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2 Timothy 4: Always Ready
How can we always be ready with God’s message?
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Luke 12:11–12 “When you are arrested and stand before synagogue authorities, governors, and kings, do not worry about what to say. At the time you must speak, you will be given the right words to say.”
2 Timothy 4:1–2 Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead when he returns to rule in his Kingdom, I urge you to be ready with God’s message at all times. Correct, rebuke, and encourage people while patiently accepting their need for time to hear, understand, and believe.
King James
Luke 12:11–12 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
2 Timothy 4:1–2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
How much do ministers today preach what people want to hear?
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2 Timothy 4:3–4 You will experience times when people reject sound teaching for what suits their desires. They will love those who preach what they want to hear. They will close their ears to the truth and embrace fantasies.
King James
2 Timothy 4:3–4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Of what value is preaching to an audience that isn’t listening?
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2 Timothy 4:5–6 But you should calmly endure those hardships, faithfully preaching the message of Jesus Christ with excellence, for I will soon die, like a sacrifice offered on the altar.
King James
2 Timothy 4:5–6 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
How did Paul feel about his life soon coming to an end?
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2 Corinthians 5:8 Without a doubt, we would rather be free from our earthly bodies so we can be at home with the Lord.
2 Timothy 4:5–6 But you should calmly endure those hardships, faithfully preaching the message of Jesus Christ with excellence, for I will soon die, like a sacrifice offered on the altar.
King James
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Timothy 4:5–6 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
What do you think we will be doing in Heaven?
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2 Timothy 4:5–6 But you should calmly endure those hardships, faithfully preaching the message of Jesus Christ with excellence, for I will soon die, like a sacrifice offered on the altar.
King James
2 Timothy 4:5–6 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Remaining faithful, not wavering, is commendable. How is that achieved?
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2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought long and hard to finish this race, and I have not wavered, remaining faithful.
James 1:5–6 If you don’t know the truth or how to apply it, then ask God, because he’s eager to help and won’t make you feel stupid. Ask in faith, never wavering in your trust for his guidance, lest you be like the waves of the sea, driven aimlessly by the wind,
King James
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
James 1:5–6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
What are some of Heaven’s rewards?
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2 Timothy 4:8 A crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord—the righteous judge—will award on the day of his return, not just for me but also for all who eagerly anticipate his coming.
King James
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Why was Paul so eager to see Timothy?
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2 Timothy 4:10–13 Demas has deserted me for the pleasures of this world, going to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me right now. When you come, bring Mark with you, for he will be a great help in my work here since I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring my coat that I left with Carpus in Troas, and also bring the books, especially the parchments.
King James
2 Timothy 4:10–13 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
How would you describe Paul’s attitude toward Alexander the metalworker?
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2 Timothy 4:14–15 Alexander the metalworker has done great damage to my ministry, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. Watch out for him, for he has fiercely opposed our teaching.
King James
2 Timothy 4:14–15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
What was Paul’s attitude toward those who would not stand with him in his courtroom defense?
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2 Timothy 4:16 At my first hearing, no one stood with me before the judge. Everyone deserted me, which I pray will not be a charge against them.
King James
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
What was the outcome of Paul’s trial? Why was the outcome not better or worse?
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2 Timothy 4:17 But I was not alone. The Lord stood with me and gave me strength to boldly preach the good news of Jesus Christ for those who don’t know him, and I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
King James
2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Paul believed he was soon to die, yet said God would protect him from harm. How could both be true?
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2 Timothy 4:6 for I will soon die, like a sacrifice offered on the altar.
2 Timothy 4:18 God will protect me from anyone who might intend to hurt me, bringing me safely into his Kingdom. I will be praising him forever. Count on it.
King James
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
If Priscilla and Aquila had come to see Paul, what would they have talked about?
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Acts 18:2 where he met Aquila, born in Pontus and a recent Jewish immigrant from Rome, and his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar ordered all Jews to leave.
2 Timothy 4:19 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
King James
Acts 18:2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
2 Timothy 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
Why do you think God didn’t heal Trophimus, so he could continue his travel with Paul?
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2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus stayed for ministry in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was too sick to travel.
King James
2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Why might Paul have felt a great need for Timothy to arrive by winter?
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2 Timothy 4:13 Bring my coat that I left with Carpus in Troas, and also bring the books, especially the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:21 Do your best to see me before winter. All the believers in Rome send their greetings, including Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia.
King James
2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
What must we do to be in perfect agreement with the Lord Jesus Christ?
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Proverbs 16:3 Include the Lord in everything you do, and he will direct your thoughts.
Luke 17:33 “If you try to save your life, you are going to lose it. But if you lose your life in surrender to God, you will save it.”
2 Corinthians 10:6 When you are fully surrendered to him, you dispel any tendency to go your own way.
2 Timothy 4:22 May your spirit be in perfect agreement with the Lord Jesus Christ. His favor be with you always. Let it be so.
King James
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.