Paul’s Last Words to Timothy

 

2 Tim. 2: 1 – 7 – FOUR metaphors used by Paul

1. Background of the book

 

1A. After his 3^rd missionary journey – Jews accused him – 2 years in Caesarea as a prisoner (Act. 22 to 26)

 

2B. He appealed to Caesar, so he was sent to Rome (Acts 27 and 28 ), he was in a house arrest for 2 years.

3C. Paul released from prison:

 

1. a) Travelled with Timothy and left him at Ephesus
2. b) He went to Crete – left Titus
3. c) Spain – no evidence
4. d) He arrested again at Western Turkey

 

4D. Prison – Mamertine prison – dim, dark and dirty place

 

1. The outline of the Book

 

1A. Ch. 1 – The Present calling

2B. Ch. 2 – The Pastoral Character

3C. Ch. 3 – The Practical Concern

4D. Ch. 4 – The Personal Charge

 

Paul used different metaphors to explain immense truth

 

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

 

I. You must be like a TEACHER

    1A. 2 Tim. 2: 2 – heard from me – (Learn / study properly)

2 Tim. 2: 15 – study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the truth

– Act. 2: 41 – 42 – And they devoted themselves to the                                                                    apostles’ teaching

 

Jas. 3: 1 – Not many of you should become teachers

Without knowing the Word do not preach

 

Eg. Jn. 3: 16 – God so loved the world

I Jn. 2: 15 – 16 – Do not love the world

2B.       2 Tim. 2: 2 – entrust to faithful men (To give out properly)

1. Faithful men – Jordan river
2. Unfaithful men – Dead Sea

     3C. Teaching is a gift from the Holy Spirit – Rom 12: 7 – if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching

   4D. Holy Spirit is a good teacher

 

2 Tim. 2: 3 – Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

 

II. You must be like a soldier

 

   1A. Ready to suffer – 2 Tim. 2: 3

1. There is a group of people called prosperity – once you become Christians you don’t have sufferings
2. Their focus on material blessings not spiritual blessings

I Cor. 10: 32

 

JEW	GREEK	CHURCH
Material blessings	Material blessings	Spiritual blessings

 

1. Jesus said, in the world you will have suffering, but I have overcome the world
2. Peter says, Suffering is not the end of the story beyond suffering the glory. Those who suffer for Him will rule with Him.
3. Suffer for Jesus Christ

  2B. 2 Tim 2: 4 – No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits/ no man that warreth entangled himself with the affairs of this life

1. His focus on the battle, they have job to do, Nor do they worry about issues unrelated to their specific mission.
2. We are in the battle: world, flesh and Satan

  3C. since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him (please the Commander – Jesus Christ)

1. I Cor 10: 31 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

 

III. You must be like an athlete – 2 Tim. 2: 5

1A. Run with an aim – to win the crown – I Cro, 9: 24, 26

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. so, I do not run aimlessly

2B. 10 months of intense training

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we are imperishable. I Cor 9: 25

3C. They should keep the rules

The track of OT and NT

        4D. Finish the race – 2 Tim. 4: 7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 

It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

 

IV. You must be like a Farmer – 2 Tim. 2: 6 

 

1A. He must be aware of season – Eccl; 3: 2 – a time to plant

2B. Hard working – Jere 48: 10 – “Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD with slackness

Prov. 12: 11 – Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

3C. Harvest – Ps. 126: 5 -6 – Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.