“The Final Words of a Dying Soldier”
II Timothy 2 (Part 2 of 4 Messages)
POWERFUL AND PASSIONATE EXHORTATIONS FROM THE BOOK OF II TIMOTHY
1. 2:1 – “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus"
“Be being strengthened” example: “The Buried Hull of the Old Ship"
2. 2:2 – THE TEACHER: Teach God’s Word to faithful men. “Give a man a fish and you
have fed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime.”
3. 2:3,4 – THE SOLDIER: A good soldier of Christ endures hardships and remains loyal.
A good soldier seeks to please his commanding officer (Jesus Christ) by avoiding
distractions from fulfilling the mission. Example: Absalom yanked off his donkey.
“Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his
mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. And his head caught
fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was
under him kept going.” II Sam. 18:9
4. 2:5 – THE ATHLETE: Like the successful athlete, live your life according to the rules of
God's Word in order to win at life and ministry;
I Corinthians 9:24-27: 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only
one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes
in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable
wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I
box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, so
that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. Be Determined!
(verse 24) Be Disciplined! (verse 25) Seek Direction! (verse 26) Dominate fleshly desires!
(verse 27)
5. 2:6 – THE FARMER: Like the fruitful farmer, work hard to apply the principles of
God’s Word in life and ministry and enjoy the fruitful results.
6. 2:8 – “Remember Jesus Christ” Hebrews 12:1-3 Jesus in the Sun around which the
universe rotates; Col.1:17,18. Notice WHO Paul selects for us to remember. He had
many personalities that he could have pointed us to.
7. 2:14 – Remind others not to engage in futile and dangerous verbal battles; cf.2:16-18
8. 2:15 – Be diligent to accurately interpret the scriptures; cf. 3:16; analogia scriptura
“accurately handling" literally means "to cut it straight" such as for a carpenter, mason,
tentmaker, etc<
9. 2:20-21 – Cleanse yourself of unholy influences in order to be useful
10. 2:22 – Flee immature lusts and pursue righteousness< Illus: flight of a deer
11. 2:24-26 – Order your life as a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ in word, behavior, attitude
and action