2 Timothy 2:1-15
If you’re reading this before listening to the corresponding sermon – and I hope you will listen to the corresponding sermon – it’s important for me to give you a brief insight into Timothy, the Apostle Paul, their relationship, and the significance of this New Testament letter.
Timothy was a protégé of Paul throughout his ministry. Timothy was led to Jesus by his mother and grandmother who were early believers in Jesus. Paul consistently refers to Timothy as his son in the faith and if you read the two letters addressed to Timothy from Paul, the affection that exists between them is tangible. This letter, the second of the two is particularly emotional because Paul is writing to Timothy from a Roman prison and unlike his previous prison epistles, Paul is aware that this incarceration is going to lead to his execution. Time is short and so with that, Paul is moved to write this one final exhortation to Timothy.
Timothy is a young pastor leading the church in Ephesus. Paul’s first letter to him is something of a tutorial on how to pastor effectively. This second letter is more about encouraging Timothy to endure, work hard in his service to the Lord, make people aware of the dangers presented by false teachers and help believers be ready for the fact that Jesus may return at any time.
In the world we live in today, the idea of working hard for Jesus, can feel pretty foreign. We tend to think that if we give God our ninety minutes on Sunday morning, we’re good and that any expectation that may be placed on us above that is unreasonable. It’s an easy trap to fall into; life gets crazy and setting priorities becomes a challenge. What we need, the mindset we need to develop to overcome that is that there is no greater priority than knowing Jesus intimately and serving Him well. Because at the end of our earthly life, knowing Jesus is going to come in handy for those of us who want to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
Look at these verses from 2 Timothy. These are found in chapter 2, verses 9-10
“And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the Word of God cannot be chained. So, I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.”
Here’s a simple fact for us to realize. We will likely never be placed in chains for sharing our testimony or for telling someone about Jesus or for inviting someone to church. We may get scoffed at, teased a little or flat out rejected but we won’t experience anything along the lines of what Paul did, up to and including his execution.
If we’re saved, we’re instantly called by Jesus to share that personal testimony when and where we can. Especially to those who don’t believe! This was who Jesus called Paul to minister to. Just because someone doesn’t believe in the moment that doesn’t mean they weren’t chosen by God. Could be all they’ve been waiting for is for you to come and share the Good News with them in a way they could embrace. Paul is arguably the greatest of the apostles, but keep in mind that at the time Jesus changed his heart He was a persecutor of Christians. Paul was a true bad guy. Jesus changed all that for Paul and He to this day will do the same for even the most hardheaded atheist but…to accept Jesus, people need to hear about Jesus and the best way for them to hear about Jesus is from those of us who know what we know.
Paul says to Timothy, “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
These days we are blessed in that being a good soldier for Jesus isn’t as demanding as being a good soldier in the military sense. The demands placed on us as Christian soldiers are simple…study God’s Word. Pray. Confess and repent as needed. Fellowship with other likeminded Christians. And then, the most important piece, do as Paul exhorts Timothy to do. Teach about the grace of Jesus Christ to others who are found to be trustworthy to receive Jesus and go and share Him themselves.
That’s how revivals begin! We need to do better at being good soldiers. We need to set up parameters in our lives that allow us to shut out worldly distractions and then set our sights on the things above, where Jesus is. Because at the end of our busy, sinful, heavily distracted lives here knowing Jesus will very suddenly have a whole new level of importance to us. It’s never too late to make that commitment and to tighten up the relationship.
Remember the thief on the cross confessed Jesus as his Savior with his dying breath and in that moment, he went from heartless criminal to the guy who entered Heaven that day with the Lord.
Not too shabby. Let’s focus in the days ahead on just what kind of soldier for Christ we are and then step up our game! Amen!