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Preaching and Preserving

January 22, 2017 Speaker: Gary Series: Discipleship in the church

Topic: Discipleship Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1–8

Discipleship in the church
Preaching and persevering-outline
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Preach the word, even when people won’t endure it, to fulfill your ministry and finish well

1) I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 4:1.
What is Paul’s purpose in such a serious, solemn charge?

2) preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching, 4:2.
How does this verse connect with what Paul has said in 3:16-4:1? Why was it so important that Timothy be told this? What does it mean that one who preaches God’s word must be ready in season and out of season? What are the elements we should include in our preaching and why are they important?

3) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths, 4:3-4.
How does v.3 relate to v.2? What does it mean for people to have “itching ears”? What are people trying to achieve by accumulating teachers to suit their own passions? What are some myths that people are wandering into when they reject the truth of the gospel?

4) As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry, 4:5.
In light of the challenges Timothy was facing in Ephesus, how are Paul’s exhortations needful?

5) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come, 4:6.
“For” means Paul is giving a reason or motivation as to why Timothy can fulfill his ministry. Verses 6-8 lay out the reason. What does Paul mean by saying he is being poured out as a drink offering? What does he mean that the time of his departure has come?

6) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, 4:7.
What is Paul saying about the ways he has persevered in fulfilling his ministry?

7) Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing, 4:8.
What is the crown of righteousness? (See Phil. 3:9; 1:10-11; Hebrews 12:23; Rev. 3:10). What does it mean for a person to love Christ’s appearing? In what ways is “loving Christ’s appearing” a condition of receiving the crown of life?

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