Faithfulness in Hardship

Safely Home in the Heavenly Kingdom

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 19:22:43 +0000

While faithful followers of Jesus may face many hardships in life, the Lord will ultimately deliver us from all evil and bring us safely home into the heavenly kingdom. In part 11 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 4:9-22.

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Study Notes

Paul’s Departure and Arrival… Your Departure and Arrival

Understanding the Text

Final Instructions (4:9-22)
- Practical matters
- Warning
- Forgiveness
- Anticipation

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The New Heaven and New Earth

Applying the Text

Are you trusting in the Lord to see you through life’s hardships?
Are you eagerly anticipating your arrival in the heavenly kingdom?
Are you ordering your life today in the light of forever?

Fight the Good Fight

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 18:15:56 +0000

Let us all endeavor to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith knowing that God will award the crown of righteousness to all who have loved His appearing. In part 10 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Departure (4:6)
Life Review (4:7)
- Fight the good fight!
- Finish the race!
- Keep the faith!
Arrival (4:8)

Spiritually maturing persons…

live with an eternal perspective
endure to the end
anticipate eternal reward

Applying the Text

Do you live in the light of your imminent departure?
Are you fighting the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith?
Do you eagerly anticipate your arrival in Heaven?

Preach the Word

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 19:21:23 +0000

Followers of Jesus are called to be ready at all times to proclaim and patiently teach God’s truth in whatever ministry context God has given. In part 9 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

Paul’s Message to a Young Pastor

Jesus will judge all people (4:1)
Preach the Word always (4:2a)
Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage with good teaching (4:2b)
People will seek out teachers who tell them what they want to hear (4:3)
People will reject the truth and chase after myths (4:4)
But you must remain level-headed (4:5a)
Endure suffering, proclaim the gospel and carry out your ministry (4:5b)

The Message for all Followers of Jesus

Remember that Jesus will judge all people
Proclaim God’s truth whether it’s well-received or not
Correct and encourage one another
Don’t chase after popular preachers and fads that tell you only what you want to hear
Remain well-grounded in solid, biblical doctrine
Endure suffering for Christ
Proclaim the gospel in word and deed
Be faithful in the place of service God has given you

Spiritually maturing persons…

always proclaim God’s truth no matter the reception
correct and encourage other believers
stay grounded in solid doctrine
endure suffering for Christ
share the gospel
fulfill their ministry

Applying the Text

Preach the Word!
Stay Grounded!
Don’t Quit!

The Breath of God

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 19:16:55 +0000

Followers of Jesus are called to continue in what we have learned and believed as we submit to the ministries of the God-breathed Scripture. In part 8 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 3:10-17.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

Understanding the Text

The power of a godly example (3:10-13)
The power of godly family members (3:14-15a)
The power of God’s Word (3:15b-17)

Spiritually maturing persons…

follow godly examples
teach Scripture to their children
submit to the ministries of Scripture

Applying the Text

Are you reading the Book that will read you?
Are you a doer of the Word?

Godlessness in the Last Days

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 18:55:34 +0000

Followers of Jesus must steer clear of the godlessness of the last days. In part 7 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

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Study Notes

In the last days…

there will come times of difficulty (3:1)
people will be lovers of self… (3:2-5)
false teachers will take advantage of people (3:6-7)
false teachers will be exposed as fools (3:8-9)

Spiritually maturing persons…

understand there will be difficulties in the last days
are lovers of God, rather than self
avoid ungodly people, teachings and practices that would lead them astray

Applying the Text

Do you have a “last days” mindset?
Do you seek to love God more than yourself?
Do you avoid ungodly people, teachings and practices?

An Approved Worker – Right Living

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 17:22:09 +0000

The pursuit of holiness - right living - makes the follower of Jesus useful for His service, ready for every good work. In part 6 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 2:20-26.

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Study Notes

The Visible Church and the Invisible Church

Some Context First…

An Approved Worker…

separates from what is dishonorable (2:20-21a)
will be made holy, useful to God, ready for every good work (2:21b)
flees youthful passions (2:22a)
pursues righteousness, faith, love and peace (2: 22b)
avoids foolish controversies (2:23)
must not be quarrelsome (2:24a)
must be kind, able to teach and patient (2:24b)
corrects opponents with gentleness (2:25-26)

Spiritually maturing persons…

pursue holiness
avoid foolish controversies
gently correct opponents

Applying the Text

Do you want to be an approved worker?
Are you standing firm in right doctrine?
Are you pursuing right living?

An Approved Worker- Right Doctrine

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 17:20:21 +0000

The faithful follower of Jesus must avoid useless, corrupting arguments and instead endeavor to stand firm in right doctrine, rightly handling the word of truth. In part 5 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 2:14-19.

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Study Notes

An Approved Worker…

reminds God’s people of right doctrine (2:14a)
warns God’s people away from ruinous false doctrine (2:14b)
works hard to rightly handle the Word of God (2:15)
avoids ungodly, contagious false doctrine (2:16-18)
rests in God’s sovereignty and departs from evil (2:19)

Spiritually maturing persons…

steer clear of ruinous false doctrines
stand firm in right doctrine
work hard to rightly handle Scripture

Applying the Text

Do you know right doctrine?
Do you steer clear of false doctrine?
Do you know how to rightly interpret and apply Scripture?

The Unbound Word

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 17:28:29 +0000

Following the example of Jesus, we can endure hardship for the sake of those who will believe as we proclaim the unbound Word of God and rest in our hope in Jesus. In part 4 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 2:8-13.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

Understanding the Text

A Bound Apostle (2:8-9a)
The Unbound Word (2:9b-10)
A Faithful Savior (2:11-13)

Spiritually maturing persons…

remember Christ
endure hardship for Christ
persevere in Christ
rest in Christ

Applying the Text

Endure for Christ
Rest in Christ

Teacher, Soldier, Athlete, Farmer

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 17:21:56 +0000

In the strength of Christ’s grace, followers of Jesus are called to teach others and endure with a single-minded, obedient, hard-working devotion to Jesus. In part 3 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 2:1-7.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

As followers of Jesus, let us…

be strengthened by His grace (2:1)
teach others (2:2)
be devoted to Christ first (2:3-4)
obey God’s Word (2:5)
work hard (2:6)
reflect on these words (2:7)

Spiritually maturing persons…

find their strength in the Christ’s grace
entrust the gospel to others so they can teach others
share in Christ’s sufferings
seek to please Christ first
pursue obedience to God’s Word
work hard in anticipation of heavenly reward
reflect consistently on the truths of Scripture

Applying the Text

Teach
Love
Obey
Work
Rely

Guard the Truth

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 17:30:42 +0000

Followers of Jesus are called to guard the truth of sound gospel teaching and support those who faithfully proclaim the truth. In part 2 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 1:13-18.

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Study Notes

What is your most valuable material possession?

What do you value more than anything else in life?

Some Context First…

Understanding the Text

Follow the pattern (1:13)
Guard the good deposit (1:14)
Support the persecuted (1:15-18)

Spiritually maturing persons…

are obedient to Scripture
guard gospel truth
support persecuted believers

Applying the Text

Do you understand and value the gospel above all else?
Do you practice spiritual discernment?
Do you support others who are guarding the gospel?

A Call to Courage

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 17:17:00 +0000

Followers of Jesus have been called to courageously live out a holy calling. In part 1 of Faithfulness in Hardship, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Timothy 1:1-12.

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Study Notes

2 TIMOTHY: FAITHFULNESS IN HARDSHIP

The book of 2 Timothy contains “famous last words” of the Apostle Paul. Knowing that his death was near, Paul counseled his young son in the faith, Timothy, to remain faithful to Christ in the face of hardship. Through his teaching and example, Paul shows us a powerful picture of spiritual maturity and leadership. Like Paul, let us also endeavor to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith as we eagerly anticipate Christ’s eternal reward.

A Brief Introduction to 2 Timothy

Author: Paul

Date: About AD 67

Recipient: Timothy

Purpose: To encourage Timothy (and us) to continue in faithfulness to Christ in the face of hardship.

Some Context First…

Understanding the Text

A Sincere Faith (1:1-5)
A Spirit of Power, Love and Self-Control (1:6-7)
Suffering for the Gospel (1:8-12)

Spiritually maturing persons…

learn from those older and teach those younger
are grateful to God
maintain a clear conscience
constantly remember others in prayer
engage in vibrant relationships with others
encourage others in their faith
share their faith with others
use their spiritual gifts to build up the kingdom
depend on the Holy Spirit’s power and love
are willing to suffer for the gospel
humbly recognize all they have is because of God’s grace
pursue holiness
are obedient to God’s call
are confident in final salvation and eternal reward

Applying the Text

Are you struggling with fear?
Do you need the Spirit’s power, love and self-control?