1. Be strong in the grace of Christ
2 Timothy 2:1-7
Be strong in the grace of Christ

2. Introduction Previously we considered the lesson…
“Important Truths About The Grace Of God”
The text - 1 Peter 5:10-12
The “true Grace of God” (vs. 12) is manifested by…
Obedience in our lives – 1:13-16
Abstaining from fleshly lusts – 2:11-12
Submitting to civil government – 2:13-17
Fulfilling spousal responsibilities – 3:1-7
Putting away worldliness & idolatry – 4:1-4
Being sober in watching unto prayer – 4:7
Having fervent love for our brethren – 4:8
Extending hospitality – 4:9
Speaking as the oracles of God – 4:11 .
1 Pet. 5: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
1 Pet. 1: READ
1 Pet. 2: READ
1 Pet. 2: READ
1 Pet. 3:1-7 - READ
1 Pet. 4:1-9- READ
1 Pet. 4:11 - READ
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

3. 2 Timothy 2:1-7
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 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. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

4. Introduction
Paul Urges Strength in God’s Grace Using Three Familiar Professions…
A Soldier - vss. 3, 4
An Athlete - vs. 5
A Farmer - vs. 6
All These Professions Require Strength and Great Toil!
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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.
Soldier - 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 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.
Athlete - 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Farmer - 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

5. Follow Paul’s Example 2 Timothy 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”
He Urged The Corinthians To Follow Him…
Not to follow men in name & popularity
1 Corinthians 1:10-16
How?...“As I follow Christ”
1 Corinthians 11:1; 4:16-17
Philippians 3:16-20; 4:8-9
Teach Others T0 Be Faithful and Follow Paul’s Example…
Follow in the Truth - Galatians 1:8-9.
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
2 Tim. 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.
1 Cor. 1: READ
1 Cor. 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Cor. 4: Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Phil. 3: Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phil. 4:8-9 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable} 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Gal. 1:8-9 - But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

6. Endure Hardness 2 Timothy 2:3a
“Thou therefore endure hardness”
Christians Must Endure Fleshly Difficulties
So taught by Christ
Matthew 24:4-13
Paul’s enduring spirit…
Difficulties as a preacher of the Gospel
2 Timothy 3:10-11
His “thorn in the flesh” - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Paul gloried in his numerous hardships
2 Corinthians 11:22-28.
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
2 Tim. 2:3a - Thou therefore endure hardness…
Matt. 24: READ
2 Tim. 3: But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2 Cor. 12: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Cor. 11: READ
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

7. Be A Good Soldier 2 Timothy 2:3b
“…As good soldier”
A Good Soldier Serves His Country Loyally
Must obey & please his superiors
Must focus on his assigned tasks
Must suffer separation from his loved ones
He must endure extreme conditions…
Physical hunger, thirst, exhaustion, inclement weather, life threatening dangers
John 15:18 ,19; Matthew 5:10-12
Paul exhorted the Ephesians to “be strong”
Told them to put on the “whole armor of God”
Ephesians 6:10-18
Paul fought a good fight - 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Taught Timothy to fight - 1 Timothy 1:18; 6:12-14
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
2 Tim. 2:3b - …as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Jn. 15: If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Matt. 5: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Eph. 6: READ
2 Tim. 4: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
1 Tim. 1:18 - This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1 Tim. 6: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; {confession: or, profession} 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

8. Avoid Being Entangled 2 Timothy 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.”
Whole hearted Service Is Expected
Must not be entangled in any affairs of life that divert attention from devoted service
A soldier goes to war on behalf of his country
Must focus on the battle at hand; protect, defend & teach the doctrine as a soldier defends his territory
Christians are soldiers, especially preachers, and must defend the faith, pleasing God
Philippians 1:7, 17; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4
Preachers can work, but not be entangled
Acts 18:3; 20:33-35; 1 Corinthians 4:11-12
1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8.
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
2 Tim. 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.
Albert Barnes states that the “Roman soldiers were not allowed to marry, or to engage in any husbandry or trade; and they were forbidden to act as tutors to any person, or curators to any man’s estate, or proctors in the cause of other men. The general principle was, that they were excluded from those relations, agencies, and engagements, which it was thought would divert their minds from that which was to be the sole object of pursuit.”
Phil. 1:7 - Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Col. 1:10 - That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
1 Thess. 2:4 - But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
Acts 18:3 - And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Acts 20: I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Cor. 4: Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1 Thess. 2:9 - For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
2 Thess. 3:8 - Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
Paul - supported himself as a tentmaker Acts 18:3
He worked with his hands - Acts 20:34; 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8
The Christian’s relationship to the world is under consideration (cf. 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 6:14-18).
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

9. Strive Lawfully 2 Timothy 2:5
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully…”
Must Follow The Rules Of God
As a competing Athlete - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Must obey the rules of competition
Christians Must Obey The Master
Will receive the crown if we do
Will be a “castaway” if we don’t
1 Corinthians 9:27
God Requires Strict Adherence to His Will
Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 John 9-11
Revelation 22:18, 19.
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
2 Tim. 2:5 - And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2 Tim. 2:5 - And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. - NKJV
1 Cor. 9: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Cor. 9:27 - See above
Duet. 4:2 - Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
2 Jn Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Rev. 22: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

10. Patiently Wait For The Fruit 2 Timothy 2:6
“The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”
Farmers Must Wait For The Harvest
Must endure various hardships…
Hard labor, equipment failures
Anguish over extreme weather & pestilence
Will partake of the fruit of his labors
Christians must endure many hardships
They war against worldliness & false doctrine
The faithful will reap the eternal fruit
Galatians 6:7-8.
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
2 Tim. 2:6 - The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Gal. 6:8-9 - For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

11. Meditate - Consider 2 Timothy 2:7
“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things”
Paul Urges Timothy To Consider or Meditate on These Truths
To remain passionate as a Soldier, an Athlete and a Farmer
Christians Must Have The Passion Of A …
Soldier in the work & service of the Lord
Athlete in purity of doctrine or rule of faith
Farmer in the labor & patience of teaching others so they will reap the hope of eternal life.
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
2 Tim. 2:7 - Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

12. To Be Strong in God’s Grace
We Must…
Follow Paul’s Example
Endure Hardness
Be A Good Soldier
Avoid Being Entangled
Strive Lawfully
Patiently Wait For The Fruit
Meditate.
To Be Strong in God’s Grace
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ

13. “What Must I Do…?” Acts 2:38 Alien sinners must…
Hear the Gospel – Romans 10:17
Believe – John 8:34
Repent – Acts 17:30
Confess Christ – Matthew 10:34
Be Baptized in water – Acts 22:16
An erring Child of God must…
Repent and Pray – Acts 8:22
Live “faithful unto death”
Revelation 2:10
Acts 2:38 - When Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for (Eis) the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Rom. 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Jn. 8:34 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Acts. 17: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Matt. - 10:34 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Acts. 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Rev. 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Be Strong In The Grace of Christ