Guarding the Gospel

Sunday, November 24^th 2024

2 Timothy 4:1-22

Introduction

Be Faithful to God because God has been Faithful to Us

 Faithful in Sharing God’s Word (v.1-4)

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus…”

Timothy is to keep these words "ringing in his ears" and so to must all believers. 

 “…who is to judge the living and the dead…” Series on Death, Judgement, Hell…

"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son." John 5:22

 Preach the Word

Metaphors for God's word and the effect of each, little wonder unsaved men turn away

FIRE

“Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire and this people wood and it shall devour them." Jeremiah 5:14

"Is not My word like a fire? Jeremiah 23:29

HAMMER

Is not My word like...a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29

SWORD

“For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword" Hebrews 4:12

"take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:12

 Be ready in season and out of season – Urgently ready to preach (like Paul in prison)

Reprove - The word is a legal term that means to present your case in such a manner as to convince your opponent of his wrong. 

Rebuke - that of severe, strenuous reproach for unworthy deeds or acts

Exhort with complete patience and teaching – to come along side and encourage

 .3,4 – “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

People will reject hearing the Word!

1. Faithful in Ministry (v.5-8)

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.

 Paul knows that he is dying soon, and he is continually encouraging the children of God to be faithful as He has been faithful. This verse speaks to me as I get older!

 Faithful in Relationships (v.9-16,19-21)

 Timothy; 2) Demas; 3) Crescens; 4) Titus; 5) Luke; 6) Mark; 7) Tychicus

• Carpus; 9) Prisca and Aquila; 10) Household of Onesiphorus; 11) Erastus;

12) Trophimus; 13) Eubulus; 14) Pudens; 15) Linus; 16) Claudia

 Even Alexander, an unbeliever in Ephesus did him great harm. The Lord will repay him!

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

 God Is Always Faithful to Us (v.17-18)

Stood by me – literally place beside with the idea of yielding to the disposal of another

Strengthened me – in simple terms means "to put power in" 

 “Through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it”

Paul obeyed his own commandment; in season and out of season proclaiming the truth of Jesus to men. Prison became a platform for proclamation, an opportunity, not an obstacle! 

 Conclusion

 Be Faithful to God because God has been Faithful to Us