II Timothy 2:1-15

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

This is a work of the person, not a work of God. God gives the grace, but a person must be strong in the grace given to him by God. This is human responsibility.

Verse 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.

Verse 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

I. Endure hardness - be able to suffer trouble, afflictions, and the evils associated with any battle.

Verse 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.

I. Warreth - to be on a military expedition

II. Entangleth himself - to be greatly involved in.

A. I Cor. 5:9,10 - We are a part of the world, and we will continue to be a part of the world. We are not called to not be a part of the world, but we shouldn't let the world command us. God should command us. Paul earned a living for himself and those around him

B. I Tim. 5:8 - If a person doesn't supply for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

III. Chosen & soldier - The same word is used for chosen and soldier. It means "picked for warfare as a common soldier, not as a general or commander". Each person has their own particular job they are commanded to do.

IV. Chosen - Each person is especially picked by Jesus Christ to fight in his war against Satan.

A. Eph. 1:3-14 - God chose us before the foundation of the world.

B. Jeremiah 1:4-10 - God knew Jeremiah before the foundation of the world, and ordained him to be a prophet to the nations. Do not say you can't do it, because God knows you can.

C. Judges 6-7 - God chose Gideon, but Gideon didn't believe.

1. Judges 6:22 - The angel made fire consume the flesh and unleavened cakes. Daniel didn't believe, but worried that he was going to die.

2. Judges 6:36-40 - The dew on the fleece and not on the fleece.

3. Judges 7:13-15 - Gideon going down into the camp and hearing the enemies tell of their coming destruction.

4. God wanted Gideon to believe, and He wants us to believe.

D. If people don't listen, that's okay. Our job is not to get them to listen, but to tell them. Only God can open their ears to hear.

Verse 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Striving Lawfully

II Tim. 2:5

We are seeking after eternal crowns, not just the recognition of men upon this earth. I am becoming more and more concerned with people that seek results (and results are always good), but these results are not caused by God. They are brought about by programs, plans, methods or other human efforts. We must do things, but we must be very careful to do things God's way.

I. People that didn't -- more people are more faithful to read Ann Landers than to read the Word of God.

A. Joab - See David's Hall of Fame (II Sam. 23)

1. Commander of David's Army and was much help to David, actually saving his kingdom 2 or 3 times.

2. Led Uriah to his death.

3. Got Absalom back home after he killed Amnon for raping Tamar.

4. Joab killed Absalom against David's orders, and David mourned so Israel was ashamed. Joab told David he would lose the kingdom that day if he didn't encourage the people.

5. Constantly worked behind David's back.

a. II Sam. 20:10 - Killed Amasa

b. II Sam. 23:18 - Joab's brother, Abishai, is included by David.

c. II Sam. 23:24 - Joab's other brother, Asahel is also included by David.

d. II Sam. 23:37 - Even Nahari, Joab's armour bearer is included.

B. Heb. 11 - Solomon is left out.

1. He was the wisest man who ever lived, and is well known by every person who reads his Bible.

2. He was a great king of Israel, and brought Israel into favor with many nations of the world.

3. Solomon didn't strive lawfully because he married many women of false religions, not because he loved them, but because of unscriptural political alliances.

4. When Solomon got old, these wicked wives turned his heart from God and he build places of worship in Israel to pagan gods.

C. Rev. 2:4 - Ephesus church doctrinally sound, but had left their first love. - the love for God.

II. The result of not following the Word of God.

A. Lack of love for God.

B. Lack of love for His Word.

C. Decrease of praying.

D. An increase in sin.

E. Disrespect for God and other people.

F. Breakdown in the home.

G. Breakdown in the church.

H. Men more open with sin - fornication, adultery, homosexuality, abortion.

I. An overall restlessness and disenchantment with personal lives. (The chief cause of the "women's movement" - and all the other movements.)

J. The judgment of God!

III. People that did.

A. David - A man after God's own heart.

1. II Sam. 2:1 - David going to Hebron.

2. II Sam. 6 - bringing the ark of God home. I Chron. 15:13 - doing it after the due order.

B. Moses - build the tabernacle after the pattern.

1. Ex. 25:9,40

2. Ex. 26:30

3. Ex. 27:8

C. Families - I Cor. 11:3 - Chain of command in home.

1. Train children - Prov. 22:7 (See Abraham's trained servants - Gen. 14:14).

2. Will this work in today's society?

a. After and while you are doing your very best (from God's Word):

b. Husbands - turn wife over to the Lord.

c. Wife - turn husband over to the Lord.

d. Parents - turn children over to the Lord.

D. Churches - Matt. 28:18-20.

1. Must teach the Word of God.

2. many churches do other things, but do not have the power of God.

3. II Tim. 3:4,5 - Let us not deny the power -- God is able to fulfill His Word.

4. Many churches bring in the things of the world to attract people. They go further from the truth.

5. Young people need the guidance of the Holy Spirit just as much as an adult - They need to be taught the Word of God.

IV. Result of following God's Word.

A. More love for God.

B. More love for His Word.

C. A greater desire to obey Him.

D. A greater recognition of our own personal sinfulness.

E. Less willful sin.

F. More respect for God and all people.

G. A Spirit given hope that God will work all things out for our good and His glory.

H. Stronger homes.

I. Stronger churches.

J. Many lost people saved.

K. A contentment in our life situation.

L. Rewards from God.