II Timothy Chapter 2
Not only is Paul passing on the legacy of the ministry of the gospel with Timothy, but he reminded Timothy that there will be others whose lives would be changed by the gospel because of the faithfulness of Timothy’s teaching. The greatest joy would be when Timothy would witness others who would in turn step up and want to share the gospel with others also. The task of remaining faithful to do the work of the ministry would require strength. But this strength is not something Timothy would just “muster up,” he would need to be strengthened by the grace of Jesus Christ.
How about you? Are you feeling weak in your walk with the Lord? We are reminded in Ephesians 6 to put on the whole armor of God. This indicates to me that we are not going to feel strong in our faith if we try to go into battle without Him. We need His armor and His protection. Our strength comes from drawing close to Him and relying on Him to lift us up. He is just waiting for us to come to Him and ask for His help.
Let's Reflect
1. While here on this earth we can be sure that there will be struggles even for the believer. How should we view our times of suffering?
2. In all of the examples Paul gives in verses 3-7, Paul speaks of persistence of the believer. When there are struggles the believer must never just give up. Instead, he or she must look to our Savior Jesus Christ. What does Paul mention about Jesus in verses 8-10 that should propel us to continue on?
3. In verse 11 Paul says there is this saying that is about our faith in Jesus. What happens to those who deny Jesus? And even when we are faithless, Jesus remains what? Jesus is still willing to forgive us!
4. The people of the Greek culture loved to argue about philosophies and religion, but Paul said to remind them, and to charge them not to quarrel over words. What did he compare their ungodliness of quarreling over words to?
5. The opposite of quarreling over words and philosophies is to teach the sound doctrine of the Word of God. There will be no need for arguing because the teaching of the Word of God – is God’s Word! What two men are mentioned who started out teaching the truths of Scripture but then caused great distress in the people because they taught that the resurrection had already happened, meaning that they were living in the millennial kingdom already?
6. Paul then shares something very encouraging for the believer. He shared that the Lord knows who are His, those who have truly placed their faith in Him. In fact, there is something put on our life when we become His. What is it?
7. We believers are vessels for the master’s use. Paul encourages us to do what so that we can be used for God?
8. The legacy of the gospel is love. It is with careful persistence of faith that we can show others the love of Christ. There is a lot of anger and hurt feelings in this world and what people need now more than ever is for someone to show them the love of Christ. Paul says that with us showing them kindness, patience and gentle correction of the opponents of the faith, they just might come to the truth, repent and escape what?
