Lessons From II Timothy
2 Timothy 1:1-18 (10/22/15)
October 22, 2015 • Benham Brothers
• Paul was set for execution and almost all his friends had deserted him. • So what did Paul do in his last days? He didn’t sulk - he didn’t play bridge and golf in Florida. • He poured into Timothy. • In this chapter he encourages Timothy with three essentials for success: • 1) Courageous enthusiasm (vs 1-7) - Christianity was not the for the faint of heart. • He was to fan into flame the gift that was in him (vs 6-7) - this means being where Satan would try to blow your light out. • 2) Shameless suffering (vs 8-12) - he needed to be ready to embrace suffering. • 3) Spiritual loyalty (vs 13-18) - he needed to maintain reverence to God’s Word and not concern himself with relevance to culture.
2 Timothy 1:4-5 (10/22/20)
October 22, 2020 • Benham Brothers
* The best job of all is raising up kids who love Jesus. * Nobody can do that job for your kids better than you. * Anyone can replace you at a meeting, but nobody can at the ballgame. * Paul was Timothy’s mentor, but the spark of Tim’s faith came from his mom and grandma. * Vs 4-5 - they didn’t have a book or blog or on the speaking circuit, but they were faithful to raise a young boy who would turn the world upside down for Christ. * A river touches places its source knows nothing of. * Tim’s mom was faithful when nobody was watching. * Much like the mom who packed the lunch for the kid who’s lunch Jesus used to feed the 5,000. * My mom did the same thing. * Anyone could’ve spoken at a conference or written a book I read, but only one person could’ve walked my lunch up to me at school - and she was faithful to do just that. * As a parent, what do you do? * Run at the pace of your people. * Whatever the pace is in your kids’ lives, wrap your life around that.
2 Timothy 1:7 (10/18/18)
October 18, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Darkness isn’t a thing. It’s simply the absence of light. * We have flash lights, not flash darks. * Fear is not a thing. It’s simply the absence of power, love, and a sound mind. * When we’re not living by the power of the Holy Spirit with a love for people and a sound mind bent on truth then fear will fill the void. * God made our spirits fully capable of power and love, but we have to walk in it by having a sound mind. * So what do we do to keep fear out? * We renew our minds in God’s truth, fueled by our love for Him and others, so that we can walk in power against the threats of the enemy. * Power, love, sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:14 (10/17/19)
October 17, 2019 • Benham Brothers
* If someone gave you a precious gift and then went on a long trip, but they said they wanted to see you when you returned, what would you do with that gift? * You know they’re going to ask you about it. * You guard it carefully. * Paul is giving Timothy this instruction. * He had been given a precious gift, but it was his responsibility to guard it. * This means two things: * 1) You need to be aware of the threat. * If you have to guard something then there is a threat that exists. * 2) You can lose the gift by not exercising it. * If you don’t use it you lose it.
2 Timothy 1:15 (10/26/22)
October 26, 2022 • Benham Brothers • 2 Timothy 1:15
* If you sow the seeds of bitterness in your heart your kids will swing from the branches. * When people do you wrong, it’s tough to not let it grow into bitterness. * Paul knew what this felt like. * He even mentioned it in the opening of his letter to his young protege, Timothy. * Vs 15 - he mentioned two guys who did him wrong - he had to warn Timothy about them. * Paul didn’t forget what they did. * But he didn’t focus on it. * KEY - You won’t forget, but don’t focus. * Watch what Paul does: * Vs 16-18 - he focused on the one person who did him right. * Notice what Paul did: * He spoke 16 words on those who did him wrong. * He spoke 67 words on those who did him right. * He had twice as many enemies (two guys) as he did friends (one dude). * When someone does you wrong, we have two ways we can deal with it. * The bad path: Anger - Grudge - Bitterness - Hatred (AGBH) * The good path: Anger - Resolve - Forgiveness - Restoration (ARFR) * Both start with anger. * Anger is an emotion with a purpose. * Anger’s purpose is to see that justice is done. * NOTE: * You know you have a grudge when the mention of someone’s name illicits a negative emotion and you have a hard time pivoting from it. * But if they repented you might consider forgiving. * You know you have bitterness when you have no desire to reconcile at all. * You hold them hostage in your heart so you can stay in control. * A bitter heart attracts other bitterness. * KEY - if you’re bitter you can’t nourish others (people don’t eat bitter food). * You know you have hatred when you want them out of your life no matter what. * This is when consequences don’t matter anymore. * But there’s a better way (ARFR). * You can “resolve” in your heart that you won’t grow bitter. * Two aspects - 1) Confront them, 2) Release them (to God) * Walk through the steps of forgiveness. * Be “ready” to forgive, but don’t grant them something they don’t ask for - give it to God. * Seek restoration if possible.
2 Timothy 2:1-6 (10/23/14)
October 23, 2014 • Benham Brothers
Paul is encouraging the younger Timothy with how he is to conduct himself in leadership. Right out of the gate Paul encourages Timothy to: Be Strong - to draw his strength from the grace of God, that wonderful amazing grace. Disciple Others - Timothy needed a downstream - this keeps men accountable to step their game up. Then Paul went on and encouraged Timothy to be like three types of people: 1) Soldier - he recognizes he's in a battle, he protects the weak, doesn't want a fight but won't back down from one, willing to suffer, doesn't meddle in needless fights that aren't a part of his mission. 2) Athlete - he plays according to the rules and plays to win. 3) Farmer - he's faithful in the little, he does his part and trusts God to do His, he doesn't worry about the results he just concerns himself with his duty, he's always faithful even though nobody is watching - most farmers work alone.
2 Timothy 2:7 (10/26/22)
October 26, 2022 • Benham Brothers
* The warfare for your soul takes place on the battleground of your mind. * This isn’t just about temptation or negative thinking. * It’s about lazy thinking. * In our minds, we’re supposed to: * Take captive (bad thoughts) * Be proactive (good thoughts) * Backstory - Paul is teaching Timothy lots of things. * He just taught him how to lead like a: * Soldier - don’t meddle in something outside your fight * Athlete - play to win but do it by the rules * Farmer - work hard and trust God * Then he tells him something just as valuable. * Vs 7 - “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” * Thinking through something is hard - mental work is the most exhausting work. * When it comes to Scripture, follow these steps: * Read - make Bible reading your habit. * Think - what is it saying (don’t be distracted). * Ask - ask God to speak to you. * Apply - how does it apply to you. * THEN: * Live - do what it is you read (this makes it your own). * Share - this locks It in even more. * If you don’t do this, other people suffer. * Vs 8 - “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David…” * Essentially, “After you’ve reflected, be consciously aware of Christ’s presence in your life.” * Oswald Chambers - “If you cannot express yourself on any subject, struggle until you can. If you do not, someone will be the poorer all the days of his life. Struggle to re-express some truth of God to yourself, and God will use that expression to someone else. Go through the winepress of God where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle to get expression experimentally, then there will come a time when that expression will become the very wine of strengthening to someone else; but if you say lazily - "I am not going to struggle to express this thing for myself, I will borrow what I say," the expression will not only be of no use to you, but of no use to anyone. Try to state to yourself what you feel implicitly to be God's truth, and you give God a chance to pass it on to someone else through you. * Always make a practice of provoking your own mind to think out what it accepts easily. Our position is not ours until we make it ours by suffering. The author who benefits you most is not the one who tells you something you did not know before, but the one who gives expression to the truth that has been dumbly struggling in you for utterance."
2 Timothy 2:15 (10/18/18)
October 18, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Our assignment is to “study” to show yourself approved. * This means we are to spend time studying God’s Word to show others that we are followers of Christ. * This assignment will determine what we do with our time. * I can’t spend several hours a day watching TV and only a few minutes reading my Bible. * The key is to know the Bible well enough so you can then teach it to others. * This is how we disciple people. * Oswald quote.
2 Timothy 2:20-26 (10/22/15)
October 22, 2015 • Benham Brothers
• Paul is telling Timothy that in the church that are true teachers and false teachers. • He then encourages Timothy to walk in purity. • Spiritual power and sensual pleasure go hand-in-hand. • The more of one the less of the other. • vs 24-26 - Paul encourages Timothy to stay out of needless quarrels. • Then he says to “correct your opponents with gentleness” so God may grant them repentance and lead them to the knowledge of the truth. • Look at this closely - it suggests four things: • 1) You will have opponents in this world. • 2) You’ll need to correct them when they’re wrong - this means you’ll have to talk about “controversial and uncomfortable” stuff. • Paul essentially tells Timothy to “jump in and bring God’s truth” into the mix. • 3) You need to be gentle - the spirit behind rebuking someone needs to be restoring them to wholeness in Christ. • 4) There is objective truth - truth exists, the goal of conversation is to arrive at truth, not just to have endless dialogue.
2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 (10/22/15)
October 22, 2015 • Benham Brothers
• If a person wants to be complete and equipped, they need the BIBLE! • It's used in five ways: • 1) Teaching - the Bible shows you how to live a godly life. • 2) Training - this is putting what you’ve learned in action. • 3) Reproof - this means “exposing” sin. • 4) Rebuke - this means “forbidding” sin - like when Jesus “rebuked” the wind. • Reproof and Rebuke are necessary when rebellion occurs, which was happening in that city with false teachers. • 2 Tim 4:2 reiterates, but adds: • 5) Exhort - this means to “encourage,” which is to “make courageous. • Titus 1:13 - Titus had a tougher crowd than Timothy, so Paul told him he needed to “rebuke sharply.” • The goal of the rebuke was restoration
1 Timothy 4 / 2 Timothy 2 (10/22/15)
October 22, 2015 • Benham Brothers
• 1 Tim 4:12-16 Two ages - physical age & spiritual age. • Timothy was to set an example in these five areas: • 1) Speech - what’s in your heart comes out of your mouth. • 2) Conduct - how you see yourself determines how you conduct yourself. • 3) Love - if you love God you’ll love people - two greatest commandments and commitments. • 4) Faith - operate out of faith in God not fear of man. • 5) Purity - the pure in heart see God - spiritual power and sensual pleasure go hand-in-hand. • 2 Tim 2:3-6 - three types of people we’re to be like: • 1) Soldier - know you’re in a battle, protect the weak, doesn’t want a fight but won’t back down from one, willing to suffer, doesn’t meddle in needless fights. • 2) Athlete - play by the rules (God’s Word) and plays to win. • 3) Farmer - he’s faithful in little even when nobody is watching, he concerns himself with his duty and trusts God for the results. • In 2 Tim 4:7 Paul says he’s fought the good fight (soldier), finished the race (athlete), kept the faith (farmer).
2 Timothy 4:2 (10/26/17)
October 26, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* Nate Diaz was tapped to fight Connor McGregor 9 days before McGregor was set to fight Jose Aldo. * He never stopped training, so he was ready when tapped - he pulled off an upset victory. * If you’re always ready you rarely have to “get” ready. * I speak a lot, so I know what this feels like - it’s called “speaking out of the overflow.” * If it’s in you, then all you have to do is get out of the way (remove self consciousness). * Paul is encouraging Timothy to always be ready to give a word from the Lord to everyone. * ** God’s word is a weapon to fight with and a tool to build with. * A soldier has to train with his weapon. A builder has to train with his tools. * ** Being ready means studying with the thought you’re going to share what you’re learning in God’s Word to others. * This is why it’s so valuable to have an upstream and a downstream. * Being prepared is valuable because: * 1) Proper preparation prevents poor performance. * 2) It conquers fear - you have confidence when you’re prepared. * 3) Others get the benefit. * Paul gives four ways for Timothy to use God’s Word: * 1) Reprove - to expose sin. * 2) Rebuke - to forbid sin. * 3) Teach & Train - instruct in righteousness. * 4) Encourage (exhort) - to make courageous.
2 Timothy 4:5 (10/24/19)
October 24, 2019 • Benham Brothers
* Notice the four instructions Paul gives to young Timothy: * 1) Be sober in all things (be calm, cool, and steady). * Don’t get drunk on anything - don’t overindulge to a point where you can’t think straight. * Don’t get all jazzed up on your gifting and excited over your usefulness. * 2) Accept suffering (endure hardships). * Recognize that suffering is a part of God’s plan. * Strength comes through strain. * Manage your expectations and you won’t be disappointed. * 3) Do the work of an evangelist. * Always be looking to connect people to God - be a “bridge” thinker. * Don’t hesitate when the opportunity comes up - don’t be self conscious. * 4) Do your job (fulfill your ministry). * Know what you need to do and do it. * Don’t try to be someone else. * Only YOU can do your job.
2 Timothy 4:7 (11/2/22)
November 2, 2022 • Benham Brothers • 2 Timothy 4:7
* It’s not how you start - it’s how you finish! * Paul is nearing the end of his days. * He’s looking back and reflecting on his life. * It’s good to number our days - when you go to the end of your life and look back “before” the end of your life. * You’ll be more wise with your numbered days. * Look at what Paul says: * Vs 7 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” * Three Keys to Finishing Well: * 1) Fight the good fight * “Fight” - Your spiritual life is a battle * Manage expectation - it’s not bounce house, but bootcamp * “Good Fight” - Three Battles: * Personal - fight against temptation * Relational - fight with people * Kingdom - fight for people (this is the good fight) * 2) Finish the race * “Finish” - It’s not how you start, but how you finish - finish well! * Finishing requires Discipline, Diligence, Determination. * “The Race” - Run to win - there’s a reward for your effort. * Play by the rules. * 3) Kept the faith * “Keep” - If you have to keep something, it presupposes you can lose it. * Satan comes to rob you - of peace, power, etc. * “The Faith” - your faith is “evidence” and “substance” - it’s a “thing.” * Practice seeing God in all things - this keeps your faith strong. * Vs 8 - “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” * A crown symbolizes identity (it says you are royalty). * Righteousness - we get “His” righteousness. * “Longed for His appearing” - wanting Christ to return keeps you running the race so you can finish well.
2 Timothy 4:9-11, 16-17 (10/30/14)
October 30, 2014 • Benham Brothers
3 of Paul's 4 companions deserted him. Mark 14:50 reveals the same thing happened to Jesus. We can learn two things about deserters from Paul and Jesus: 1) We are deserters - we are all capable of deserting Jesus. 2) We will be deserted - it will happen, so don't be disappointed. Disappointment is the gap between expectation and reality. Paul explains why they left - "they loved the present world...." They were a lot like Baruch who would rather have preferement in the world than suffering alongside Jeremiah (Jeremiah 45:5). Suffering is a choice - these men chose not to http://suffer.......and their names made it into the Bible, although not in a good light. How did Paul respond? Verse 16-17: He said the same thing Jesus said when He was being crucified, "Father forgive them..." Paul knew he was no better in possibility than the worst deserter was in actuality. If we remember that we are deserters as well we will see them just as Paul saw his companions. This mindset gave Paul "eyes to see" Christ standing there with him. God gives us eyes to see as we surrender everything to Him and be willing to endure His sufferings. Mark 14:51-52 - Mark deserted Jesus too, but in 2 Timothy 4:11 We see Mark being useful to Paul and NOT deserting Paul! Amazing transformation.