Bible Study - Unvarnished (6) - One Great Task - 2 Timothy 2:1-10 - Octobeer 9, 2016

Bible Study – Unvarnished (6) – One Great Task – October 9. 2016

This is our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled “Unvarnished Truth: Life’s Greatest Story.”

Our focus scripture is 2 Timothy 2:1-10.

Each Christian must share the gospel, as led by the Holy Spirit.

This series, to me, has been one of the most profound series. The very heart and foundation of GOD’S unfailing love for us as humans is made known. We have explored the extent GOD has gone to reveal Himself to all humans and how HE established HIS plan of reconciliation and redemption for all who will place their faith in HIS only Son, JESUS.

Just as Adam and Eve had free choice in the Garden of Eden, we, as their off-spring have free choice to accept JESUS as our Savior, thus restoring eternal life to each who accepts JESUS as his or her Savior or to reject this free gift and be condemned to judgment and eternal death.

The Apostle Paul wrote Second Timothy to the young pastor Timothy. Timothy had gone with Paul on missionary journeys. Timothy was now a pastor in Ephesus and this is Paul’s final letter to him. Paul referred to Timothy as his son. Paul was Timothy’s mentor in the Christian faith. It is a letter to encourage Timothy and all Christians everywhere. The letter was written about 66 or 67 A D.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:1-2:

Be Strong in Grace

1 You, therefore, my child (son), be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul refers to Timothy as his child or in some translations as “my son.”

Then Paul stated to Timothy “be strong.” The word used for “strong” carries the idea of ongoing action. Paul instructed Timothy “to be strong in grace.”

What is “grace?” Grace is unmerited favor that GOD imputes to Christians at the instant of salvation. We do not deserve “grace” but GOD gives it. As such, we as Christians must also extend grace to others as they live their daily lives.

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.

In essence, Paul was saying to Timothy, what you have heard me teach, invest into fellow Christians.  The concept is for each one to teach one.

In other words, Paul was instructing Timothy to share the workload and train others to teach others. The word “commit” means to teach or to entrust to others the gospel. Entrust the message of CHRIST to “faithful” or those men or women who are dependable and trustworthy Christians.  

The Gospel of CHRIST is to be shared. JESUS admonished Christians to be the salt and the light as we develop relationships with those with whom we come into contact.

It has been amazing to me to ask many with whom I or my wife and I come into contact if there is something we can pray about for them. It could be if you pray to bless your food at a restaurant ask the waitress or waiter if there is something you can pray about for them. Those with whom you come in contact with during your daily routine ask them if there is something you can pray about later at home, church or prayer meeting. You will be amazed as to the needs of others, which leads us to our next verses.

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:3-7:

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

Christians are fighting a battle everyday along with GOD for the souls of the men and women with whom they come into contact. Christians are soldiers of CHRIST JESUS fighting in the spiritual domain. It is vital that Christians be prepared for battle as Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-18:

Christian Warfare

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.

12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,

15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.

16 In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word.

18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert 

in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

As a soldier of JESUS put on your Spiritual armor because you will be in a battle as you obediently serve the LORD JESUS. Christians are to suit up daily.

Paul then uses three illustrations to make his point to Timothy and to all who obediently serve as soldiers for JESUS, as we read on.

4 To please the recruiter, no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of everyday life.

Paul admonished Timothy to stay focused because he was under the authority of JESUS. As Christians, JESUS is our recruiter. Timothy’s calling was to obediently serve GOD and not to get distracted or caught up in matters that would cause him to be diverted from his duty as GOD’S soldier. The message of salvation is eternal and vital to conquering sin and eternal death.

As the soldier of JESUS, Timothy had a vital job to do. He must stay focused. Satan will do his best to distract us from GOD’S work. Paul used another illustration.

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

Paul used the analogy of life as an athlete. An athlete can train and enter into the contest but he must obey the rules of the games. An athlete had to train for at least 10 months in order to qualify to participate in the games. Preparation is vital when Christians obediently serve the LORD JESUS. Christians must read and study GOD’S Word, pray and put into action what GOD leads them to do.

Christians are in a most important race to spread the Gospel of JESUS to those who are in need of salvation. JESUS is the coach of Christians. We are to follow HIS instructions and teachings as we prepare and run in life’s race.

6 It is the hardworking farmer who ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.

Paul used the analogy of the “hardworking farmer.” This analogy is precious. 

The hardworking farmer gets the first fruit of his labor, so does the person who studies and works in the field of harvest. Those who obediently work in GOD’S vineyard receive the joy of growing in relationship with GOD as they witness the hand of GOD at work in their lives and in the lives of others. As Christians work in GOD’S vineyard, they receive the benefits of obediently serving. As they till the ground, plant the seed of GOD’S Word, fertilize, water, clear the weeds and care for the plants that grow they are nurtured because in the doing they are building a stronger relationship with GOD through their relationship with CHRIST.     

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

Consider means to contemplate. Paul is telling Timothy to pause and think about what I am writing to you. Christians need to make pausing and pondering a way of life. Check with GOD to make certain that you are still preaching truth and obediently serving as GOD leads you. GOD will give you understanding and of course if correction is needed, HE will reveal that as well. Understanding is the ability to use knowledge to discern spiritual matters.

Those who serve the LORD need a sabbatical to renew their relationship with GOD and take a step back from the routines of life.

Being an obedient servant of the LORD has the benefit of having GOD as your teacher. When you run into a problem go to your source of wisdom, GOD, and HE will reveal truth to you through the indwelling Holy Spirit. GOD gives understanding in everything.

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:8-10:

8 Keep in mind Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, according to my gospel.

In essence, Paul was saying, Timothy don’t deviate from the truth – JESUS descended from the ancestry of King David just as GOD stated through HIS prophets in the scriptures. JESUS CHRIST was born as a human, lived as a human, tempted as a human, yet remained sinless. HE was crucified, died, buried, and raised from the dead by GOD on the third day, according to the scriptures. All was revealed and recorded in the scriptures long before it happened. HE walked upon earth for 40 days, ascended into heaven and took HIS seat at the right hand of GOD. GOD gave HIM complete authority and HE asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in HIM. The Holy Spirit came upon those who placed their faith in JESUS at Pentecost in a mighty way and continues to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS.  The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms and assures each Christian that he or she is GOD’S Son or Daughter. (Romans 8:16)

9 For this I suffer, to the point of being bound like a criminal; but God's message is not bound.

Paul, in essence, was saying, Timothy, I preach this message of salvation. It resulted in me being treated like a criminal. Although I was physically bound, GOD’S message to the lost is never bound, therefore, stay true to the message of JESUS CHRIST. If you suffer hardship do not let that discourage you from preaching and teaching the truth because GOD’S message transcends physical circumstances. Satan uses these physical situations to discourage you and bind the message of salvation. But keep your eyes upon JESUS crucified and resurrected. That is, Christians must not think that just because they are Christians they are free from trouble from an earthly viewpoint.

Christians can bind GOD’S message to others by not sharing it.

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.

Again, Paul, in essence, was saying, Timothy, I do not focus on the physical because I know that GOD opens the hearts of those HE knows will receive salvation. I, Paul, “endured all things” for the sake of those GOD knew would receive the message of salvation through faith in JESUS, the elect. Paul made it clear that salvation did not come through Paul’s suffering but because Paul knew the truth. Salvation is in JESUS CHRIST alone. Paul counted it joy when he suffered for JESUS. He knew the unspeakable joy that those receiving salvation would experience when they experienced the miracle of rebirth.

Paul wanted Timothy to know that he personally could not save those in need of salvation. His calling was to present JESUS and GOD would work within the hearts of those who would receive salvation. Salvation is personal and based upon freewill. Christians can point the way and live accordingly but GOD saves.

Salvation is obtained in the physical through the miracle of rebirth in the spirit and will be fully realized when Christians meet JESUS face to face. The message of salvation is for the present and carries a person into eternity, which is eternal glory.

Are you secure in JESUS? If not, why not? Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life now believing that HE died for your sins and GOD raised HIM from the physically dead as proof that HE conquered both sin and eternal death.

If you did ask JESUS to forgive you and asked HIM to come into your heat, then welcome to the family of GOD. Now read and study the Bible, talk to GOD (prayer) and act upon what the indwelling Holy Spirit reveals to you. Ask GOD to bring you into contact with fellow born-again Christians. Get involved in a Bible believing and teaching church to learn more about JESUS and obediently serve HIM. Blessings!!!