1. Be Strong!
Paul’s exhortations of Timothy in his second letter: (Regarding his work as an evangelist)
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (1:6)
While a spiritual gift may be in mind here, it is not certain. The context certainly calls for boldness as a minister of Christ, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (1:7).
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God” (1:8).
Note that boldness in preaching would lead to a sharing of suffering
“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me” (1:13).
Characteristic of Paul, who emphasized the importance of truth (both proclaimed and obeyed).
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness” (2:15-16).
“Flee youthful lusts” (2:22). “Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2:23).
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:14-15).
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ… 2 Preach the word!” (4:1-2).
All of these indicate the importance of steadfastness, diligence and strength that must be had as a steward of God. As does the text I want to examine today…
(2 Timothy 2:1-7), “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.”
2 Timothy 2:1-7

2. Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus
(2 Timothy 2:1), “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Others had fallen away from truth
(1:15), “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.”
Timothy needed strength to avoid that same fate. To remain faithful and to steadfastly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God’s grace is that power which sustains us through times of temptation and stress
Paul understood this. He learned it when he sought the removal of what he describes as “a thorn in the flesh”, “a messenger of Satan to buffet me.”
(2 Corinthians 12:8-9), “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
God’s grace “in Christ Jesus” supplies our every need!
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.”

3. Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus
Endure hardship as a soldier (3-4)
John 15:18-19; Ephesians 6:10-13
(2 Timothy 2:2-4), “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Notice first the call to do his work as an evangelist (in this case edification)
It is important to teach the faithful (build them up)
In so doing, you equip them to do their own work of teaching. (This is a primary work of an evangelist). Growth comes as “every part does its share” !
The first picture in the text is of a soldier, enduring hardship.
The hardships of a soldier are well known even today: a) Separation from loved ones and friends; b) exposure to all sorts of weather conditions; c) physically exhausting marches and chores; d) Hunger and thirst; e) Physical danger.
Jesus made clear that such would be the lot of His disciples
(John 15:18-19), “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
This is why the armor of God is so needed as evil opposes our efforts
(Ephesians 6:10-13), “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Further, verse 4 indicates that entanglements need to be removed, for sincere, whole-hearted service to the Lord
Roman soldiers were not allowed to have any social relationships or entanglements that would interfere with their duties as soldiers.
We too, cannot let worldly entanglements vie for our affections!
(1 John 2:15-17), “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
The purpose of this is to please our Master, Jesus Christ. That is our sole duty in life.

4. Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus
Endure hardship as a soldier (3-4)
John 15:18-19; Ephesians 6:10-13
Compete according to the rules (5)
1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 John 9-11
(2 Timothy 2:5), “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
Again, this picture resonates in our times. Athletes have been disqualified for drug use, gambling, illegal recruitment. Not to mention being penalized for breaking the rules of competition itself.
Our picture establishes the necessity of our following the “rules” set by the Lord for His people.
It is amazing how many today think they will get the prize, though the consistently and constantly disregard the rules set up by the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 9:27), [Paul understood this principle. Consider the irony], “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
(2 John 9-11), “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”
The soldier must please his Master
So must the athlete. There are rules in competition. In order to win, those rules must be followed!
6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.”

5. Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus
Endure hardship as a soldier (3-4)
John 15:18-19; Ephesians 6:10-13
Compete according to the rules (5)
1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 John 9-11
Work hard as a farmer (6)
1 Corinthians 9:7,11-12; James 1:25
(1 Timothy 2:6), “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.”
There are two truths that may be referenced here (commentators are divided over the intent of Paul in these words).
First, that a hard working evangelist is worthy of material support in his work.
(1 Corinthians 9:7, 11-12), “Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?” (11-12), “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?”
Second, that one who works hard in sharing the gospel, is the first to benefit from his own efforts!
(James 1:25), “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
His faith will be strengthened, his hope quickened, his love deepened
He will rejoice in the changes he sees in the lives of those with which he shares God’s truths
The key, is the necessity of hard work!
(1 Corinthians 4:2), “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

6. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
(2 Timothy 2:7), “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.”
The word consider is important here:
It means to ponder, to meditate, to grasp the meaning of.
It was Paul’s prayer that God would grant understanding to Timothy, but it was his admonition to Timothy that he consider carefully the instructions given.
Our understanding of God’s will is largely the result of our efforts. We must study! We must apply! We must be diligent!
(2 Timothy 2:15), “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
We too need to be careful to consider Paul’s words
Have the singleminded purpose to please our Master, as a soldier
To keep the rules set in place, like an athlete
To work hard to reap a reward, like a farmer
May we all “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”!
cf. 2 Timothy 2:15