Text: II Timothy 2:8-19<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nI. It is fascinating to read well crafted prose or poetry. With just a few words, the author can\ncommunicate not only a message, but even a mood.\n
A. Individual words are not flat. Even synonyms carry subtle differences in meaning.<\/p>\n B. And the idea is not restricted to the English language. Languages such as Greek\nhave a variety of words with varying meanings.\n C. Then, too, in English we play games with the overlapping meaning of words to\ncreate puns – where a statement can have two or more meanings depending on\nhow you take the sense of the words used.\n
1. Often we truly only want one meaning<\/p>\n 2. But a very gifted writer will bring the variety of meanings together to\nmake several points with one statement.\n
D. Such is the case in II Timothy 2:15<\/p>\n
II. Spoudazo<\/i> [spoo-dad’-zo]<\/p>\n
A. The most common meaning is “to hurry, to do quickly”<\/p>\n 1. The idea is that there is an urgency to the situation so that something needs\nto be done right now.\n
2. In fact, the English word “speed” is derived from this Greek word.<\/p>\n
3. So why should we be in a hurry to present ourselves approved to God?<\/p>\n
a. Our lives are short – James 4:14<\/p>\n
(1) We already wasted too much time<\/p>\n (2) Not only this, but those who need the gospel are also\nrunning out of time.\n
b. We don’t want to embarrass our Master<\/p>\n (1) When will we be called upon to answer a question about\nthe Bible?\n
(a) Colossians 4:6 – Know how to respond<\/p>\n
(b) I Peter 3:14-15 – Ready to make a defense<\/p>\n (2) When will we have to defend the Scriptures against false\nteachers?\n
(a) I John 4:1 – test every spirit<\/p>\n (b) Jude 3-4 – The need to contend earnestly for the\nfaith\n
B. This is not a rushed job, a secondary meaning is “to work hard, to do your best”<\/p>\n
1. We are servants, and a faithful servant doesn’t dally<\/p>\n
a. Our ambition is to please God – II Corinthians 5:9<\/p>\n
b. Not lagging in diligence – Romans 12:10-11<\/p>\n
c. We are entrusted with a precious gift to deliver – Philippians 2:12-18<\/p>\n
d. Now is the proper time – II Corinthians 6:1-10<\/p>\n e. Truly we don’t want a reception as one servant received – Matthew\n25:24-30\n
2. We understand that the effort is worth it <\/p>\n
a. Diligent to enter the rest – Hebrews 4:11<\/p>\n
b. Make our calling and election sure – II Peter 1:10-11<\/p>\n
3. God has always expected the best<\/p>\n a. The Israelites were to give the best of their flock – Leviticus 9:3,\nNumbers 18:29-30\n
b. Offering God any less was rejected – Malachi 1:8<\/p>\n
c. It is part of our love for God – Mark 12:30<\/p>\n
d. We give sacrifices today – I Peter 2:5<\/p>\n
4. God gave the best for us<\/p>\n
a. I Peter 1:17-19 – Knowing this, conduct ourselves in fear<\/p>\n
b. God’s love teaches us – I John 4:8-10, 19<\/p>\n C. It is a speed and effort brought about by eagerness, a devotion, a willingness to\nwork – the third definition.\n
1. Re-read II Timothy 2:15 – speed, effort, eagerness<\/p>\n
2. Expressed by the Psalmist – Psalm 119:97-100, 127, 162<\/p>\n
3. Jeremiah’s joy – Jeremiah 15:16<\/p>\n
4. Do you look forward to delving into God’s Word?<\/p>\n
a. If not, the fault doesn’t lie in the Bible, but in your own attitude<\/p>\n
b. Jesus’ sheep hear His voice – John 10:27<\/p>\n
5. God’s kingdom is worth it all – Matthew 13:44-46<\/p>\n
III. Consider the richness of what Paul is communicating in II Timothy 2:15<\/p>\n A. It explains the variety of translations because the depth of meaning contained in\nthese few words\n B. Humbly approach the Scriptures with eagerness to learn, a sincerity to do your\nbest, a willingness to put in any effort required, and a knowledge that you urgently\nneed its wisdom in your life.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrior Lesson\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFundamentals of Christianity\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNext Lesson\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Studying Text: II Timothy 2:8-19 I. It is fascinating to read well crafted prose or poetry. With just a few words, the author can communicate not only a message, but even a mood. A. Individual words are not flat. Even synonyms carry subtle differences in meaning. B. And the idea is not restricted to the English language.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":26590,"menu_order":18,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-65285","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34091,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/bible-studies\/hebrew-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":65285,"position":0},"title":"Hebrew Poetry","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 14, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Hebrew Poetry by Jeffrey W. Hamilton August 2012 In English, we create poems and songs by rhyming ending sounds and focusing on the pattern of rhythms a series of words make. 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