The Dynamic Church
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We continue in our studies entitled the dynamic church and this time we turn to 2 Timothy chapter 2. In this chapter we see that the dynamic church is forward looking and focused. We read in verse 2, “And the things that you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others”. Paul was in prison and about to be martyred. His ministry had come to an end. He was wise enough to train up men to take his place. Timothy was such a man. But Timothy had to look to the future himself. The church will make progress when new leaders are trained. The dynamic church is a training ground where new leaders are formed. Timothy must pass on what he heard from Paul to reliable men. These men would be the ones with the character traits described in 1 Timothy chapter 3. These same men would go on to teach others and so the baton of good leadership would be passed on. Is your church planning for the future? Who will take over when your present leaders retire, or die, or move on?
Paul uses three illustrations to show how we can maintain our focus as we serve Christ. We must live like soldiers. We read in verse 3, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus”. The battle we are fighting is against the world the flesh and the devil. It isn’t easy following the Lord. Many challenges face us as we seek to grow in holiness. We will deny ourselves so that God’s work develops. We will do this because we want to please the Lord. Verse 4 says, “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs, he want to please his commanding officer”. Next, Paul mentions the athlete. He says in verse 5, “Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victors crown unless he competes according to the rules”. The successful athlete keeps all the necessary rules of his sport to win. This demands discipline, sacrifice, and commitment. Can we give anything less as we serve the Lord? He is motivated by the fact that he will receive a prize at the end. Then Paul talks about the farmer. We read in verse 6, “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops”. Notice, Christian service is hard work! The farmer must plough and sow regardless of the weather conditions. He is motivated by the fact that he will reap a harvest in due course. We must be patient and dedicated as we work for Jesus in the field of the world. The storms of persecution may arise but we must be faithful. God will use our work for him.
The farmer works with nature but can’t control nature. So it is with us. We work with the Lord but we can’t control the Lord. He will accomplish his own purpose with our lives. He will do what pleases him. Our duty is to say, “Here I am send me”. It’s the duty of willingness and obedience alongside sacrifice.
Paul reminds us of the simplicity yet glory of the gospel. He says in verse 8, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David”. The key to you and me persevering in hardship for the gospel is the example of Jesus. He was raised from the dead which reminds us that he endured hardship even to the death of the cross. He knows our trials because he descended from David. He bore our human nature, and endured difficulties as a human being. We read in Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet without sin”. When you feel the way is difficult and hard-remember Jesus!
Paul says in 2 Timothy 2 verse 8, “This is my gospel”. This is the gospel that saves. It centres on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no other way to be saved but through faith in Jesus and what he has done for you on the cross.
This gospel brought suffering for Paul. It will be the same for all who follow Christ. Paul says in verses 8 and 9, “This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained”. The suffering of the believer is never futile. Something is always accomplished when we suffer. No Christian suffers for his own sake only. Paul makes this point in verse 10. He says, “Therefore, I endure everything for the elect that they too may obtain salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory”. When you take a bold stand for Christ and witness for him others will be saved. It might bring ridicule from some, but others will listen and believe. Also, when you suffer for Christ, other believers will be encouraged as they see your boldness and God’s powerful supporting grace in your life. This will cause them to grow in their own salvation experience. In verses 11 to 13 Paul quotes from what appears to be an ancient early church hymn. It was called “The Song of the Martyrs”. We read, “If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure we will also reign with him. If we disown him he will disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself”. Trusting and following Jesus guarantees our future resurrection. We will reign with him in the new heavens and earth.
No one who rejects Jesus will have any part in this. Christ will disown those who have chosen to refuse his grace and mercy. When we face hardship there may be times when we fail the Lord. But he will always remain faithful to us. It’s good to know that our salvation finally depends on our merciful saviour and not on us? The Lord cannot disown himself. He has promised to keep the believer and get him to heaven. He will keep his word. His promise is a promise founded on grace. Jesus said of believers in John chapter 10 verse 28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand”. It’s this kind of promise he can’t disown. To do so would be a denial of his own perfect character and integrity.
In verses 14 to 26 Paul gives us some further guidelines on how we can be focused and live like a soldier, athlete and farmer. Don’t forget all that you’ve been taught. We read in verse 14, “Keep reminding them of these things”. Don’t quarrel over empty arguments. Positively speak about the gospel, and don’t be side-tracked with meaningless words that lead to ruin. We read in verse 14, “Warn them before God about quarrelling about words; it is of no value”. It’s important to handle God’s word correctly. We read in verse 15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. In the original Greek the words “correctly handles” translates a word that means “to cut straight”. It was used of ploughing a straight furrow. So when you handle scripture you will not be sidetracked. You will stick closely to the key issues and central truths revealed in God’s word. Paul mentions two men who failed in this, Hymenaeus and Philetus. We read in verse 18 that they, “wandered away from the truth. They say the resurrection had already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some”. Sound doctrine saves lives! It keeps people from being swayed by every new fad and error that appears. The mark of a false teacher is their deviation from clear scripture teaching.
Paul says in verse 22, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace”. This will make you useful to the Master. All of these things will help you to be disciplined fruitful believers.