Remember Jesus Christ

2 Timothy 2:8-13

Key Verse 2:8

In this passage the Apostle Paul says that the life that suffers for the name's sake of Jesus and his will is never a losing business.

1. Read verse 8. What does "remember" mean? What are we to remember about Jesus Christ? Why is it important for us to remember that Jesus Christ was "raised from the dead"? 

** Remember - bring to mind or think of again; to keep in mind for attention or considering; retaining in memory.

** Although he suffered so much even to the point of losing his life on a tree, instead of losing, all of his seeming loss resulted in the glory of the crown of life, that is, a resurrected life, with every bit of his sacrifice reaping the glorious result, with great dividends which are far greater than the sacrifices he made. 

** It is important because this knowledge (of true reward for those who suffer loss for Jesus) is the key to us willingly and joyfully participating in suffering for the gospel. 

2. Read verse 9. Paul was in chains. But God's word is not chained. Why is it important for the servant of God’s word to know that although he might be in chains, God’s word is not chained? What can we learn from Paul in serving God's word despite personal limitations?

** He figured out the way to spread God's word, that is, through writing epistles. He followed the line that says, "When life gives you a lemon, make it into lemonade."   

** This knowledge will enable us to figure out the ways to spread the word of God, through various means like emails, telephone calls, or letter writing. 

** We must learn to make the most use of what we have in life. If we have the desire to serve the Lord, no matter what the circumstances, we still can find ways to serve the Lord, and on many occasions even adverse circumstances turn out to be the golden opportunities to advance the gospel. 

3. Read verse 10. This passage indicates that the possibility for the "elect" to "obtain" the salvation that is in Christ Jesus is not entirely unrelated to Paul choosing to "endure" everything. Suppose that Paul does not "endure" difficulties like his chain. What will happen to the so-called "elect"? What then can we learn from Paul who chose to "endure" everything for the elect? (John 10:12-13)

** They may have forfeited the opportunity to hear the gospel and be saved. Had Paul not endured his chains, despaired, become fatalistic, and complained to God accusing God of being unfair, he could not have been able to write such beautiful epistles as the four prison epistles (Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians). Had Paul complained about his situation, he would not have been able to write a spirit filled epistle like 2 Timothy. Had he not written this epistle, we would not have been able to benefit from Paul’s life and work.  

** Paul's example teaches us a mother like heart, a heart with God's absolute love for her children. 

4. Read verses 11-13. In this passage the word "we" is repeated 6 times. Who are "we"? The word “if” is repeated 4 times. What does this indicate about the nature of our relationship with Jesus Christ? How will Jesus reward those who are loyal to him even to the point of death? 

** By "we" Paul means servants called to serve the Lord like Paul or Timothy. Collectively the word "we" denotes the body of Jesus, the members of Jesus' church, whom Jesus bought through his blood sacrifice.  

** It is based on each person willingly choosing to love the Lord and serve him. It is voluntary in nature. It is never like a slave forced to serve the master. And love never works this way. In love Jesus waits for us to open our hearts and serve Him with a willing heart. But we can go unfaithful to Him, his call, his purpose and will.  

** He will never fail to reward us. Paul's point here is that unlike a worldly boss, Jesus is the most faithful, most generous boss, who never fails to reward his people, rewarding every small amount of sacrifice we make for his name's sake. 

The end

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