You have heard the adage, “You can kill the messenger, but you cannot kill the message.” The truth of 2 Timothy 2:8-13 says something similar: You can imprison and bound the messenger but you cannot bound the message. In this passage, the Apostle Paul shares he is suffering. His context is he in chains, bound in prison for preaching the gospel. And how does he describe the gospel? He describes it as a call to remember Jesus Christ, His person and work. He is the Son of David who came to live the sinless life, die a sacrificial death, and rise from the dead. The command Paul gives here reminds us even today that nothing can stop the Word of God. What is clear from the message of the gospel in the Word of God is its power and promise. Because of the gospel’s power, we can endure in sharing the gospel in the face of suffering. We endure because we know the gospel saves those who trust in Christ through repentance of sin and faith in His person and work. We can be sure of this gospel because it is based on the promises of God. The Apostle Paul gives believers promises to encourage them to endure (with a warning too):

-“salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (v. 10)

-“if we have died with him, we will also live with him” (v. 11)

-“if we endure, we will also reign with him” (v. 12a)

-“if we deny him, he will also deny us” (v. 12b)

-“if we are faithless, he remains faithful” (v. 13)

What encouragement is it that when we are faithless at times to trust these promises, God is still faithful to His promises! A faithful God with an unbound Word.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the power of the gospel encourage you do endure in sharing the gospel?
2. Which promise listed in verses 10-13 do you find most encouraging right now?

My wife and I were recently watching a movie which was a sequel. One of the comments we made as we were observing the scenes was how we were resonating more with the older people in the movie. The group we may have once considered the coming generation was now a group of people that were training the next generation in their field. As we continued to watch the movie, I was reminded how that is the call of the Christian life, and in particular, for Christian leaders. The idea is not to do it yourself but to pass the baton. That is what the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 2 when he says, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 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” (verses 1-2). From the outset, it is clear the only way any of this can happen is through the strength that comes from the grace in Christ Jesus. Just like Timothy, we need to be empowered by the grace that gives us the strength to live and lead in a God-honoring way. When we do, then we see Christian leadership is not about platforming but about passing the baton onto others. Within verse 2 there are four generations of Christian leadership, from Paul to Timothy, then from Timothy to faithful men, and finally from faithful men who will teach others. What is to be entrusted to these faithful men who will teach others also? Most certainly, the Scriptures. Yet, to be more specific, we find directives in verses 3-7. What the Apostle Paul has taught and Timothy has been entrusted with is the call to share in suffering. This is not merely for suffering’s sake but to recognize who we are. We are good soldiers of Christ Jesus. With that in mind, we do not get involved in worldly pursuits that take us away from what God has called us to do, but to make it our aim to please Him in all we do. This means living according to God’s Word just as “an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (verse 5). We have God’s Word that reveals to us how to fight the good fight and how to run the race faithfully. When we not only hear God’s Word but heed it as well, we will see the fruit that has been borne (verse 6). The things the Apostle Paul has said to Timothy are words we need to hear and need to understand. We need the Lord for it!

Reflection Questions:

1. How can live and lead in such a way where you are living out what 2 Timothy 2:1-7 is calling us to do?
2. Which word picture (soldier, athlete, farmer) resonates with you the most? Why?

by: Steve Sering

During WWII, a young conscientious objector named Desmond Doss displayed great heroism. Refusing to carry a gun, he was bullied by his fellow soldiers and commanding officer. He stayed true to his convictions, being a follower of God and the Bible and sought to be an Army medic. Two strikes were against him as a man of faith: He refused to fight on the sabbath and would not carry a gun. When time for battle came Desmond answered the call to tend to his wounded comrades. During the battle of Hacksaw Ridge, where many of his comrades were left for dead, Desmond sprung to action, saving nearly 75 lives on May 5^th, 1945. Putting himself and grave danger, he tended to the wounded soldiers on incredibly dangerous terrain. He got so close to enemy lines that he could hear Japanese soldiers whispering. Compelled by a strong faith, Doss even saved the life of his commanding officer (https://desmonddoss.com/bio/bio-real.php).

The Apostle Paul went behind enemy lines and ushered in the rapid expanse of Christianity during the first century AD. He had many helping him including Timothy and Titus. 2 Timothy was his final letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. Suffer well for the gospel. Spend your life serving your commanding officer, King Jesus. Give your life for the church. These lessons he passed down to his son in the faith. Just as Desmond Doss did, and more importantly, the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul poured out his life for the sake of others. In the verses under consideration today, Paul instructed various workers of the gospel. He sought to bless them for their efforts to propel the gospel across the Roman empire. Every commanding officer needs an army. The Apostle Paul’s included young pastors Timothy and Titus. These men refreshed him in his work, now coming to the finish line. 

Approaching the finish line has a way of refocusing the saint. For Paul, the return of Christ and the prospect of heaven were like a lighthouse in the waves of persecution. He needed hope to finish well. Tradition holds that he was beheaded for his faith shortly after penning this letter. May we emulate his bold faith. May we refresh the church and admonish its leaders like he did. Even unto death, the Apostle Paul poured out his heart and life for King Jesus and the church. Lord, help me to emulate this example of self-sacrifice and devotion. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you willing to give your life for King Jesus? How can you be a better bold witness for Christ in a compromising culture?
2. Are you pouring your everything into the church Christ purchased with his blood? How can you refresh suffering saints in your church body?