2 Timothy Lesson #17

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RETURN TO SYLLABUS
2TIMOTHY 2:1-14
LESSON #17
EXAMPLES OF LOYALTY AND LEADERSHIP STYLE

MEMORY VERSE: 2TIMOTHY 2:11

• IN OUR LAST LESSON WE LEARNED THAT THE CHRISTIAN LEADER SHOULD BE LOYAL. THIS CONCEPT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT PAUL GIVES US A WHOLE CHAPTER OF ILLUSTRATIONS OF THIS PRINCIPLE.
• CHAPTER 2 GIVES US A COMPLETE VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE COMES THROUGH SEVEN FIGURES OR DESCRIPTIVE ILLUSTRATIONS.
• THESE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE SOMETHING EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW. HOWEVER, THESE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE WHAT THE CHRISTIAN LEADER SHOULD DEMONSTRATE IN HIS LIFE. HE IS THE MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH. HE IS THE EXAMPLE OF LOYALTY.
• REMEMBER THAT LOYALTY IS THE PREDOMINATE CHARACTERISTIC OF A LEADER. IT IS STRESSED IN 2TIMOTHY.

• READ 2TIM 2:1-14
• THE ILLUSTRATION OF A SON (2:1-2)
• PAUL CONSIDERS TIMOTHY HIS SPIRITUAL SON IN THE FAITH. TIMOTHY WAS SAVED THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL. HOWEVER, THERE’S MORE TO THIS ILLUSTRATION OF A SON. TIMOTHY WAS BORN AGAIN INTO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. THAT MAKES HIM A CHILD OF GOD.
• READ JOH 1:12
• PAUL TELLS “THE SON” TO BE STRONG IN GRACE.
• WHAT DOES GRACE DO FOR THE CHRISTIAN IN THE FAMILY OF GOD?
• YOU CANNOT LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH. IF YOU TRY IT, YOU WILL SOON FAIL. THERE ARE NO “RULES” OF HOW TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. CHURCHES MAKE UP A LIST OF RULES AND THAT’S LEGALISM. THE BIBLE GIVES US PRINCIPLES FOR LIVING, NOT RULES. THAT IS WHY WE NEED THE GRACE OF GOD. THE HOLY SPIRIT GRACEFULLY WORKS WITH US, CONVICTING US OF SIN, GUIDING US INTO TRUTH, AND HELPING US TO SUCCEED AND MATURE.
• PAUL TELLS “THE SON” TO TEACH WHAT HE LEARNED. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS TO TEACH OTHERS WHAT HE LEARNS.
• REMEMBER THAT ONE OF THE MATURE CHRISTIAN REQUIREMENTS FOR LEADERSHIP IS THAT HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TEACH. (1TIM 3:2)
• IT IS THE ILLUSTRATION OF A SON THAT DEMONSTRATES THE ULTIMATE LOYALTY. HE DEMONSTRATES HIS LOYALTY THROUGH OBEDIENCE. LOYALTY THROUGH OBEDIENCE IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF BEING A SON. IT DEMONSTRATES HIS COMMITMENT TO THE FAMILY AND TO HIS FATHER. (JESUS, THE SON OF GOD, IS THE SUPREME EXAMPLE).
• THE ILLUSTRATION OF A GOOD SOLDIER (2:3-4)
• THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE, AND THE CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER IN THIS WAR. (EPH 6:12-13)
• LIKE MILITARY LIFE, THE CHRISTIAN LIFE REQUIRES TOTAL COMMITMENT. YOU CAN’T TAKE A VACATION FROM BEING A CHRISTIAN. THE SOLDIER CAN’T SUDDENLY TAKE A VACATION FROM WAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BATTLE.
• THE JOB OF THE SOLDIER IS TO PLEASE HIS COMMANDER THROUGH OBEDIENCE. IT IS THIS LEVEL OF LOYALTY THAT MAKES THE SOLDIER A “GOOD” SOLDIER. IT IS THIS LEVEL OF LOYALTY THAT MAKES THE CHRISTIAN A “GOOD” CHRISTIAN.
• THERE MUST BE A LOYALTY TO THE CHRISTIAN PRIORITIES OF LIFE. THE SOLDIER’S PRIORITIES ARE SET FOR HIM BY THE STRUCTURE OF A MILITARY LIFE. THE PRIORITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ARE ESTABLISHED BY GOD.
• THE ILLUSTRATION OF AN ATHLETE (2:5)
• PAUL OFTEN SAYS THAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS LIKE AN ATHLETIC RACE. (1COR 9:24-27 PHI 3:14)
• WHEN THE ATHLETE RUNS THE RACE, HE MUST RUN ACCORDING TO THE RULES. HE CANNOT CUT CORNERS.
• THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. THERE ARE NO EASY ROADS TO CHRISTIAN MATURITY.
• YOU MUST STUDY ALL THE WORD OF GOD.
• YOU MUST STAY IN THE RACE AND NOT QUIT.
• PERSEVERANCE IS NECESSARY.
• THERE MUST BE LOYALTY TO THE GOAL GOD HAS SET BEFORE YOU. THE ATHLETE HAS ONE THING IN MIND…TO REACH THE FINISH LINE AND WIN THE RACE. CHRISTIANS NEED LOYALTY TO REACH THE GOAL.
• THE ILLUSTRATION OF A FARMER (2:6-14)
• A FARMER PLANTS THE SEED. HE IS LOYAL TO WATER, CULTIVATE, AND FERTILIZE IT EVEN BEFORE HE KNOWS WHAT KIND OF HARVEST HE WILL GET. THAT LOYALTY TAKES FAITH. HE BELIEVES HIS FIELD WILL PRODUCE, THOUGH HE DOES NOT SEE THE PLANT FOR MANY DAYS. HE BELIEVES HIS FIELD WILL PRODUCE BEFORE HE SEES THE FRUIT FORM ON THE PLANT.
• REMEMBER THE DEFINITION OF FAITH IN HEB 11:1? IF YOU DON’T KNOW IT BY MEMORY, LOOK IT UP!
• JESUS IS THE EXAMPLE OF THE SEED THAT HAD TO DIE AND BE BURIED TO PRODUCE THE HARVEST OF BELIEVERS WE SEE TODAY. (2:7-8)
• THE MATURE CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO DIE TO HIS OWN SELFISH DESIRES. HE NEEDS TO BURY THEM UNDER THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. THEN HIS LIFE WILL PRODUCE A GREAT HARVEST BASED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS (FAITH AND LOYALTY). (11-12)
• PAUL RELATES HIMSELF TO THIS ILLUSTRATION. (8-10) HE IS THE FARMER WHO HAS SPENT HIS LIFE SOWING THE SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD. IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT LIFE OF SUFFERING, BUT HE HAS BEEN LOYAL.
• “IF WE BE DEAD WITH HIM, WE SHALL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM.” (11)
• WHEN DID WE DIE WITH HIM?
• WHEN WE RECEIVE JESUS INTO OUR HEARTS BY FAITH, WE IDENTIFY OURSELVES WITH HIS DEATH. HE DIED ALMOST 2000 YEARS AGO. THAT’S WHEN THE BELIEVER DIED WITH HIM.
• WHEN WILL WE LIVE WITH HIM?
• THE MINUTE WE WERE BORN AGAIN WE BEGAN TO LIVE HIS RESURRECTED LIFE IN US. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE THIS LIFE WITH HIM THROUGH A FUTURE ETERNITY.
• A NEW TESTAMENT PARABLE TELLS US THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS THE SEED THAT IS SCATTERED AROUND THE WORLD. (MAT 13)
• THE CHRISTIAN IS THE FARMER WHO IS FAITHFUL TO SPREAD THE WORD OF GOD.
• “IF WE DENY HIM, HE WILL DENY US” (12)
• PAUL SPEAKS VERY BOLDLY TO TELL US THAT FAITH WILL PRODUCE A HARVEST OF BELIEVERS WHO REMAIN LOYAL TO THE END. GOD WILL REWARD LOYALTY.
• “STRIVE NOT ABOUT WORDS TO NO PROFIT” (14)
• THIS MEANS THAT WE ARE NOT TO ARGUE OVER LITTLE DIFFERENCES. IT IS LOYALTY TO THE BASICS IN THE WORD OF GOD THAT IS IMPORTANT.
• THE ILLUSTRATION OF A WORKMAN (15-19)
• EVERY CHRISTIAN IS COMMANDED TO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD. THE LOYAL CHRISTIAN WILL BUILD HIS LIFE ON THE WORD OF GOD THAT IS ESTABLISHED ON THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST. (19)
• THE WORKMAN DOES NOT BEGIN HIS BUILDING ONLY TO STOP THE CONSTRUCTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROJECT. HE MAKES SURE IT IS FINISHED ACCORDING TO THE PLAN.
• THE GOOD WORKMAN IS SKILLED IN ART AND CONSTRUCTION JUST AS THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE SKILLED IN THE WORD OF GOD.
• “RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE TRUTH” (15)
• THE MANNER OF SALVATION THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE IS THE SAME FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION. WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH THROUGH GRACE. HOWEVER, GOD DEALS WITH MAN IN DIFFERENT WAYS IN DIFFERENT DISPENSATIONS OF TIME. THERE ARE HISTORIC PERIODS OF LAW AND PERIODS OF GRACE. GOD DEALT WITH MAN DIFFERENTLY IN THESE PERIODS. TODAY WE LIVE IN A PERIOD OF GRACE.
• IF WE ARE TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF GOD, WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW GOD DEALT WITH MAN IN THESE DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIME.
• PAUL TELLS THE WORKMAN TO AVOID FALSE DOCTRINES (16-18).
• WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY THESE TWO APOSTATE MEN WHO DID NOT AVOID FALSE DOCTRINE AND LED OTHERS ASTRAY.
• THE LIFE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A BUILDING THAT ADVERTISES JESUS CHRIST. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, A JEWISH HOUSE WAS TO BE THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE WORD OF GOD. (DEU 6:8-9) THE LOYAL CHRISTIAN WILL MAKE SURE HIS LIFE ADVERTIZES HOLINESS. (19)
• THE SEAL IS THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT LIVES INSIDE THE CHRISTIAN.
• THE ILLUSTRATION OF A VESSEL (20-23)
• IN THE OLD TESTAMENT GOD SANCTIFIED (SET APART FOR HOLINESS) VESSELS OF GOLD TO BE USED IN THE TABERNACLE AND TEMPLE FOR WORSHIP OF GOD.
• IN THE NEW TESTAMENT GOD HAS SANCTIFIED (SET APART FOR HOLINESS) BELIEVERS TO BE USED FOR WORSHIP.
• THE OLD TESTAMENT VESSEL HAD TO BE CEREMONIALLY “CLEAN” BEFORE IT COULD BE USED IN GOD’S SERVICE FOR WORSHIP.
• THE NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER MUST BE A CLEAN VESSEL, FORGIVEN OF ALL SIN, BEFORE GOD CAN USE HIM IN WORSHIP AND SERVICE.
• THE CHRISTIAN IS COMMANDED TO FLEE YOUTHFUL LUSTS AND FOLLOW RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, AND PEACE.
• LOYALTY TO HIS CALLING IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CHRISTIAN VESSEL.
• GOD HAS CALLED US AND SET US APART FOR HIS SERVICE.
• THE ILLUSTRATION OF A SERVANT (24-26)
• THE PURPOSE OF A SERVANT IS TO SERVE. HE CONCERNS HIMSELF WITH HIS MASTER’S DESIRES AND NEEDS RATHER THAN HIS OWN. HIS LOYALTY IS TO HIS MASTER AND TO HIS JOB AS SERVANT.
• THE CHRISTIAN IS TO BE A SERVANT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THOSE IN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP. THOSE IN LEADERSHIP AUTHORITY SHOULD BE THE GREATER SERVANTS. JESUS IS THE EXAMPLE. (MAR 10:44-45)
• THE GENTLE SERVER IS AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE GOSPEL SO THAT NON-BELIEVERS WILL GET SAVED. (25-26)

• A CONTRAST OF LEADERSHIP STYLES:

IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE THEY LEAD

IN THEIR EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY

IN THEIR LEADERSHIP MODE

IN THE EFFECT OF THEIR LEADERSHIP STYLE

IN THEIR USE OF POWER

IN THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS

IN THEIR CHARACTER AND LIFESTYLE

• SUMMARY:
• WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT CHRISTIAN LOYALTY FROM THESE SEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS?
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN SON IS LOYAL TO GOD, THE FATHER, THROUGH OBEDIENCE.
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN SOLDIER IS LOYAL TO GOD’S PRIORITIES.
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN ATHLETE IS LOYAL TO THE GOAL GOD HAS SET.
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN FARMER IS LOYAL TO THE WORD OF GOD THAT HE PLANTS, WATERS, AND HARVESTS.
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN PLANTS HIS LIFE INTO THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE AND THROUGH LOYALTY WILL PRODUCE AN ETERNAL HARVEST.
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN WORKMAN IS LOYAL TO BUILD ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION.
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN VESSEL IS LOYAL TO GOD’S CALL ON HIS LIFE.
• A GOOD CHRISTIAN SERVANT IS LOYAL TO HIS MASTER AND TO THE JOB GOD HAS CALLED HIM TO DO.

HOMEWORK

2TIMOTHY 3:1-17

THIS IS A SELF-STUDY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HOMEWORK ANSWERS TO THE TEACHER FORCORRECTION.

• APPLICATION OF 2TIM 2:1-26
• WHICH NEEDS THE MOST WORK IN YOUR LIFE OF THE 7 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?
• HOW DO YOU PLAN TO WORK ON THIS ASPECT OF YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE?
• PREPARATION FOR 2TIM 3:1-17
• READ 2TIM 3:1-17
• 2TIM 3:2-4 GIVES 19 CHARACTERISTICS OF MANKIND. WHEN IN ALL PERIODS OF HISTORY DOES MANKIND OBSERVE ALL 19 OF THESE CHARACTERISTICS AT THE SAME TIME?
• WHAT IS PAUL’S REMEDY FOR APOSTASY?
• MEMORY VERSE: 2TIM 3:12