S – But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry
2 Timothy 4:5 CSB
O – Paul turns the crosshairs and puts them directly on Timothy for this statement. “Self Control” – be sober, watch all that goes on. “Endure hardships”- persevere in affliction trouble in all things daily. “Evangelist” – be prepared to share the gospel. “Fulfill your ministry” – accomplish your service daily.
A – This is a great challenge for us today. We can relate to all of this. Sharing the gospel doesn’t have to be a message behind a pulpit. It is something we share though our lives – our words and actions. We can do this!
S – But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people
2 Timothy 3:1–5 CSB
O – A strong list of bad behaviors and attitudes. Apparently, this isn’t just those who are unbelievers. There are Christians who struggle with these as well and put on the “shell” of being a Christian. In doing so, they know of Him but lack the transformational relationship in knowing Him. Stay away from these people.
A – The last days are described as the days of the early church until Christ’s return. So, it was evident in Paul’s time until today. Any of these qualities are evident in today’s society. There are people who demonstrate this in their words, thoughts and actions. Vs. 5 is pivotal. In a genuine relationship with Christ, we don’t put on a front of accepting Him. We believe and move toward being more like Christ. The struggle is real and is evident that the person isn’t playing games. Avoid the person who mocks God by knowing about Him but doesn’t engage Him as Lord and Savior.
R – Lord, help me to be genuine in my own struggle of following you. Help me to love those who don’t. And help me to set boundaries to keep my journey without anything that would sideline me from you.
S – Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his,, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness
2 Timothy 2:19 CSB
O – Whether false teaching, quarrels, and a myriad of “human” driven tangents, God’s foundation remains intact. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ endure as the plan of salvation for us today. In choosing Him, we also choose to live a life that honors him by choosing holiness over our own sin.
A – The problems in the church and society are similar to those today. People drift from the truth and build beliefs on their own constructs. It is imperative to know God’s word and to live a life according to it.
S – Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power,, love, and sound judgment
2 Timothy 1:6–7 CSB
O – Two strong concepts:
1. God gives us gifts and we must continue to feed them like a fire.
2. The result of that statement is that we are not to give into fear (man, situations or events).
Instead, God has given us power, love and sound judgment.
A – Every fire starts with a spark of combustion. Then, it needs to be fed continuously with fuel. Starting small and growing big is a process. Then comes the challenge…you have to continue to feed the fire for it to remain hot and effective. We go through seasons where that is easy and others where it is challenging. Either way, the principle of feeding our gifts is the same. A relationship fed on a continuous basis will remain vibrant and strong. I am not saying it is easy or the results are fantastic.
Since that is true, we cannot yield to fear. Fear is healthy until it is unhealthy. It gives us a reason to not be arrogant and to see a situation with a realistic view. If we do that and we reevaluate a situation and take another path, that is a good choice. If we do that shrinking back because of the “what ifs,” that is not good. We must walk in a faith that demonstrates power, love and sound judgment.
S – But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:6–7 CSB
O – Pursue our relationship with God. Recognize I am “self-sufficient” in His provision and relationship. He is my provider. This attitude gives me a healthy perspective on all that I desire and enjoy in this world. It also allows me to enjoy it in the present knowing that I shouldn’t hoard it for the future.
A – This is a good reflection of freedom. When you work hard and are content with what the Lord has provided. Planning and strategy are important for the future but taking the striving out of it is liberating. Also, enjoying the fruits of your labor is important.
S – Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.
1 Timothy 5:1–2 CSB
O – Observations from these verses:
Don’t devalue an older man but demonstrate respect wisdom to him to show him your thoughts/action.
Treat young men as peers – truthful, no pretense, pull no punches
Older women with respect and honor, ready to help them.
Younger women with honor and empowerment to be all that God called them to be.
*** All in the foundation of love that is based in honor and serving that person.
A – As I get older, this verse takes on a special meaning. I have all four relationships in my life but I am doing it from the “older man” perspective. I want to demonstrate Christ in all of them. With my parents and older people I know and all the younger people I come in contact with on a daily basis. Great template to work from each day.
S – But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. 8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come
1 Timothy 4:7–8 CSB
O – Exercise your journey of growing more like Christ. Physical exercise is good but work, discipline, pain, stretching and resistance in your spiritual relationship with Christ will reap benefits today and eternally.
A – All those aspects are what make my relationship with Christ challenging. You don’t grow unless there is loss or resistance. There isn’t new strength if there isn’t pain and tearing of the muscle fibers. Rest is important in both physical and spiritual training.
R – Lord, help me to be more disciplined and lean into training spiritual growth as I am with physical training.
S – 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16 CSB
O –
• mystery of our faith (or mystery of godliness): See note on 2:2.
• Christ (literally He who; other manuscripts read God): Jesus Christ is the only source of godliness. • vindicated by the Spirit (or vindicated in his spirit): Christ’s resurrection (Rom 1:4) answers the apparent weakness of his life and death as a human, and affirms his teaching.
• seen by angels: This emphasizes Jesus’ sovereign rule in the heavenly realm (see also Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9–11; Heb 1:3–4; 1 Pet 3:22; Rev 5:8–14).
• announced to the nations: Christ’s provision of salvation and sovereign rule must be proclaimed and accepted in the earthly realm as well (cp. 2:1–7).
• believed in throughout the world: The mission to the nations is successful, but it does not guarantee universal acceptance.
• Christ was taken to heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:2, 11, 22) and was exalted in glory (cp. Acts 7:55–56). Christ’s saving work is crowned with success in the world and with glory in heaven.
A – It is refreshing and humbling to see the work of Jesus laid out like this. God has a plan. When you look at each of these qualities of God’s “mystery,” it is amazing to see the results. Yet, it came at a great price. One that was sealed with Christ’s obedience and submission to go through. I need to recognize His plan and purpose today. And, be submitted to obey.
S – First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity
1 Timothy 2:1–2 CSB
O – “Kings and those in authority” – We should pray and be grateful for those who are in civil leadership over us. We should pray for their salvation and ability to do their job. This principle carries over to all leadership.
A – I recognize the fallibility of man. Yesterday, Paul said he was the chief among sinners. We are all broken and in our own journey in our relationship with Christ. This makes sense that we should lift up those making decisions and strategies that affect us.
S – “This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:15–16 CSB
O – Paul lays out God’s personal relationship with him:
This is a true statement.
Christ saves sinners – I am the worst of them.
I received His mercy
In believing in Him, he receives eternal life.
A – Interesting that Paul says he is the worst of sinners, while he is one of the most prominent leaders in church history. It is present tense “I am” the worst of them. It is healthy for us to recognize our past – we should confess, receive forgiveness and grow from it. We should wrestle with our daily temptations and sin – it keeps us humble and reliant on God. We should keep our value in ourselves high because God has a plan and purpose for us. This should not be expressed with arrogance but confidence in God working in us.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 