2 Timothy 4: 3-8
Ptr. Bong Garvez

Central Theme: A Prepared Disciple for the Next Generation is Grounded in Faith, Vigilant and Noble to Fulfill His/Her God-Given Task.

• A Disciple Should Be Grounded in Faith. (vv. 3-4)
  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
  • Grounded in Faith because many will not appreciate sound doctrine. (v. 3a)
  • Grounded in Faith because many will pursue false teachers who will tickle their ears with self-serving teachings. (v. 3b)
    4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
  • Grounded in Faith because many will wander from truth and turn into myths. (v. 4)
    • Co-Equal = Co-Eternal
      1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. - John 1:1-3
      
    • GOD is Triune (Trinity), All the time
      And All the time, God is Triune.
      • Father’s Holy, eternal wrath
        Jesus   (If He is subordinate, lesser, not eternal, He will not satisfy higher requirement of God’s wrath.)
      • Father’s Holy, Eternal wrath= Sacrifice of Holy, Eternal Son

      • The True Nature of Jesus Christ

        From: Bruce M. Metzger, “The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Jesus Christ: A Biblical and Theological Appraisal,” Theology Today (April, 1953): 72-74.
        Despite the best efforts of the Witnesses and other religions who does not believe in the full deity Jesus Christ, (Arianism) there is no Biblical support for the contention that Jesus is inferior to the Father.

        • “First, in John 20:28, 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God! "Thomas states to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” Metzger points out that it is strange that Jesus made no effort to correct him, but Jesus accepts and commends Thomas’s statement of faith (v. 29).”
        • “Second, in Acts 7:59, 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Stephen prays to Jesus. Metzger makes an insightful comment, “If therefore the opinion of the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the others who has the same position be correct, namely, that Jesus is only a spirit creature (or lesser than God), then Stephen was an idolater in praying to one who was not truly God.””
        • “Third, in Galatians 1:1, 1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), Metzger comments, “Paul clearly distinguishes Jesus Christ from men and ranges him with God the Father.” He uses two prepositions with man and men but only one preposition with reference to God the Father and Jesus.”
        • “Fourth, John 10:30 30 “I and the Father are one.” records Jesus as stating, “I and my Father are one.” The Jews attempt to stone him because they understood him to be claiming deity (v. 33), which was something Jesus did not dispute. The marginal note of their translation, suggesting that ‘are one’ means ‘are at unity,’ is an alternative interpretation which is so lacking in justification…“Psychologically, there was no reason for them to become angry at Jesus if all he asserted was his being one in purpose and outlook with the Father.””
        • “Fifth, Metzger points out that the New Testament writers often quote passages in the Old Testament that refer to Jehovah and refer them to Jesus. Joel 2:32 states, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” However, Romans 10:13 quotes the exact passage but refers to Jesus as “the Lord” of the passage in 10:9. “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord” and then in verse 13 states, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” There is a clear correlation between Jesus and deity”
• A Disciple Should Be Vigilant. (v. 5)
  • Vigilant to be clear-minded (v. 5a)
  • Vigilant to endure hardship (v. 5b)
  • Vigilant to do the task of evangelism (v. 5c)
  • Vigilant to fulfill his ministry. (v. 5d)
• A Disciple Should Be Noble to Fulfill His God-Given Task. (v. 6-8)
  • Noble to be “poured out” for the ministry (v. 6)
    6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
    
    • Drink Offering
  • Noble to be fight the good fight of faith (v. 7a)
    7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
  • Noble to be able to complete the race (v. 7b)
    7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
  • Noble be able to keep the faith. (vv. 7c-8)
    7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

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