King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, December 24, 2023
Chapters: THE BOOK OF 2 TIMOTHY
Message: Afflicted With An Everlasting Promise
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
Merry Christmas Eve! I woke up really early this morning, I suppose God knew that I would get so busy that I would push Him to the side since it was not only Sunday, but Christmas Eve as well. We usually spend Christmas Eve with my brother’s family as Christmas Day tends to get a little hectic with so many people in the combined families. However, this year they are coming by just for lunch since they live ninety minutes away and church is in the evening. Of all the Christmases, this one is by far the most challenging that I have ever seen, I mean I have struggled in the past, but not like this and everyone in my house is struggling right now. One thing is for sure, God, is going to remind us of what Christmas is all about.
[Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.]
The Book of 2 Timothy is the sixteenth book of the New Testament, the fifty-fifth book of the Bible, and contains four chapters. The author of this letter is Paul and it was written to Timothy in approximately 64AD, which he wrote from prison fearing he would soon be executed. The purpose of the letter was to encourage Timothy to assume the responsibility of the ministry which the apostle was handing over to him while facing persecution. What we are to learn from the book is that each person who lives for Christ will suffer persecution, but Christ gives them the power to endure and be a witness to others, [2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.]
Paul, wrote this letter to Timothy about a year after he had given them instructions on how to get the church at Ephesus in order. He had been struggling with some persecution, he praises Timothy for being a Godly leader, encourages him not to fear what is happening to him, and what the purpose was behind the affliction.
[2 Timothy 1:1-5,7 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.]
[according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,] That gift of eternal life with Jesus simply by the grace of God upon our faith and trust in Him is a promise, not some condition or command to follow after we believe, [Romans 6:22-23 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.]
Sometimes, in fact, quite often, we need that encouragement from others that we are doing a good work through the Lord. It is so easy to get caught up in a depression for the afflictions we face that we lose sight of God’s grace that is freely given to all who belong to Him. These afflictions that we face through Christ are the driving point to our faith, not to mention the lost and we need not to be ashamed of our testimony.
[2 Timothy 1:8-12 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.]
[but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel] There is special kind of affliction that we face as true Christians that no one else will receive and it really is not for us to feel ashamed, fear, or offended because if they persecuted Jesus they will persecute us too. Do you realize that this is the worse that it will ever get for us, the life that we will receive once we leave this earth will be all worth the pain we endured here, [Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.]
Do you know how many people are walking around in fear, and scared out of their minds because they do not know what tomorrow brings. We are actually their hope, at least, for the ones who have some kind of faith in God. As we face tomorrow, we are not commanded to hide in fear, we are commanded to go out there, and be strong in the grace that is in Christ.
[2 Timothy 2:1-5,9-10 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.]
[And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned,] Affliction does not come without merit for the saved, born again Christian who endures it through Christ. In fact, we will receive a crown for not only standing firm on our faith, but our labor as well. We must take care that we do good in a right manner, that our good may not be spoken evil of, [2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.]
Do you remember years ago when men would be drafted into the army when they turned eighteen? This is what happened to every saved, born again Christian, we are drafted into Christ’s army as soon as we become a Christian. Do you think that Jesus would not equip us with the weapons we need to fight in this battle? We are soldiers, standing at the command of Christ to go out and preach the Gospel to every lost soul that He lays upon our heart. We are also commanded by Christ to preach the truth, even when we are suffering affliction.
[2 Timothy 2:15-16,19-21,24 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,]
[And the servant of the Lord must not strive;] We are to take the good with the bad because we serve a risen Saviour. Because He Lives, we can face tomorrow, but the lost cannot, and unless we are out there, they have no chance of being found. We are soldiers, standing at the command of Christ Himself, to go out and preach the Gospel to every lost soul that He lays upon our heart. We are also commanded by Christ Himself to preach the truth because troublesome times are coming really fast.
[2 Timothy 3:1-5,8-9 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.]
[Having a form of godliness,] Oh, they appear all righteous and sweet, they are for equality, diversity, unity, that is unless you are a faithful Christian, or someone who does not agree with what they see as right. It all comes down to this, [for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,]. Fools they are, professing themselves wise, they disregard the truth, believing the lies. Does any of this sound familiar to you?
[Romans 1:22-25 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.]
Let me tell you, being a good soldier for Christ is truly a labor of love, but our efforts to follow God’s will, do not go unnoticed with God, especially if we do it under trials and tribulation. And if you endured something, realizing it was God who got you through it, you will find that your labor of love does nor return void.
[2 Timothy 3:12-17 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.]
[And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,] Meaning, the second you believed in Christ, you understood from the Scriptures that Christ died for you, and that alone made you His child. We are given a new birth the second we receive Christ as our Saviour, and that birth is to our soul, that makes us His children. We cannot learn the Scriptures unless we become a child of God, and that is only possible through our faith in Christ, [Romans 10:10-12,17 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.]
I am not being a pessimist here, but we are definitely in perilous times and all need to wake up to the realization that our nations are losing the very foundation that has kept them from crumbling since we became the United States of America, and that is God. If Paul saw this way back in his day, can you imagine how close we are of Christ returning.
[2 Timothy 4:1-4 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; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.]
[And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,] It grieves me to see all these things unfolding before my very eyes. Something else comes to mind as I read this, since there are so many “versions” of the Bible it is really going to be hard for people to know the truth. In fact, I foresee, and this is happening in other countries right now, the burning of God’s Word, replacing it with these garbage translations that have nothing to do with redemption, and even encourage sin.
[2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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. 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. 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.]
[I have fought a good fight,] And this is why we do what we do, so that when we stand before our Saviour, we can say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” Of course, we are not perfect, of course, we mess up a thousand times a day, but we living our lives by fighting the good fight. Of course, that crown is none other than our salvation. Since we are not saved by our works we cannot lose our salvation should we get caught up in the lusts of the world. Once Christ gets here, we will be raptured out of here, and only unbelievers will be left on the earth, [1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.]
Today’s Prayer: God, We do not have to be a Christian to know that we are in perilous times. Not only are we subject to the constant immorality and false religion, we are also forced to forsake You or face persecution. I for one, am tired of people telling me not to talk about You or to bow down to their god, I want to be free to worship You, and live the way You want me to live. I know I am going to face persecution for committing to You, but I rather be hurt living by my faith rather than face judgment by You for having never accepted You. God, put Your hedge of protection around me, and give me Your power and strength to be the soldier You need me to be. Let me not live in fear, but boldly declare Your Son at all times, and speak up whenever You tell me to. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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