God Rewards His Children

Precious Rewards

2 Timothy 4

As we close out the 2 Books of Timothy, next week will begin with a few lessons in the Book of Titus.

We should not forget this second book written in the name of Timothy were the last written words of the Apostle Paul.

It was written from Rome as Paul was arrested the second time by Nero, for preaching the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

This time Paul was sentenced to death by beheading, and again Paul was content that his life would soon be coming to an end and he would be going home to be with the Lord!

The truth is, we live in a world that is bombarded with messages of hope, yet all we can see is a world that is becoming more and more corrupt because our world offers no hope for true life.

My hope is that we could see one more worldwide revival and thousands or even billions would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ on a personal level that begins with love and remains as love because we have such a great love letter from our Savior!

The message of the Word of God is so simple that many do not understand the simplicity of salvation, but one thing must happen. The Holy Spirit must convict us of our sin!

The only lasting hope for all mankind is a personal relationship with Jehovah God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great "I AM" of the Scriptures.

The Word of God is so important that the Lord called special men and then equipped them to preach the "Gospel Message" of the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead "at his appearing" and "his kingdom";

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

What is the work of that Preacher who is called of God? Number one He is to preach.

I think it would be good to mention that in all the pastoral epistles we find nowhere in the Scriptures where any female is authorized to preach the Word of God and the Word of God gives no indication that any woman should become the Pastor of any of the sheep of God who is the Good Shepherd of all His sheep!

In fact, it takes only one Scripture to prove my point!

1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

What we know is that Timothy was a single man called to be Pastor in the Church at Ephesus.

For a married man called of God, he must meet the qualifications set down in what we call the pastoral Epistles, the 2 Books of Timothy and Titus, after first becoming a "Born Again" child of God.

In this one passage we see that the husband must be blameless and have only one wife and could even mean one wife at a time, but this one passage eliminates the woman who could never be the husband of one wife. If it turned out to be a couple in the LBGT movement then it cannot be any part of the church!

So, God commands that those men He has personally chosen, are to preach the Word of God.

How many false men behind the pulpits of America and even this world have rejected the Word of God and preached every version but the truth of God?

A Preacher, whether you say Pastor, Bishop, or any other name is to Preach the Word of God and this means every passage in the Bible, all 31,173 verses in the context that they were written, rightly divided.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We saw this Scripture last week and it has not changed, nor will it ever change!

It is a fact that we will be judged for every evil thing we have done since coming to know Savior but without a doubt that Pastor will be judged for every message he has preached all the time he has been called to be a pastor.

God is watching us all but there is much more written about God watching those who deal falsely with the truth of the Word of God!

The most important reason to preach the pure truth of God is the fact that we will all be judged by the same Word of God that is be preached.

I personally trust the King James Version Bible because it is an English translation from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. I also realize that King James himself was an evil man who I never hear of changing. The King James Bible has nothing to do with King James except to say that he may have paid to have this work done and even then, not having the right intentions. As God does, He makes good things come from bad intentions!

I would stay away from any other English translation and those who use any of the other languages should gauge their own translation by those same Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.

Every work of the Christian must be good enough, not to satisfy men, but to satisfy Jesus Christ (Christlike)!

We must clearly understand that if the Lord gave such a command to "Preach" then He is certainly not trying to hide anything from us and He will greatly judge all those who do try to hide the truth of God from us.

In fact, the truth of God simply cannot be hidden from those who are seeking the truth but easily hidden from those who will sit and listen to anything from every "so-called" man of God!

No one is perfect and myself far from that, but we are all to search the Scriptures, so we will know the truth when we hear it and it is not that hard because God will never hide the truth from us!

The man has never lived who can outsmart God!

Psa_2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psa_59:8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

The one thing that stands out in this passage is the fact that The Lord says to preach the Word of God and does not mean to preach any other matter to those who are listening! This is a sharp command to preach.

This is to take the Word of God and make sense of the Word so all those listening can understand, with the vigor to make sure they hear what God has to say!

This is so the Holy Spirit can do His work of conviction!

There are many Preachers and Pastors who have no problem with the preaching of God's Word. Where many fail they do not exhort those who are hearing to take the Word of God in to their hearts and apply it to their daily life.

God has already proved that He is longsuffering and even says so and all those who receive the Word of God into their hearts can be gloriously saved but even God has a limit with His longsuffering.

Isa 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

We already know that God does not ever changed His perfect ways and He never will!

Why are all these things so very important? Because of the time we have arrived at today in the Church Age!

*****2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

We should clearly understand that in the day Paul wrote these words to Timothy and the Church, false doctrine was already entering the Church!

The human being is still a basically sinful creature, since the time of Adam and we will use ever method thought of to avoid hearing the truth of our sinfulness. This is the Holy Ghost's first obstacle in convicting us of our sin!

The human being will seek out words that will be suited more to their desires and their fancies!

It is just a fact and even more so, when they only receive partial truths or the Word of God is not drilled into those fancies. Most every one that hears the Word of God that is preached as commanded, will know when they hear the truth and it is then it becomes time to make a decision to accept the truth or reject the truth, but the truth is understood and not many will do so the very first time they truly understand the Word of God.

The Preacher is to also be patient! Salvation is nothing to be toyed with. It is the most important decision any of us will make and it is the right decision!

God will continue to send His Words to individuals until the Holy Spirit says that it is enough! God said my Spirit will not always strive with man!

Church history has already proven that this happened early to the Churches in Asia and Paul even commented upon this same thing.

2Ti 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

These are the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation, but we must also remember that these are also the 7 Ages of the Church nearing its end.

Only one Church the Church of Philadelphia will remain completely faithful to the Lord.

All six of the other churches became apostate in one way or the other with the greatest apostacy of leaving the first love of the church or the foundation which is the Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe this is where we are at in the USA and most of the rest of the world where the church is not still on fire for God! In fact, the USA has become one of the biggest mission fields in the entire world when it was once known as a godly nation!

We must also know that if we are not on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ, then we can also be considered to be an apostate Church!

People turn away from God simply because they have rejected the truth and do not want to hear the truth, not even considering the consequences of such a rebellion against our Holy God!

The Bible is very clear! When you turn away from the foundation of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, then Satan will have a man or even some woman who will teach unto you vain fables to make you feel good about the false church!

They will tell you anything that sounds close to the truth without having any truth in it.

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Gen 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Sinful man simply wants teachers who will allow them to live as they please, without hearing anything about sin or Hell, or even Heaven.

For such people these places will become places that simply do not exist!

We must pray for such people and God still loves them!

But we must not ever be fooled the only way any one can be saved is to surrender to the whole truth of God!

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

We must realize that myths and fables exist in every religion but not in Christianity!

*****2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

When God gives us a ministry then we are to make full proof of that ministry God has given to us!

It is obvious that when we look around we can see many so-called men of God who just do not remain faithful to their ministry!

A true minister of God will suffer more hardships than most because they have a target on their back for those who follow Satan to fire their fiery darts.

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Not every man of God will be traveling preachers because many are chosen to Pastor a church. For any ministry the object must remain to seek to win souls in everything that is done, even in discipleship training, the object is to seek those that the Lord can save.

The Lord Jesus has passed this baton to the church!

Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

We should not forget the circumstances of the Apostle Paul as the Holy Spirit gave him these words.

*****2Ti 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Paul knows his punishment will be death by beheading but his knowledge of going home to be with the Lord far outweighs anything this world could do to him!

The very last act we as Christians must do is give our bodies as a sacrifice back to the Lord, who will then even resurrect that body at the "rapture of thee Church". That saved soul will be in Heaven at the last breath of that body.

When we give our life to the Lord, He will still require the death of that body at a time of His choosing!

To depart from this world and to move into that place prepared for us by the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing we can receive in this world and the beginning of true life!

**Paul said death was no more than a departure from this world and finally going home!

We must remember when we are in the Army of God we must live our life as a faithful soldier. We should clearly understand, God has an all-volunteer Army and we must be committed to the fight!

This world no longer has any real importance to that soldier in God's Army!

In the end we should all be able to say we have fought a good fight. In fact, our rewards will be based on our fight in the army of God!

**Paul said he had remained in his race and he had finished his course, he had completed his race in this life!

We must discipline our lives to the commandments of God and follow the Lord as our example right up till the end!

A true runner will never stop in the middle of a race. This would include taking care of that body that we have been given and following the lead of the Lord.

**Paul had kept the faith!

We must be good stewards of the Word of God. The Lord has given us the ability for our faith to grow. When we are saved we have sworn our allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. Even through all the sufferings of the Apostle Paul, when he could have thrown up his hands and laid his faith aside, but he had claimed that faith and he held onto his faith all the way to Heaven's gates where he was welcomed in the arms of the Lord!

We serve a righteous God who will Himself present a "crown of righteousness" to all those who have followed in the steps of the Apostle Paul!

Think about that for a minute!

The King of all the Ages make a presentation to a dirty rotten sinner like me, and like you, a Crown of Righteousness.

It is only then that we will have been made perfect in the eyes of the Lord!

Now if you are not looking and preparing for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ then you will miss out on such a precious gift that we will all just toss back to the Savior's feet.

How can I be worthy of such a thing? Have I truly finished my course? Have I been a consistent soldier in the army of God? Have I kept the faith as did Paul? Have I been true to the Lord once He saved me? Will I even have a crown to toss to the feet of Jesus?

1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

What did the Lord advise us all to?

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

This is what happens to those who fall into the trap of false preachers and false teachers!

One of the things that Paul wanted and could be fulfilled before his death was to spend just a little more time with this young man Timothy before he went home to be with the Lord.

We can learn many things in these last breathes of the Apostle Paul.

*****2Ti 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

2Ti 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

2Ti 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

We should understand that until we get to Heaven, human companionship is a necessary thing. The most important of those would be our family and our church family who we know we will spend eternity with. Timothy was close to the heart of the Apostle Paul.

We should also understand that though the Christian life is the greatest life while we are upon this earth, but there are certainly times when every believer needs help!

No doubt Demas was believed to a part of Paul's church family but when he realized that he could die because of his beliefs it was too much for him to commit to.

Demas loved this present world more than he loved the Lord Jesus and Paul was hurt by his leaving. It is a terrible thing for someone who has been involved in the ministry of the Lord to give up on the Lord when times get hard. They too just reject the truth!

Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Mat 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

We see these things happening all over our nation today who prefer to be politically correct rather stick to the proven truth!

It should be obvious that worldliness is fatal to God's plan of salvation.

The Lord Jesus said this was a sign of the end of the Church Age!

Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Timothy was the Pastor in Ephesus until He was also murdered by the government and this is no reflection on his preaching, but it is a sign of the Church Age we live in today.

For some unknown reason Titus had to return to his own ministry but we should consider that Dalmatia was also a Roman province and persecution was no doubt an issue here.

This is the only mention of Crescens in all the Scriptures, but tradition says he was one of the seventy disciples of Christ Jesus who was sent to preach and no doubt Crescens also had to return to his ministry in Galatia also a Roman province.

Luk_10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Luk_10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Doctor Luke remained with Paul right up to the end. We should not doubt that Luke was certainly a highly skilled medical missionary!

We also see that Mark was near to Ephesus and Paul needed someone to take over his jail ministry and Mark was a great value to the Lord for such things.

We know from past studies that Tychicus had been sent to deliver these epistles of Paul many times which shows the importance of such men who take the Word of God to places it is not allowed.

We should also understand that the Church has no power when the world is allowed to enter into it!

We cannot be politically correct and obey the Word of God at the same time!

We next see that there are other things that Paul held dear all of his days after he met the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus!

I pray we all remember our day on the Damascus road forever more!

When we lay on death's bed we need to remember what is truly important to us.

*****2Ti 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

No doubt that this Roman prison was a cold dark place and Paul left his heavy coat in Troas. Just so we know when Timothy found Mark and then to Troas it was a 600-mile journey to Rome in a time when walking was the most used transportation.

No doubt that some books were at that available and Paul had some favorites, but these could still be scrolls containing the Word of God which is probably more accurate but at least we know that Paul enjoyed reading!

Those parchments were probably animal skins that had been prepared for writing. These things would outlast paper because they were more durable.

Paul is in prison, he cannot preach nor, can he teach but he could keep his mind active by reading and studying from some books that he had chosen. I'm sure the Scriptures were among them!

Paul's life as a Christian missionary had certainly been harsh at times!

*****2Ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

2Ti 4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Since not much is known about this Alexander, then must just accept what Paul is saying. We can also understand that Timothy all knew of this person.

It is believed that this is the same Alexander of Ephesus who was a leader in a certain union of metal workers making idols to the false goddess Diana.

Diana was a goddess in Roman mythology and the Greeks called her Artimus. In Ephesus was the Temple of Diana, once listed as one of the seven wonders of this world.

This Alexander was a Jew and the Jews had developed an extreme hatred for the Apostle Paul.

We still see that answer lies in the fact that when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, anything we place over our Lord then becomes our god.

We should be able to see that money was the god of Alexander and not Diana nor the Lord Jesus Christ and he was truly an evil man!

There is a real possibility that this same Alexander testified against the Apostle Paul at his first answer, as he puts it!

It seems that today, even more Christians are turning against other Christians effectively killing the Holy Ghost Power in the Church.

*****2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

2Ti 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Here again we see another instance where Paul followed in the ways of Jesus Christ as he asks God the Father to forgive all those who had forsaken him.

We can also see that Paul would stand before Nero one more time. We may all stand before our own government one day just because we know the truth and accept the truth of God. We will never stand alone for though the whole world abandoned us, the Lord Jesus Christ will never leave our side the whole time.

We should not miss a very important point here. The Lord Jesus Christ was abandoned by all those who followed Him and was delivered by God the Father, The Lord Jesus Christ will deliver all those who call upon His name.

Paul knew He was going to his death, but he wanted every Christian to realize he would be delivered out of the mouth of the lion, that "roaring lion" Satan himself because, Satan holds no power over our death, because our life lies in the hands of our Holy God!

As long as our "faith" lies in work of the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, our life is held securely in the hand of God!

The Lord informed Paul that because he had remained faithful to the "gospel"; and the Holy Spirit had been the mind behind all the Epistles of Paul, that every Gentile would at some time, hear and understand the lifesaving Word of God, "The Truth" of life!

Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

Php 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

What is true deliverance?

*****2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

If we could all just hold to the truth of this Scripture, all our worries in this world would vanish and stay away!

We as Christians have been delivered from a Devil's Hell. It is in the past, we have already been delivered! We have been preserved to live out eternity wherever the Lord our God abides in His Heavenly Kingdom!

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

At the death of our body, in one moment of time, "the twinkling of an eye", our life in this world will cease and our life will begin wherever God is at!

Some say a twinkling is 11/100's of a second. This means it will be very quick!

One moment we are a citizen of this world and the next moment we will be at our new home in Heaven!

We will never have the taste of death in our mouths!

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

While we remain in this body, we should remember everyone who have made a difference in our lives!

*****2Ti 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

2Ti 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

2Ti 4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

2Ti 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen

We should also remember that these are the very last words of the Apostle Paul.

Paul would always send greetings from those who were with him and also to those he was writing to.

If there was ever a woman who could take on the role as Pastor, it would be Priscilla, but she remained with her husband Aquila and they both helped Paul in any way that they could.

They had been driven from Rome by the Emperor Claudius and had met Paul in Corinth and they made friends quickly because they were all tent makers.

They accompanied Paul to Ephesus, later again they went back to Rome where they allowed their house to be a church, where God's people could assemble.

Again, they were run out of Rome and it seems they settled in Ephesus.

No doubt these two Christians were a great help to Timothy. Priscilla was a great example of the godly wife and would work tirelessly in the church at Ephesus.

Onesiphorus was a Christian from Ephesus who had shown a great kindness to Paul while he was in that Roman jail. No doubt that this entire family had been a precious family to the Apostle Paul.

Erastus was also a companion of Paul at Ephesus who had been sent with Timothy to Macedonia while Paul traveled in Asia. He was a native of Corinth.

Trophimus had traveled with Paul on his 3rd missionary journey. He was with Paul in Jerusalem. He was that Gentile Paul was accused of taking into the Temple which meant the Temple was made unclean until a ceremony of cleanness could be performed.

It seems that Trophimus was too sick to travel to Rome to assist the Apostle Paul in his own last days.

It was difficult for ships to travel the Mediterranean Sea in the winter months and Paul wanted to see Timothy before this time and he certainly wanted that cloak.

Eubulus was another Christ who had helped Paul while he was in that Roman dungeon.

Pudens was a friend of Timothy's who after the death of Paul was also murdered by Nero.

Linus is said to have become the Pastor of the Church in Rome after Peter had been murdered.

It is believed that this Claudia was the wife of Pudens and both of them may have come from royal families, she being from Britain.

When Paul said all the brethren then he was referring to all those of the Church that day and today!

All brethren have the same Father, God the Father, and are brothers and sisters to the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ and filed with God the Holy Spirit!

Without wearing the seal of God, you cannot be in this family!

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Paul loved all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior!

Amen!

Let's Pray!

The Precious Promises of the Lord

Precious Promises

Book of 2 Timothy 2

Again, we are learning ourselves as we study this letter written to Timothy that would also be preached to all the New Testament Church establish by the Lord Jesus Christ, the foundation of all Christianity.

We should know by now that the Church is to be a mirror of God's "Grace" and Oh how we fail as a whole!

"Grace" is the undeserved favor of God, but every gift is useless unless it is received in the "Grace" in which God gave it!

*****2Ti 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

God's "Grace", that can come only by the Lord Jesus Christ, is the free gift that God offers to every human being!

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

It is by God's "Grace" through, the Lord Jesus Christ, that we will be able to live with God in Heaven!

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

So, without the "Grace of God" that comes by Jesus Christ, no one can know what salvation is all about!

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Even when we were already dead in sins, God our Father, "and He is our Father", sent His Only Son to pay that debt we could never have paid in order to know and receive His salvation plan.

Paul, by the Holy Spirit, says we must be strong in "Grace", but not just any "Grace", the "Grace" that comes by Jesus Christ!

It is only by this "Grace" that we can be of any use to God!

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and 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.

It is only by the "Grace" of God that we may receive any gift of God!

We must be strong in the "Grace" of God!

Our Spiritual strength comes by the source of all God's Strength, which comes by our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot know the "Grace" of God!

We should understand that at the time of this letter to Timothy, Paul was on death row in a Roman prison for preaching the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

Probably all the remaining apostles except the Apostle John had already been murdered and John was being sought after.

Paul's race was almost over, and He was passing the baton over to this young man Timothy, who was still on fire for God.

All the things Paul preached, Timothy was to teach!

All the letters Paul had written by the Holy Spirit, Timothy was to preach!

All the Old Testament that was passed down by the Jews, Timothy was to preach!

Timothy was not like Paul in his young body, but Timothy was to be like Paul in his preaching and in his life style.

This was not preacher worship, this was the making a true disciple!

This is the same thing each and every church is called to do today, make disciples who would preach the "apostles doctrine" given to them by the words of Jesus and the Holy Ghost.

The key to be a true Christian, is to endure as a good soldier in the army of God!

*****2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

We already know, we as the army of God are to dress properly by wearing the armor of God that was not prepared for those who turn their backs on God.

1) God's armor was all made for defense, because we are to defend the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

2) God's armor was made for us to go on offense with all the Word of God, which can only lead to the Knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Again, this armor has no protection for the rear!

Each Christian believer is to be a strong soldier for Christ!

Every soldier for Christ must be prepared to go to war!

There are many soldiers who love to dress up in parade uniforms and march to the delight of spectators, but these are not allowed in the army of God.

I can tell you from experience that war is a dirty nasty business that requires hardship and a true soldier of God will understand this before the battle begins.

The only way to avoid being a casualty in this war, is to not get entangled with the affairs of this life!

Just for all those who have seen all those old movies, the Roman soldier was not allowed to have a wife. (Maybe why rape was a regular event)

The Roman soldier was not allowed to be involved in any business or trade for profit, and they were not allowed to teach their skills to others, they were dedicated to only one thing and, that was the obedience to the commands of their superiors!

Their call was probably "rape, pillage, and burn" as it is in with most armies on the battle front!

Understanding these things, we can better understand some of the things Paul said by the Holy Spirit.

1Co 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

1Co 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Paul was seeking for all those who would be on fire for God and to commit and devote themselves to the furthering of the "Gospel"!

We must understand, no matter who we are, we will suffer some persecution at the hands of Satan, just as Preacher Sam has been preaching on the Tempter.

We are never to duck and run, because we are to stand our ground.

If we give up one inch of ground to Satan, then he has some wiggle room to start his business of ruining your testimony for the Lord Jesus.

*****2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

If we have any knowledge of the recent Olympic Games, we know that the doping of athletes was real a big story.

These athletes did not strive lawfully in their sport and were disqualified, they were not crowned the victor, nor could they compete!

What did the Lord say?

Joh_8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Luk_9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

We must continue in the Word of God that we now have, and deny the things of this world, to be in the family of God!

The Olympic athlete must dedicate his life and all he has in him, to have an opportunity to be crowned.

It is no different for the Christian who obeys the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must deny our self and commit ourselves to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Being a Christian is a 24/7 obligation!

The appointed discipline, is Prayer.

The appointed diet, is "all" the Word of God and Fasting.

The appointed person, will be a child of God by Jesus Christ.

The appointed rule book, will have been written by the Holy Ghost.

To be a Christian, we must follow the Lord Jesus Christ! This is what gets the attention of an evil world!

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Paul has taught us as a teacher.

Paul has taught us as a soldier.

Paul has taught us as an athlete.

Paul will also teach us as the farmer.

*****2Ti 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

For the farmer to partake of his own fruit, he must do much more than just cast some seed to the ground.

He must labor diligently, to clear the land and prepare the soil!

The farmer must be diligent in knowing the proper season to plant!

The farmer must be diligent to work his crop as it grows!

It is the diligent farmer who will reap a reward in the season of harvest!

It is the diligent Christian who will reap the greater reward at the "judgment seat of Christ"!

It is the diligent Christian who will be first rewarded at the "judgment seat of Christ"!

Very few people have the faith of the farmer who plants believing that God will provide the Sun and the Rain in the proper amounts!

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We must consider all these words of Paul by the Holy Spirit!

*****2Ti 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

It is certain that the Bible was not given to those who have not invited the Lord Jesus to come into their hearts and their lives.

Without the Holy Spirit who moves in, at the moment of salvation, we could never understand what God is teaching us. The Bible was written for Christians who were then to take that message to the world. For most of us, this is our own community and our own workplace.

1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

It would not be going against this Scripture, to understand that if the lost read the Bible they can get saved because there is much power in the Word of God. The Word of God is convicting, when it is believed!

It would not be going against these words to realize that the Holy Spirit will always be working in an area, ahead of time before God sends a missionary into that area.

It is the same for that person that God lays on your heart to go visit or to pray for.

God is working in this world whether we are working or not!

The truth is, that we cannot have the mind of Christ until we are filled with the Spirit of Christ!

Rom_8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

We certainly must meditate on all these things before our mind and our heart will be pure enough to lead some lost soul to the Lord!

But we do not have to be Bible Scholars!

What does Jesus ask His disciples?

Mat 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

We must meditate on all these things and after this we must remember them and must understand that the Word of God cannot be bound!

*****2Ti 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

2Ti 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

If the Lord Jesus Christ had not been of the seed of David, then He could not have been the Messiah, and Christianity would be just another false religion.

If the Lord Jesus Christ had not raised from the dead, then we would be claiming a false religion and we would all still die in our sins!

God has given us the means to know the truth and once we have heard the truth, it is time to make a choice to believe the truth of God or to reject the truth of God.

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

This world just cannot get around the truth of God and makes many of them so mad it becomes hate!

The Lord Jesus Christ became a man, not giving up His Deity, to pay our sin debt, that we had no means to pay!

The Lord Jesus Christ became a man, not giving up His deity, to personally know exactly what we face in life!

The truth is, there is only One, who has ever been raised from the dead, to never die again and it is the Lord Jesus Christ.

People can say what they will and deny Our Lord, but no one can deny that the entire world changed when our Savior rose from the dead!

The Lord Jesus offers every person who is alive on this earth an opportunity to know the truth!

For those that say the Bible is just some old book do not realize it, but the Scriptures were written for the days we are living in right now!

*****2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul was encouraged because he knew that the Word of God cannot be bound, and it is this same Word of God that will judge all those who have, by their own choice, ended up in Hell.

We to should be able to endure all things because we have a much better life ahead of us.

All those who have elected to believe the truth of the Scriptures can be encourage knowing that salvation can come only by the truth of God and it is this message that we have been assigned to take to the world.

Psa_66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

We must be willing to pay any price for the "Gospel" go forward and lost souls be saved, no matter who they are!

Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The Word of God makes a promise of eternal glory, but the Word of God also makes a promise of eternal judgment!

Paul had only one reason and it was to give his life's work for the church of the Living God. The same church he at one time had fought so hard to destroy

It should be the same for each of us.

Paul does not say any other Christian should suffer as he did, in fact there will not be one Christian who will suffer more than Paul suffered to get the Gospel out to this world.

*****2Ti 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

In another passage we are told to mortify our flesh. We must treat our flesh as being already dead and live through our soul, already redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and made alive through the Holy Spirit!

In other words, we must be dead to sin and ready to die for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Death has no dominion over the child of God! When our flesh comes to that appointed death, we will be more alive than we can even comprehend!

If we deny the Lord Jesus Christ just to escape suffering for Him, when we die we will be more dead in torment than we could ever comprehend!

We should remember what Paul had just written, we must endure some the suffering that Jesus suffered!

For the biggest part most of us will suffer mentally!

We must not ever deny the Lord and choose that murderer, Satan! This is what the Jews did when they chose Barabbas.

Act 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Act 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

When we choose the Lord Jesus we have chosen life!

When we suffer with Him we will also reign with Him!

Even though the most of this world denies the Lord Jesus Christ it does not make them right, it only makes them to be fools.

Though they believe not, nothing can hinder God from keeping the promises that He has made.

It is impossible for the Word of God to fail!

Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

When we cannot accept the basics of our Savior, who gave all that He could, then how do we suppose that God is not God!

God means what He says (every word) and God says what He means (every word)!

The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin of unbelief!

We live in a nation that can only blame God when bad things happen, so how can they deny Him yet blame Him!

How can people deny the God that they reject? This makes them all to be liars!

God is faithful to keep His words of salvation and God will just as faithful to keep His words of damnation! Yes, world there is a Hell!

We need to remember all these things as we meditate on the truth of God!

*****2Ti 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We are never to debate the Word of God with those who reject the Word of God!

We are to present the Word and they must make that choice to believe or that choice to reject which will lead to eternal death!

There are certainly those who choose to debate, and they have the knowledge to do so but, I am not sure even this is Biblical.

We must be aware that those who have rejected the Word of God are waiting on us to make a mistake with our words, but the Word of God is always perfect in every situation.

The Lord said "Preach"! The word "preach" is used 47 times in the New Testament.

What was the message of Jesus?

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The Kingdom of Heaven has never been closer than it is today!

This same message is to be preach today, along with all the Words of God!

It seems that message of "repent" is also forgotten today!

That one who is saved cannot continue in sin and please the Lord!

The Christian has already been approved to one day walk the streets of Gold, but if we study the Word of God and rightly divide the Word of God, seeing those God spoke to the Jews from those God spoke to the Christians and God spoke to those who reject His words, then we can be approved again by Him.

The Word of God has already been approved in Heaven and when we rightly divide the Word of God, then those words will also be approved in Heaven.

We can be sure the Holy Ghost is involved in this process according to the words we use! God's Word is already perfect!

We must never allow anyone to twist the Word of God into to something will make that babe in Christ stumble!

We must understand that we are fools if we do not seek the approval of God.

To avoid being a fool then we must be like that worker who is working for the Lord who works just as hard studying the Word of God!

We can tell from this one passage that God will not be pleased with those who twist the Word of God into a lie!

Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

We must understand that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Living Bread of Life and like Jeremiah we need to eat the Word of God!

Joh_6:48 I am that bread of life.

Joh_6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

This is not being a cannibal, this is hard study, and much meditation, and much prayer until the Holy Ghost will teach us what these things mean.

We can study and read and meditate but if we do not apply these things to our lives, we have wasted our time and God's time!

We must also stay away from those who would deny the Lord!

*****2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Those that are profane, are all ungodly people!

Babblings is just foolish talk and those who twist the Word of God into a lie are certainly profane babblers who speak nothingness!

In the day of Paul many of these were Jews but they were just as mixed up and profane about their own beliefs!

These things are just as important today because we are living in the completition of the remaining prophesies!

Satan is busier now than he ever has been, knowing his time grows shorter.

Hymenaeus and Philetus were just two of those who twisted the Word of God into an early form of Gnosticism.

These two made the resurrection to be spiritual rather than physical as God says it will be!

These two like Judas and a few others have their name written the Word of God as sinners who rejected the truth of the Scriptures!

The resurrection of Jesus Has taken place but the rapture and resurrection of all those sleeping in Jesus, has not taken place but may be next on God's agenda.

We would be wise to escape when we hear those disputing of God's Word, just to be near them can affect out testimony for the Lord.

Ungodly talk is like a cancer that spreads and then kills, having no shame in speaking against a Holy God!

The thing we need to remember as Christians is that the foundation of God stands sure have His seal. God has already placed His "seal" upon every true Christian!

If we study the Word of God, then we will know when we hear a lie.

If it comes from a teacher, then we need to educate that teacher.

If it comes from a Preacher, then we need to avoid his teaching.

Both should be presented to the Church in hope of repentance.

We must understand that with the Power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us, we as Christians are now the guardians of the Word of God!

Another truth is, God knows all His children which means that God also knows all those who reject Him!

*****2Ti 2:19 "Nevertheless" the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

The Church that Christ Jesus built will stand until it is removed by the Lord. No one can change this fact!

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The world just does not understand that all those ornate buildings are just that, buildings where the true church, each individual child of God gather together to worship our Savior.

All God's children proudly wear the seal of the Holy Spirit and He knows us because He lives within us!

To all those that would destroy the House of God, God does not know them at all, but God still loves them!

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

There are no false confessions, there are no hypocrites, there is no one who can fool God! God knows all His children on a personal basis and calls out their name regularly!

It is only those who depart from iniquity that have called out to the Lord.

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

All those who understand these things and obey are the true children of God and a Temple where He dwells!

*****2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

For all those who refer to a building, God knows there will always be some vessels of wood and earth, and some to dishonor!

God knows all those that honor Him, but He also knows all those who dishonor Him.

1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

To the world that vessel of gold and that vessel of wood may look the same but that one of wood will be friendlier to the world.

It is the same with that vessel of silver and that made of the earth. They may resemble each other but that made of earth will be most friendly to those of the world.

The truth is God will separate the vessels that are true from those who are false on the day God calls out His church.

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Mat_13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Mat_13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

In most cases that vessel of honor will know that vessel of dishonor and he will avoid partaking of his sin and have no fellowship with him!

It is the intent of those vessels of dishonor to ruin the testimony of those vessels of honor!

If we are observant we can spot those that are set apart by God the Father but remember the parable, if we try to remove these vessels ourselves then it could cause problems in the church but if they stay, they will hear the truth of God and may still become a vessel of honor before the Lord returns when He will remove all those vessels of dishonor!

In most cases we will be able to tell them by their works!

We must not forget Timothy was in Ephesus to root out all those who taught a false gospel!

It is the same for everybody of believers, Satan will sneak in and plant some tares, vessels of dishonor!

It is all those who are righteous (doing things the right way) by the Word of God who we are to follow!

*****2Ti 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2Ti 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

If we survived our days as teenagers, we know exactly what the Lord is saying when He says flee youthful lust!

This is what our youth must do today!

This is what all those who are addicted to anything must do today. They must flee youthful lust!

Peter said it is lust that will war with the soul!

1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Timothy was no longer a teenager, but he was still a young man who had followed the Lord all through his teenage days. This is one of the greatest problems our young people face today.

They are raised in the church or they have come to know the Lord while in the church and once they must go out into the world, the world will try its best to alter the lifestyle of these young people if they do not remain true to God.

That word lust means "passionate desires".

It is normal for us to have these desires as men and women, Gods made us this way. It is when we use these things to hurt or damage others they become sin.

We must put these things aside until either commit to God and then to a marriage or we commit to God and remain single and sin free by fleeing from these youthful lusts.

Know that these youthful lusts can also mean peer pressure and the desire to be recognized and accepted by those of your own age. We as Christians must flee from all such desires that lead to sin!

There are many other lust or cravings that reach out to our young people and we must teach them to be on guard and to flee from all these things.

That phrase "say no to" originated in the Word of God and it is the Lord our God who said it first!

Remember there are many whose lust and cravings become addictions which are truly harmful and lead to a living death!

It is in the church where these who become addicted to their youthful lust can find righteousness, faith, charity, peace with all them that call upon the Lord with a pure heart.

*****2Ti 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We must always remember that a false teacher will intentionally bring forth foolish and unlearned questions to cause discussion rather than get trapped in their ignorance of the Scriptures.

They will do the very best they can to divide the church.

God's answer to these things is to remain that good servant of the Lord and refuse to get caught up in strife but be gentle, apt to teach, patient, in meekness opposing those who oppose themselves.

We can believe that Timothy had much more knowledge in the Scriptures than the average preacher of that day and it would only harm his message to argue with those false teachers who would use these things against him.

What is a fact of our school systems of today there is so much useless learning, that is pointless, "stupid as well as foolish" that in the end makes those students ignorant rather than educated especially in the schools of so-called higher learning.

It is the same in the church when a false teacher gives his message. It makes those sitting in the pews more confused than they were to begin with which is the goal of Satan!

We are never to argue with those who confuse the Word of God!

We must allow the truth of the Word of God to do what God intends for it to do!

If those who are confused would just listen to what God has to say, it could change their life forever.

Mic 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

In fact, all God wants us all to do is to tell His story to all that are in the world, so they too would have a chance to say yes or no!

The next thing is for those who believe to become disciples who go out to tell the truth about Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer!

Most of those who are lost do not even realize that they are caught up in a trap of Satan, the Devil.

Satan never does things in his own name because he would be rejected!

Satan can even lay a trap in the Scriptures which is why the Lord says to rightly divide all the Scriptures.

Satan knows the weakness of every Christian, because he does not have to worry about those who follow him until they are approached by one of God's children!

Timothy must clearly understand all these things, just as we are, or the Holy Spirit would not have mentioned these things to us!

Amen

Let's Pray