Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.
John Bunyan

101 Ways To Praise A Child

101 Ways To Praise A Child

Heading for the Spiritual Battle (2 Tim. 2:1-6)

I. Equip Yourself in the Truth
II. Educate Others of the Truth
III. Endure for the Truth

Illustration

Just when you think that you’ve heard enough about wars and conflicts, you hear another story on the news of confrontation between this group and that: one nation encroaching another because of dissatisfaction with a trade agreement, the debates at Congress over the newly introduced bill, and the lawsuit over someone’s civil liberties being violated. Having just sustained the time of crisis and tension during the war in the Middle East a few months ago, I’m sure you hoped for a time of peace when we don’t have to be concerned with conflict and war.

However, the Bible tells us that we are in a continuing battle, a spiritual battle. It isn’t a battle that we can just overlook, but rather it involves every man in the world today, both Christians and non-Christians. Since sin entered into the world, mankind has been caught in this battle. Man is caught in the struggle of knowing and serving God wholeheartedly or being deceived by Satan to go astray and do his own thing apart from God. The stakes are high: the very souls of men. Satan’s goal is to keep men from coming to know the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the Christian is a soldier in the army of God, commissioned to proclaim of the Gospel, which will win men unto salvation. The battle is over the soul of individuals, one at a time. But for the Christian soldier, his challenge is to be equipped for battle, to educate others to join in the battle, and to endure until the assured final victory.

I. Equip Yourself in the Truth

As we go into the battle, we need to understand how to fight against the enemy. We need to realize what weapons we have at our disposal, to not only protect ourselves, but more importantly to win the battle.

We read in verse 1 an intimate conversation between Paul and Timothy. Paul addresses Timothy as “my son,” showing the closeness of their relationship. Although they were not related physically, they were both brothers in the family of God. But in addition, Paul had a special relationship with Timothy, because Timothy was Paul’s disciple. The relationship between a discipler and his disciple is one that is very valuable and uniquely different than any other relationship. Not only is it a joy for the discipler to see his disciple grow in the grace of Christ, he also has the responsibility of nurturing his disciple’s spiritual growth, to teach him spiritual truths and to help him in the struggles of the Christian life.

It is in the context of this discipling relationship that Paul relates his message. As Timothy would soon be on his own in the ministry to which God has called him, Paul writes a final letter of encouragement to help Timothy keep a healthy perspective on the road ahead. Paul realizes that there are hardships in Christian service; perhaps in their discipleship so far, Paul had concentrated mainly on Timothy’s spiritual growth. Now Paul is in a position to let Timothy go forth and carry out his own duties in the ministry.

Paul tells Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (v.1) This is to remind Timothy about what he has learned thus far. This reminder is to help Timothy realize what is secured in Jesus Christ. His salvation in Christ is completed because of grace (1:9).

Because of this grace, he can be equipped for the spiritual battle in ministry. But it is not in grace alone that he fights the battle, but rather his response in appropriation and obedience to this grace. Timothy needs to be strengthened by the grace of God. What do I mean, and how can Timothy be strengthened?

I would like to suggest that Paul uses three parallels in this passage to illustrate his message to Timothy. Looking at verse 4, Paul uses the illustration of a soldier, describing how a soldier is focused upon the purpose of the battle and does not get strangled by the cares of the world. Paul points out the focus of the soldier, and also the soldier’s motive: to please his commander. For Timothy, his focus needs to be on the grace that he has received in Christ, and his motive needs to be focused on the grace so that he can share that grace with others, which is pleasing to Christ (1 Tim 2:3-4).

The strength of focus upon grace is two-fold. Grace is the power of God which is able to do far greater than what man can even attempt. Grace has won the battle for the Christian, delivering him from Satan’s domain. Grace also enables him to live a life worthy of his calling. And secondly, a steadfast focus on grace strengthens because energies are not wasted upon the cares of this world. As Timothy focuses on grace, he will be strengthened. Timothy is reassured of the final victory ahead even in times of difficulty when he is equipped with the truth.

II. Educate Others of the Truth

As Timothy would set his sights on grace, he can confidently go forth into the battle for the souls of men. This battle is won one person at a time, but be careful to not stop with just one. In verse 2, Paul reveals the battle plan. Timothy needs to educate others as Paul has taught him. But Paul did not only teach Timothy, although their relationship is very special and unique, but also many others.

Verse 2 starts, “the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses.” Paul points out how he had carried out the propagation of the Gospel by sharing the Gospel with many, and helping them grow in their spiritual walk, either through personal discipleship or to put this responsibility into the trusty hands of other believers. Paul exhorts Timothy to do the same.

Verse 2 continues, “commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” This verse carries many implications. The manner in which Paul has demonstrated his strategy to share and to entrust the Gospel to others, Timothy is to also share and entrust to others. This is to be entrusted to others in a careful manner. The phrase, “to faithful men,” is not meant to exclude certain people who don’t meet a certain criteria, but rather to remind Timothy to stir up the faith of his disciples, so that they would in turn be faithful in making disciples. It is not an easy task to teach disciples; and on top of that, make sure they will be able to teach others, but this is the working strategy to win the battle. This effort can be rather strenuous, like an athlete competing for the prize. Timothy is exhorted to be diligent and effortful in teaching others. The means of advancing in the battle for souls is to educate others in the truth.

III. Endure for the Truth

With the focus upon Christ, and the vision ahead for ministry, Timothy can be sure of his role in the battle. When someone is sure of his role and his resource, he can endure the difficulties that may be ahead, because his mind is focused on truth. Paul concludes likewise, in verse 3: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Now that Timothy knows the resource of grace in which he can be strong, and the strategy to go forward in ministry, he can have the courage to step forward. As a soldier goes forth, he realizes that hardships will be ahead. The battle is not paved with a whole line of victories; the battle is a continuing struggle, with occasions of hardship. After all, it is a battle.

In verses 4 through 6, Paul draws three illustrations of endurance. A soldier focused upon pleasing the commander endures the hardships in battle. He does not focus on the cares of the world nor on himself. A athlete competes, enduring rigorous training so that he can perform well. He has a plan for achieving the victory in the battle. A farmer works hard, enduring the work in tending the crops. The fruits of his labor may not come immediately, but patience while working diligently will yield a crop.

Conclusion

This is an encouraging passage for us as we would continue in our Christian walk or look toward ministry. Our resource is the grace of Jesus Christ, from which we can draw strength. Our strategy is to share the gospel with people and help them grow in faith so that they too will share the gospel in Jesus Christ.

For us today, we can seek out the opportunity that God would provide for us to get involved with someone in a discipling relationship. This is the way that Paul committed to faithful Timothy the task of the Great Commission. As God would avail the time and the fostering of such a relationship, don’t miss the opportunity.

Secondly, the strategy for battle is the strategy for missions. In the mission field, we need to realize the principle of spiritual multiplication. The strategy for missions cannot be limited to just telling others about Jesus Christ, but we need to make sure that the hearer is rooted in faith and grows in his desire to share his faith with others.

This passage shows us the key principle of spiritual multiplication. It gives us a biblical approach to carrying out the Great Commission in a clear and concise form.

written by DJ Chuang and used with permission 4/91 Dallas Theological Seminary, Box #264 Dallas, TX

You may also contact DJ throught any of the NewLife Christian Network Conferences on either SMCIS BBS 301-862-3160/1527 HST’s or any BBS that carries the NewLife Christian Network.