2Timothy 2:8-19 REMEMBER - STUDY False teaching has a wrong view of the Person and work of Christ. In the time of the writing of 2nd Timothy, Gnosticism was teaching that resurrection was not physical but merely passing from ignorance to knowledge. Others apparently taught the resurrection of Christ, and those who rose "after his resurrection and appeared unto many" were the resurrection. The denial of the physical resurrection of the body, really, is a denial of the physical resurrection of Christ, which in turn is a denial of fundamental Christianity. Such false teaching jeopardizes the truth of salvation, in which we are reconciled to God by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is both God and man. Jews were angry when Paul preached that Jesus was both God and man. It was on that basis they condemned Him, because He made it plain to them that even though He was in fashion as a man, He was the "I AM." Romans were angry with Paul because they were taught the emperor was a god. Greeks were angry because they believed divinity was defiled by any contact with men.
Against this background, Paul called upon Timothy to remember that Jesus Christ was a man descended from David, and that as God, He was raised from the dead. There was suffering on the part of Jesus before He entered into His glory. In like manner, believers suffer that we might reign with Him. Paul knew this suffering for the sake of the Gospel personally and so well that he could call the Gospel "my Gospel." We may find it hard to explain or describe hypostatic union because we have never experienced it. But we know it is a fact, and it must be preached in the Gospel. As a man, our Lord Jesus took our place in suffering and death for sin. As God, He has made it possible for us to be reconciled to God and has given "eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him."
He came to earth, but that was not the beginning He was in fashion as a man, but never sinning Eternal in His being, incarnate by His choice An obedient Son, yet the thunder is His voice Perfection in His character, yet suffering in His body for sin One perfect Man among all humanity, yet made provision for all men King, Priest, Sacrifice, Mediator, Advocate; in every way impeccable Personal Savior, Redeemer - to us who believe, forever unforgettable.
Servants - old and young; men and women - suffering In prison, in homes, in hospitals, in business - serving - laboring Sitting with Bibles, listening to words from God, and learning Bowing in prayer with grateful hearts in fellowship - communing Gathered with others, singing, praying, praising - remembering Out in public, telling the Gospel, teaching the word, witnessing In the darkness of a prison cell, sleeping chamber, dying bed - waiting Lifting the eyes of faith, looking for the Lord, anticipating - worshipping.