Archive for the ‘2 Timothy’ Category

Spiritual Training 09 December 2013

Posted: December 9, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 2:3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus

 The body of Christ contains all believers who have ever lived, not just those who are alive now. When we suffer, we share in a common experience, not just with those alive today, but with all those who have ever suffered for the sake of the gospel. All the martyrs, missionaries, and pioneers of the faith had to face what we face.

Lets Bring it Home:  Let us have the same courage, commitment, and willingness to renounce worldly pleasure in order to serve God. Can you face the challenge? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Spiritual Training 22 November 2013

Posted: November 22, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2) And the things you also be qualified to teach others. 

How can someone be strong in grace? Grace means undeserved favor. Just as we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9), we should live by grace (Colossians 2:6). This means trusting completely in Christ and his power, and not trying to live for Christ in our strength alone.

2:2 If the church were to consistently follow this advice, it would expand geometrically as well-taught believers would teach others and commission them, in turn, to teach still others.

Lets Bring it Home:  Receive and utilize Christ’s power. He will give you the strength to do his work.  Disciples need to be equipped to pass on their faith; our work is not done until new believers are able to make disciples of others (see Ephesians 4:12, 13).

Spiritual Training 21 November 2013

Posted: November 20, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Timothy was in a time of transition. He had been Paul’s bright young helper; soon he would be on his own as leader of a church in a difficult environment. Although his responsibilities were changing, Timothy was not without help. He had everything he needed to face the future, if he would hold on tightly to the Lord’s resources.

Lets Bring it Home:  When you are facing difficult transitions, follow Paul’s advice to Timothy and look back at your experience. Who is the foundation of your faith? How can you build on that foundation? What gifts has the Holy Spirit given you? Use the gifts you have been given for the building of God Kingdom.

Spiritual Training 20 November 2013

Posted: November 20, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:8-12 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.  But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (9) who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (10) but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (11) And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 

 (12) That is why I am suffering as I am.  Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for the day

In spite of the suffering that might have caused Paul to despair, he affirmed his confidence in God’s protection. This was not a claim to strong faith; rather, it was a trust in one so powerful that even a weak faith was sufficient. Paul based his confidence in Christ on his intimate relationship with him. Paul knew the one in whom he trusted with personal knowledge; he knew Christ so well that no earthly experience could break the bond of love by which Christ held him.

The phrase “guard what I have entrusted to him” could mean: (1) Paul knew that God would protect the souls of those converted through his preaching; (2) Paul trusted God to guard his own soul until Christ’s second coming; or (3) Paul was confident that, though he was in prison and facing death, God would carry out the gospel ministry through others such as Timothy. Paul may have expressed his confidence to encourage Timothy, who was undoubtedly discouraged by the problems in Ephesus and fearful of persecution. Even in prison, Paul knew that God was still in control.

Lets Bring it Home:  No matter what setbacks or problems we face, we can trust fully in God.  If your situation looks bleak, give your concerns to Christ because you know him and love him. Realize that he will guard all you have entrusted to him until the day of his return. For more on our security in Christ, see Romans 8:38, 39.

Spiritual Training 19 November 2013

Posted: November 19, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:8-10 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.  But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (9) who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (10) but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 

1:8 In this time of mounting persecution, Timothy may have been afraid to continue preaching the gospel. His fears were based on fact, because believers were being arrested and executed. Paul told Timothy to expect suffering—Timothy, like Paul, would be jailed for preaching the gospel (Hebrews 13:23). But Paul promised Timothy that God would give him strength and that he would be ready when it was his turn to suffer.

1:9, 10 In these verses Paul gives a brief summary of the gospel. God loves us, called us, and sent Christ to die for us. We can have eternal life through faith in him, because he broke the power of death with his resurrection.

Lets Bring it Home:  Even when there is no persecution, sharing our faith in Christ can be difficult. Fortunately we, like Paul and Timothy, can rely on the Holy Spirit to give us courage. Don’t be ashamed to testify of your personal faith in Jesus Christ.  We do not deserve to be saved, but God offers us salvation  anyway

Spiritual Training 14 November 2013

Posted: November 14, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:5-7 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.  For this reason I remind you fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 

At the time of his ordination, Timothy had received special gifts of the Spirit to enable him to serve the church (see 1 Timothy 4:14). In telling Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God,” Paul was encouraging him to persevere. Timothy did not need new revelations or new gifts; he needed the courage and self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts he had already received (see 1:13, 14). If Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim the gospel once again, the Holy Spirit would go with him and give him power.

1:6 Clearly Timothy’s spiritual gift had been given to him when Paul and the elders had laid their hands on him and set him apart for ministry (see 1 Timothy 4:14). God gives all Christians gifts to use to build up the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:4–31), and he gives special gifts to some through church leaders, who serve as God’s instruments. 1:6, 7 Timothy was experiencing great opposition to his message and to himself as a leader. His youth, his association with Paul, and his leadership had come under fire from believers and nonbelievers alike. Paul urged him to be bold.

Paul mentions three characteristics of the effective Christian leader: power, love, and self-discipline. These are available to us because the Holy
already received (see 1:13, 14). If Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim the gospel once again, the Holy Spirit would go with him and give him power.

Lets Bring it Home:  When you use the gifts God has given you, you will find that God will give you the power you need to accomplish whatever task he gives you.  When we allow people to intimidate us, we neutralize our effectiveness for God. The power of the Holy Spirit can help us overcome our fear of what some might say or do to us, so that we can continue to do God’s work. 1:7

Spiritual Training 13 November 2013

Posted: November 13, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 

Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, were early Christian converts, possibly through Paul’s ministry in their home city, Lustra (Acts 16:1).  They had communicated their strong Christian faith to Timothy, even though his father was probably not a believer.

Lets Bring it Home:  Don’t hide your light at home; our families are fertile fields for planting gospel seeds.  Let your parents, children, spouse, brothers, and sisters know of your faith in Jesus, and be sure they see Christ’s love, helpfulness, and joy in you.

Spiritual Training 12 November 2013

Posted: November 12, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear Son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord

When we are united with Christ life takes on both immediate and eternal dimensions.  Paul’s use of the phrase, “the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, “can apply to the life that Jesus gives immediately to those who trust him, as well as to the life fully realized in eternity.  On one hand, Paul said, “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  So new life begins at conversion. 

Yet on the other hand we “wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).  The present experience we enjoy provides a foretasted of our completed redemption as Christ’s return.

Lets Bring it Home:  When we struggle with difficulties in this life, remember that the best is yet to come.

Spiritual Training

Posted: November 12, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:1-3 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear Son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord

When we are united with Christ life takes on both immediate and eternal dimensions.  Paul’s use of the phrase, “the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, “can apply to the life that Jesus gives immediately to those who trust him, as well as to the life fully realized in eternity.  On one hand, Paul said, “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  So new life begins at conversion. 

Yet on the other hand we “wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).  The present experience we enjoy provides a foretasted of our completed redemption as Christ’s return.

Lets Bring it Home:  When we struggle with difficulties in this life, remember that the best is yet to come.

Spiritual Training 07 November 2013

Posted: November 7, 2013 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

2nd Timothy: Paul was facing death.  He was not dying of a disease in a sterile hospital with loved ones gathered nearby.  He was very much alive, but his condition was terminal.  Convicted as a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, Paul sat in a cold Roman prison cut off from the world, with just a visitor or two and his writing materials.  Paul knew that soon he would be executed, so he wrote his final thoughts to his “son” Timothy, passing to him the torch of leadership, reminding him of what  was truly important, and encouraging him in the faith.

MEGATHEMES

Boldness

EXPLANATION: In the face of opposition and persecution, Timothy was to carry out his ministry without fear or shame. Paul urged him to utilize boldly the gifts of preaching and teaching that the Holy Spirit had given him.

IMPORTANCE: The Holy Spirit helps us to be wise and strong. God honors our confident testimony even when we suffer. To get over our fear of what people might say or do, we must take our eyes off of people and look only to God.

Faithfulness

EXPLANATION: Christ was faithful to all of us in dying for our sin. Paul was a faithful minister even when he was in prison. Paul urged Timothy to maintain not only sound doctrine but also loyalty, diligence, and endurance.

IMPORTANCE: We can count on opposition, suffering, and hardship as we serve Christ. But this shows that our faithfulness is having an effect on others. As we trust Christ, he counts us worthy to suffer, and he will give us the strength we need to be steadfast.

 

 

Preaching and Teaching

EXPLANATION: Paul and Timothy were active in preaching and teaching  the Good News about Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged Timothy not only to carry the torch of truth but also to train others, passing on to them sound doctrine and enthusiasm for Christ’s mission.

IMPORTANCE: We must prepare people to transmit God’s Word to others so that they in turn might pass it on. Does your church carefully train others to teach?

Error

EXPLANATION: In the final days before Christ returns, there will be false teachers, spiritual dropouts, and heretics. The remedy for error is to have a solid program for teaching Christians.

IMPORTANCE: Because of deception and false teaching, we must be disciplined and ready to reject error. Know the Word of God as your sure defense against error and confusion.

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