Skip to content 2 Timothy 1-2: Endure Hardship as a Good Soldier Nov 24 · 14 min ...more
2 Timothy 1-2: Endure Hardship as a Good Soldier
November 24, 2025 · 14 min
Reflect on Paul's call to Timothy to embrace suffering for the gospel and stand firm in faith.
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Enduring Hardship as a Soldier of Christ 0:11 Good morning. Welcome to stand on the word. Thanks for joining me this morning as we turn to Paul's second letter to Timothy. In fact, it's the final letter that Paul writes before he is executed,0:24 by Nero at second Timothy, chapter 1 and 2 today. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Now some of you probably remember the, the old hymn,0:36 Onward Christian Soldiers. I remember singing that as a, as a young kid after our church our family started going to church. And, of course, now we don't have hymnals in in fact in most churches. But in, in some of the0:47 mainline denominations, they still have hymn books. But guess what? This hymn has been removed for most of those hymn books. Why? It's considered militaristic. In fact, 1 author suggested to0:59 him was dangerous because it perpetuated the acceptability of religious warfare. I guess Paul didn't get that memo. So here in his last letter written to his spiritual1:11 son, Timothy, Paul tells him in second Timothy 2 verses 3 and 4, you therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No 1 engaged in warfare entangles1:23 himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier, called by God to be a soldier of Jesus Christ. Now this call to endure1:34 difficulty and even stand alone in the pursuit of the mission that we've been given to advance, the kingdom of God is really central to this entire letter that Paul is writing to his1:46 spiritual son, Timothy. It's it's a it's a great letter. Outstanding. And I encourage you to to read it, meditate upon it. Now this was written during Paul's second imprisonment in Rome, which was much more difficult1:58 than the first. He was not in a rented house like he had during his first detainment. He was in a dungeon as the persecution under Nero was in full swing. And shortly after writing this letter, historical2:10 tradition says that he was beheaded. Now scripture does not speak, of the the calls of Paul's second arrest. Some historians suggest that Paul was accused of being party to2:21 the, Rome that destroy or the fire that destroyed Rome in 64 AD because he was a leader of the Christians. And Nero blamed the Christians for the fire, but in fact, the the historians2:33 say Nero started the fire himself. Alright. Let's begin. Verse 3, chapter 1. I thank god whom I serve with a pure conscience as my forefathers did, as without2:45 ceasing, I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears that I may be filled with joy. When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you,2:57 which dwell first in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, And I am persuaded is in you also. Both his mother and grandmother were believers, followers of Christ. And and3:09 by the way, just a note of correction, I think back when we were in first Timothy, I, said Lois was Timothy's mother. It's his grandmother as we can see right here. Verse 6, therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift3:21 of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. So how can we be good soldiers in these difficult times? We have to stir up the spiritual gift of God. Rekindling is3:33 what the word means here, to revive it. It doesn't just happen. We've gotta be encouraged. We gotta that's why we need to be in the word of God, meditating in the word of God, singing and praising the Lord. Now this is3:45 very similar to Paul's instructions in Ephesians chapter 5 where he tells us to be filled with the spirit rather than wine. It's it requires intentionality. We have to be active in3:57 reviving and stirring up and and staying on fire for the Lord. Now verse 7, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a power and of love and of a sound mind. Now I love this.4:09 Right? You cannot operate in fear. Now here, the word fear is a bit different than what we've seen before. It's not, It is,4:21 or which is more accurately translated as cowardice. Now this particular Greek word for fear is only used on, in 2 other occasions in4:33 the New Testament. 1 was when the disciples thought they were going to sink because of the storm And also in Revelation chapter 21 verse 8 where it says, but the cowardly, unbelieving,4:45 abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. So Paul is saying4:57 to Timothy, don't be cowardly. Don't be timid. Alright? Because fear within us amplifies the threats without5:09 us, without, on the outside. When we when we have fear inside, we we make things bigger than what they really are. We've been given rather a spirit of power. That is the holy spirit within5:21 us, giving us the courage to face the threats. And why do we do it? It's out of a love for others to take the truth so that others might be free by knowing the truth. Verse 8,5:32 therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our lord nor of me, his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God. Now this is critical.5:45 As Paul writes in verse 15, this you know that all those in Asia have turned away from me. Why? Why have they turned away from him? Because he is in chains. Being in5:56 prison was not respectable. And beyond that, since the government was after Paul, if you hung around him, guess what? You could be next. Paul tells Timothy, don't be ashamed. Don't be ashamed of the testimony of the6:07 Lord, which, you know, it it it was the same as as as he's as he was rejected. Remember? The the the testimony of of the Lord. When we have a testimony for the Lord, we're6:19 gonna be rejected. Jesus was rejected. He was called the prince of demons. He was he was arrested. He was crucified. And and and he says, Timothy, don't be ashamed of me as prisoner. Okay? But share in the sufferings.6:31 And here's the truth. If we're ashamed of those who suffer for their stand for the Lord, it's very unlikely that we'll stand when it is our turn.6:43 We we will adjust what we say or who we say it to to avoid the public shaming and the cancel culture, which is very real. Very real. So Paul goes on, verse 9, who has saved us and called us6:55 with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our savior, Jesus7:07 Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, Gentiles. For this reason, I also suffer7:18 these things. This is the reason. I'm preaching. I'm teaching. Nevertheless, I'm not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to7:30 him until that day. Now this is a a revealing and a challenging statement. Paul wrote, I'm in prison about to be executed because7:43 I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Far from being ashamed, I am competent. Not in what I what I'm seeing and what I'm experiencing right now, but7:54 in the word and the promises of God. You see, we gotta go beyond what we're seeing, what we're feeling, what we're sensing. We don't live by feeling. We live by faith. Verse 13. Hold fast the pattern of8:06 sound words which you have heard from me. What is that? The word of God in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. Once again, Paul makes clear the word of God is central to our ability8:18 to faithfully serve the Lord. That's why that's that's why we're doing stand on the word. That that's why we need to to get our families, our children, our grandchildren, our friends, our8:30 churches, pastors. We need our people in the word of god. That's the only thing that will sustain us in the challenging times that are upon us and are only going to intensify. Verse 14, that8:42 good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Wanna be a good soldier? Rekindle your love and your passion for the Lord. Operate from his power8:54 with love and a sound mind. Do not be ashamed of the rebukes that come from this world. Embrace it. Embrace it. Stand firm on the word of God regardless of what others others think,9:06 say, or do. Alright. Over into chapter 2 verse 1, you therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many9:17 witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. We need to replicate. We need to be discipling. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No 19:29 engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier, unencumbered for the call to duty. Therefore, I endure9:41 all things for the sake of the elect that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying. For if we died with him, we shall9:52 also live with him. If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot deny himself.10:05 Remind them of these things, charging them before the lord not to strive about words to no profit to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourselves10:17 approved to god, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, but shun profane and idle babblings, for they will10:29 increase to more ungodliness. Alright. In other words, stay focused on the word of God. Do not get sidetracked. Go argue all of these, you know, chasing10:40 rabbits, spiritual rabbits. Focus on the word of God. Verse 17. And their message will spread like cancer. This is the problem. This is what happens with these false teachings and these things that10:52 are, you know, peripheral to the scripture. We need to check everything. Be like the Bereans. Check out everything according to the word of God. Charles Spurgeon said a lie travels11:04 around the globe while truth is still putting on its boots. You know, there are these lies, these conspiracies that they they they're spread. Everything needs to be taken back11:16 and measured according to the word. The word of God is our benchmark. Verse 20, but in a great house, there are there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some11:28 for honor, some for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and useful to the master, prepared for every good work. Alright. So do you wanna be a11:39 a teapot for the master or a trash can? I mean, we choose what kind of vessel we want to be. Paul closes out with a very practical with very practical advice for Timothy, and I would say for us.11:51 Verse 22, flee also youthful lust, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the lord out of a pure heart, but avoid foolish and ignorant disputes knowing that they generate12:03 strife. And a servant of the lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient in humility, correcting those who are in opposition. If God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they12:15 may know the truth and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil having been taken captive by him by him to do his12:26 will. Wow. That's tough. But that's the choice we make if we reject the truth. Over a dozen times in his letter, Paul warns believers not to waste energy on speculative12:38 myths, foolish controversies, and heretical word fights, but stay anchored in sound doctrine, godly living, and the central truth of Christ and him12:49 crucified because that is what will lead people to freedom and eternal life. Father, we thank you for your word. And, Lord, I pray that we would listen to13:01 the words of Paul. These are his final words that he writes to his spiritual son, Timothy, giving him instruction on how to lead the church and fellow believers in a time of great difficulty and challenge. Lord, may13:13 we not be entangled in the things of this world, but, Lord, may we be good soldiers for the kingdom of God. May we endure the hardships with joy and with peace knowing that we are on a mission that has13:25 eternal significance. So, father, we thank you for your word. May we hide it in our hearts. May we declare it with our lips. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning. And until next13:37 time, keep standing on the word.13:43 Today's study comes from the stand on the word bible reading plan available for free at frc dot org slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you13:55 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Enduring Hardship as a Soldier of Christ
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