And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 2 Timothy 2:5-7

Just recently I saw a Church is adding Thursday evening services to accommodate parents who have children involved with sports on the weekend. This is obviously a controversial issue, however the point I bring up is sports is a heavily involved activity. Nobody can really say “I’m going to dabble in sports” , probably because they wouldn’t be very good. It would also demonstrate they dont have any dedication or love for their team also. Athletes who are successful, typically train all year round, continue to work with their teammates to improve chemistry and readiness. So why am I rambling on about sports?

Well the Apostle Paul says this “if anyone competes in athletics , he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules”. Previously the Apostle Paul compared our calling in Christ to being a Soldier of Christ in The Lord’s Army. Today Paul is comparing our calling in Christ to being a successful athlete. So lets dive into what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us with this analogy.

Again as I said previously, a successful athlete will train continually, will spend alot of time practicing and preparing for the big game. They will spend alot of time with their coaches , taking advice and getting mentored. Their coaches will analyze the players’ performances and advise ways they can continue to improve to get better. This should reflect our calling with Jesus! 

We shouldn’t take our calling as a Christian as casual or just something to do on the weekends, this is a higher calling that we are continually trying to improve upon to gain our crown of glory. Now I can hear the lukewarm people, “this is legalism” , no this is the Word of God here by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “He is not crowned unless he competes”

The Apostle Paul also compares our calling to a farmer, who is continually working on the fields expecting a harvest crop to come, this again should reflect our calling as Christians. We should be continually working the fields (evangelism) planting seeds (the Word of God) and waiting for a harvest to come (new converts) Of course the Holy Spirit transforms people, but we need to labor for Christ, we are called to be the salt and light (Matthew 5) as the body of Christ.  A farmer who is lazy will produce no crops and no harvest, if we want to see God working in our ministry, we must work for God!

I understand these are spiritual applications, but as the Apostle Paul says here “The Lord will give you understanding of these things” Don’t take your calling in Christ lightly, consider the cost, run the race, plant the spiritual seeds of the Kingdom, Amen!

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. 2 Timothy 1:13-18

To get some context of the scriptures we are reading today, the Apostle Paul is imprisoned again here in his second letter to Timothy. However this time, Paul knows and doesn’t expect to make it out alive this time. The Apostle Paul knows his time here on Earth is coming to an end, therefor he’s trying to warn his fellow brothers and sisters of the persecution coming, but also he wants to make sure they hold to the faith in Jesus Christ, that he taught them.

So understanding the urgency, it brings to life the words here from the Apostle Paul “hold fast the form or pattern of sounds words of words you heard from me or sound teaching” Meaning don’t abandon your faith when the persecution comes. Keep or hold on to the true teachings of Christ given by the Apostle under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Don’t abandon your faith when hard times come, because they are coming! We see this alot in todays Churches, many people have abandoned the true gospel of Christ to conform to the ways of the world. Many people have abandoned the Word of God so they can adhere to the agendas of this world, because they never truly had faith to begin with

You might say, I’m not able to endure persecution or the harsh treatment of this world. Remember what the Apostle Paul says here “that good thing that was entrusted to you or guard the treasure entrusted into you” Notice how precious the Word of God is, and it was entrusted to you. Most of the world hates the Word of God because it brings life, hold on to these promises and revelations like precious gold. Just as if you would protect your money and valuables, you should protect and secure the Word of God that was given to you. 

“Keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, this is why you can endure the persecution, this is why you can comprehend the Word of God, because the Living God is living inside of You! The same Holy Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead is living inside of you (Romans 8:11) You are not alone or defeated, you are equipped to endure your calling in Christ 

But many people have abandoned the Apostle Paul in his times of need, just as many people will abandon us, however hold fast to the gospel, hold fast to the Holy Spirit living inside of you, hold fast to our Lord Jesus Christ who will never leave or forsake us, hold fast to our Heavenly Father who has called you by name before the foundations of the world, Amen

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:10-12

God became Flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14) This is one of the great mysteries that is hard for our minds to grasp, how can Christ be fully God and fully Man at the same time. (Philippians 2) But maybe the greater mystery is why would Jesus Christ do this? Why would the Son of God , take on human flesh, suffer and die for our sins on the cross? Simply because God loves us this much, that he gave his only begotten Son (John 3:16) Can you grasp what God has done for you? 

The Apostle Paul says here “is now made manifest by the appearing our our Savior Jesus Christ” The gospel message is manifested into human flesh, The Lord Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. “Who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” When Christ was crucified on the cross, Satan and the demons thought they have won a victory, however the death of Christ was their defeat! As Jesus said “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:18)

Jesus Christ defeated sin and death by becoming flesh and dying for our sins on the cross, and rising again on the 3rd day , this is the gospel message! This is how Christ brought life to immortality, this is the light of the gospel, this is what needs to be preached every day continually until the end of the age. 

Now to just give some context to this epistle, the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote this, and this time he was presuming he was going to be executed for his faith. But the Apostle Paul accepted his higher calling as a Apostle, Preacher and Teacher, this is why he was suffering and being persecuted. Understand when you submit to Jesus as your Lord and accept your higher calling by him, there will be a price to pay. But Christ already paid the ultimate price for your soul, if you truly love The Lord live for him!

But despite the persecution Paul sufferred he was unashamed of his Lord Jesus Christ, and he believed and entrusted that whatever happened, Gods will would be done for his life. Again Satan believed he had Paul defeated also, chained in prison and eventually beheaded for his faith in Christ. But The Lord still allowed Paul to finish his race, the gospel was still preached, the body of Christ still continued to grow, even today we are reading the words of the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, what God ordained, the devil can never stop! Christ died, Christ is Risen, and Christ will come again, Amen!