Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, (12) that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (2:1) Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, (2) not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

The Apostle Paul wrote the 2nd letter to the Thessalonians.  Paul founded the church there on his second missionary journey – Thessalonica was a geographic center chosen for its strategic location for the spread of the gospel.  Because of Pauls success there the Judaizers – false teachers – started distorting the gospel Paul preached and in particular the doctrine concerning the second coming of Christ Jesus. This second letter was written as to correct this and to warn the faithful to be wary of those pretending to be from/of Paul.

The first verses we look at today take us into Paul’s prayer life. In all of his letters Paul uses – always uses – the word always when addressing the faithful. His prayer is unending and on the foundational level of his daily life. Because this letter is occasioned by the confusion of the end times, Paul is reminding the faithful that they have been chosen by God and that they are enabled by Gods  grace and power to endure and be worthy of being called.

In chapter 2, Paul is specific as to why the chosen have not missed return of Christ Jesus – and that they already know what is to come.   He means that the Jewish faithful are familiar with the Old Testament and the prophecies of Daniel. What will happen before the second coming of Christ has not yet occurred and the Christians are children of the light, not of darkness. Paul warns them not to be deceived by “word or letter” into believing other than the gospel he has preached.

What I found so fascinating was Paul’s description of what is to come – we are told of the coming of persecutions and the time of the Antichrist – the rapture and the day of the Lord.  This was also prophesied by Daniel and again written about in Revelation.  I had not realized that Paul’s description of the end times was so thorough and specific until I researched the context of the verses for this Sunday.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7)  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8) Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.  (16) At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me.  May it not be charged against them.  (17) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.  Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18) And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.  To Him be glory forever and ever.  Amen!

The second letter to Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul. Our verses today are a summary of Paul’s own life, in his own words, and are his final words to Timothy – and to us. Paul is in Rome, imprisoned in the dreadful Mamertine prison where the only entry was through a hole in the ceiling and his pit was without light, water or toilet – or heat. We read through Paul’s final words that he is lonely, abandoned – except for Luke – disappointed and fearful for the Church that it’s center will hold in the face of escalating persecution and corruption. But Paul, in the face of certain immanent death, is calm and absolutely sure the crown of righteousness awaits him. He has finished his race and will see God as will all those who have loved His appearing.

Paul tells us that his life is  already being poured out as a drink offering would be poured out – the final phase of a sacrificial offering to the Lord. He knows that starting well is relatively easy – finishing well is the test.  Paul knows that the world through evil is hostile to Christians.  He is at peace with God and knows that he has lived his life obedient to God’s will and power. Paul is ready to depart – he has done well; fought the good fight for the gospel for the glory of God. He has finished the course. His focus was always on Christ and the reality of the future eternal life was always there – because God Imputes the righteousness of Christ to faithful men we are justified and our sins are covered. Paul has fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. There is no regret, no sadness and no sense of the incomplete. These verses are words of joy and triumph. And Paul knows that God will welcome his good and faithful servant.  This is not death but departure and there is no greater encouragement to live such a live that we also may “depart” to God’s glory.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from who you have learned them, (15) and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.   (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (4:1) I charge you, therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:  (2) Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

The second letter to Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul. THis letter was written from prison and Paul knew he was about to be executed for his faith and the gospel he preached, so essentially, this was his last will and testament.

In second Timothy, Paul is describing the difficulties of the last days – we are living in the last days also. Basically he is charging Timothy – most emphatically charging Timothy – to preach the gospel and saying that Christians will survive because of the reliability and profitiability of the Bible.  We have been told that all Scripture is God breathed – that under the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit the personalities and style of the various human authors were used to write down the words of Scripture.  The Bible was not just approved by God but it originated and was imparted by God.  It provides not just for spiritual problems but is useful (essential) for all of life.

Jesus Christ used the Old TestMent – all of it – as authority for His actions.  We cannot set ourselves up as judges of the Bible and must be wary of lifting passages out of context to prove something.  I believe that the Bible is inspired by God and originates with God – it is without error.  There are interpretive discussions but there are scientific and archeological discoveries all the time that verify The historical accuracy of the Bible – If the Bible is in part historically inaccurate how can we believe in other facts, I.e., the  resurrection????

Paul here is not just charging Timothy on expositon of Scripture and the gospel, he is telling him to use it as an instructors manual and by implication, he is charging all ministers to use the Bible to teach, reprove, correct and train man for righteousness.

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Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.  (10) Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (11) This is a faithful saying:  “For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.  (12) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He will also deny us.  (13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself”.

The second letter to Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul to his faithful disciple Timothy who was serving as Paul’s representative in Ephesus while Paul was in chains in a Roman dungeon. in our verses today Paul expressly mentions two things: the doctrine he wishes to be preserved uncorrupted – that Jesus was truly man (The seed of david) and truly God and that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Everything hinges on the resurrection of Christ – if He is not risen  our faith is worthless

PAul’s gospel and consequential imprisonment means that he was a faithful minister. Some thought less of Paul because he was in prison but Paul makes it clear he was not there because of a criminal act but for Christ and  he felt that his Imprisonment only affirmed his testimony.  Human circumstances cannot confine the word of God

Scripture also teaches god’s elect in our verses –  the point being that natural man is incapable of understanding spiritual truth and it is God who opens the eyes and hearts of some. Paul quotes what was probably a hymn about God is trustworthy and will not fail to keep His promises. There are four “if” clauses referring to the faithful who will have eternal life. The second 2 clauses refer to those who deny Christ and the consequences of that denial. Paul’s point being that if we endure hardships with Christ we will experience glory with Him in eternity.  And our denail of Christ denies those men the eternal reward that could have been theirs.

Our denial and faithfulness affects only us. It will not change Christ at all. But the consequences for faithless man are the saddest words in Scripture.  In Matthew chapter 7, verse 23, Christ speaks these terrible words:   And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  (8) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me HIs prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.  (13) Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  (14) That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  

The second highly personal and emotional letter to Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul who wrote from a Roman prison – alone except for Luke – and almost certainly facing death.  Paul had acted as Timothy’s mentor and spiritual father and had given him responsibilities to act as his representative in the churches Paul had founded in that ancient world. At the time of the letter Timothy was in Ephesus left there to combat the false teachers in that city.

In our verses today, Paul exhorts Timothy to stand fast in the abundance of the excellent gifts of grace given Timothy by God.  He urges Timothy to an active ministry in the face of many and great obstacles – that mans courage alone will not overcome these but the power of the Spirit will uphold him. He tells Timothy to be not ashamed of the gospel; the persecution of Christians under the emperor Nero was now in full force.  Paul is forbidding the fear of disgrace or persecution keep Timothy from preaching the gospel Paul taught him. The more hateful to the world the gospel doctrine is the more openly it should be confessed.

Paul tells Timothy to not withdraw from him or any who are being persecuted in the name of Christ. Paul says he is Christ’s prisoner – not for any crime or evil deed but for His name. Paul is a victim of the unjust judgment of men and there is nothing disgraceful in his inprisonment. Timothy should prepare himself for afflictions connected to the gospel – and “according to the power of God” we are not alone and this admonition and word of consolation will deliver the faithful to eternal victory.  Paul is not being philosophical but is being realistic here – he is facing execution but is telling Timothy he is out of danger in the power of God and is fully convinced salvation is of the Lord.

Paul reminds Timothy of the greatness of the benefits of salvation – evil pales by comparison. This world is fleeting and we need to keep our hearts and minds above.  Timothy is to keep close the value of what God has given him – his gifts and ministry are of inestimable value – and not just the ministry but the gifts of the Spirit which qualify him for the ministry.  Timothy is told to hold fast to sound doctrine and to add piety and love with Christ as our source.