neytiri: Sky People cannot learn, you do not see. 
              Jake Sully: Then teach me how to see. 
              Neytiri: No one can teach you to see

8 Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel.

• The mention that Christ 'descended from David' shows that Christ has messianic qualifications and is the heir to the glorious promises of God for David.
• “my gospel” – This message had been entrusted to Paul.
• The Truth is being distorted… among the Church… Facebook

9 I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound.

• Paul had been the chief suppressor & oppressor of Christianity.
• Now he has suffered the most due to his gospel.

10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy:
For if we have died with Him,
we will also live with Him; (positive)
12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; (positive)
if we deny Him, He will also deny us; (negative)

• Great White Throne Judgment (nonbelievers) of the Judgment Seat (believers).

13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself. (negative)

• Jesus will fulfill His Word either way.

 
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

• What are subjects that are causing Christians to “split hairs”?
     - Reformed Theology; Evolutionism
     - What about Law & Grace

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

• Just as a construction worker can point out “bad work”… so can a teacher.

16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. 17 And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them.

• Paul had already turned Hymenaeus over to satan in 1 Timothy 1:20.
• Get to a point where you can distinguish “religious talk” vs truth.
• Gangrene is described as a sore that eats at the flesh.

18 They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are overturning the faith of some.

• Certain carryovers from their pagan religions.
• Spiritual resurrection – sinless perfection?

19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription:
The Lord knows those who are His, and
Everyone who names the name of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness.

• We still have to make choices.
• Repentance – change your mind about your behavior.

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

• Those who become students of the Truth vs.
• Those who have a lack of commitment to study & even proclaim false truths.
• There will be a separation… not a salvation issue.

22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

• Youth movements: Veganism, peace, etc. Passion, reformed theology…

23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.

• These questions are going to be brought before you…
     - Calvinism vs Arminialism
     - Law vs Grace

24 The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.[2]

• Who grants repentance? God does…
• Through His kindness…
     - Should I de-friend blatant sinners on Facebook?
     - There is a difference between acceptance & teaching with gentleness.
     - How will those who have a sinful nature or are walking in their flesh ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
     - How will the addicted ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
     - How will a left-wing liberal tree-hugging hippie ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
     - How will the staunch right-wing, good doing, 10 commandment card carrier ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
     - Why would the younger generation want to have anything to do with that type of religious condemnation?
     - How do I engage them in conversation enough to intrigue them?

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 245). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (2 Ti 2:1–26). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.