We are continuing our series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Today, we will be in 2 Timothy 2:1-13.
Let’s read the passage, and then we’ll go from there:
1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 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 died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
Join me in prayer as we ask God to speak to us through this passage:
(prayer)
When Florida businesses started to open back up after the COVID-19 shutdown, we received notice that Universal Studies was offering a deal to buy a one-day ticket and get the rest of the year free. We were so excited because we wanted to get out of the house, and we are not the kind of family who can often purchase multi-day passes for a theme park. Well, we took the deal, and when we went, we would write a little note and put it in the pockets of our young sons. Then, we would tell them what to do if they got lost. “Go find an adult and give them the note,” which had our names and phone numbers on it. Well, we’re blessed that they never got lost. But each time, we would say, “Remember the note. Remember the note.” We wanted to constantly remind them about what they needed to know because their well-being was dependent on that knowledge.
In this passage today, Paul is reminding Timothy what he needs to know to live his life as a faithful Christian and minister of the gospel. Today’s sermon is entitled, “Remember to be Strong in the Lord.”
So, as we reflect upon this passage, let’s remember three specific focuses that we need to remember.
First, . . .
I. Remember your work.
Paul has already told Timothy not to fear and not be distracted by false teachers.
Now, he tells Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
We’ve talked about this before, but I want to point out how helpful it is that Paul identifies both the effort that Timothy must give and the power by which that effort succeeds. Paul says, “be strong” in the “grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
It is by Timothy’s intentional effort, that is founded in the grace of Jesus Christ, that strength will come.
Church, as we remember the work that Jesus has left for each of us, we must remember that we need strength, and that strength is found in Jesus.
Paul then gets specific about the work that Timothy has before him.
In verse 2, Paul says, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Paul has invested in Timothy, and he is calling Timothy to invest in others. Part of Timothy’s responsibility as a minister of the gospel is to train up others to do ministry.
Timothy needs to remember his work.
Well, what about you? What work has God called you to do?
Well, we learn in the Great Commandment that God has called us to love Him and love others above all else.
We learn in the Great Commission that God has called us to go and make disciples.
We learn in Acts 1:8 that Jesus said we are to be His witnesses.
We learn in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that we are to glorify God in everything that we do.
Church, we must remember our work.
We can do lots of other things, we can have hobbies, we can have interests, we can laugh, we can play, we can enjoy many things in this world, but we must never forget the work to which God has called us.
Remember your work.
Second, . . .
II. Remember your loyalty.
In verse 3, Paul again mentions the suffering associated with following Jesus. He says, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
Again, because we are loyal to Jesus, that means we also understand that we may have to suffer at times, as He did.
Paul gives three metaphors to help us understand his teaching about loyalty:
First, he gives the metaphor of a soldier: To whom are we to be loyal? A good soldier is loyal to their commanding officer. We are to be loyal to our commanding officer, to our Lord, to our Master; we are to be loyal to Jesus!
Second, Paul gives the metaphor of an athlete. How are we to be loyal? We are to be loyal by competing according to the rules. We are to follow the paths and teachings that Jesus has given us. We are to follow God’s design for our lives.
Third, Paul gives the metaphor of a farmer. What is the result of our loyalty? When we are loyal, there is a reward. Just as the farmer is rewarded with the fruits of his harvest, so also those who are loyal to Jesus and His mission will receive a bountiful reward for their faithfulness.
Paul says in verse 7, “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
Basically, Paul is saying here, “Listen and think about what I said.”
Indeed, we should listen to and think about what Paul said to Timothy, and what God is saying to us through this passage.
Let us remember our loyalty.
Finally, . . .
III. Remember your salvation.
Paul says very clearly in verse 8, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David.”
Church, we must remember Jesus! He is risen from the dead; He is the King of kings, descended from King David; He is sitting at the right hand of God; He is saving souls; He is returning again to rescue His own! We must remember the salvation that is found in Jesus.
Paul says in verse 9 that he suffers for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul does not enjoy being in a Roman prison. However, Paul knows that even though he may be bound, the word of God is not bound; the gospel of Jesus Christ is not bound.
Paul knows that God will continue His mission. God will keep saving sinners. God will keep building His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Paul knows these realities, which is why he says in verse 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.”
Paul endures his suffering and imprisonment because he knows that even though he may be bound, God is still working. He also knows that through his suffering, others are coming to salvation in Jesus Christ. God is saving His children, those chosen by Him, to a salvation that is not only a rescue from sin but a promise of eternal glory.
Paul remembers his salvation and the salvation of others.
Then, Paul continues with these wondrous words in verses 11-13:
11 This saying is trustworthy:
For if we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
There’s so much packed in these verses. However, let’s catch this summary of these verses: Jesus is faithful to His own.
While remembering our salvation, we must remember that Jesus is faithful.
If we die with Him in His crucifixion, we will also live with Him in His resurrection.
What Paul says here is nothing new.
Jesus said in
, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Paul said Romans 6:4 “Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”
Jesus said in John 8:51 “Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
Also, Paul says if we endure with Him, we will reign with Him. At the same time, if we deny Him, He will deny us.
Again, this is not new information for the follower of Jesus.
Those who are faithful to Jesus will reign with Jesus.
Revelation 20:4 says, “Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
Those who reject Jesus’ offer of salvation and deny Him as Lord will not be accepted by Him into a heavenly home. Jesus said in Matthew 10:33 “But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.”
Finally, Paul says if we are faithless, He will remain faithful.
In other words, the gospel is not dependent upon us; we are dependent upon the gospel.
Again, nothing new here. Paul said in Romans 3:3-4 “What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar.”
We have the privilege of being a part of what God is doing. However, though we are not perfect, we serve a perfect Savior who will continue to bring His children to salvation.
Church, when you remember your salvation, remember that you have been saved from your sins, remembers that you will live with Christ, remember that you will reign with Christ, remember that He is faithful, and remember that His mission to save others will continue to succeed.
Remember your salvation.
Remember this bottom line from today’s sermon:
Bottom Line: The grace of God gives us strength and endurance.
Our entire salvation is based on the grace of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”
Not only that but our strength and endurance are based (as Paul says in verse 1) on God’s “grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
We are saved by grace, and we endure by grace.
Child of God, endure in the grace of God.
Weekly Challenge #1 – Identify three ways that you can continue to endure.
I could list several ways that you could take intentional steps to endure, but don’t make me do all the work for you!
Take some this week and put some thought into how you can stay faithful and endure as a Christian.
When I was a missions pastor, I used to prepare to take groups on mission trips. I would tell them things like, drink lots of water, get a good pair of walking shoes, lose a little weight (or a lot of weight), eat well, pray, bring a journal, practice your testimony, things like that. We were getting prepared to endure through the entire mission trip.
What about your life as a follower of Jesus? How will you prepare yourself to endure?
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
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