2 Timothy 3-4
Keeping the Faith
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TMS Hebrews 2:18 Help Is Only A Prayer Away
Observations
The author of Hebrews demonstrates the superiority of what believers have in Christ, compared to what they had in Judaism. Jesus, as our faithful High Priest, knows what we go though, because He was tempted in all the ways we are: power (security/significance), pleasure, possessions, etc., yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore He is able to help us if we seek Him and His grace to live victoriously.
Application
We can always ask Jesus for help to overcome temptation, and if we fail to do that, we can ask him for forgiveness, but He'd rather give the help.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thanks for dying for me, and for Your desire and offer to empower me to live victoriously; may I seek Your help in my every need. Amen.
2 Timothy 3-4 Keeping the Faith
In the end of the last chapter Paul warned Timothy against those in the church who would oppose him (being taken captive by Satan to do his will). In these chapters he warns Timothy against those who would ignore him (and God's word) foolishly following Satan's decoys rather than finding delight in God. Paul encourages Timothy to endure the opposition and do the job for which God put him on earth and commissioned him: to proclaim the inspired word to those believers who didn't want to hear it, and were thus disqualified from their reward. Paul looked forward to his reward in the future kingdom, as should all mature, God-serving believers.
2 Timothy 3 Iniquity and Inspiration
Evil in the Last Days
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.All Scripture Is God-Breathed
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.Application
God's word equips us with all we need to resist evil and do good, therefore we need to be guided by it every day on our path to glory.
Prayer
God, I praise You for breathing life into me and Your words; may I incorporate their power and wisdom into my life as I do the good works for which You created me. Thanks. Amen.
2 Timothy 4 Teaching and Triumph
Preach the Word
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.Personal Concerns
9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.The Lord Remains Faithful
16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.Final Greetings
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.Application
Those who love Christ's appearing, and want to look forward to their reward, must learn and faithfully carry out God's will for them.
Prayer
Lord, I praise You for Your word, and the wisdom You give through it; thanks for Your presence and the strength You give; may I draw upon Your grace to do Your will for my life. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God breathed His words into the Scripture so we would have truth profitable for our lives and ministry.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the future judge who will appear to reward faithful believers, and disqualify the unfaithful. He strengthens His servants to accomplish His purposes for them, and then takes them home to glory.
Us in a nutshell: All who purpose to live doing what Christ desires will experience persecution from men and praise from God. Many believers on the broad and easy road to destruction will not want to hear truth, but will find teachers who tell them what they want to hear (that they're OK living to please themselves rather than Christ). Justification is given by faith; Glorification is gotten by faithful works.
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