Home Bible Study©
Rightly Dividing
the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15)
Established November 2008 Published
Weekly on Friday
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior, who desires all men (and women) to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:3-4)
Welcome to Home
Bible Study.
“…That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of
God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Holding forth the word of life; that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ (the Rapture), that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (2:15-16).
Last week we
learned Paul’s desire was not to be
compared to an athlete who trained rigorously only to realize all that effort
and energy amounted to nothing or was in
vain. For him the greatest prize
this life had to offer was to know unsaved people were hearing the word of life from the Philippians
and because of this in the day of Christ
he
may rejoice because his labor
had not been in vain.
The O.T. reveals
the LORD God disciplined the nation
of Israel time and time again because of their murmurings (complaining)
against Moses’ leadership which demonstrated a lack of faith in the LORD (Jehovah) to keep His covenant
promises. Their ungrateful attitudes
combined with their lack of faith in what God had said prevented them from
becoming a “nation of priests”(Exodus
19:5-6) for the purpose of drawing the Gentile nations to God’s Light (Isaiah 49:6).
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall
come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations,
even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with
you: for we have heard that God is with you (Zechariah 8:23).
The same murmurings, disputing, and self-centeredness
in the church today are preventing the Body of Christ from realizing its full
potential as lights in the world. I don’t know what you believe, but as for me,
I believe the world’s a much darker
place now then it was decades ago. This
is largely due to the removal of God, the Bible, and prayer from public view by
the Supreme Court (See “The Warren Court, 1953-1969). It’s been all down-hill from there (pun intended) because the word of life is rarely heard
outside the church and some homes and this nation is paying a heavy price.
I mentioned last
week a working lighthouse was instrumental in keeping our ship and its crew
from running aground or something much worse.
It was meant to help y’all understand what you do with the word of life matters to God and the
world-at-large. The Philippian church had some “grumpy Gus’s” who were not on the same
page with their brethren. Their behavior
was not only a distraction to the world-at-large;
their hypocrisy seriously marred the
gospel of peace and their personal testimony.
********
Please
open your Bible at Philippians 2:17-18.
Yea, and if
I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy,
and rejoice with you all. For the same
cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
I
find it odd that Paul used the terms offered
and sacrifice here. It makes me think 1) he believed both Jews
and Gentiles would read this letter or hear it read aloud; or 2) He assumed his
audience had a working knowledge of the Old Testament, or 3) both. I’m going with #3, both.
Yea, and if I be
offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith – according to the
O.T., the terms offered and sacrifice is part and parcel of the
Jewish sacrificial system. The first
recorded occurrence of a drink offering was given by Jacob in Genesis 35:14, right after God
changed his name to Israel (means: struggles with God) at the river Jabbok (Genesis
32:28).
The
drink
offering or libation is
mentioned in only three places in the book of Leviticus. When the sheaf of the
firstfruits was waved before the Lord, a grain offering was to be burned, along
with "its libation, a fourth of a
hin of wine (approximately one gallon)"
(Leviticus 23:13). Similarly, libations were to be offered with the
lambs, bull, and rams offered on the day of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:18). A general statement is made concerning libations in Leviticus 23:37: "These
are the appointed times of the Lord which you shall proclaim as holy
convocations, to present offerings by fire (or, food offerings) to the Lord — burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices
and libations, each day’s matter on its own day."
More
elaborate instructions for the drink offering are found in Numbers 15. There, the Israelites were commanded to offer
a libation of wine with all burnt
offerings and "sacrifices,"
the latter being a common term for the peace offering (Numbers 15:8; 1
Samuel 9:12-13; 1 Kings 8:62-63).
There’s
more information to be found in scripture re: the drink offering, but I
think you’re starting to get the idea.
Paul is likening the sacrifice of
service to the Philippians to the burnt offering in time past, which was a sweet savor offering that was well pleasing to God. It’s worth
mentioning this was a voluntary sacrifice done in the Lord’s service
(Leviticus 1:3).
In
Koine Greek, the word “offered” is Spendo (spen’-do), Verb, Strong’s Greek
#4689, meaning: to pour out as a drink offering and by using this word Paul means
to say this is “occurring to him right
now.”
This
word only appears twice in the N.T. here and in 2 Timothy 4:6:
For I am now ready
to be offered (poured out), and the time of my departure is at hand.
When
Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians and his second letter to Timothy, he
was “a prisoner of Christ”
(Ephesians 3:1). He wrote to the
Philippians while under “house arrest” a.k.a. a rented house in Rome. His second letter to Timothy was written from
Mamertine Prison a dank, dark dungeon in Rome.
At this point in time he believed his departure was at hand. No reprieve would be received from Emperor
Nero; he believed he would be executed and he was circa 67-68 AD; about two
years before the destruction of Jerusalem and God’s Temple in 70 AD.
In
verses 2:17-18, Paul’s actually saying, since his conversion, his life could be
compared to a “drink offering.” After reviewing his written testimony to the
Corinthians, I think y’all will have a better understanding of what is saying: Are
they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above
measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I
stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In
weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in
fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without,
that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches (2
Corinthians 11:23-28).
Per Paul, if you’re a Believer, you can
expect to encounter suffering in
your life. I think I’m “preaching to the
choir,” but I’ve included two Bible verses in support of this truth:
“For unto you it is given in the
behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his
sake” (Philippians 1:29).
“Persecutions,
afflictions (sufferings), which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy
3:11-12).
These
scripture passages inform us tribulations will occur in our
lives. The Greek word for suffering
is translated as tribulation,
meaning: anything that causes distress (stress). This covers a broad spectrum from minor
annoyances to major problems or ordeals such as losing your job, your marriage,
your home to a fire or a hurricane; the death of a family member or a
life-threatening disease such as cancer.
Paul gave every true Believer a “heads-up” in saying distress will come your way, but he
doesn’t leave us “hanging;” in Romans 5 he tells us how to respond to those
tribulations in our lives:
“And not only so, but we glory (to exult with joy; to rejoice) in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and
experience, hope: And hope
maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
This
is where many people throw up their hands and say “What in the world are you talking about? Do you
mean to say God wants me to rejoice when I am hurting mentally or
physically? That’s not normal.” Most people feel this way. Still, we are new creatures in Christ
and “all things are brand new” (2
Corinthians 5:17). This teaching may be
“brand new” to some of you, but it is informative to understand the Scriptures
declare all those in Christ Jesus will suffer
afflictions (a state of pain,
distress, or grief):
Many are the
afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all (Psalm 34:19).
And when they had
preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to
Lystra, and to Iconium, and
Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that
we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:21-22).
But we have this
treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God,
and not of us. We are troubled on every
side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body
the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest
in our body. For we which live are alway
delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our mortal flesh. So then
death worketh in us, but life in you. We
having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and
therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he
which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall
present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might
through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our
outward man perish, yet the inward man
is renewed day by day. For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us ya far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:7-17).
Beloved, think it
not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye
may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13).
No
one enjoys suffering, but suffering is a necessary, normal part, of the Believer’s life (walk). In fact, the Scripture says we
can expect hardships
and suffering to increase:
Thou therefore endure
hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).
This know also,
that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
But evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13).
Many
people balk when they hear this information and that’s because it makes no
sense to them or they heard differently.
So let’s be clear, if you’re one of those people who think after you
became a Believer suffering is no
longer connected to your life , or you don’t believe that’s what the Bible
says, then you have either been misled or self-deceived. Paul said prepare for hardships.
How
do I do that? I’m glad you asked. God gives us grace and the strength to
overcome every trial in our lives and to fulfill His perfect will (good pleasure) in them. In
Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he shares some important truths about how we
can endure suffering.
1) Don’t
forget why you are
suffering. Remember
your purpose and whom you serve. Paul said he was willing to suffer for the
preaching of the gospel, for the sake of the elect, and for the glory of
God. Our suffering, major or minor, can be used to bring about the same
purposes (2 Timothy 2:8-9).
2) Remember
you are a prisoner of Christ,
not of your circumstances or
other people. (2 Timothy 1:8).
3) Return to the things you
know to be true from God’s Word. Don’t doubt in the dark what you have seen
in the light. Remember what you received as a result of
your salvation in Christ (2 Timothy 1:5).
Remember your calling and the grace of God (2 Timothy 1:1, 9-13).
4) Keep
doing whatever God has called you to do. Persevere, stay
the course, and be faithful, regardless of opposition or hardship (2 Timothy
4:1-5).
5) Trust
God to deal with those who oppose the truth. Don’t take
matters into your own hands or become argumentative and vindictive (2 Timothy
2:23-26).
6) Remember
times in the past when the Lord delivered or rescued you. Be quick to praise Him and be a witness to
others (2 Timothy 3:11, 4:16-17).
7) Rely on
and trust the resources God has given to all those in Christ:
The grace of God - (2 Timothy 1:2,
9, 2:1, 4:22).
The gift of God— your God-given
ability to serve Him (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
The indwelling Holy
Spirit
- (2 Timothy 1:14).
The power of God - (2 Timothy 1:8;
Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 6:10).
The Word of God, which keeps you
grounded and gives you the proper perspective - (2 Timothy 2:7, 9, 3:12-17,
4:1-2).
8) Remember
that you are not alone in your suffering. You already have:
The
Lord Jesus Christ in you (Romans 8:10-20; Galatians 2:20).
The
“fellowship of suffering,” that is,
a community of like-minded Believers
who are facing hardships similar to yours’ for the sake of the gospel (2
Timothy 1:8; Colossians 1:24).
And
the prayers of the saints (2 Timothy 1:3).
Remember the pattern we have in
the Lord Jesus Christ. He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8). The Lord was “highly exalted and given a name which is above every name” by God
the Father after He endured the sufferings of the cross. Jesus Christ understood the path which led to
God’s glory was a path of sacrifice and suffering; a path of self-denial:
Saying, Father, if
thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine,
be done
(Luke 22:42).
These words spake
Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come;
glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: (John 17:1).
(To
be continued)
©
Copyright 2011
GJ
Heitzman’s Ministry
All
Rights Reserved
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