Imitation Of Apostles-2 Series

OVERCOMING a HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT-II—2Timothy 3:10-17

A—IMITATION of APOSTLES(3:10-14)

B—KNOWLEDGE of SCRIPTURES(3:15-17)

A—IMITATION of APOSTLES-II-(3:10-14)

Timothy’s imitation of Paul was pivotal/formative to his overcoming a hostile environment.

Imitation of godly people is pivotal to our overcoming a hostile environment.

Why is the imitation of godly people pivotal to our overcoming a hostile environment?

Pivotal to our overcoming a hostile environment is Adherence to Authority’s.....

Previously we found:

A hostile environment is overcome by Adherence to…

1—Authority’s TEACHING / Doctrine(:10a)

2—Authority’s PATTERN/Manner/Mentor(:10b)

3—Authority’s PURPOSE(:10c)

4—Authority’s TRUST(:10d)

5—A hostile environment is overcome by Adherence to…

Authority’s PATIENCE(:10e)

Explanation:(:10e) “Longsuffering”

:10e—“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,”

“Longsuffering/Patience”—makroyumia—Patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance; Patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs. The self restraint which does not hastily retaliate a wrong.

Argumentation:

1Cor. 10:13—“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Js. 1:12—“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

1Pet. 2:19-25—“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good & suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd & Overseer of your souls.”

Rom. 9:22-23—“What if God, wanting to show His wrath & to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, & that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,”

2Cor. 6:4-12 “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand & on the left, by honor & dishonor, by evil report & good report; as deceivers, & yet true; as unknown, & yet well known; as dying, & behold we live; as chastened, & yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, & yet possessing all things. O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.”

Eph. 4:1-3—“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness & gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Gal. 5:22-25—“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions & desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Illustration:

Mother-in-law gave us a cutting of her Yellow Bell(forsythia)/We planted it at the at corner of our lot/Watered & fertilized it/One day it was gone!/The neighbor had mowed it down on our own property!/We were wronged but did not retaliate/Authority’s PATIENCE

Application:

?You Adhere to Authority’s PATIENCE?

?You overcome the Hostile Environment created by ungodliness?

6—A hostile environment is overcome by Adherence to…

Authority’s LOVE(:10f)

Explanation:(:10f) “Love”

:10f—“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,”

“Love”—agaph—Brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence; Love feasts.

Argumentation:

*Jn. 15:9-13—“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments & abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, & that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”