1:8,9 "We want the power of God to be manifested, but sometimes we fail to seek purity on our part." Anonymous testimony
(quoted in The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer by Bill Bright) 1:10 "Surely God would not have created such a being as man, with an ability to grasp the infinite, to exist only for a day. No, no, man was made for immortality." Abraham Lincoln CHAPTER 2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give you understanding in all things.
"The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world."
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even to bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
1 3 If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS 2:19 "The church is full of hypocrites."
Hypocrites may show up at a church building every Sunday, but there are no hypocrites in the Church (Christ's body).
Hypocrite comes from the Greek word for "actor," or pretender. Hypocrisy is "the practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold." The Church is made up of true believers; hypocrites are
"pretenders" who sit among God's people.
God knows those who love Him, and the Bible warns that He will sort out the true converts from the false on the Day of Judgment. All hypocrites will end up in hell
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared to every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
POINTS FOR OPEN-AIR PREACHING 2:24–26 "Watch It, Blind Man!"
There is one passage in Scripture to which I point for all those who want to witness or preach in the open-air. It is 2 Timothy 2:24–
26. Memorize it. Scripture tells us that sinners are blind. They cannot see. What would you think if I were to stomp up to a blind man who had just stumbled, and say, "Watch where you're going, blind man!"? Such an attitude is completely unreasonable. The man cannot see.
The same applies to the lost—spiritual sight is beyond their ability. Look at the words used in Scripture: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God
... The god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not ... But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them ... Having the understanding darkened ... because of the blindness of their heart ... Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
With these thoughts in mind, read 2 Timothy 2:24–26 again and look at the adjectives used by Paul to describe the attitude we are to have with sinners: "must not strive ... be gentle ... patient ... in meekness." Just as it is unreasonable to be impatient with a blind man, so it is with the sinner. See Matthew 5:10–12 comment.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, able to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2:3 "A barracks is meant to be a place where real soldiers were to be fed and equipped for war, not a place to settle down in or as a comfortable snuggery in which to enjoy ourselves. I hope that if ever they, our soldiers, do settle down God will burn their barracks over their heads!" Catherine Booth
2:19 True and false converts. False converts lack genuine contrition for sin. They make a profession of faith but are deficient in biblical repentance—"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16). A true convert, however, has a knowledge of sin and has godly sorrow, truly repents, and produces the "things that accompany salvation"
(Hebrews 6:9). This is evident by the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of righteousness, etc.
However, only God truly knows the genuine from the false.
"Our churches are full of the nicest, kindest people who have never known the despair of guilt or the breathless wonder of forgiveness." P.T. Forsyth 2:21 "When you are willing, God will call you. When you are prepared, God will empower you. When you are empowered, God will test you. When you are tested, God will strengthen you. When you are strengthened, God will use you, and when you are used, God will reward you." Ross Rhodes
"Clay is molded into a vessel, but the ultimate use of the vessel depends on the part where nothing exists. Doors and windows are cut out of the wall of a house, but the ultimate use of the house depends on the parts where nothing exists. I wish to become such a useful nothing." Richard Wurmbrand 2:24 This is the spirit in which we should share our faith. It has been well said, "Never argue with a fool. Someone watching might not be able to tell the difference." As we witness, we must be kind and gentle to those who oppose us. It is not our job to convince them with brilliant arguments, but simply to share the truth, so that God may bring them to repentance. See 2 Timothy 4:2.
2:26 Warning sinners of judgment.
Jeremiah warned King Zedekiah repeatedly that God would judge His people. The prophet pleaded with the king, but still he would not do what Jeremiah said. One cannot but wonder what the king thought about after he was blinded and bound with chains (Jeremiah 39:6–8). Perhaps his thoughts were of the last thing he saw—the unspeakable agony of seeing his own beloved sons butchered before his eyes. Perhaps the words of Jeremiah flashed before his tormented mind, warning him that all of Israel (including his sons) could have been saved if he had obeyed the voice of the Lord. We can't begin to imagine the remorse he felt.
How this must typify the ungodly who have been bound by the bronze fetters of sin, "taken captive by [the devil] at his will." We warn that there is judgment coming (both temporal and eternal) to those who live for the devil, but most remain in unbelief. Their master is he who came "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). He blinds the minds of those who don't believe. Like Zedekiah, so many see their own sons and daughters die before their very eyes. AIDS and other sinrelated diseases, as well as alcohol, drugs, and suicide, kill many before their time.
Multitudes give themselves to the burning fires of sexual lust, and so the devil breaks down the walls of entire nations.
Yet, there is still time to warn them. There is still time to pray that God will open their understanding. God told Jeremiah to tell an Ethiopian named Ebedmelech that He would deliver him from judgment. He said, "For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but your life shall be for a prey to you: because you have put your trust in me, says the Lord" (Jeremiah 39:18). This is the message we are to deliver. He who keeps his