Seven Characters

“Be strong in grace” - the life of the Christian must be a life of grace. Exercising in grace, going from grace to grace. There is no place for the law in making someone strong. Galatians 3:21 “Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.” Romans 8:3–4 “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Timothy 2:2 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

As a leader raise up others that will become as sons to you

Elijah / Elisha

2. A Soldier - στρατιώτης stratiotes

2 Timothy 2:3 “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Understand the nature of warfare (It will not be easy - persecution)

Know the strategies of the enemy

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Total commitment to the battle (not a part-time thing)

Jesus is a warrior King

Enjoy the victories, but don’t expect Satan to give up.

Ephesians 6:12–13 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

2 Timothy 2:4 “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

3. An Athlete - ἀθλητής athletes

2 Timothy 2:5 “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

We are saved by grace through faith, we are in a life long {contest} for a prize. The Bema Seat Judgement is for the believer for rewards!

2 Timothy 4:7–8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

1 Timothy 4:7–8 “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” - γυμνάζω to train - to undergo discipline

Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” ἀδόκιμος - disapproved for rewards

4. A Farmer - γεωργός georgos

2 Timothy 2:6 “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.”

The farmer who owns the farm

The fruit of righteousness

The resurrection from the dead is what is discussed here. Jesus is the firstfruits.

It is the result of the seed sown in the soils.

2 Timothy 2:7–8 “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,”

5. A Workman - ἐργάτης ergates

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

We are wordsmiths. Workers in words.

Ambassadors with a message

Teachers with a lesson

2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

6. A Vessel - σκεῦος skeuos

2 Timothy 2:21 “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

John 2:6 “Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.”

God uses clean vessels (there were plenty of empty wine jugs to reuse, but Jesus chose to use purification vessels.)

7. A Servant - δοῦλος doulos

2 Timothy 2:24 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,”

Matthew 25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

A seeming paradox a soldier and a servant

Know when to take a stand and when to serve in meekness.

2 Timothy 2:25–26 “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

Sometimes it takes a bold preacher and sometimes a humble servant. Both need to be obedient to the truth, and not be ashamed.

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