Historical Posts
2 Timothy 01:08-12 – Sharing in Suffering – audio
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Text: 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (Reading by Richard Dillon)
Introduction
A. Many people are currently dealing with some form of suffering.
B. It is a great comfort to know that someone else is suffering just like you.
C. When you find what you have in common, it makes it easier for everyone to deal with that form of suffering.
Body
I. Jesus endured suffering.
A. He was accused of blasphemy (Matthew 9:3).
B. He suffered up until and during His crucifixion (Luke 24:46-48; 1 Peter 5:1).
C. He made salvation perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10).
II. Christians will suffer.
A. By preaching the gospel of Christ, suffering may be necessary (2 Timothy 1:8-12; Acts 9:16; Philippians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:12).
B. We have fellowship in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13).
C. We can rejoice in time of suffering (Colossians 1:24; Acts 5:41; Philippians 1:12-18).
III. We all share in suffering now, and will share in consolation and glory.
A. The true prophets set the example of suffering (James 5:10).
B. God is pleased when one suffers for His sake (1 Peter 2:19-20).
C. If one member of the body of Christ suffers, all suffer; if one is honored, all rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26).
D. As sufferings abound in Christians, so do the consolation (2 Corinthians 1:5-7; 1 Peter 3:14,17; 4:16,19).
E. Glory follows suffering, and it will be much better (1 Peter 1:11; Romans 8:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; Hebrews 11:24-26).
Conclusion
A. Are you suffering for the cause of Christ? You are not alone!
B. Remember, what you are suffering from now is nothing compared to the glory of God that follows.
Content by Richard Dillon
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2 Timothy 04:17-18 – The Lord is on my Side – audio
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Text: 2 Timothy 4:17-18 (Reading by Richard Dillon)
Introduction
A. The words “I will never leave you nor forsake you” often ring throughout the Bible.
1) God took care of the Israelites in the Old Testament
2) He took care of Jesus’ disciples in the New Testament
3) He takes care of us today.
B. He is someone you can depend on, for He is always there, day or night.
Body
I. Paul encourages Timothy that he is never alone (2 Timothy 4:17-18).
A. As he encouraged Timothy to come to him quickly (2 Timothy 4:9), he also reminded him that someone else is with him.
B. Yes, even though Paul was not with him at this time, God was!
II. The Lord stood with Paul.
A. Paul had Him always there, and always on his side.
B. On another occasion, the Lord stood by Paul, telling him that he would bear witness again of Him in Rome (Acts 23:11).
C. The Lord strengthened Paul.
1) Paul needed strength to continue to preach the gospel of Christ.
2) Many things happened during his life (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).
3) He could do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13).
D. Paul was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. He was not alone;
E. The Lord stands with His people
1) David was delivered from the paw of the lion (1 Samuel 17:37)
2) Daniel was saved in the lions’ den as an angel of God shut the lions’ mouths (Daniel 6:22).
3) . The Lord would deliver him from every evil work. The Psalmist wrote, “the LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul (Psalm 121:7).”
F. The Lord preserved him for His heavenly kingdom. He already has it prepared (John 14:1-6), and all Paul has to do is go the right way!
Conclusion
A. The Lord is clearly on Paul’s side
B. He wants to be on your side!
C. Are you on His side? You can decide to follow Him right here, right now.
Content by Richard Dillon
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2 Timothy 03:14-17 Why We Need the Bible
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Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Introduction
1. We began this series of lessons by illustrating why we need God
a. He is our Creator, who knows us better than we ourselves
b. He is our Redeemer, who seeks to save us from ourselves
c. He is our Provider, who is willing to meet our every need
2. Now I wish to focus our attention on why we need the Bible
a. Both the Old and New Testaments
b. As the guide to salvation and comfort
3. Assuming that one believes in the Bible as the Word of God, we need the Bible because:
Body
I. IT IS GOD’S POWER TO SAVE
A. BY CREATING FAITH
1. Without faith it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6
2. Without faith in Jesus we cannot be saved – John 8:24
3. It is the Word of God that produces such faith – Romans 10:17
4. For example, the gospels were written to produce faith – John 20:30-31
B. BY CAUSING ONE TO BE BORN AGAIN
1. Jesus taught the necessity of being born again – John 3:3-5
2. The rebirth involving water and the Spirit is produced by:
a. Receiving the “incorruptible seed” of God’s Word – 1 Peter 1:23-25a
b. In particular, that word proclaimed in the gospel of Christ – 1 Peter 1:25
3. Which gospel calls for one to be baptized – Mark 16:15-16
a. As proclaimed by Peter – Acts 2:38
b. The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit – Titus 3:5
C. BY KEEPING ONE SAVED
1. Paul emphasized this value of the Scriptures
a. To the Corinthians – 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
b. To Timothy – 2 Timothy 3:14-17
2. The saving value of the Word of God is for both young and old
a. The young can keep their ways pure by it – Psalms 119:9
b. Elders were commended to the Word for their salvation – Acts 20:32
d. Lack of knowledge concerning God’s Word destroyed Israel – Hosea 4:6
e. But when received with meekness into our hearts, the Word of God has the power to save – James 1:21
II. IT IS GOD’S POWER TO COMFORT
A. THROUGH THE HOPE IT GIVES
1. Paul wrote of the hope provided by the OT scriptures – Romans 15:4
2. The OT provides assurance of our hope in Christ, because it illustrates how God always keeps His promises
3. How much more so the NT, providing hope by revealing the grace to be shown when Christ comes again! – cf. 1 Peter 1:13
B. THROUGH THE PEACE IT GIVES
1. Especially as it reveals the means and source of true peace – Philippians 4:6-9
2. With such inner peace, nothing causes one to stumble – Psalms 119:165, 92-93
3. “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.” – Robert E. Lee
C. THROUGH THE HAPPINESS IT GIVES
1. Blessedness through the stability and nourishment it provides – Psalms 1:1-3
2. Note that this comes to the one engaged in daily Bible reading
Conclusion
1. To fulfill our need for God, we need the Bible
a. For God has spoken through prophets and His Son – cf. Hebrews 1:1-2
b. He has made His Word accessible to every nation and tongue – Romans 10:17-18
2. With the aid of the Bible, we can experience God’s power in our lives
a. As we learn the way of salvation, and accept it with an obedient faith
b. As we walk in the way of salvation, and receive the hope, peace, and happiness God gives
c. Great men have spoken of the value of the Bible:
– “Within the covers of this one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems we face today. If only we would read it and believe.” – Ronald Reagan
– “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.” – Abraham Lincoln
– “The Bible is worth more than all other books which have ever been printed.” – Patrick Henry
3. Is that our attitude toward the Bible?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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2 Timothy 04:06-18 Why Paul Died a Happy Man
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Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 18
Introduction
1. The Bible is silent regarding the death of the apostle Paul
a. The tradition is that Paul, as a Roman citizen, was beheaded on the Ostian Road just outside of Rome – ISBE
b. We have the concurrent testimony of ecclesiastical antiquity that he was beheaded at Rome, by Nero, in the great persecutions of the Christians, by that emperor, A.D. 67 or 68 – Smith
2. The Bible does reveal Paul’s anticipation of death
a. He knew when it was imminent – 2 Timothy 4:6
b. He expressed a strong confidence concerning his demise – 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 18
3. How was Paul able to approach death with such serenity and joy concerning the future?
Body
I. HIS VIEW OF DYING
A. AN OFFERING
1. I am already being poured out as a drink offering – 2 Timothy 4:6
2. His death was just another way to offer himself as a sacrifice to God
a. He encouraged all to offer themselves as spiritual sacrifices – Romans 12:12
b. Thus he sought to magnify Christ, even in the manner of death – Philippians 1:20
3. Have we thought of how we die as a way to magnify Christ?
a. We may not die a martyrs death, as did Paul
b. But we can demonstrate the death of a believer with hope
B. A DEPARTURE
1. the time of my departure is at hand – 2 Timothy 4:6
a. departure – a metaphor drawn from loosing moorings preparatory to setting sail
b. The true idea of death is that of loosening the bands that confine us to the present world; of setting us free, and permitting the soul to go forth, as with expanded sails, on its eternal voyage. With such a view of death, why should a Christian fear to die?
2. Like Peter, who also did not view death as ceasing to exist
a. Peter viewed his death as exit – 2 Peter 1:15
b. An allusion to the Israelites going out of Egypt, and marching for Canaan’s land; this world being, like Egypt, a place of wickedness, misery, and bondage; as heaven, like Canaan, a place and state of rest and happiness.
3. Paul looked forward to departing to be with Jesus – Philippians 1:23
a. To be with Christ is far better – 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
b. Jesus would have the promise to be with Him to be a comfort to us – John 14:1-3
4. Do we view death as the beginning of a journey?
a. A journey long anticipated?
b. A journey for which preparation has been made?
5. One’s view of death will determine ones attitude toward it. Paul’s view of it as an offering and a departure helped him approach dying with a joyful anticipation.
II. HIS PRECIOUS MEMORIES
A. HE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
1. I have fought the good fight – 2 Timothy 4:7
a. The Christian life is often described as a conflict or a war – Ephesians 6:10-17
b. That noble conflict with sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil, Paul now says he had been able to maintain.
2. Paul could look back over his life with satisfaction
a. Not that he was sinless, but he had found mercy – 1 Timothy 1:12-16
b. Not that he was perfect, but he always tried to do better – Philippians 3:12-14
3. Will we at life’s end be able to look back at a fight well done?
a. Having received the mercy Jesus offers for our sins?
b. Having fought the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life? – 1 Timothy 6:12
B. HE FINISHED THE RACE
1. I have finished the race – 2 Timothy 4:7
a. Paul compared the Christian life to running a race – 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
b. An endurance race, not a sprint – Hebrews 12:1-2
2. Paul could look back over his life with contentment
a. He had run the race to win, with certainty
b. He had not given up, but pressed on to the goal – Philippians 3:13-14
3. Will we at life’s end be able to look back at a race well run?
a. Completing the race of faith set before us?
b. Or letting the sin of unbelief to easily ensnare us? – Hebrews 12:1
C. HE KEPT THE FAITH
1. I have kept the faith – 2 Timothy 4:7
2. Paul could look back over his life with happiness
a. He had kept and guarded the faith (Gospel) entrusted to him – 1 Timothy 1:11
b. He had maintained faithfulness to Jesus, despite great suffering – 2 Timothy 1:12
3. Will we at life’s end be able to look back on a faith that has been kept?
a. Holding fast to the words of eternal life in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
b. Remaining strong in our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior?
4. Paul could die a happy man because of his precious memories. Looking back, he could take comfort in knowing he had fought hard, run well, and kept the faith.
III. HIS GLORIOUS HOPE
A. THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8
a. Crown – the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
b. metaphorically the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown which is the reward of the righteousness – Thayer
c. Also described as the crown of life – James 1:12; Revelation 2:10
2. Which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day – 2 Timothy 4:8
a. Jesus has been appointed to judge the world one Day – Acts 17:30-31
b. He will judge the living and the dead – 2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:10
c. For some, a day of condemnation; for others, a day to be glorified – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12
3. Not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing – 2 Timothy 4:8
a. The same hope, the same reward, is available to others
b. Provided they likewise desire His coming – e.g., Revelation 22:20
c. Thus we are to set our hope on the grace that is to be revealed – 1 Peter 1:13
4. Are we looking forward to same reward that Paul had?
a. To be received on the Day of Judgment?
b. Such that we love and eagerly look forward to His appearing?
B. DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL
1. The Lord will deliver me from every evil work – 2 Timothy 4:18
a. Deliverance from the efforts of evil men and Satan to destroy him
b. he expected afflictions as long as he was in the world, but he knew that God would support him under them; and in his own time and way deliver out of them;
2. Not deliverance from death per se
a. He knew his martyrdom was near – 2 Timothy 4:6
b. But in the Lord, even death can be a deliverance from evil – Isaiah 57:1
3. Do we have the same confidence of victory that Paul had?
a. Knowing that the Lord will always be with us?
b. Trusting that the Lord will deliver us through any hardship?
C. PRESERVATION FOR THE KINGDOM
1. And preserve me for His heavenly kingdom – 2 Timothy 4:18
a. Paul looked forward to future manifestation of the kingdom
b. The same everlasting kingdom of which Peter wrote – 2 Peter 1:11
c. The same kingdom Jesus promised to those on His right hand – Matthew 25:34
2. Paul had confidence in the preserving power of the Lord
a. Knowing that God could finish what He started – Philippians 1:6
b. Knowing that He would provide a way of escape in every temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13
c. Thus praying for the preservation of others – 1 Thessalonians 5:23
3. Do we have the same trust in the preservation of the Lord that Paul had?
a. Knowing that the Lord will likewise keep us for the kingdom?
b. Knowing that we are kept by the power of God through faith? – 1 Peter 1:5
Conclusion
1. Paul was able to die a happy man, because of:
a. His view of dying
b. His precious memories
c. His glorious hope
d. For such reasons one can truly say, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on – Revelation 14:13
2. If we also approach death
a. As an opportunity to praise God and the beginning of a journey
b. Having fought the good fight, having finished the race, and having kept the faith
c. Looking forward to the crown of righteousness, knowing he will deliver us from evil, and will preserve us for his heavenly kingdom
d. Then we too will say concerning the Lord, To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! – 2 Timothy 4:18
e. May our anticipation of death one day mirror that of the apostle Paul
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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