Lesson Four

Embrace the Race

A Study of 2 Timothy

Faith in Jesus Christ is not, nor has it ever been, a promise of a life of ease. Rather, it is a clarion
call to battle. At the writing of this letter to Timothy, Paul was imprisoned in a Roman dungeon.
Paul was, no doubt, suffering from his confinement. Held in a damp subterranean cell the apostle
survived his cruel incarceration for preaching the gospel without any human comforts. Without
blankets or bedding the apostle endured the harsh conditions. The damp air chilled him to the
bone. Meager food rations barely kept him alive and he lacked nearly any human contact. While
his physical body was well aware of his human misery, Paul’s spirit remained unshackled. Paul
considered his imprisonment to be part of God’s sovereign plan for his life.

As Paul penned his letter, he was well aware the gospel truths were about to be handed into the
hands of second generation Christians. The company of those who had actually lived during the
earthly ministry of Jesus Christ was dwindling and soon would be gone. The obvious importance
of carefully handing down the truth to faithful men who will be able to each others also was
paramount.

I. Be Strong in the Grace of God-2 Timothy 2:1-6

Amazing grace! Grace is God’s unmerited favor extended to sinful humanity by the cross of
Jesus Christ. By grace through faith we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For
by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Go; not
as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:8-9). By grace we are pardoned in Christ.
By grace we are empowered day by day as we strive to stand strong in the Lord.

Paul knew the level of suffering was escalating and it would test of the mettle of his disciple.
Without his spiritual mentor to look to, Timothy would be forced to lean heavily on the Lord
Jesus Christ in order to stand strong. Paul used three vocations to illustrate that Timothy, as well
as all Christians, must work hard to learn patience and perseverance.

a. The Dedicated Solider-In 2 Timothy 2:3 Paul wrote, Suffer hardship with me, as a good
solider of Christ Jesus. A good soldier suffers from fatigue, adversity, misery, harsh conditions,
danger and other obstacles without complaint. He obeys his commanding officer without
question or hesitation. He refuses to be distracted by personal concerns in order to fulfill his
commission and discharge his obligation. Likewise a Christian must have a single-minded focus
to share the good news of Jesus Christ and, if necessary, to suffer for it.

b. The Disciplined Athlete-Paul also used an athlete to make his point. Like the solider, the
athlete accepts the rigors and rules of the competition, including the demands and difficulties, in
order to compete and win. Committed Christians do not live by a set of legalistic rules; rather we
let the Word of God rule our lives.
Run Well, Finish Strong – Passing the Baton of Faith to the Next Generation
A study in the book of 2 Timothy
We live a life governed by the disciples of the faith. We put the world, the flesh and the devil to
death in order to effectively run the race that is set before us. We fix our eyes on Jesus and we
run well. We want to finish strong and win the prize of the high calling of Jesus Christ.

C. The Diligent Farmer-Like the dedicated solider and the disciplined athlete, the diligent
farmer plants the seeds, nurtures his crop, and patiently waits for the harvest. Only the
industrious farmer will receive an increase. His hard work will be rewarded. He and his family
will receive a portion of the crop, while the rest will be sold to purchase seed for the next year’s
harvest.

The solider enjoys his commander’s approval. The athlete enjoys the victor’s crown. The diligent
farmer enjoys the fruits of his labor. All three illustrations point to the necessary development of
perseverance and patience. Christian mom, to assume the Christian life is anything but hard is to
set yourself up for disappointment and failure. The Christian life is a war that demands
dedication. It is a marathon race, not a sprint, and demands discipline. And the Christian life is
first fruits of a glorious harvest that demands diligence. Anything else and you will not run well
or finish strong.

II. Be Mindful of the Glory of God-2 Timothy 2:7-10

The ultimate example of purpose, patience, and persevere is Jesus Christ who is risen from the
dead (2 Tim. 2:7). If we are going to stand strong in His grace and live for His glory, Jesus
Christ must have preeminence in our lives.

Paul was certainly not ashamed to be imprisoned as a criminal for the cause of Christ. Paul was
confident his suffering would further the kingdom of God and he rested in God’s sovereignty.
Sometimes we are called to suffer for no other benefit than what others can learn from our
experience of pain. Paul was willing to endure suffering, and a martyr’s death, that others might
come to Christ. God has a purpose and a plan for every aspect of our lives. Stay mindful of His
work in your life. Fix your eyes on Jesus and run well.

III. Be Confident of the Faithfulness of God-2 Timothy 2:11-13

Most scholars believe Paul quoted a hymn of the early church to make his point (2 Tim.
2:11-13). He used it to remind Timothy, and all believers, of the need to die to self and live for
Christ (v. 11). Endurance and perseverance, even in the face of suffering and persecution, is
required of all Christians. Faithfulness should be the benchmark of our faith. But, praise God,
even if we stumble and fall, God remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself.

These words are not written to unbelievers, but to those who have been saved by grace through
faith. Even after our conversion experience, our humanity (the indwelling principle of sin) is
tempted by the world, the flesh, and the devil. When we indulge sin and act faithlessly, God
remains faithful. This does not give us license to sin; rather it assures us that when we do, we can
repent, seek forgiven, and be restored. If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot
deny Himself/God is faithful even at those times we are not (2 Tim. 2:13).

Beloved mom, embrace the race. Stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:1).
Run well. Finish strong.

Run Well, Finish Strong – Passing the Baton of Faith to the Next Generation
A study in the book of 2 Timothy