2 Timothy 2:1-7

Senior Pastor Alex Kennedy

Be Strengthened

In verse 1, Paul says, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Paul does NOT tell Timothy to “be strong”, but instead to receive something from outside himself. He needs to abide in Christ and find his strength in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we abide, our strength grows. God does the empowering, so our responsibility is to submit to His work and to cooperate with it. (2 Cor 10:10) (Rom 16:25)

Our strength is in the grace

that is in Christ Jesus.

Entrust

Verse 2 says, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” The two qualifications listed are people that are:

1. faithful men
2. able to teach

It is our responsibility as stewards of God’s Word to guard the deposit entrusted to us and then invest it in others. This is discipleship. It is more personal and intimate than preaching from a pulpit. One purpose of our salvation is to make disciples.

Faith happens “to us”

but also “through us”.

Share in suffering

As Paul invited Timothy to follow him, he warned that the journey would not be easy through three examples.

A good soldier of Christ Jesus – Soldiers on active duty do not expect a safe or easy time. They take hardship, risk, and suffering as a matter of fact. The soldier must be careful not to get “entangled” by civilian affairs. This means that the solider must stay focused on the task at hand, and “his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” In this case, Jesus Christ.

The best athletes have millions of admirers, but very few imitators. Everybody wants the medals, the fame, and to be first, but few have the discipline to see it become a reality. In the same way, everyone wants to be spiritually mature, but few want the discipline that produces the good fruit…Scripture, prayer, worship, giving, serving, community, confession…

The hardworking farmer – The Farmer works hard and puts something into the ground and then waits. Farmers understand that the absence of visible growth doesn’t mean absence of activity. Paul told Timothy (and us) to keep plowing. (Gal 6:9) When we can’t see the fruit or growth, we must persevere.

We can do this by living an ABLE life:

Abide in Christ – this is where it all starts and where our strength comes from.

Build Relationships – getting close enough to people to invest in them.

Living the Gospel – this is faithful Christianity lived out over time.

Everything – be mature enough to realize everything in our lives are gifts from God’s that we steward for the Kingdom.

Think Over

As we listen to Scripture, read it, memorize it, study it, meditate on it, and apply it, “the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”

Remember Jesus Christ

When you’re tempted to quit, remember Jesus Christ

When you’re tired of fighting the batter, remember Jesus Christ

When you’re tired of running the race, remember Jesus Christ

Jesus knows something about suffering. Jesus knows something about endurance. Jesus knows something about finishing what the Father gave Him to do. And the Jesus who suffered is the Jesus who rose from the dead.

Questions to Consider:

1. Where do you fall into the trap of relying on your own strength instead of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit? When do you most need God’s strength?
2. Who has taught you about Jesus with their words and with their actions?
3. Who is following Jesus more closely because they are close to you?
4. What takes your eyes off (entangles you) of the most important things?
5. What are some spiritual “disciplines” that help us follow Jesus faithfully? Which discipline do you want to try to incorporate into your faith journey this week?
6. Why can we sometimes become discouraged when we don’t immediately see the results of following Jesus?
7. Paul says, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”What is one thing from this passage that you need to think about more this week?