Sunday Sermon Review July 8, 2012
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
Normally I write a sermon review from my home church that I attend regularly. Today the service at our church was cancelled so I am not able to write my usual post. But I listened to an online sermon by Chuck Swindoll so I will share some of what was taught there. It was really quite insightful and provided a good look into the last days of the Apostle Paul.
In his sermon, Chuck Swindoll was reviewing the book of 2 Timothy.
He started out by discussing the fact that the final words of a person are often his best words. When a person knows that he or she has only a short time left on this earth, you want to leave some words of advice and encouragement for your loved ones. It is at a time like this, that we find ourselves listening more closely to the person in his dying day as he or she shares wisdom about life and encouraging us in our futures.
As Chuck Swindoll was speaking about this I was reminded of my own Dad who did this very thing with our family the last Christmas that he had with us. I have written a blog post on this entitled "Dad's Final Message to the family". You will find it in my archives posted on May 16, 2012. I share my Dad's final message to our family which he gave us about 7 months before his passing. I encourage everyone to read it also.
Chuck Swindoll encouraged us to listen to the aged among us and also suggested that we personally write words of encouragement to leave behind for our loved ones, that when we have passed on they will have a word from us.
Here in 2 Timothy, we see Paul confined to a prison in Rome. It was a dark underground dungeon and Paul knew he had no escape out of there other than death. He knew death was imminent. He is lonely and cold in this dark dungeon. So Paul the Apostle while chained up in this dungeon writes as it were his last will and testament to Timothy.
Paul is in his mid 60's while Timothy is younger in his mid life years. Timothy is in Ephesus and Paul is writing from Rome to Timothy to encourage him in his life of ministry and to give advice to him.
Paul's Three Reasons for Writing to Timothy:
1)To Equip Timothy for a Tough Task - to take up the baton and run with it
2) To Stir Up His Friend - Timothy was young, prone to sickness, and had an introvertish character
3) Wrap up Personal Matters before his Death - he felt the urgency to do this
The Structure of the Book of 2 Timothy - There are 4 commands:
Chapter 1
Guard the treasure that is the gospel message - Chapter 1:14 - That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Chapter 2
Be prepared to suffer hardships - Chapter 2:3 - Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3
Continue in the things you learned. The good old fashioned gospel message. Chapter 3:14 -But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Chapter 4
Preach the Word - Chapter 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Concluding Wrap-up
Communicate the Gospel
Suffer for the Gospel
Guard the Gospel Message
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
Normally I write a sermon review from my home church that I attend regularly. Today the service at our church was cancelled so I am not able to write my usual post. But I listened to an online sermon by Chuck Swindoll so I will share some of what was taught there. It was really quite insightful and provided a good look into the last days of the Apostle Paul.
In his sermon, Chuck Swindoll was reviewing the book of 2 Timothy.
He started out by discussing the fact that the final words of a person are often his best words. When a person knows that he or she has only a short time left on this earth, you want to leave some words of advice and encouragement for your loved ones. It is at a time like this, that we find ourselves listening more closely to the person in his dying day as he or she shares wisdom about life and encouraging us in our futures.
As Chuck Swindoll was speaking about this I was reminded of my own Dad who did this very thing with our family the last Christmas that he had with us. I have written a blog post on this entitled "Dad's Final Message to the family". You will find it in my archives posted on May 16, 2012. I share my Dad's final message to our family which he gave us about 7 months before his passing. I encourage everyone to read it also.
Chuck Swindoll encouraged us to listen to the aged among us and also suggested that we personally write words of encouragement to leave behind for our loved ones, that when we have passed on they will have a word from us.
Here in 2 Timothy, we see Paul confined to a prison in Rome. It was a dark underground dungeon and Paul knew he had no escape out of there other than death. He knew death was imminent. He is lonely and cold in this dark dungeon. So Paul the Apostle while chained up in this dungeon writes as it were his last will and testament to Timothy.
Paul is in his mid 60's while Timothy is younger in his mid life years. Timothy is in Ephesus and Paul is writing from Rome to Timothy to encourage him in his life of ministry and to give advice to him.
Paul's Three Reasons for Writing to Timothy:
1)To Equip Timothy for a Tough Task - to take up the baton and run with it
2) To Stir Up His Friend - Timothy was young, prone to sickness, and had an introvertish character
3) Wrap up Personal Matters before his Death - he felt the urgency to do this
The Structure of the Book of 2 Timothy - There are 4 commands:
Chapter 1
Guard the treasure that is the gospel message - Chapter 1:14 - That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Chapter 2
Be prepared to suffer hardships - Chapter 2:3 - Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3
Continue in the things you learned. The good old fashioned gospel message. Chapter 3:14 -But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Chapter 4
Preach the Word - Chapter 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Concluding Wrap-up
Communicate the Gospel
Suffer for the Gospel
Guard the Gospel Message
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