2 Timothy 4 - 4.15.26

Scripture

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2)

Observation

The books of 1st and 2nd Timothy are Paul’s instructions to a young pastor, Timothy. In these verses, Paul reminds Timothy of his first and foremost mandate and calling which is to preach the word. Be prepared in season and out of season. As children of God, we cannot take a vacation from our relationship with Christ. Our identity is that we are the children of the most High God. We need to be prepared at all times to preach the word, in season and out of season. 

As a spiritual father or mother, it is important to correct, rebuke and encourage the people whom God has entrusted us with to mentor. Those of us who are parents correct and discipline our children when they don’t do the right things. Correction is never pleasant to the child, but it is the duty of the parent. The parent disciplines the child so that he/she grows up to be a Godly adult. Similarly it is our responsibility to correct our spiritual children, when we see them going into sin. If we keep silent and do not correct them so that we remain in their good books, we are not being good stewards and God will judge us (Ezek 3:18).

The original Greek language in which the New Testament was written, is a much richer language than today’s English. I like the Amplified Classical (AMPC) version of the Bible, because it uses more English words to translate a Greek word, so that it conveys the original intent of the Greek phrase. 

This is how this verse is written in AMPC: “Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.”

Application 

We need to be ready all the time (in season and out of season) to share the gospel, when God presents an opportunity. We don’t know when the opportunity would come, so we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and walk with God everyday.

All of us are called to be spiritual fathers and mothers. The great commission in Matthew 29:19 says “go and make disciples of all nations”. This commandment is applicable to all of us.

This involves investing in the lives of the people God brings to us and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ. It includes teaching them God’s Word regularly and correcting them when they fall into sin.

Prayer

Father, I praise you and thank you for making me your child. Please help me to be ready in season and out of season to preach your word (2 Tim 4:2). Help me to draw closer to you everyday. Please pour your Spirit upon me (Acts 2:17). Help me to be filled with your Spirit (Eph 5:18). I pray that the word of Christ will dwell in me richly (Col 3:16). Please give me the tongue of the learned, so that I should know how to speak a word in season to him one is weary (Isa 50:4). Please open my eyes and help me to move out of my comfort zone to serve you. Please take me to the people I need to disciple, and help me to invest into the lives of those you bring to me. Help me to use the gift I have received from you to serve others, as faithful steward of your grace (1 Peter 4:10). In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

2 Timothy 3 - 4.14.26

SCRIPTURE:  2 Timothy 3:1-5

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with such people.”

OBSERVATION:  Prophetically, Paul’s words to Timothy describe most cultures of the world over the past 2,000-year period, but the closer we get to the second coming of Jesus, godlessness will dramatically increase all over the world, as we are witnessing now!

Paul warned Timothy of the opposition that he and other believers would face in the last days.  He told Timothy to be prepared for these unfaithful people by remembering his example, and finding strength and power in the Word of God.

There is no doubt that we are living in the last days, and difficult times are up ahead, but thanks be to God that He has equipped His Church with everything we need to remain strong in our faith.  We have God’s active, powerful, living presence, His Word to guide us, and His Spirit to support us.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, SO THAT the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  ( v16).  We should not study God’s Word simply to gain more knowledge or to prepare to win arguments, but to study and apply it in order to know how to do God’s work in the world. 

APPLICATION:  Because of people like Paul and Timothy, and for their devoted commitment to preach the gospel, the Christian faith has spread to us today.  Now it is our responsibility as genuine, devoted Christ-followers to be ready, prayed up and prepared to proclaim the Good News to the lost. As people become more and more corrupt in their thinking, attitudes and actions, we must become more and more firm in our faith as we stand on God’s Word of truth and wisdom.

PRAYER:  Lord, these are difficult times we are living in, but I thank You that You are with us, and that You have given us everything we need to remain strong in our faith as we follow You. I pray You will help us to align our beliefs and actions with Your plan as we partner with You to add more and more people into Your family while there is still time. Amen

- Robin Orefice

2 Timothy 2 - 4.13.26

SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:8 - 10

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”

OBSERVATION:

Paul, while in prison, wrongfully charged, is writing to Timothy to encourage him in two areas: Christ’s diety by being raised from the dead, and Christ’s humanity being a “descended from David.”

Paul contrasts his time in prison saying he’s “chained like a criminal” but makes a powerful point that “but God’s word is not chained.” He might be in prison but God’s word is still being proclaimed.

Paul encourages Timothy by his example to endure everything so others can come to know Christ as their savior, and then rest in eternal glory in heaven.

APPLICATION

Paul has such a powerful testimony! He is encouraging Timothy to remember the facts of Christ, and that no matter your circumstances, God’s word is not restricted, chained, or silenced. Whether you’re in a hospital bed, sent to jail, suffering anything in your life, lost a loved one, betrayed by anyone, no matter the circumstances, God’s word holds the truth everyone needs in their life: to become saved by the power of Jesus Christ.

Part of the reason Paul’s testimony is so powerful is that he brings everything back to Jesus. He is proclaiming Christ’s message of salvation while in prison. He uses a negative situation of being in jail, suffering in chains, and endures it all - without fighting it - just so others can see his testimony in action. He lives out his faith each day and endures what comes before him. He’s not complaining in his situation but enduring everything for God’s message of hope and salvation.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for Paul’s testimony. He suffered so much yet always brought it back to your salvation message. Help me to live out your message, your word, and to never restrict spreading the Gospel message. Give me your Holy Spirit’s power to endure what’s before me in life, and to always bring it back to Christ’s salvation message. Lord, forgive me for the times I fall short, for not speaking up, for not enduring like Paul did in prison. Let my life be a living example so others come to know Christ as their savior. In Jesus name - amen!

- Mary Oberg