Enduring Hardness as a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ – 2 Timothy 2:3-4

1.   Constrained by Christ’s LOVE: 2 Corinthians 5:14

      a.   From the Greek sunecho = “to be overtaken, held captive, brought under the power of”

      b.   Romans 5:6-8

      c.   Ephesians 3:17-21

      d.   1 Peter 1:3-9

2.   Compelled by the CROSS:

      a.   Luke 14:23 – “Compel them to come in that My house may be filled.”

             i.    Compel – anagkazo: “to constrain by force, threat, persuasion.”

             ii.   Differs from angareuoo in that it doesn’t necessarily imply coercion.

             iii.  Obviously, the Christian’s compulsion comes from persuasion.

      b.   Galatians 6:14 – Thru the cross, Paul’s former life was as dead to him.

3.   Convicted in CONSCIENCE:

      a.   In matters of liberty/conscience, Paul said “Let every man be persuaded in his own mind” (Rom 14:5). Should we be less in matters of doctrine?

      b.   However! Being convicted in conscience is no guarantee of correctness!

             i.    Genesis 37:31-35

             ii.   Proverbs 14:12

             iii.  Acts 23:1; 24:16 (cf Acts 26:9-11)

      c.   I am hearing and reading a lot of preaching that lacks conviction.

             i.    Where is Micaiah? 1 Kings 22:14

             ii.   Where is John the Baptist?

                   (1) Matthew 3:2, 5-12

                   (2) Matthew 14:4

             iii.  Where is Peter and John?

                   (1) Acts 4:19-20

                   (2) Acts 5:29-32

             iv.  Where is Stephen? Acts 7:51-60

             v.   2 Timothy 3:15-17

             vi.  1 Peter 4:11

             vii. Matthew 24:35

             viii.      1 Peter 1:22-25

             ix.  Titus 2:11-15

4.   Consecrated in CONDUCT

      a.   1 Timothy 4:12

      b.   2 Timothy 2:20-22

      c.   1 Peter 1:13-16 (cf Heb 12:14)

5.   Conscious of COOPERATION

      a.   In preaching the Gospel

             i.    Matthew 28:19-20 – “I am with you always”

             ii.   Mark 16:15-20 – “the Lord working with them”

             iii.  Hebrews 2:1-4 – “God bearing them witness”

             iv.  2 Corinthians 5:17-6:1 – we are workers together with him

             v.   1 Corinthians 3:5-9 - we are laborers together with God

      b.   In practicing discipline

             i.    Who ever heard of an army without discipline?

             ii.   Matthew 18:15-20

             iii.  1 Corinthians 5:4-5

             iv.  2 Thessalonians 3:6, 12-14

      c.   Paul’s presence is inherent in the word translated “endure hardness.”

             i.    From the Greek sungkakopatheo (soong-kak-op-ath-eh'-o)

                   (1) sun (soon) – A primary preposition denoting union; with, i.e., by association, companionship. (Strong’s). Denotes accompaniment and fellowship, whether of action, or of belief, or of condition and experience (Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

                   (2) kakopatheo – also translated “be afflicted” and “suffer trouble”

             ii.   Literally, Paul is saying, ‘Endure hardship with (alongside) me.’

                   (1) 2 Timothy 1:8-14

                   (2) 2 Timothy 2:1-2

6.   Courageous in COMBAT

      a.   Revelation 21:8 – Warning! Cowardice is Contagious!

             i.    Deuteronomy 20:8 – ‘Send the fearful home.’

             ii.   Joshua 7:3 – ‘Send them home if they are afraid.’

      b.   Jeremiah 1:8, 19; 15:20 – “I am with thee to deliver thee.”

      c.   2 Tim 1:8-12 – Paul was a confident, unashamed prisoner of the Lord

      d.   Hebrews 13:5-6

      e.   Matthew 10:16-31