YEAR 2, WEEK 9: 2 TIMOTHY 2:3-7 “THE SOLDIER, THE ATHLETE AND THE FARMER”

1.THE SOLDIER (vs 3-4)

vs 3- A good soldier in Christ is one who is willing to ENDURE HARDSHIPS. This can mean to “suffer troubles, evils and afflictions”. Part of our calling as Christian’s is to suffer for the gospel!! (2 Timothy 1:8, Philippians 1:29)

vs 4- A good soldier in Christ doesn’t get INVOLVED IN CIVILIAN AFFAIRS! This means they aren’t IGNORANT TO THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE GOING ON!! (See Mark 9:17-29, Ephesians 6:12) As civilians, we are ignorant to the battles going on to keep this country of ours safe. But a Soldier is worried about 2 THINGS- how to attack the enemy and how to defend against the enemy’s attacks. As soldiers of Christ, we too need to be aware of how the enemy satan will try to attack us (to defend ourselves in Christ) and how to attack and take back what the enemy stole!!

vs 4- A good soldier of Christ wants to PLEASE THEIR COMMANDING OFFICER!! Just like a soldier obeys their commander’s orders WITHOUT QUESTION, we too are called to obey JESUS, our COMMANDING OFFICER’S (The Lord of Angel armies- Matthew 26:53, Revelation 19:11) ORDERS wholeheartedly and without question!!

2.THE ATHLETE (vs 5)

vs 5- A winning athlete has to compete ACCORDING TO THE RULES of the sport/event they partake in!! They cannot cheat or break the rules even by accident or they can’t win!! Likewise, we are called to run this Christian race according to Jesus’ rules!! 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 gives us more details of what a GOOD ATHLETE is called to do!

vs 24,26- Run with PURPOSE AND INTENT TO GET THE PRIZE!

vs 25,27- Go into STRICT TRAINING (2 Timothy 3:16-17 the word of God trains us in righteousness)!

3.THE FARMER (vs 6)

vs 6- the farmer WORKS HARD to prepare the soil and plow the field to PLANT THE SEEDS and water it to get ready for the harvest!! The farmer does their job and then WAITS UPON THE LORD IN PATIENCE (James 5:7) FOR GOD to bring the rain (Genesis 2:5 man prepares the soil, God sends the rain) and grow the crops (Mark 4:26-29, 1 Corinthians 3:6)! As a result, the farmer receives a share of the crops harvested!! This could refer to the idea that ministers should be able to receive a living from their ministry!! (1 Corinthians 9:14, Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 5:18)

WORK HARD IN THE LORD TO PLANT THE SEEDS AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD TO BRING THE HARVEST!!

MAY WE LEARN TO BE LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER, ATHLETE AND FARMER FOR JESUS!