The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his proteges, Timothy and Titus.
This letter to Timothy are the last known words of Paul. He knew that the time of his death had come. God would soon move Paul off the scene, and Timothy would take his place and continue to give spiritual leadership to the churches. It would not be an easy task, but Timothy could succeed with the Lord’s help.
Instructions for Ministry During the “Last Days” When Paul talks about the last days he’s talking about the time that started with the ministry of Christ and they will last until Christ returns.
He said that these will be dangerous and perilous times
2 Timothy 3:1-9 NIV [1] But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. [6] They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, [7] always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. [8] Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. [9] But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
Turn away from the false or fake stuff and the people peddling it. People who loved themselves and stuff would be exposed. Like Jannes and Jambres. These men opposed Moses by imitating what he did. When Aaron’s rod turned into a serpent, the magicians cast down their rods and they turned into serpents. Moses turned the water into blood, and the magicians followed with the same miracle. When Moses brought up all the frogs, the magicians duplicated the miracle. But when it came to the miracle of the lice, the magicians could not imitate it. (read Exodus 7-9). They could only go so far and then they were exposed.
Those are the bad folk. Let's not follow them let’s follow those who are true, so let's look at the characteristics of those who are true.
Follow Those Who Are True (3:10–12)
2 Timothy 3:10-12 NIV [10] You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, [11] persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. [12] In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Paul uses himself as an example of one who is true.
Their lives are and open book (however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose). They have nothing to hide. They teach true sound doctrine emphasizing “faith, patience, love, endurance”
No matter how appealing a preacher may be, if he does not preach the truth of God’s Word, he does not deserve our support. On radio and TV today, we have a great deal of “pseudo-Christianity” which is a mixture of psychology, success motivation, and personality cults, with a little bit of Bible thrown in to make it look religious. Beware!
Someone who is true practices what they preach and in doing so glorifies God
Another characteristic is their willingness to suffer. We talked about that some the last couple of weeks.
Paul did not ask others to suffer for him; he suffered for others. The fact that he was persecuted from city to city was proof that he was living a godly life. Some people today have the idea that godliness means escaping persecution, when just the opposite is true.
2 Timothy 3:2-5 NIV [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
He had a prison record;
Acts 20:22-23 NIV [22] “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. [23] I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
he had a physical affliction;
2 Corinthians 12:6-7 NIV [6] Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, [7] or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
He stirred up problems in just about every place he visited.
Acts 19:23-29 NIV [23] About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. [24] A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. [25] He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. [26] And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. [27] There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” [28] When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” [29] Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together.
He was poor, and he did not cater to the rich.
Philippians 4:10-13 NIV [10] I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. [11] I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [12] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. [13] I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
The only way to defeat false teachers and teaching is with sound doctrine and sound doctrine comes from continuing in God’s word.
No matter how appealing a preacher may be, if he does not preach the truth of God’s Word, he does not deserve our support.
A true Christian practices what they preach. Their lives back up what they preach.
They do this because their purpose isn’t money, or popularity their purpose is to glorify God.
2 Timothy 3:10 NIV [10] You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
A person who is true has the endurance to stick it out even when it gets rough. They are willing to suffer for others. Some people today have the idea that godliness means escaping persecution, when just the opposite is true.
Those that are true and those we should follow stay in God’s Word.
2 Timothy 3:12-17 NIV [12] In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. [14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, [15] and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We read last week;
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV [1] But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
We should stay in follow and study God’s word because
They are the Holy Scriptures (v. 15a).
2 Timothy 3:15 NIV [15] and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
The word for “holy” means “consecrated for sacred use.” The Bible is different from every other book—even books about the Bible—because it has been set apart by God for special sacred uses. We must treat the Bible as the special book it is.
The Scriptures lead us to salvation (v. 15b). We are not saved by believing the Bible, but by trusting the Christ who is revealed in the Bible. Satan knows the Bible, but he is not saved.
John 5:39 NIV [39] You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
The Bible reveals our need for salvation. It is a mirror that shows us how filthy we are in God’s sight. The Bible explains that every lost sinner is condemned now and needs a Savior now. It also makes it clear that a lost sinner cannot save himself. But the Bible also reveals God’s wonderful plan of salvation: Christ died for our sins! If we trust Him, He will save us.
John 3:16-21 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. [19] This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. [21] But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
The Bible also helps give us the assurance of our salvation.
1 John 5:9-13 NIV [9] We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. [10] Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. [11] And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. [13] I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Then the Bible becomes our spiritual food to nourish us that we might grow in grace and serve Christ.
Matthew 4:4 NIV [4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
It is our sword for fighting Satan and overcoming temptation.
Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Word is dependable
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
It’s dependable because it is God-breathed. God used men to write down his word but it’s not their words.
2 Peter 1:19-21 NIV [19] We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. [20] Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. [21] For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
If it is God-breathed it’s true.
God the Father is truth
Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV [4] He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
Jesus is “the truth”
John 14:6 NIV [6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
And the “Spirit is truth”
1 John 5:6 NIV [6] This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
Jesus said of the Scriptures,
John 17:17 NIV [17] Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Yes God used men to write the word but He didn’t remove their personalities. Each writer has his own distinctive style and vocabulary. Each book of the Bible grew out of a special set of circumstances. In His preparation of men, in His guiding of history, and in His working through the Spirit, God brought about the miracle of the Scriptures.
biblical inspiration is the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the Bible’s writers, which guaranteed that what they wrote was accurate and trustworthy.
Whatever the Bible says about itself, man, God, life, death, history, science, and every other subject is true. This does not mean that every statement in the Bible is true, because the Bible records the lies of men and of Satan. But the record is true.
The Scriptures are true which makes them profitable too.
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
They are profitable for doctrine/teaching (what is right), for reproof/rebuke (what is not right), for correction/training (how to get right), and for instruction in righteousness (how to stay right).
Finally the scriptures equip us for service.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In other words, the Word of God furnishes and equips a believer so that he can live a life that pleases God and do the work God wants him to do. The better we know the Word, the better we are able to live and work for God.
The purpose of Bible study is not just to understand doctrines or to be able to defend the faith, as important as these things are. The ultimate purpose is the equipping of the believers who read it. It is the Word of God that equips God’s people to do the work of God.
The times are not going to get better, but we Christians can become better people, even in bad times. We must separate ourselves from that which is false, devote ourselves to that which is true, and continue in our study of the Word of God. Then God can equip us for ministry in these difficult days, and we will have the joy of seeing others come to a knowledge of the truth.
Paul’s last words to Timothy were 3 admonitions
Preach the Word
Fulfill your ministry
Be diligent and faithful
Preach the Word
2 Timothy 4:1-4 NIV [1] In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: [2] Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. [3] For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
“Preach the Word!” is the main responsibility that Paul shared in this section. Everything else he said is related to this. The word preach means “to preach like a herald.”
A herald was commissioned by the ruler to make his announcements in a loud, clear voice so everyone could hear. He was not an ambassador with the privilege of negotiating; he was a messenger with a proclamation to be heard and heeded.
A preacher, an evangelist, a teacher should be a herald. They can also be ambassadors. In fact Paul said that we are all ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV [20] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Timothy was to herald God’s Word with the authority of heaven behind him. The Word of God is what both sinners and saints need. Timothy should be diligent and alert to use every opportunity to preach the Word, when it is favorable and even when it is not favorable.
God’s speaker must be patient as he preaches the Word. He will not always see immediate results. He must be patient with those who oppose his preaching.
2 Timothy 4:2 NIV [2] Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Above all else, he must preach doctrine. He must not simply tell Bible stories, relate interesting illustrations, or read a verse and then forget it.
True preaching is the explanation and application of Bible doctrine. Anything else is just religious speechmaking.
Here the reason for preaching with sound doctrine;
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV [3] For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The time would come (and it has been here for a long time!) when most people would not want the “healthy doctrine” of the Word of God. They would have carnal desires for religious novelties.
Because of their “itching ears” they would accumulate teachers who would satisfy their cravings for things that disagree with God’s truths. The fact that a preacher has a large congregation is not always a sign that he is preaching the truth. In fact, it may be evidence that he is tickling people’s “itching ears” and giving them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. It is but a short step from “itching ears” to turning one’s ears away from the truth.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV [1] But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Once people have rejected the truth, they turn to fables.
It is not likely that man-made fables will convict them of sin or make them want to repent! The result is a congregation of comfortable, professing Christians, listening to a comfortable, religious talk that contains no Bible doctrine. These people become the prey of every false cult because their lives lack a foundation in the Word of God. It is a recognized fact that most cultists were formerly members of churches.
The next admonition was to fulfill his ministry
2 Timothy 4:5-8 NIV [5] But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. [6] For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
God is assigned us a specific ministry and has given us gifts to fulfill that ministry. Paul fulfilled his and his time on earth we near. He had endured hardships but stayed faithful to his ministry.
2 Timothy 4 [6] For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Because he had he knew that he would receive his reward
2 Timothy 4: [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
We are not called to be apostles, yet we can win the same crown that Paul won. If we love Christ’s appearing, live in obedience to His will, and do the work He has called us to do,
Be Diligent and Faithful
2 Timothy 4:9-18 NIV [9] Do your best to come to me quickly, [10] for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. [12] I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. [13] When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. [14] Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. [15] You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. [16] At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. [17] But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. [18] The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
He wanted Timothy to be diligent because he had been abandoned except for Luke. He knew that Timothy would not fail him and of course the Lord hadn’t failed him.
This letter was apparently written before a second hearing and he wanted Timothy to be there.
[17] But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. [18] The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen
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