The Water of the Word

1 Timothy 1
1 Timothy 2
1 Timothy 3
1 Timothy 4
1 Timothy 5
1 Timothy 6
2 Timothy 1
2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 3
2 Timothy 4

2nd Timothy

2Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

We need to be constantly reminded that we have the privilege being of "born again" by the spirit of God not because we deserve it but because of the grace of God. While we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for us. We didn't do a bunch of good deeds first and then He came to die for our sins. He came when we were still sinners and on our way to an eternity in hell. If we are Gentiles, the gospel was not even given to us first, so we have reason to be thankful even more that God showed us His grace and sent preachers of the gospel to us also, so that we can believe and be saved.

2Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

We are never to keep that which we learn to ourselves but hand it down to our children and to all that will hear so that they can teach others and spread it even further. How much more should we endeavor to walk in the truth of God's word because just one little error could be handed down and get even bigger as we see in the reading of church history.

2Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

When we give ourselves to the Lord in the spreading of the gospel, we can't expect a life of easy living and fun. There will be tough times because all that live godly in Christ Jesus is in danger of persecution because of ungodly evil opposition that Satan stirs up against God's people.

2Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

The things of this world hinder the spreading of the gospel. When a church gets involved in politics, global warming, dieting, and other issues, the gospel can many times take a back seat. I hate abortion with passion and it should be preached against but if all we did was preach against abortion without preaching the gospel that will save the eternal soul, what good will it do to stop abortion and still have everyone on their way to hell without finding out about Jesus who came to save them.

What good would it do to keep electing what we would consider good presidents if we do not preach the need for repentance and believing in Jesus as the Son of God that came to save us from sin? Yes we need to feed the hungry. It is a shame when we have so much and there are children starving. Those children starving though need to hear also the message of how to be "born again" by the sweet holy Spirit of the living God. We must not get so wrapped up in issues that we neglect the gospel. That is our first calling. I would hate to go to a Sunday School class and spend 15 minutes talking about the Super Bowl when one present may need to hear the gospel.

2Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.

In other words, we must practice what we preach.

Romans 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

If we preach against one type of sin while doing another, we are not being true to our own walk with God.

2Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

The greatest teacher is the Holy Spirit. To get understanding of God's word, relying on the Holy Spirit is the best way to learn.

2Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

There were many witnesses to His resurrection. I doubt if the apostles who died horrible deaths for preaching of the resurrection, would have done all that for a lie.

2Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul sees beyond his suffering in his present state. He sees the souls that are saved by his faithfulness. If he would have quit, there would have been many Gentiles lost that would never have heard the gospel unless God raised up someone else. Many are treated as if they were common criminals when their offense was only preaching the gospel that saves the soul and grants people eternal life. This did Paul and many others throughout history.

2Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

If we bear reproaches for the gospel's sake and remain faithful to the end; where He is, we will be also. He is coming after the faithful who hold fast the truth enduring to the end.

2Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

There are some things we discuss and get concerned about that has nothing to do with salvation, the word of God or things that is just a waste of time.

2Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We must not forsake this. False doctrine is more easily avoided if we study the word diligently in our assemblies and also home when we are alone.

Those who do not encourage independent study are afraid that the truth will expose their deceptions when they try to teach doctrines and commandments of men rather than God. That has happened in church history.

2Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Vain babbling will produce bad fruit, cause strife instead of genuine love, causing people to think they can live ungodly and still be saved, or do the opposite and think we have to add to the gospel many commandments God didn't make.

There are two opposite extremes we tend to follow: One is legalism, heavy shepherding and the division between clergy and laity and the other extreme is a using the teaching of the grace of God as a license to sin and still be covered by grace. Sometimes the fear of legalism can make us forsake the sound doctrine of holiness and sanctification. A good balance is needed.

2Timothy 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

There are a lot of silly doctrines that are just like that one.

Worshipping Mary, praying to the saints, denying there is a Father, A Son and the Holy Spirit, forbidding the clergy to marry, transubstantiation (teaching that the blood in communion is the literal blood of Christ instead of symbolic and remembrance. It is also taught by some that the bread is His literal body which would be impossible. It is a remembrance of His body body, not the actual physical body) Another false teaching is preaching that salvation depends on a priest, a baptism or a sacrament, preaching that once saved, always saved even if a person returns to the sin they were saved from without ever repenting, or on other hand teaching someone that they could lose their salvation by worshipping on a Sunday, or any other doctrine man wrongly uses scripture to teach. It certainly wouldn't be wrong to worship God every day of the week.

2Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

If we claim to be believers in Jesus Christ, we are not to return to sin willfully and knowingly without repentance. The bible is very clear on that score.

2Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We are judged by our works which will be tried by fire. The works that are fruitful and not a waste of time with a motive that is not self seeking but seeks the will of God instead of the praise of men, will be rewarded.

These verses are not saying that once one is saved, he can never be lost as some teach. Usually if we are truly saved and children of God we will not desire to sin and we will have no desire to return to it. If a person stops believing in Christ to save them, then of course, how could they be saved?

2Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Some people are changed instantly when they first are saved but others take longer to grow in Christ and produce the fruits of the spirit.

2Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes.

An example of this is "Where did Cain get his wife?" It is a waste of time to worry about it.

2Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

People split hairs on many different things that cause trouble and hard feelings.

Some things are clear in God's word. Other things we have to trust the Holy Spirit to help us make our own decisions. What may be harmful to me may not be wrong for someone else in some cases. We must learn to listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance along with the written word God provided for us.

What is great though is to see all of us have such a relationship with God that His Holy Spirit directs our paths instead of being constantly dependent upon a pastor who is overworked as it is.

2Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

This is the job of a pastor and any who are strong in the Lord to help the weaker ones to grow and overcome the wiles of Satan who desires to steal, kill and destroy.

God's word is so good if we continue in this good way. DC