Preach the Word! We finish off 2Timothy today. Paul tells his young reader Timothy to tell others about God’s word and the consequences of what happens when people fail to follow it.
2 Timothy 3: Godlessness in the Last Days
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra---which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work
2 Timothy 4: Preach the Word
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
3 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,
4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 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.
Personal Instructions
9 Do your best to come to me soon.
10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defence no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!
17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.
21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Things to think about…
1. When I read 2Tim 3:1-7 I think of the society we live in right now. Things have changed even over the last 30 years. Kids are overtly disobedient to parents, people are without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless - you only have to look at the amount of road rage, domestic violence and abuse that goes on in our day, even in the ‘Christian West’. “Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”, how true is that! Sadly many of these traits enter the church and the spirit of the world kills off the desire for the Spirit of the gospel.
2. Do you know that Jannes and Jambres mentioned in vs 8 are not mentioned in Exodus in the incident Paul is talking about regarding Moses. At some point there was information about who these guys that has since been lost. Some say they were the Egyptian magicians that came against Moses. When I was in Israel in 2017 I had heard of a version of Jewish writings that actually has a commentary on these 2 men. Who knows whether their account is true. But we cannot add to the scriptures which says nothing more of them. Their example spoken of here by Paul is enough to say these were men who sought after their own desires rather than obeying God’s voice through Moses.
3. Paul reminds Timothy of his upbringing. He asks him to remember the scriptures, they saved him and how they can save others, 2Tim 3:16,17. Looking at these verses, how have the scriptures saved you? Are they still doing so in your life? Note that the scriptures should have influence over every aspect of the believer’s life to be “equipped for every good work”.
4. 2Tim 4:1-8 is the primary calling for anyone who is in a preaching/teaching ministry. Look at this list. Is your pastor preaching like this or not? Pray for him and encourage him to open his heart as he opens God’s word to speak it out with love, grace and truth. Pray for our church and pastors in general that we all get this nailed into our ministries. The ‘itching ears’ syndrome is a killer and a very powerful spirit in our age.
5. Paul is really feeling the cost of a faithful ministry. Have a look at 2Tim 4:9-18. He has been forsaken by everyone except Luke, the dear old doctor. But praise God Paul had been reconciled with Mark, clearly Mark held no grudge towards Paul and like has cousin Barnabas, Mark was a great encouragement to the Apostle. Look at what Paul wants aside from a warm coat, 2Tim 4:13 – he wants to study the scriptures. This man would likely have known much of the OT by heart. A rebuke for me that’s for sure. If you are in a prison – whatever it may look like, it is an ideal time to be alone with God and His word.
6. We know Paul had the gift of healing, even healing raising from the dead, Acts 20:7-12. Why did he leave poor Trophimus ill at Miletus, 2Tim 4:20? God’s will is not ours at every point. Even though Paul had the gift of healing, as was evident with Eutychus, he was unable to heal Trophimus whom he no doubt prayed for. There is a purpose in suffering. But even through trial, Christ is still our Healer – Hallelujah!
7. One of the hardest parts to read in Paul’s letters is at the end of Timothy where beloved brothers had departed from Paul, 2Tim 4:9-18. There is no doubt he was a forceful personality, but leaving someone who has been faithful to Christ their whole life only to drop them when they need a word of comfort or encouragement is a denial of Christ’s character who gave Himself to those he loved. He said He would never leave or forsake us, we should do the same in the body of Christ. Thankfully many stayed, vs 21 and Timothy was on his way.
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.
