Strength In Adversity

Temple Baptist Church - 9-22-2013

 

2 Timothy 2:1

 

Introduction:

A. By interpretation, in these "Pastoral Epistles," the Apostle Paul is preparing young pastor of the important work of the ministry. By application, every one of us can profit from these verses as we remain faithful in these last, perilous days before the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ!

B. We have spent a long time in chapter one laying the groundwork of chapter 2, verse 1.

1. "Thou" is personal. I wish that every believer had a desire to "shine" as lights in a dark time and place but, to be perfectly honest, too many are too earthly minded to be of any heavenly good. For the most part, they are Laodicean to the hilt.

a) The word "Laodicea" means "the rights of the people." When we get saved, we forfeit our rights! We have been bought with a price and are to glorify God is all that we do.

b) 1 Corinthians 6:20    For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

c) 1 Corinthians 10:31    Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

2. "Therefore" ties this verse to the preceding ones in chapter 1. When you see a "wherefore" or a "therefore," go back and see what they are there for. Chapter divisions are not necessarily the end of thoughts. In our verse for tonight, we find a reason for the context.

C. In Ephesians 6, Paul dealt with the Christian Warfare and the spiritual armor provided. He prefaced the armor with this statement: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand!"

1. "Withstand" carries the though of "taking a punch." The Bible says that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. In another verse, Paul mentioned suffering as a Christian. When we live our lives for Christ, we will suffer persecution or "take a punch."

2. "And having done all, to stand" is a strong phrase. When we have done all we can, there is no biblical place to go so the order is to stand! We not only do not know what to do, we cannot do anything. We have done all that we can so we cannot move forward, we cannot compromise by leaning to the left or right, and we certainly have no right to retreat. Now, we get back to our verse as Paul told young Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

D. Two things that need to be noted:

1. Where our strength is not found. Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Proverbs 24:10    If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

2. Where our strength is found. 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (Strong in God's grace, not personal strength.)

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

E. The preceding chapter laid out several areas where we are to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

1. Strong in Assurance - 2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2. Strong in Afflictions - 2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

3. Strong in Allegiance - 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

4. Strong in Adherence - 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

5. Strong in Affiliation - 2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;