Series: Our Reformation
Sermon: Our Reformation
Speaker and Writer: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit.

​Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8 (ESV). As you reread the text for the final time this week in the English Standard Version, what new insights did you discover about God’s character? 

Reflection: Today is our final chance to read through the passage. I am looking forward to the service tomorrow. This week has been challenging, not least because when you take apart your life and really look at it—not to mention the brokenness of everything else in the world—it can be very discouraging. This is why I believe that Paul is not trying to encourage Timothy to fix everything that is broken in these verses. Instead he is drawing Timothy away from all the brokenness and calling him to remember—with a pure heart—who he was in childhood (2 Timothy 3:15), and the truth that only the Word of God can ever pull any of us through our problems. He further challenges Timothy to prepare himself to not be accepted—to not be the most popular, to be rejected, and to accept suffering. This was Timothy’s ministry. 

Paul understood, more than most, that we do not fight a good fight against an enemy: 

    . . . who requires an email, or a post on Facebook

    . . . who wants a face-to-face meeting

    . . . who gives dire warnings about what he or she is about to do

    . . . who can be physically handled

    . . . who can be easily outwitted 

    . . . .who can be prepared for through superior study

Paul understood that it is very easy to focus on others and to ignore yourself. As Jesus warned in Luke 11:24-26, removing Satan but failing to replace him with Jesus creates more space for Satan to return. And he is a much more formidable enemy than any of the people who find ways to irritate us. 

Take the time today to prepare yourself for Sabbath by making peace with all those you have offended. Make peace first with Jesus, who is the one who gives you the desire for peace in the first place. Come celebrate the Gospel with us tomorrow. Enjoy the beauty of all that Jesus has done and will continue to do in and through each of us every day. 

Recalibrate: What do you need to confess to Jesus today?

Respond: Pray a prayer of repentance and confession. 

Research: Read one of the recommended books in the bibliography.