APOSTASY AND THE GOOD SOLDIER--II TIMOTHY--LESSON 2

APOSTASY AND THE GOOD SOLDIER
II TIMOTHY--LESSON 2

By E. L. Bynum

Lesson: II Timothy 2:1-26

Memory Verse: II Timothy 2:15

Introduction:

Paul was facing certain death (II Timothy 4:6). He was not concerned about himself, but he was concerned about Timothy. He wanted him to be strong, and to be able to take over great responsibilities after Paul was gone.

I. THE GOOD SOLDIER MUST TRAIN FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

vs. 1-13

A. He Must Be STRONG In Grace. vs. 1-7

1. As a SON he must be strong in grace. v. 1

a. This is in view of the Asian defection from grace. II Timothy 1:15

b. He must be strong to dig out the great treasures of truth. Proverbs 3:13-15; 8:10-21; I Corinthians 3:10-23; I Corinthians 15:10, But by the grace of God I am what I am: arid his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

c. Timothy must be strong in grace, for those who preach salvation to be wholly the result of the finished work of Christ without any admixture of works, human merit, or legalistic observance will be satanically attacked. See II Timothy 4:1-5.

2. As a STEWARD he is to train others to pass on the gospel of grace. v. 2. I Timothy 3:2; II Timothy 2:24

3. As a SOLDIER he must be disciplined. vs. 3-4; II Corinthians 5:9, Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

a. He must expect hardship and suffering. v. 3. Ephesians 6:10-18

b. He must practice separation. v. 4a. A soldier cannot be fettered down with worldly affairs and be a good soldier. He must not be distracted by sidelines. (For Paul's military metaphors see Romans 6:13: 7:23: I Corinthians 9:7; II Corinthians 6:7; and Ephesians 6:11-18).

c. He must please his commander who chose him. v. 4b

4. As an ATHLETE he must strive according to God's rules, v. 5; I Timothy 4:7-8; I Corinthians 9:24-27. Although Paul was in prison, he had kept the rules, and he would be crowned.

5. As a FARMER he must work hard. v. 6. I Corinthians 3:5-9; Proverbs 24:30-34, I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

6. As a STUDENT he is to learn the above lessons. v. 7

B. He Must Be Willing To SUFFER For The Gospel Of Grace. vs. 8-13

1. The CAUSE for the suffering. vs. 8-9a. The gospel of grace, as it relates to the resurrection of the incarnate Christ (Messiah) as the seed of David was the cause. See also Ephesians 6:19-20.

2. The RESULTS of the suffering. v. 9b-10

a. Paul was bound, but the Word of God was not, and it would accomplish salvation. v. 9b. Psalm 147:15, He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. Acts 12:24, But the word of God grew and multiplied.

b. Paul endured for the elect's sake. v. 10. These are the believers or believers to be. Ephesians 1:4-14; Romans 8:28-30

c. They will have eternal glory. II Thessalonians 2: 13-14; Romans 5:1-2; 8:21-25

3. The Christian's position of union with Christ. v. 11. The death aspect and the life aspect are inseparable. See other "faithful sayings" in l Timothy 1:15; 4:9; and Titus 3:8.

4. The Christian's experience of union with Christ. v. 12a. Suffering leads to reigning in glory. Matthew 10:33

5. The Christian's problem of unfaithfulness. vs. 12b-13. He may waver and deny Christ, as Peter did, but if a true believer he will return. Of course this will affect his rewards. All who are truly saved will be kept by the faithful Lord, even the wavering. "It is not by trying to be faithful, but in looking to the Faithful One, that we win the victory."--J. Hudson Taylor

II. THE GOOD SOLDIER MUST PROPERLY DEAL WITH FALSE TEACHERS. vs. 14-26

A. The Proper Use of the Scriptures, God's Antidote for Errors. vs. 14-15

1. They are to be charged to abandon unprofitable words and doctrines. v. 14. II Corinthians 4:2, But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, riot walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. In many so-called "sharing times," people only share their "spiritual ignorance."

2. He is to study and he diligent to rightly divide and apply the word of truth. v. 15

B. The Proper Shunning of the Profane. vs. 16-19

1. Shun profane babblings. v. 16

2. Profane doctrine spreads like canker. v. 17a. It is as deadly gangrene.

3. Two examples of defectors and their heresy. vs.17b-18. They may have been teaching that the new birth was the resurrection. Any denial of the resurrection is a serious matter. I Corinthians 15:12-18

4. They were to depart from iniquity. v. 19. Note the sureness of God's foundation and the result. Numbers 16:26, And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. Ephesians 1:4, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

C. The Proper Separation and Spiritual Usefulness. vs. 20-23

1. Separation illustrated. v. 20-21. Vessels of gold and silver are the good teachers. Vessels of wood and clay are the false teachers.

2. Separation enunciated. vs. 22-23

a. Flee the lusts of the flesh. v. 22

b. Flee foolish and unlearned questions. v. 23

D. The Proper Spiritual Victory. vs. 24-26

1. The servant of the Lord. vs. 24-25a. This is the pastor in this case who is to be a teacher and instructor, thus utilizing the power of the Word.

2. The servant's victory over Satan. vs. 25b-26. The Lord uses proper teaching and instruction. He gives repentance and faith to acknowledge the truth which results in sinners being delivered from the devil's snare.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. How were the teachings of Christ and the apostles preserved?

2. What did Paul say about suffering hardship? vs. 3-13

3. Why did Paul endure all things.

4. Give the metaphors used to describe the pastor's works.

5. What results from the believer's having died with Christ? What results from his suffering with Christ?

6. What should the workman be diligent in?

7. What is the result of vain and profane babblings?

8. How are we to treat false teachers?

9. Describe the false doctrine of Hymeneus and Philetus?

10. Quote the memory verse.