We finish off this week with Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Paul makes this letter more personal by speaking to Timothy about how to maintain his own walk in Christ.
2 Timothy 1: Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,
12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,
17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me---
18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!---and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
2 Timothy 2: A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful---for he cannot deny himself.
A Worker Approved by God
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honourable use, some for dishonourable.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Things to think about…
1. Paul, some would say, can be hard line in his rhetoric, but here displays a tenderness and compassion towards Timothy, his young son in the faith, 2Tim1:1-4. He remembers Timothy with love and tears. Let us all have a holy affection towards each other. Can you honestly say you love the people who attend church with you? I hope so. But if not, something needs to be adjusted from your end. While we are a mixture of people and personalities, a holy love and affection should be part of the heart culture of any church wanting to display the love and grace of Christ.
2. Having said that, Paul does not back away from the truth that Timothy needs to hear. Timothy was timid. Paul says Timothy needs his gift to be fanned into flame, 1 Tim 1:6. Timothy needed to be more bold, 2Tim1:7. While we all have different personalities we still have the one Spirit and we are told this Spirit is One of “power and love and self-control”, vs 7. Timothy needed some encouragement to embrace this truth. Paul goes on to say he has personally gone through a fire with other Christians; he names Phygelus and Hermogenes, vs 15. These men were saying the resurrection had already happened, vs 18. If that were the case that doesn’t leave much hope for those of us still in the current body of decay. These men needed to be rebuked because they were shipwrecking the faith of weaker Christians, vs 19. Sometimes life is tough for the Christian. Paul is saying faithfulness is the important thing and not to be ashamed of the gospel, vs 12. In this regard, it is also important to share our faith including where we study, in the home or the workplace?
3. The soldier, the athlete and the farmer, are given as examples by Paul in relation to how we are to understand our faith-walk in Christ, 2Tim 2:1-6. Paul says we need to be like these examples in one way or another. Praise God that even if we are faithless, He still remains faithful, vs 13.
4. Paul reminds Timothy again not to be involved with silly arguments or discussions that do not lead to edification. Irreverent babble spreads like gangrene, 2Tim 2:17. That’s true. What is at the top of your mind when speaking with other Christians? May it be to stir up one another in love and good works.
5. Remember when we speak to someone about a difficult issue or difference of opinion that it’s the way we challenge others, not that we don’t challenge, 2Tim 2:23-26 that is important. Correct with gentleness. Do you know of anyone in the past that has fallen into the trap Paul speaks of in 2Tim 2:25,26? Sadly, I have seen this many times over the years and the reality is not many come out the other side unscathed.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s message – “Rejoice, come what may” – Habakkuk 3:11-19
a. Does your faith waiver depending what season you are in? In other words, do you feel closer to the Lord than at other times based on your situation or feelings?
b. Habakkuk says the just shall live by faith. Why do you think this verse meant so much to Martin Luther who was a monk in the Catholic Church at the time?
c. The just shall live by faith is found 3 more times in the NT. Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38. Why does the Apostle Paul and the writer to the Hebrews echo this verse. What is its significance to us?
d. Jesus promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory, as we all said together on Sunday. How have you seen this to be true for you? Surely it will be true even to our earthly passing.
Prayer Points
1. Pray the CBC reaches our into our community and we see many coming to Christ and added to the church. Please come along to the Palm Sunday outreach.
2. Continue to pray for the earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria – over 50 000 dead. Have mercy Lord Jesus! The leadership will be discussing our involvement through Baptist World Aid.
3. That our Kids@Church and Chuwar Youth group grow beyond anyone’s expectations.
4. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod for Friday’s. Pray as he meets with youth at Westside, Ipswich and Bundamba high schools.
5. How you can serve in ministry this year.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful time getting things done at the working bee on Saturday. Thankyou everyone!
2. More visitors on Sunday – pray they are integrated into the church
3. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Chuwar Youth Friday nights – 6:30-8:30pm. Grades 7 to 12. Chat to the Youth Pastor Jarrod for more details 0478 845 123.
2. Palm Sunday outreach on the 2nd April. Potjie and food, rises and fun for the kids.
3. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 7. In how many persons does this one God exist? A. In three persons.
