Being Strong In God’s Grace! -- 2 Timothy 2:1-7
Being Strong In God’s Grace! -- 2 Timothy 2:1-7
By Pastor Lee Hemen
August 24, 2008 AM
Not everything nor everyone in our life is worthwhile. We discover this when we purchase cable or satellite TV or when we have friends that desert us during a time of crisis. Having 500 channels of nothing or fair-weather friends gets disappointing in a hurry. This holds true for much of what is equated as “spiritual” in our world as well. Here’s what I mean: We get so distracted so easily as people. Like honey bees, it is as if each little blossom in life demands our attention, wilted or not, and we busily flit from flower to flower.
What then is to attract our concerted effort and examination? Paul makes it clear that not everything is life is worthwhile when he wrote that “‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive.” (1 Corinthians 10:23) This was certainly true for his friend Timothy who needed to be strong in God’s grace. Paul gives him four good examples from daily life for Timothy to follow in order to be strong in God’s grace. Let’s discover what they are this morning.
READ: 2 Timothy 2:1-7
What does it mean to be strong in God’s grace? Does it require a good diet, lifting weights, or running laps? Perhaps if your physical stamina is not up to snuff you may need to work your physical muscles for sure, but here Paul is writing about Timothy’s spiritual conditioning. He related immediately that in order to be strong in the Lord…
I. Christians need to be godly teachers of God’s grace! (vv. 1-2)
1. Grace is given even when we do not deserve it! God’s grace is not something the believer has to earn or worry about as far as their salvation is concerned. (Notice I said “believer.”) As a strong Calvinistic Baptist I never worry about my standing with the Lord as far as eternal security is concerned. Those who have not trusted Christ have a lot to worry about! However, there are those that can misunderstand what it means to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Paul wanted Timothy to not take for granted the favor of God. In fact, he wanted Timothy to “entrust” what he personally had learned about God’s grace to those who were “reliable” and “qualified” to teach others about it! Grace is not something to mess around with. The Christian’s strength is not their own, it is firmly established in the power and love of God through Jesus Christ! Unreliable teaching about spiritual things comes from ungodly people who do not know the grace of God for themselves. In fact, later, Paul would say these kinds of people’s “teaching will spread like gangrene!” (v. 2:17) In order to be strong in God’s grace, Christians need to be godly teachers of God’s grace!
EXAMPLE: God’s grace is not to be handled lightly by the believer. It is to be taught by those who know it firsthand, who are reliable and qualified to do so. I fear few are tough enough or have integrity to do so in our day and age. Remember General Patton? Sure he was accused of being "insensitive" to a shell-shocked hospitalized soldier by whacking him with his riding crop, but we have very few of those in the ranks of the church in our day and age. Here’s what I mean: Paul, like Patton, was more concerned for the battle and for those men and women already in the midst of the fight. Paul was afraid Timothy was too timid and allowing others to face the bullets unprepared. Patton may not have been correct in hitting the man, but he was correct in his concern that if he was indeed faking it, this would demoralize and influence others in the ranks. The Lord’s Army cannot be reduced to a kind of religious Girl Scout Troop that honors anyone’s opinion or endorses any form of religiosity as long as it makes one feel better about themselves. This kind of teaching is simply pabulum for the pathetic. In order to be strong in God’s grace, Christians need to be godly teachers about God’s grace.
Let me ask you a question: “Does a good soldier follow orders or not?” Jesus told His followers: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) Some say modern church goers have a problem with the old-style hymns. I think it is because so many of these hymns speak to the fact of serving, obedience, and sacrifice. I mean, when you hear words like: “Marching on, marching on, For Christ count everything but loss! And to crown Him King, we'll toil and sing, 'Neath the banner of the cross!” how are you supposed to respond to that? Why? Paul knew that…
II. Christians need to be good soldiers able to endure! (vv. 3-4)
1. What does it mean to “endure hardship… like a good soldier”? Does it mean we follow the orders given us, trust those over us, respect rank, be brave when everyone else is running for cover in the face of overwhelming odds? Maybe it is going back and rescuing those that have fallen on the battle field with little or no concern for ourselves? Maybe it’s joy in being allowed to wear the uniform under God’s banner? I believe Paul meant all of these things and more! All of these fit well with being a soldier of Christ. Good soldiering needs to be found in the church. Timothy was evidently whining to Paul about what a tough assignment he had in Ephesus. Paul did not respond by telling Timothy, “There, there little buddy, you can do it!” Nope, Paul instead tells Timothy “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Tacitly Paul is reprimanding Timothy and also those of us who are less than good soldiers in the Lord. Buck up and endure the hardship you face! It is temporary and your life in Christ is eternal. You live not for today but forever and you need to live like it matters to you and others. Good soldiers endure no matter what the circumstances because they know it is expected of them to hold the line and fight on with all of what God has given them: His mighty grace!
EXAMPLE: Are you offended when asked to sacrifice? Just by showing up on Sunday, giving something once in a while, or by going to Sunday School is not considered a sacrifice. Would the Christian hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” be best rendered: “Onward, Christian comrades, marching to our seats, With the love of Jesus makes us feel real neat! Christ, our little buddy helps lead us to our latte; Always ever forward to the free biscotti! Onward, Christian comrades marching out to eat, With the love of Jesus makes us feel real neat.” Have we made Christianity into a purpose driven life, a concept to follow, a commodity to purchase and use rather than seeing it as a life changing call to sacrifice everything we have to further the work of God’s kingdom? Christians are called to be “good soldiers” of the Lord. That means wearing the uniform with pride, serving with integrity, and doing whatever it takes to further the work of the Lord without any regard for ourselves. Are you a “good soldier” that is not afraid to endure hardship for the sake of the kingdom?
Recently, during an Olympic race several of the competitors stepped on the line of their fellow competitors. Even though they outran them, they were disqualified and they had to forfeit their medals because they did not follow the rules. It may seem harsh, but the rules are the rules and just because you think that’s not fair, does not erase the fact that the rules exist and are to be followed. The same is true for the life of the Christian. In fact, if you want to be strong in the grace of God, Paul related…
III. Christians need to be competing as athletes wanting victory! (v. 5)
1. If following the rules is true of a simple foot race, why do people think it is not true of spiritual things as well? There are so many folks who want to rewrite their own rules for spirituality. They want to redefine God, holiness, salvation, or what God’s instructions truly are. Christians can be just as guilty in trying to make up their own rules for spirituality. Far too many think that holy thinking can replace holy living. Feeling good about one’s self can never save you or make you righteous before a holy God. We are to be holy because God is holy. We are to be living sacrifices, servants of the Lord, seeking to know and do His will in all areas of our lives. God does not exist to give us an emotional daily boost so we can face the day. We exist to live and breathe our lives for Him. We live to honor and glorify the Lord who died for our sins. It can be a hard task at times. Paul bluntly told Timothy, “if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.” Athletes in Paul’s day had to swear they had trained for at least 10 months before competing, in our day they have to take drug tests. Every athletic event has rules and all who fail to discipline themselves to observe those rules are disqualified. Paul wanted Timothy to run so as to win the crown and not be disqualified. Not losing his salvation, but negating his faith practice in front of others. Competing requires a Christian to have strong qualities of discipline, self-control, endurance, and a certain toughness. In being strong in the grace of God, Christians need to be competing like athletes wanting victory in life.
EXAMPLE: There are those who want to tie spiritual weights around the ankles of others so that they are hindered in knowing God’s grace for themselves. Some want to redefine sin, making it more of a “mistake” one makes in life that God will simply wink at. There are those who desperately think that by just being “good enough” is good enough! Folks try to rewrite the rules that God has given us because they do not like the race set before them. They want it all and they want it their way and God is just going to have to fit into their scheme of how the universe works. Yet, Paul reminds his friend Timothy that “if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.” How dare Paul say such a thing! Doesn’t he know that we want to rewrite the rules? In being strong in the grace of God, Christians need to be competing like athletes wanting victory.
Do you go to church wanting it to give you something for nothing? What have you invested in the work of the Lord on a regular basis? What daily sacrifices do you make in time, talent, or treasure to further the harvest in the Kingdom of God? “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops,” but if you are watching and waiting on the sidelines while others do the heavy lifting, what does that say about your faith? Paul related that to be strong in the grace of God…
IV. Christians need to be hardworking farmers enjoying their crops! (vv. 6-7)
1. Did you know that most scams center around people’s personal greed? Paul tells Timothy that in the spiritual realm there are no shortcuts to spiritual living and nothing comes without a sacrifice. Con artists know it is almost impossible for people to pass up a good thing. What seems to be too good to be true, usually is, even in the spiritual realm. If you want to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus, you have to be willing to personally sacrifice for it and not try to take a shortcut to holiness. A farmer knows what this means. He buys seed, plants it, waters it, and then hopes it will grow without too many weeds. Then, he has to work at keeping the weeds that do come up with the crop out of it. He also fertilizes it and continues to water and care for it daily. Then, when it is ripe, he has to harvest it, pack it, store it, and or sell it by getting it to market or a buyer. Famers work hard and “should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” Why should someone who is lazy that has not invested in the planting, care of, and harvest share in the outcome? Why then are there so many who think they should when it comes to God’s grace? A church will not grow as it should if believers are not being the farmers they are called to be. After all, “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” (1 Corinthians 3:8) and “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:10) To be strong in the grace of God, Christians need to be hardworking farmers enjoying their crops!
EXAMPLE: It is amazing to me to see all of the food and produce just one huge grocery store contains. Think about that for a moment. We rely on the store to have what we need when we need it, whether it is apples or oranges, meat or potatoes, dairy or diet soda, we want it fresh and we want it when we want it. But all of that is contingent upon truckers, packers, and warehousemen. However, at the very beginning of this modern food chain is the farmer whether big or small, that produces the poultry, corn syrup or produce we eat daily. God’s church in this world depends upon the Christian farmer to plant the seed of the gospel, water, and harvest a crop. A crop of souls for His kingdom. Christians can be strong in the grace of God by being hardworking farmers enjoying their crops!
Conclusion:
Christians need to be godly teachers of God’s grace, good soldiers able to endure, competing as athletes wanting victory, and hardworking farmers enjoying their corps.
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
August 24, 2008 AM
Not everything nor everyone in our life is worthwhile. We discover this when we purchase cable or satellite TV or when we have friends that desert us during a time of crisis. Having 500 channels of nothing or fair-weather friends gets disappointing in a hurry. This holds true for much of what is equated as “spiritual” in our world as well. Here’s what I mean: We get so distracted so easily as people. Like honey bees, it is as if each little blossom in life demands our attention, wilted or not, and we busily flit from flower to flower.
What then is to attract our concerted effort and examination? Paul makes it clear that not everything is life is worthwhile when he wrote that “‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive.” (1 Corinthians 10:23) This was certainly true for his friend Timothy who needed to be strong in God’s grace. Paul gives him four good examples from daily life for Timothy to follow in order to be strong in God’s grace. Let’s discover what they are this morning.
READ: 2 Timothy 2:1-7
What does it mean to be strong in God’s grace? Does it require a good diet, lifting weights, or running laps? Perhaps if your physical stamina is not up to snuff you may need to work your physical muscles for sure, but here Paul is writing about Timothy’s spiritual conditioning. He related immediately that in order to be strong in the Lord…
I. Christians need to be godly teachers of God’s grace! (vv. 1-2)
1. Grace is given even when we do not deserve it! God’s grace is not something the believer has to earn or worry about as far as their salvation is concerned. (Notice I said “believer.”) As a strong Calvinistic Baptist I never worry about my standing with the Lord as far as eternal security is concerned. Those who have not trusted Christ have a lot to worry about! However, there are those that can misunderstand what it means to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Paul wanted Timothy to not take for granted the favor of God. In fact, he wanted Timothy to “entrust” what he personally had learned about God’s grace to those who were “reliable” and “qualified” to teach others about it! Grace is not something to mess around with. The Christian’s strength is not their own, it is firmly established in the power and love of God through Jesus Christ! Unreliable teaching about spiritual things comes from ungodly people who do not know the grace of God for themselves. In fact, later, Paul would say these kinds of people’s “teaching will spread like gangrene!” (v. 2:17) In order to be strong in God’s grace, Christians need to be godly teachers of God’s grace!
EXAMPLE: God’s grace is not to be handled lightly by the believer. It is to be taught by those who know it firsthand, who are reliable and qualified to do so. I fear few are tough enough or have integrity to do so in our day and age. Remember General Patton? Sure he was accused of being "insensitive" to a shell-shocked hospitalized soldier by whacking him with his riding crop, but we have very few of those in the ranks of the church in our day and age. Here’s what I mean: Paul, like Patton, was more concerned for the battle and for those men and women already in the midst of the fight. Paul was afraid Timothy was too timid and allowing others to face the bullets unprepared. Patton may not have been correct in hitting the man, but he was correct in his concern that if he was indeed faking it, this would demoralize and influence others in the ranks. The Lord’s Army cannot be reduced to a kind of religious Girl Scout Troop that honors anyone’s opinion or endorses any form of religiosity as long as it makes one feel better about themselves. This kind of teaching is simply pabulum for the pathetic. In order to be strong in God’s grace, Christians need to be godly teachers about God’s grace.
Let me ask you a question: “Does a good soldier follow orders or not?” Jesus told His followers: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) Some say modern church goers have a problem with the old-style hymns. I think it is because so many of these hymns speak to the fact of serving, obedience, and sacrifice. I mean, when you hear words like: “Marching on, marching on, For Christ count everything but loss! And to crown Him King, we'll toil and sing, 'Neath the banner of the cross!” how are you supposed to respond to that? Why? Paul knew that…
II. Christians need to be good soldiers able to endure! (vv. 3-4)
1. What does it mean to “endure hardship… like a good soldier”? Does it mean we follow the orders given us, trust those over us, respect rank, be brave when everyone else is running for cover in the face of overwhelming odds? Maybe it is going back and rescuing those that have fallen on the battle field with little or no concern for ourselves? Maybe it’s joy in being allowed to wear the uniform under God’s banner? I believe Paul meant all of these things and more! All of these fit well with being a soldier of Christ. Good soldiering needs to be found in the church. Timothy was evidently whining to Paul about what a tough assignment he had in Ephesus. Paul did not respond by telling Timothy, “There, there little buddy, you can do it!” Nope, Paul instead tells Timothy “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Tacitly Paul is reprimanding Timothy and also those of us who are less than good soldiers in the Lord. Buck up and endure the hardship you face! It is temporary and your life in Christ is eternal. You live not for today but forever and you need to live like it matters to you and others. Good soldiers endure no matter what the circumstances because they know it is expected of them to hold the line and fight on with all of what God has given them: His mighty grace!
EXAMPLE: Are you offended when asked to sacrifice? Just by showing up on Sunday, giving something once in a while, or by going to Sunday School is not considered a sacrifice. Would the Christian hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” be best rendered: “Onward, Christian comrades, marching to our seats, With the love of Jesus makes us feel real neat! Christ, our little buddy helps lead us to our latte; Always ever forward to the free biscotti! Onward, Christian comrades marching out to eat, With the love of Jesus makes us feel real neat.” Have we made Christianity into a purpose driven life, a concept to follow, a commodity to purchase and use rather than seeing it as a life changing call to sacrifice everything we have to further the work of God’s kingdom? Christians are called to be “good soldiers” of the Lord. That means wearing the uniform with pride, serving with integrity, and doing whatever it takes to further the work of the Lord without any regard for ourselves. Are you a “good soldier” that is not afraid to endure hardship for the sake of the kingdom?
Recently, during an Olympic race several of the competitors stepped on the line of their fellow competitors. Even though they outran them, they were disqualified and they had to forfeit their medals because they did not follow the rules. It may seem harsh, but the rules are the rules and just because you think that’s not fair, does not erase the fact that the rules exist and are to be followed. The same is true for the life of the Christian. In fact, if you want to be strong in the grace of God, Paul related…
III. Christians need to be competing as athletes wanting victory! (v. 5)
1. If following the rules is true of a simple foot race, why do people think it is not true of spiritual things as well? There are so many folks who want to rewrite their own rules for spirituality. They want to redefine God, holiness, salvation, or what God’s instructions truly are. Christians can be just as guilty in trying to make up their own rules for spirituality. Far too many think that holy thinking can replace holy living. Feeling good about one’s self can never save you or make you righteous before a holy God. We are to be holy because God is holy. We are to be living sacrifices, servants of the Lord, seeking to know and do His will in all areas of our lives. God does not exist to give us an emotional daily boost so we can face the day. We exist to live and breathe our lives for Him. We live to honor and glorify the Lord who died for our sins. It can be a hard task at times. Paul bluntly told Timothy, “if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.” Athletes in Paul’s day had to swear they had trained for at least 10 months before competing, in our day they have to take drug tests. Every athletic event has rules and all who fail to discipline themselves to observe those rules are disqualified. Paul wanted Timothy to run so as to win the crown and not be disqualified. Not losing his salvation, but negating his faith practice in front of others. Competing requires a Christian to have strong qualities of discipline, self-control, endurance, and a certain toughness. In being strong in the grace of God, Christians need to be competing like athletes wanting victory in life.
EXAMPLE: There are those who want to tie spiritual weights around the ankles of others so that they are hindered in knowing God’s grace for themselves. Some want to redefine sin, making it more of a “mistake” one makes in life that God will simply wink at. There are those who desperately think that by just being “good enough” is good enough! Folks try to rewrite the rules that God has given us because they do not like the race set before them. They want it all and they want it their way and God is just going to have to fit into their scheme of how the universe works. Yet, Paul reminds his friend Timothy that “if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.” How dare Paul say such a thing! Doesn’t he know that we want to rewrite the rules? In being strong in the grace of God, Christians need to be competing like athletes wanting victory.
Do you go to church wanting it to give you something for nothing? What have you invested in the work of the Lord on a regular basis? What daily sacrifices do you make in time, talent, or treasure to further the harvest in the Kingdom of God? “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops,” but if you are watching and waiting on the sidelines while others do the heavy lifting, what does that say about your faith? Paul related that to be strong in the grace of God…
IV. Christians need to be hardworking farmers enjoying their crops! (vv. 6-7)
1. Did you know that most scams center around people’s personal greed? Paul tells Timothy that in the spiritual realm there are no shortcuts to spiritual living and nothing comes without a sacrifice. Con artists know it is almost impossible for people to pass up a good thing. What seems to be too good to be true, usually is, even in the spiritual realm. If you want to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus, you have to be willing to personally sacrifice for it and not try to take a shortcut to holiness. A farmer knows what this means. He buys seed, plants it, waters it, and then hopes it will grow without too many weeds. Then, he has to work at keeping the weeds that do come up with the crop out of it. He also fertilizes it and continues to water and care for it daily. Then, when it is ripe, he has to harvest it, pack it, store it, and or sell it by getting it to market or a buyer. Famers work hard and “should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” Why should someone who is lazy that has not invested in the planting, care of, and harvest share in the outcome? Why then are there so many who think they should when it comes to God’s grace? A church will not grow as it should if believers are not being the farmers they are called to be. After all, “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” (1 Corinthians 3:8) and “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:10) To be strong in the grace of God, Christians need to be hardworking farmers enjoying their crops!
EXAMPLE: It is amazing to me to see all of the food and produce just one huge grocery store contains. Think about that for a moment. We rely on the store to have what we need when we need it, whether it is apples or oranges, meat or potatoes, dairy or diet soda, we want it fresh and we want it when we want it. But all of that is contingent upon truckers, packers, and warehousemen. However, at the very beginning of this modern food chain is the farmer whether big or small, that produces the poultry, corn syrup or produce we eat daily. God’s church in this world depends upon the Christian farmer to plant the seed of the gospel, water, and harvest a crop. A crop of souls for His kingdom. Christians can be strong in the grace of God by being hardworking farmers enjoying their crops!
Conclusion:
Christians need to be godly teachers of God’s grace, good soldiers able to endure, competing as athletes wanting victory, and hardworking farmers enjoying their corps.
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
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