The Pastoral Epistles: 2 Timothy 2 (7)

Pray Psalm 126.4.
Bring back our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.

Review 2 Timothy 2.

Reflect.
1. What kind of example did Paul want Pastor Timothy to set for the people in Ephesus?

2. What does this imply about the kind of people we should be as followers of Christ?

Meditate.
A pastor has three primary tools for working his ministry: the Word of God, prayer, and his personal example. In 2 Timothy, Paul is concentrating on the last of these. He knows that the temper of the times – people drifting from God’s Word, becoming argumentative, and worse (see on, 2 Tim. 3.1ff) – could cause believers to stray from their calling to follow Jesus. But Timothy must not fall prey to such distractions.

Pastors must live the kind of lives God is looking for in all His people. If, like Timothy, they will stand firm on the Word, be on guard against false teaching, maintain a Christ-like demeanor, and seek always to serve, rather than to be admired, they can be effective in thwarting the desires of the devil and in building the Church of the Lord.

God wants all of His children to grow in the grace of the Lord. Some may be floundering at an immature stage of Christian life, while others continue to shine like gold and silver in their words and works. Churches are made up of both kinds of people. The pastor’s job is to keep teaching faithfully, shepherding diligently, witnessing humbly, and putting before the people he serves the example of Christ-like service that God is seeking from all His people.

When our pastors do this, we will be more likely to follow their lead as under-shepherds of the Lord.

Reflect.
1. How does this chapter suggest that we should pray for our pastors?

2. How should members of a local church encourage one another to grow in the Lord?

3. How can you become more consistent in bearing witness to your unbelieving neighbors?

It is the elect who are meant in the letter to Timothy, where, after mention of the attempts of Hymenaeus and Philetus to undermine the faith, the text goes on, “But the sure foundation of God stands firm, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows who are his.’ ” The faith of these latter, which works through charity, either does not ever fail, or, if it fail in some, the loss is repaired before death, the sin that intervened is blotted out and perseverance to the end is granted. Augustine (354-430), Admonition and Grace 7.16

Show me, Lord, where I need to grow in Christlikeness. Restore me from anything to which I have become captive, and free me today to…

Pray Psalm 126.
Whatever fear, doubt, or unbelief has taken you captive, give it to the Lord, and call on Him to revive and renew you today, as you go forth to sow in His Name.

Sing Psalm 126.
Psalm 126 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns!)
When God restored our fortunes all, we were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, made Him our constant song and theme.

Then the astonished nations said, “The Lord has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!

Restore our fortunes, Lord our King! Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing, who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow and cast their seed on every hand, 
with joy shall reach their heav’nly home, and bring the harvest of their land.

T. M. Moore

The lessons in this week’s study of the Pastoral Epistles, and all the studies in this series, are available as a free download by clicking here.

The Fall Term at The Ailbe Seminaryis now open for registration. Men, visit our website and watch this brief video, then choose one of three available courses to study from September to December. All courses are free of charge, and we’ll provide a Reader to work with you through your studies.

Whatever our calling in life, we are sent to bring the joy of Christ to the people around us. Our book, Joy to Your World!, can show you how to fill your Personal Mission Field with more of the Presence, promise, and power of Christ and His Kingdom. Order your copy, as a supplement to our study of 1 Timothy, by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).