Unfinished: Never Give Up! Never Quit!

2016-10-09 
Ben Gutierrez 

In Paul’s last “Will & Testament” (II Timothy), he offers a passionate plea to both Timothy and every Follower of Christ to endure to the end, serve the Lord without wavering, and complete the work the Lord has started in this world!  The Apostle Paul, near the end of his journey, had fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.  He encourages all Followers of Christ, Never Quit! Never Give Up!  Why?  There is unfinished work to be done in the lives of every Follower of Christ & in the world!   Dr. Ben Gutierrez expounds on II Timothy 3:10-17 and identifies Three Spiritual Anchors each Follower of Christ should cling on to in order to endure through hardships, slander, and persecution while serving the Lord with passion and confidence.

II Timothy 3:10-16 NKJV
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Context of II Timothy:
1. Paul’s Last “Will & Testament”
2. “The Faith” is now established – Defend it & Live it!
3. Many people were giving up on God!

I Timothy 1:6
“…some having strayed…”

I Timothy 1:19
“…some having rejected the faith have suffered…”

I Timothy 4:1b
“…some will turn away from the true faith.”

I Timothy 6:10
“…some have strayed from the faith…”

I Timothy 6:21
“…some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.”

II Timothy 1:15
“As you know, ALL from the province of Asia has deserted me.”

II Timothy 4:16
“At my defense no one stood with me, but ALL forsook me.”
4. Many Personal Friends were giving up on God!

II Timothy 1:15
“This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.”

II Timothy 2:17b-18a
“Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth…”

II Timothy 4:10
For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed
It Was Becoming Difficult to Endure.
Three Spiritual Anchors
1. God’s Faithful Followers!

II Timothy 3:10-14
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.

Philippians 3:17
Brethren, join in following my example, and take note of those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

Philippians 4:9 NLT
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

I Corinthians 11:1
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

II Timothy 1:5
I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

Acts 16:1
Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.

2. God’s Trustworthy Word!

II Timothy 3:14-16
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Titus 1:2 NLT
This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.
3. God’s Perfect Work!

II Timothy 3:15-17
15 From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
You Can Make It!
Be An Anchor!
Hebrews 6:18-19a NLT
18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

Never Give Up! Never Quit!