Series: Guard the Treasure

Title: “Why & how we follow Christ when life is hard”

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13 NIV

Acts 2:36-39 (Invitation)

Bottom line: We follow Christ when life is hard by remembering those who’ve gone before us.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. SERMON OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. NOTES

6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

7. OUTLINES

8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

INTRODUCTION

Over the years I’ve learned a lot about walking by grace through faith. Men and women in past churches and places of work have had a huge impact on me. Family members and pastors, Sunday school teachers and good friends. So many good examples have shaped my thinking and way of life when it comes to following Christ.

Anita has been my greatest example. Her consistent character and wise walk have impacted me since I picked her out of the whole gym as the prettiest girl and proceeded to skate around that church gym hoping and praying we had a class together that school year. Even then I noted her sweet spirit.

Ken is another who has greatly shaped my life. His loyalty and grace are more than I could ever deserve. He too walks wisely and humbly.

I don’t mean to embarrass them today (there are times when I do:-)) I’m simply pointing to people now in my life who have significantly shaped my walk. In them I get to see what it looks like to follow Jesus fully and faithfully.

Paul is that for Timothy. They met when Timothy was 15 or 17 and now it’s about 18 years later. He’s seen Paul go through a lot and has seen his teaching, his character and his way of life on display. He learned so much from Paul.

In verse 14, Paul leads/exhorts Timothy in the imperative to “CONTINUE in what you have learned and have become convinced of” based on the source.

Paul will give him lots of reasons for why he should continue in this way.

CONTEXT

“Timothy’s continuance in the apostolic ministry was a vital concern of Paul in the Pastorla Letters. And it is the main concern of 2 Timothy 3:10-17, which has as it’s central imperative the word continue in verse 14–‘But as for you, continue in what you have learned…’ Paul grounds his call in two things—first, remembering the past (vv. 10-13) and, second, focusing on the Scriptures (vv. 14-17).” -Hughes, p. 250

We’ll focus on the first part (Remembering the Past) this week and the second (focusing on the Scriptures) next week.

SERMON

1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul essentially says, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

Jesus calls us to follow him down the narrow way. To follow Christ is to call others to follow you as you follow Christ. This is the way.

Today we’re answering the question, “Why & how we follow Christ when life is hard.” Paul shows Timothy (and us) why & how here in chapter 3:

• He leads by example. (10-11) Timothy knew Paul very well. JND Kelly says it’s a technical term “defining the relation of a disciple to his master and can be paraphrased ‘study at close quarters,’ ‘follow in spirit,’ ‘carefully note with a view to reproducing,’ and so ‘take as an example.’” -Hughes, p. 251

• In his teaching/doctrine/beliefs. “Paul’s repeated sermons comprised Timothy’s theology. And he had observed that Paul’s life matched his doctrine.” -Hughes, p. 251

• In his way of life/behavior/habits (note that these are consistent with his beliefs). This is in contrast to the ungodly examples in vv. 1-9.

• In his character

• Purpose—Paul’s life was “infused with purpose” “Paul never chased sticks”-Hughes

• Peanuts: “One of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts cartoons memorably pictures Snoopy coming to terms with purposelessness. Linus had just thrown a stick for Snoopy to retrieve. His first instinct was to do what he was accustomed to doing—chase the stick. But he paused for a few moments and decided against it, thinking, ‘I want people to have more to say about me after I’m gone than “He was a nice guy…He chased sticks.”’”

• Faith—believe the truth and believe that the Lord will rescue you ultimately

• Patience

• Love—Others first

• Endurance—you will be persecuted if you follow Christ

• Persecutions & Sufferings

• “Don’t be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you: (1 John 3:13)

• “Race car drivers should expect some crashes, football players are not surprised by injuries, baseball players know the ball will hit them sometimes, and soldiers expect to be shot at. Christians should expect some degree of persecution.” -Hughes

• “Some are drawn to Christ buy the love of Christians, but others are enraged by their love. Instead of being surprised by op`postion, we should be surprised when we do not face any!” -Hughes

• He leads by faith. (12)

• The Lord repeatedly rescued Paul from persecution.

• The Lord allowed him to suffer, however.

• The Lord will ultimate deliver him from all future suffering.

• The Lord will ultimate deliver him from eternal suffering.

• He leads realistically. (13)

• Everyone who wants to live godly will be persecuted.

• We will suffer. We will be persecuted. We will be delivered.

• In the meantime, evildoers

• Will get worse at being deceived.

• Will get worse at deceiving others.

CONCLUSION

Basically, Paul asked 2 questions:

1. God, what are you saying to me? And the Lord answered him by saying he would take the gospel to the nations and suffer in the process.

2. God, what do you want me to do about it? Paul knew that he had to go to the nations. And he did.

When Timothy gets this letter, he asks them same questions:

1. Lord, what are you saying to me through Paul? And the Lord answered him by saying

1. Follow Paul’s teaching.

2. Follow Paul’s lifestyle that is consistent with his teaching.

3. Follow Paul’s willingness to endure persecution and suffering in light of eternity.

4. Remember that the alternative is to be deceived and so deceive others.

2. Lord, what do you want me to do? Continue in Paul’s ways. To hear is to obey the above and lead others to do the same.

Invitation

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Bottom line:

1. What is God saying to me right now?

2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Pray

NOTES

I. Remember My Life (3:10) - in contrast to the false teachers we read about in 1-9.

A. My lifestyle.

1. “You, however, know all about my…” suggests deep intimacy of knowledge according to Hughes (p. 251).

2. JND Kelly says it’s a technical term “defining the relation of a disciple to his master and can be paraphrased ‘study at close quarters,’ ‘follow in spirit,’ ‘carefully note with a view to reproducing,’ and so ‘take as an example.’” -Hughes, p. 251

3. “Paul was challenging Timothy to recall the deep master-disciple intimacy that had begun with Timothy’s conversion as a teenager during Paul’s first missionary journey in Asia Minor.” -Hughes, p. 251

4. “Paul’s repeated sermons comprised Timothy’s theology. And he had observed that Paul’s life matched his doctrine.” -Hughes, p. 251

5. Paul is affirming that Timothy can see the consistency between his teaching (doctrine/theology/orthodoxy) and his way of life (behavior/practice/orthopraxy). This in contrast with the false teachers like Jannes and Jambres.

6. In addition, Paul’s lifestyle was infused with purpose (Hughes).

7. Peanuts: “One of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts cartoons memorably pictures Snoopy coming to terms with purposelessness. Linus had just thrown a stick for Snoopy to retrieve. His first instinct was to do what he was accustomed to doing—chase the stick. But he paused for a few moments and decided against it, thinking, ‘I want people to have more to say about me after I’m gone than “He was a nice guy…He chased sticks.”’” -Hughes, p. 251

8. “Paul never nearly chased sticks. He was single-minded about the most important things—the gospel and Christ’s glory.” -Hughes, p. 251

B. My virtues. In addition to reminding Timothy of his lifestyle, he reminded him of his virtues—faith, patience, love, and endurance in perseverance and suffering.

1. Cardinal virtues+ are present here

1. Faith

2. Love

3. Endurance (this stands for “hope” because it leads to the next subject—persecution)

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Let’s ask some summary sermon questions:

Q. What do I want them to know?

A.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A.

OUTLINES

Outline Bible (Willmington)

III. THE PROPHETIC APPEAL—chapter 3

A. Turn away from the false—3:1–9

B. Follow those who are true—3:10–12

C. Continue in God’s Word—3:13–17

IV. THE PERSONAL APPEAL—chapter 4

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Retell the story in your own words.

2. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

3. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

4. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

5. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai