Preach The Word (2 Timothy 3:10-4:5)

Saraland Christians

March 2, 2019
It is great to be here with you and to bring you lessons from God’s word. I appreciate your interest in spiritual things and your willingness to test out someone who is still in the midst of training. Tonight I would like to explain why I have chosen to go into this training program that I am currently in and I would like to give you an idea of what my work will look like when I get out of the training program. I have had quite a few people question why I would go into a training program like this and also why it is a 2 year training program. The best explanation I can think to give for this is found in 2 Timothy. Let’s get an overview of what is there before I explain what I have been doing and what I plan to do when I begin to preach full time.

Young Preacher Training

In the book of 2 Timothy Paul lays out his purpose in 1:6 as trying to get Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God.” Timothy is a younger preacher who has served under Paul for many years. As the book goes on Paul urges Timothy to be strong and willing to teach in the midst of suffering and he uses himself as an example. When we get to chapter 3:10 we have the beginning of one final exhortation. Listen to what Paul tells him first in verses 10-14.

2 Timothy 3:10–14 (ESV) — 10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it