Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience.
Day 40.
Immersed in second Timothy.
Paul had sent Timothy on many assignments over the years, most
recently to Ephesus to stop those whose teaching was contrary to the truth.
Paul supported Timothy in his work from a distance by writing
him letters of instruction.
Here Paul is sending him a second letter, one that includes an urgent message.
Come as soon as you can.
Paul was in prison while writing this letter, possibly as a result
of the opposition of Alexander the Coppersmith, whom he warns Timothy about.
Emperor Niro is now actively persecuting Christians and the Roman officials
who had previously protected Paul are probably now sympathetic to his enemies.
Instead, Paul expects to be executed in the near future because of his
faith in Jesus, considering his life poured out as an offering to God.
So he writes to Timothy, telling him to leave Ephesus
immediately and join him in Rome.
In this second letter, Paul weaves, in many words, a personal charge to Timothy.
Simply coming to visit Paul in prison would require as much courage and
resolve as Timothy's previous assignment.
In Ephesus, Paul is preparing his young charge for the challenges he
would face under Roman persecution.
Attacks would come from all sides, and Timothy needed to know that leaders in
particular would be called to follow in the Lord's steps, persevering in
the face of suffering and persecution.
Some of Paul's coworkers in Rome had been intimidated by this
opposition and had abandoned him.
He sadly reports, the first time I was brought before the
judge, no one came with me.
Paul had to stand alone, as Jesus himself did at his own trial.
He urges Timothy to show the same resolve when his time comes without Paul's
presence, Timothy would need to be steadfast in stopping those who reject
the truth and lead other believers astray.
He would need to focus on the critical work always before him
steadily preaching the word of God.
Always prepared to defend the good news as he originally learned it.
Paul instructs him.
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King
David was raised from the dead.
This is the good news I preach.
The Bible doesn't record what happened to Paul or Timothy
after Paul wrote this letter.
Tradition says that Paul gave his life for Jesus during Nero's reign.
Meanwhile, Timothy was no stranger to persecution as indicated by
an imprisonment mentioned by the author of the book of Hebrews.
I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail.
Timothy had already proved himself ready to suffer as Paul did, and Paul certainly
assumes in this letter that Timothy would experience further persecution.
Paul gives him this charge.
You must remain faithful to the things you have been taught.
You know they are true for, you know, you can trust those who taught you.
You have been taught the holy scriptures from childhood, and they have given
you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
We can be thankful that this letter was added to those holy scriptures,
and that believers today are encouraged to walk faithfully as they wait
for the return of Christ Jesus.
The second letter to Timothy.
This letter is from Paul chosen by the will of God to
be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised
through faith in Christ Jesus.
I am writing to Timothy, my dear son, may God the Father, and Christ Jesus our
Lord, give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Timothy, I thank God for you, the God I served with a clear conscience just
as my ancestors did night and day.
I constantly remember you in my prayers.
I long to see you again for I remember your tears as we parted,
and I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
I remember your genuine faith.
You share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and
your mother Eunice, and I know that same faith continues strong in you.
This is why I remind you to fan into flames, the spiritual gift God gave
you when I laid my hands on you.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of
power, love, and self-discipline.
So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord and don't be ashamed of me
either, even though I'm in prison for him.
With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me.
For the sake of the good news.
For God saved us and called us to live a holy life.
He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan
from before the beginning of time.
To show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing
of Christ Jesus, our savior.
He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and
immortality through the good news.
And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this good news.
That is why I am suffering here in prison.
But I am not ashamed of it.
For I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to
guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching.
You learned from me a pattern shaped by the faith and love
that you have in Christ Jesus.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us,
carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted
me, even faus and homogenous.
May the Lord show special kindness to Ferus and all his family because
he often visited in an encouraged me.
He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains.
When he came to Rome.
He searched everywhere until he found me.
May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ's return, and
you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus Timothy, my dear
son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.
Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be
able to pass them on to others.
Endure suffering along with me.
As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, soldiers don't get tied up in
the affairs of civilian life.
For then.
They cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Think about what I am saying.
The Lord will help you understand all these things.
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King
David was raised from the dead.
This is the good news I preach and because I preach this good news, I am suffering
and have been chained like a criminal.
But the word of God cannot be chained, so I am willing to endure anything if it
will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
This is a trustworthy saying.
If we die with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.
If we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful for, he cannot deny who he is.
Remind everyone about these things and command them in God's presence
to stop fighting over words.
Such arguments are useless and they can ruin those who hear them.
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.
Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who
correctly explains the word of truth.
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hamans and vitis.
They have left the path of truth claiming that the resurrection
of the dead has already occurred.
In this way, they have turned some people away from the faith, but God's
truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription.
The Lord knows those who are His and all who belong to the Lord must turn
away from evil in a wealthy home.
Some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wooden clay.
The expensive utensils are used for special occasions and the
cheap ones are for everyday use.
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use.
Your life will be clean and you'll be ready for the master to use you
For every good work run from anything that stimulates youthful lust.
Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love and peace.
Enjoy the companion of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Again, I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments
that only start fights.
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be kind to everyone.
Be able to teach and be patient with difficult people gently
instruct those who oppose the truth.
Perhaps God will change those people's hearts and they will learn the truth.
Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap,
for they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
You should know this Timothy.
That in the last days there will be very difficult times for people will
love only themselves and their money.
They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to
their parents and ungrateful.
They will consider nothing sacred.
They will be unloving and unforgiving.
They will slander others and have no self-control.
They will be cruel and hate.
What is good.
They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride
and love, pleasure rather than God.
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that can make them godly.
Stay away from people like that.
They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the
confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin
and controlled by various desires.
Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never
able to understand the truth.
These teachers opposed the truth just as Janice and Jamber has opposed
Moses, they have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith, but they
won't get away with this for long.
Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Janice and Jam.
But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach and how I live
and what my purpose in life is.
You know, my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
You know, how much persecution and suffering I have endured.
You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and ra, but
the Lord rescued me from all of it.
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ, Jesus
will suffer persecution, but evil people and imposters will flourish.
They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught.
You know they are true for, you know, you can trust those who taught you.
You have been taught the holy scriptures from childhood.
And they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that
comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what
is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will
someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his
kingdom, preach the word of God.
Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct.
Rebuke and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to
sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them
whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
Work at telling others the good news and fully carry out the
ministry God has given you.
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.
The time of my death is near.
I have fought the good fight.
I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful, and now the prize
awaits me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge
will give me on the day of his return.
And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly
look forward to his appearing.
Timothy, please come as soon as you can.
Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life
and has gone to Thessalonica.
Crescents has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.
Only Luke is with me.
Bring Mark with you when you come for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.
I sent cuss to Ephesus.
When you come, be sure to bring the coat.
I left with Carpus at Troas.
Also bring my books and especially my papers.
Alexander the Coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will
judge him for what he has done.
Be careful of him for, he fought against everything we said.
The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me.
Everyone abandoned me.
May it not be counted against them, but the Lord stood with me and gave
me strength so that I might preach the good news in its entirety for
all the Gentiles to hear, and he rescued me from certain death.
Yes.
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me
safely into his heavenly kingdom.
All glory to God forever and ever.
Amen.
Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living
in the household of Ferus.
Restas stayed at Corinth and I left TRO MOUs sick at my elitist.
Do your best to get here before winter.
Buis sends you greetings.
And so do Putins, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.
May the Lord be with your spirit and may his grace be with all of you.
This concludes today's Immer reading experience.
Thank you for joining us.