Scripture: II Timothy 2:8-15

Aim: To help the pupil better understand the personal relationship each believer has with Christ.

Golden Text: “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel” (II Timothy 2:8).

Jesus Christ is the center and focal point of true Christianity. This statement contains extensive ramifications, but is absolutely true.

Jesus Christ is the Eternal, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Divine second person of the God-head. He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending … which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (God, Revelation 1:8).

“All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:1-3). With these truths in mind, look at our lesson for today.

I. Jesus Christ is born of the seed of David, raised from the dead, and is the object of the Gospel of God (vs. 8). In His humanity, Jesus Christ is a descendant of the great Jewish king David of Bethlehem. This means that He who is Eternal God Who took on the flesh of humanity. His human beginnings came through the Holy Spirit overshadowing and impregnating Mary, His human mother. He is indeed the unique God and Man! Such a mystery to the human brain. He is fully God and fully Man. Oh the wisdom, power and mercy of the Eternal God!

Jesus Christ was crucified, dead, buried and raised again from the dead (vs. 8, I Corinthians 15:3-4). The fact is denied by many today; however, he was seen after His resurrection by His apostles and by more than 500 people on a mountain in Galilee (I Corinthians 15:5-6).

He is the focal point of the gospel, the good news of God, that salvation from sin and hell is given to all who will receive Him as personal Savior.

II. He is the Eternal Word of God (vs. 9, John 1:1-3). He offers salvation from sin and death to all who will receive Him as personal Savior (vs. 9-11). This salvation is attended with “eternal glory” (vs. 10).

III. His divine will for the believer is that the believer will “reign with Him” (vs. 12-13). He died and is alive for evermore. He will resurrect each and every believer from the dead to “live with Him” and to “reign with Him” (vs. 11-12). Those who reject Him and His truth shall be denied by Him (vs. 12); therefore, they will be forever lost.

IV. He remains faithful to His followers and asks that they be faithful to Him (vs. 13-15). First, He is absolutely faithful (vs. 13). Whether we understand or not, He is always faithful to the believer. He will never leave nor forsake those who are His.

Second, He cannot fail any more than He could deny Himself—Who He is and What He is. He knows Himself!

Third, He instructs that believers not strive about words, which do not help them. They only cause strife and division (vs. 14).

Fourth, believers are God’s “workmen” (vs. 15). As such each believer is called upon to “study” in order that he may be approved of God. The believer must apply himself to a study of the Scriptures in order that He may know how he should live and how he should be able to please his Lord and Savior.

Lastly, the believer must “rightly divide the word of truth” (vs. 15). It is only as one studies carefully and completely that he will have the ability to honor God and faithfully keep His Word. In order to do the Word, one must know the Word. Hence, the admonition to “study to shew thyself approved of God, a workman” that has no need to be ashamed before God or men.

The Lord has provided for all who will believe on Him, eternal salvation, present help in daily living, and whatever wisdom that is needed to worship and obey Him. May God grant each of us the fortitude to use what He has provided for our benefit.

Howard Tillery is the pastor of New Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Grady County. He lives in Cairo.