Many of Paul’s associates had deserted him, but at least one had remained. Paul challenged his dear son Timothy to be unashamed of the gospel, unashamed of his standing as a leader in the Christian church, unafraid of the false teachers, courageous through hardship and persecution.Paul reminded Timothy that his essential role as guardian meant ensuring that these great truths were taught to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others. Timothy was to keep the process of teaching going. This is a pattern for discipleship. It requires leaders to have a program for developing new leaders who can carry on the ministry. Since Paul, there has been a link from disciple to disciple, from generation to generation. We must keep that link intact. Paul was telling Timothy to pass on what had proven to be true and confirmed by many reliable witnesses.
Paul told Timothy to entrust that truth to reliable people who were both loyal to the faith and able to teach. The stress was on reliability more than position. Like ripples from a stone thrown into a pool of water, the gospel would spread across the world. When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, he realized that the transmission of the gospel truth to the next generation was passing into the hands of second-generation believers. Up to this point, the Good News was being spread solely by word of mouth and the lives of believers.
If today’s church consistently followed Paul’s advice, there would be an incredible spread of the gospel as well-taught believers would teach others and commission them, in turn, to teach still others. Disciples need to be equipped to pass on their faith; new believers must be taught to make disciples of others (Ephesians 4:12-13).
Paul instilled a sense of purpose and obedience in Timothy. A good soldier obeys the commanding officer. The soldier’s call to service takes precedence over the affairs of this life, referring to any business or distraction that gets in the way of the mission. The phrase tied up means “entangled, absorbed.” While this life’s involvements are not wrong in themselves, they become a problem if the Christian gets so entangled in them that his or her ministry suffers.
Christian workers, whether pastors or laymen, must watch their outside involvements carefully. Business ventures, serving on committees or boards, volunteer assignments, and/or home projects can eat up valuable time and energy. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that a good minister of the gospel must have a single-minded purpose—to preach the truth and, if necessary, to suffer for it.
Next Paul used the athlete as an example. A competitor had to know the rules of his event, train diligently with an understanding of those rules, and finally compete according to the rules. Competitors in the Olympic games also had rules regarding their training—they were required to swear that they had trained for at least ten months. Only then could a competitor be qualified to enter an event. Every event was governed by rules and boundaries; an athlete who failed to compete within those boundaries faced disqualification. But those who competed fairly were eligible to receive the victor’s prize.
From farmers, Timothy should learn that physical labor produces results. But only hardworking farmers will enjoy the fruit of their labor—a good crop. The farmer knows that seeds will not plant themselves; the harvest will not walk into the barn. The farmer must go out into the fields to sow the seed, water it, protect it, and finally harvest the crop. The reward will be a share of the crops for the farmer and his family to eat, and the rest to sell.
The soldier, athlete, and farmer all teach us the same lesson—to persevere to the end—while also helping us understand other requirements for Christian service.
The soldier must trust the commanding officer and desire to please him so that obeying the commander becomes central, even when difficulties are encountered. Pleasing Christ gives strength to endure hardship.
The athlete accepts the rules of the competition in order to complete the challenge of the game, including its difficulties.
The farmer works hard at plowing, planting, waiting, weeding, and harvesting, and is entitled to enjoy the results.
The soldier submits to the officer; the athlete to the code of the competition; the farmer to the laws of nature and agriculture. The believer submits to Jesus Christ. In him we have a gracious commanding officer: one who provides an example and directions for our course, and who rewards the hard and patient work of his servants.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
My question to you is simple - who are you investing your life into? Who is your Timothy? Who is your Paul? We get so caught doing so many things, we forget this all important command from 2 Timothy 2:2. We forget the great commission found in Matthew 28 - make disciples.
Today, would you begin to pray and ask God who it is that you should disciple? And if you are not equipped to disciple another, will you seek out a godly man or woman and ask them to take the time and energy and invest in you?
Remember the qualification for discipleship. We are told to invest in those who have proven themselves reliable and trustworthy. Does that describe your walk with the Lord? Does that describe your spiritual life?
Lord, turn COV into a disciple making church. Raise up men and women of God who will in turn raise up other men and women of God. Lord, may the result of our effort and work in this are reverberate throughout the world. Why don't you email me today and let me know where you are in the discipleship process. (disciple maker or disciple)
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