2 Timothy 1-2
Pass It On
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TMS Philippians 4:18-20 Needs Met Richly
Observations
Paul had learned the secret of contentment, that God would supply all his needs, giving what's best when it's best (see Philippians 4:13). He knew how to be satisfied/abound with little or a lot. His life wasn't about getting his needs met, much less his desires, but rather doing the desire of God in serving the needs of others. In the context of Philippians, they had supplied his financial needs, and now he was promising that because of their sacrificial giving, God was pleased, and would meet their needs (not wants, although in retrospect that frequently happens). The word for supply means “fill to the full” which implies abundance (2 Corinthians 9:8; Hebrews 13:21) Those who live to please God can expect His provision and prosperity (a major theme of the OT, usually applicable in NT times, unless God has something better planned). The storehouse from which their needs would be met, as they were in union with Christ, would be the riches in glory, where God keeps all His limitless treasure.
Application
We can trust that God will richly meet our needs, as we seek to meet the needs of others; all we need to do is being in union with Christ and trust Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You that You display Your glory on behalf of Your servants so they can do Your will; I am trusting You to meet all my needs in my relationship with Christ. Thanks. Amen.
2 Timothy 1-2 Pass It On
2 Timothy 1 Be a Good Steward of the Truth
Paul’s Greeting to Timothy
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Faithfulness under Persecution
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.Holding to Sound Teaching
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.Application
We should never be ashamed of the truth of God's revelation, because it is the only certain light in a dark world, but we should thoroughly believe it, and love others with it, drawing on the power we have in our relationship with Christ to do so.
Prayer
God, may I be a good steward of all You've entrusted to me, manifesting the spirit You've given me, so that others may be blessed by You. Amen.
2 Timothy 2 Passing on the Truth
Grace and Perseverance
2 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. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
The Lord’s Approved Workman
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Application
Flee your old lusts/desires, with the support of fellow saints, and chase after God's desires for you in this world and the next.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, may I live Your truth, and pass it on to others who will do the same; help me recognize or develop those to whom you want me to serve. Thanks. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God expects us to use what He's entrusted to us, for His purposes. He's given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, so we need not fear opposition, but can effectively oppose it.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is our Master and Commander, whom we should serve with the total allegiance of a loyal soldier. His resurrection to fulfill the promises to David is an encouragement that all God's promises to us will be fulfilled.
Us in a nutshell: Our time on earth is to be spent fleeing temptation, and running the race for future glory. We will be opposed and possibly deserted by all, but can always find strength and encouragement in Christ. We are to hang with the holy and pass on the truth to those who will pass it on to others in making reproductive disciples.
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