Category Archives: faithfulness

mission: avoid distraction

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Titus 3:8b-11.   Paul instructs Titus to proclaim the gospel of justification by grace (5) and to also insist that the church devote themselves to good works (1, 8, 14).  The good works are in response to the Holy Spirit’s washing … Continue reading →

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mission: do not go quietly

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 4:9-22.  Paul’s final words written to Timothy are not the words of someone resigned to rest upon his accomplishments.  He knows that he will soon die for his faith, but he will not go quietly. Many of his … Continue reading →

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mission: continue in what you have learned

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 3:10-4:8.  Paul knew that he was “already being poured out as a drink offering” and it was time for him to depart this life (4:6).  He expected to be raised to life again, and to get his reward … Continue reading →

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mission: avoid the opposition

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 3:1-9.  Paul’s picture of the last days is frighteningly accurate.  He describes difficult times that will come because of ungodly people.  These people are:   lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, … Continue reading →

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mission: be devoted to discipling

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 2.  False teaching had infested Ephesus, so Paul warned Timothy to avoid its “irreverent babble” because it would “lead people into more and more ungodliness” (16).  He instructed Timothy not to debate these teachers, because their “foolish, ignorant … Continue reading →

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mission: do not be ashamed

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 1:8-18.  Most of the leaders in the churches of Asia Minor had already stopped visiting Paul – apparently ashamed that he was still imprisoned.  In this section, Paul explains why Timothy should not join them, in deserting him … Continue reading →

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mission: revive the passion

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 1:1-7.  Paul’s final words to Timothy are recorded in this letter.  They reveal the priorities of a man who was impassioned with the gospel. He was motivated by the “promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus.”  … Continue reading →

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mission: demonstrate true godliness

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

  1 Timothy 4.  Paul predicts a time in the future (from his standpoint) when the church would experience a departure from true godliness and follow deceitful spirits and teachings of demons (1).  He charged Timothy to “put these things … Continue reading →

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mission: be stewards of God’s treasure

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Timothy 1.  1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are sometimes called the pastoral epistles,  although they were not written by a pastor (Paul was an apostle)  and neither Timothy nor Titus were pastors.  These two men were missionaries, appointed … Continue reading →

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when Christ comes, our work will be vindicated

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18.  Some among the Thessalonians had apparently stopped working their “day jobs.”  Either they were convinced that Christ had secretly already come (2:2), or they felt that secular work was beneath them.  That attitude was not part of … Continue reading →

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