SHAPED BY THE SCRIPTURES
The Book of Second Timothy #5
Keith O’Connor
Woodland Church
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
(2 Timothy 3:10-13, NLT) “But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived”
1. Contagious Faith
a. Following Godly Examples
(1 Timothy 4:12, NLT) “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity”
(1 Corinthians 11:1, NLT) “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ”
(2 Timothy 3:10, NLT) “But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance”
b. How we should Imitate Christ:
- Teaching
- Conduct
- Purpose or Aim in our Life
- Faith
- Patience
- Love
- Steadfastness
c. We Can Be Steadfast By:
- Being anchored in Christ, not circumstances
- Valuing what is eternal, not what is temporary
- Depending on God’s strength, not our own
d. Christian maturity involves:
- Sound doctrine
- Consistent character
- Steady endurance
2. Opposition May Come, BUT God Remains Faithful
(2 Timothy 3:11, NLT) “You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it”
a. Paul’s 3 Persecutions:
- Antioch
(Acts 13:50, NLT) “Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town”
- Iconium
(Acts 14:5, NLT) “Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them”
- Lystra
(Acts 14:19-20, NLT) “Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town.”
b. God Remained Faithful
(2 Timothy 3:11b, NLT) “…but the Lord rescued me from all of it”
c. Godly Living Attracts Opposition
(2 Timothy 3:12, NLT) “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”
d. Evil Increases Over Time
(2 Timothy 3:13, NLT) “But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived”
3. Remain Faithful
(2 Timothy 3:14, NLT) “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you”
(John 16:1, NLT) “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith”
a. Continue in the Word
(2 Timothy 3:15, NLT) “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus”
b. God Uses His Written Word to Point Us to His Living Word
(2 Timothy 3:15b, NLT) “wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus”
4. The Sufficiency and Purpose of Scripture
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work”)
a. Scripture is Inspired – God Breathed (Greek: theopneustos)
(Ephesians 2:20, NLT) “Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself”
(2 Peter 3:14-16, NLT) “And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—speaking of these things in all of his letters”
(1 Corinthians 2:13, NLT) “When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths”
(1 Timothy 5:18, NLT) “For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
b. Scripture is Profitable
- Teaching
- Reproof and Correction
- Training in Righteousness
c. God’s Word Prepares God’s People for God’s Work
(2 Timothy 3:17, NLT) “God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work”