A Good Soldier
2 Timothy 2:3-4
I. Endures Hardship (v. 3)
a. Satan wants to destroy you—physically and/or spiritually (1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31)
b. We must stand our ground when Satan attacks (1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7)
c. God always provides a way to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 11:24-26)
i. He gives a way of escape
ii. He gives a vision of the future
II. Focuses on His Task (v. 4a)
a. Beware of traps and entanglements along the way (2 Peter 2:20)
b. The task must be completed (2 Timothy 4:5)
III. Desires to Please His Commander (v. 4b)
a. God has given us a built in desire to want to do His will (Philippians 2:12-13)
b. We must seek to grow and learn more of God (Colossians 1:10)
c. We must exhibit faith in His plan and His commands (Hebrews 11:6)
REFERENCE
1 Peter 5:8—8(A)Be of sober spirit, (B)be on the alert Your adversary, (C)the devil, prowls around like a roaring (D)lion, seeking someone to devour.
Luke 22:31—31"Simon, Simon, behold, (A)Satan has demanded permission to (B)sift you like wheat;
1 Peter 5:9—9(A)But resist him, (B)firm in your faith, knowing that (C)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
James 4:7—7(A)Submit therefore to God (B)Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
1 Corinthians 10:13—13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and (A)God is faithful, who will not allow you to be (B)tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Hebrews 11:24-26—24By faith Moses, (A)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25choosing rather to (B)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26(C)considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the (D)reward.
2 Peter 2:20—20For if, after they have (A)escaped the defilements of the world by (B)the knowledge of the (C)Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again (D)entangled in them and are overcome, (E)the last state has become worse for them than the first.
2 Timothy 4:5—5But you, (A)be sober in all things, (B)endure hardship, do the work of an (C)evangelist, fulfill your (D)ministry.
Philippians 2:12-13—12So then, my beloved, (A)just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your (B)salvation with (C)fear and trembling;
13for it is (D)God who is at work in you, both to will and to work (E)for His good pleasure.
Colossians 1:10—10so that you will (A)walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, (B)to please Him in all respects, (C)bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Hebrews 11:6—6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who (A)comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
