The objective of this lesson is to stress the focus of the "called out" as they reach out to those who need to be a part of the "called out." The attitudes motivating evangelism are an essential, necessary part of evangelistic activity.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
While it is always essential to place a statement in its context, it is especially critical to place 2 Timothy 2:24-26 in context. Paul knew that his execution was a certainty (2 Timothy 4:6). He and Timothy maintained a close relationship through years of mission companionship (2 Timothy 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10,11; Philippians 2:19,20). Paul knew his execution would be a horrible time for Timothy [what an understatement!]. He did not want his death to discourage Timothy as a Christian or a missionary (2 Timothy 1:7-14;2:1-3; 3:14,15; 4:1,2). In no way did Paul indicate Timothy's continued dedication would be without physical costs (consider 2 Timothy 2:16-18; 3:1-13; 4:3-5). He wanted Timothy to continue as a Christian evangelist in spite of serious discouragement!
Stress the context situation of 2 Timothy 2:24-26. Stress the close relationship Paul and Timothy shared as they served together as God's evangelists. Stress the impact Paul's death would have on Timothy. Stress the effect on Timothy's realization that Paul's evangelistic work produced the reason for Paul's death. Stress the fact that Timothy knew the evangelistic situation would not improve as he continued an evangelistic outreach. Help students see that this was a trying, difficult time for Timothy--a situation that could result in his redirecting his life and efforts.
This statement occurred in a letter occasioned by Paul's eminent death. It occurred in a letter that acknowledged future situations would be stressful and physically demanding for Timothy. It occurred among acknowledgments that God's enemies would achieve significant "victories" in their opposition to Christ--Paul's death and Timothy's hardships!
This writing does not suggest that Paul's fate was an usual happenstance. Nor does it suggest that the situation will improve for Timothy if he will simply continue to evangelize. Timothy's attitudes should be dependent on who Christ and God are, not on favorable circumstances. He is responsible for how he presents the message, not how enemies respond to the message.
First, find significance in what Paul did not say to Timothy. He did not say, "Do as much personal damage to my enemies as possible!" Or, "When they get rid of me, make them pay a price!" Or, "Take vengeance on those responsible for my death in any way you can!" Or, "Make my opponents regret the day they succeeded in having me imprisoned!" Paul did not urge Timothy to vindictively react against his enemies, Timothy's enemies, or Christ's enemies.
Stress the fact that vengeance was not part of Paul's attitude. There was neither value nor good spiritual results to be achieved through hating those responsible for his impending death. Just as vengeance was not part of Paul's attitude, he did not want it to be part of Timothy's attitude.
Realize Timothy, in those circumstances, easily could be incited to hate, to seek vengeance, and to hold Paul's enemies accountable. Realize, in those circumstances, Paul easily could have wanted them to pay. In fact, the pre-Christian Paul easily could have viewed the situation from a vengeful mind set! By killing him these people opposed God! (Remember 1 Timothy 1:12, 13?)
In the situation, it would have been easy for Paul or Timothy to be angry or to hate. Paul easily could have justified evil attitudes by declaring opposition to him was opposition to God's purposes. Before becoming a Christian, Paul was a violent, hostile man. Knowing Jesus as the Christ transformed him. Look at Philippians 3:1-11.
Second, find significance in what Paul said. The statement under consideration was to serve as a focus statement for Timothy. Paul wanted to be certain that coming events would not distract Timothy from his Christian focus as a representative of the "called out."
Paul's death should not determine Timothy's attitudes. The good news of Jesus' triumph over death and enthronement at God's right hand should determine Timothy's attitudes. The "called out" represent God's Christ! We are about rescue, not vengeance! Even at the cost of physical life, the "called out" are about rescue!
Timothy [as is always true of committed Christians] understood he was, by personal choice, the Lord's slave. Paul emphasized the character traits of one who is God's slave. (a) Instead of quarreling, he is kind to all. (b) He is able to teach [he can understandably explain his convictions and concepts]. (c) He is patient when he is wronged. (d) He is gentle when he corrects.
Carefully note the emphasis on the positive qualities--kindness, teaching (not just declaring), patience when wronged, and gentleness. These are traits of those who are the Lord's slaves.
The basic problem the "called out" confront is created by those who reject their message and relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not created by those in agreement with their message and relationship with Jesus Christ. The challenge is, "How do I react to those who oppose me?" It is not, "How do I react to those who agree with me?" As always, the enemy causes the problem.
Emphasize that the problem for Christians is how to react to those who oppose them and their understandings. The solution is never a political solution (a forcing of conformity upon people who do not within their own wills believe) but a faith solution (a response from a personal desire to surrender one's own will [as a matter of choice] to God as He expresses Himself through His son and His spirit).
In most life contexts, from economics to war, an enemy is to be controlled or destroyed. In the physical world, the person who does not take measures to control or destroy his/her enemies is a foolish person. Not only is he/she foolish, but he/she is inviting disaster to come as a guest. At no time are we more likely to seek an enemy's destruction than when the enemy kills someone we love!
Stress that in evil there are forces that oppose godliness. It is the nature of evil to oppose godliness. Thus in the forces that arise from this world the emphasis is on control of or destruction of enemies. Most of the world thinks this is the only way to deal with enemies.
Being among God's "called out" radically changes our view of other people--even when they are enemies! Understanding # 1, "Timothy: the opposition is not against you, but against God. You may feel like they are opposing you, but they are actually opposing God."
The "called out" allow God to teach them how to look at people. God does not see people as do the forces that oppose godliness. God even loves people who choose to be His enemies (Matthew 5:45). The "called out" do not use people; they help people. They present God as the rescuer through Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:48).
Understanding # 2, "Timothy: the power that results in their repentance is in God, not you. No matter how gifted you are as an evangelist, the power to change hearts is God's power, not your power." If someone was not led to a knowledge of the truth about the identity of Jesus, Timothy had not failed.
The "called out" understand God can empower anyone to change--even radically. No matter what form of enslavement the devil uses to trap a person, in God there is the power to redirect life. The power does not exist because of the determination of the person, but because of God's love. While the person must desire to repent, God can make it happen. Transformation is the goal of all who seek to escape the trap of the devil.
Understanding # 3, "Timothy: the person who does not see the truth must come to his senses. It is never enough for you to want him/her to escape the captivity of the devil's trap. He/she must realize he/she is a captive serving the devil's will. He/she must want to escape."
The messenger never wishes to obscure the message through his/her bad attitudes or undesirable motives (see 1 Thessalonians 1:5-12 and 1 Corinthians 1:9-23 as illustrations). However, the messenger must never confuse his/her desire for another to repent with the desire of the person who needs to repent. No matter how fervently the messenger wants the captive to repent, repentance occurs only if the captive chooses it. A loving, caring messenger should never feel like "I failed" if a captive has no desire to repent.
The "called out" have a powerful message about the crucified, resurrected Jesus Christ. However, we must not forget this fact: we are given a powerful message, not the power to cause repentance. The power is in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. The choice to repent must be made by the captive, not the messenger.
Stress the power is in God and His son, not the messenger. The "called out" must place faith in the God who supplies the message, not in themselves. The power focuses on God, not on methods. Methods should enable a captive to understand God's actions. Godly methods never consider themselves as the "power source."
Please also note that Timothy's response to the forces that caused Paul's death desired their repentance. Timothy, as Paul, wanted those people to escape from the devil's trap. Neither sought vengeance on those people. Both wanted those people to be rescued. God has the power to make enemies brothers! They wanted brothers, not vengeance!
Again, the focus of the "called out" is on rescuing captives, not destroying people. Consider Jude 1:9. Note not even an archangel presumed to condemn Satan--he left that task to God!
The "called out" do not exist to encourage the spiritual destruction of people! They exist to rescue people--with teaching, not quarreling; in kindness, not resentment; in patience, not hostility; in gentleness, not resentment. In other words, "the called out" want to treat others as God in Christ has treated them.
The church's mission is to rescue from evil. Just as God through Christ seeks to rescue the devil's captives, the "called out" seek to rescue those who oppose God. We are commissioned to rescue, not to take vengeance.
Thought Questions:
The focus: Paul's realization that he will be executed soon, and his concerns about how his death may impact Timothy's work and faith.
#1: Opposition must not be viewed as opposition against "me" or "us" but as against God.
#2: The power to produce repentance is in God, not the messenger.
#3: The captive must want rescue and desire repentance.
God has the power to sustain repentance. His power enables the one who desires repentance to redirect his/her life and escape the devil's trap.
The captive trapped in the devil's snare must desire repentance. The messenger must not accept a false sense of failure if the captive rejects what God offers him through Christ.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 10