Sunday LinkUp – October 19, 2025 – 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

FIRST READING

2 Timothy 3:14-17, 4:1-5

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 ^[a]instruction^{[training, discipline]} in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.     

2 Timothy 4:1-5   

I charge you ^[b]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead ^[c]at^{[and by]}  His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.   

SERMON

The King’s Couriers  

2 Timothy 3:14–4:5  NIV

In ancient times, royal messages were entrusted to specially trained couriers who memorized the king’s exact words. These messengers faced three critical challenges: First, they had to know the message perfectly — word for word. Second, they had to proclaim it exactly as given, without alteration. And third, they had to defend it from those who might intercept them to destroy or distort the king’s words.¹

These couriers had a vital sense of mission.  They weren’t just carrying information; they were carrying the very authority and will of the king himself.  To alter the message was treason while proclaiming it faithfully was their highest calling.

In our passage today, Paul is essentially commissioning Timothy — and us by extension — as couriers of the King of kings.  In 2Timothy 3:14–4:5, we see this same three–fold responsibility: knowing God’s message through Scripture, proclaiming it faithfully, and defending it against those who would alter or distort it for their own purposes.

As we explore these verses together, let’s consider our roles as God’s couriers.  Let’s examine what it means for us to know, proclaim, and defend the message of the King.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God–breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.  For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2Timothy 4:1–5 NIV

Knowing the message   

Paul begins by encouraging Timothy to remember his foundation, that from his youth he had been instructed in the scriptures. In 2Timothy 1:5, Paul mentions Timothy’s grandmother, as well as his mother, Eunice, as being the ones who instructed him in the faith.

At this time, the scriptures that Paul would have been talking about was the Old Testament.  Paul singles out those scriptures as being the ones which instructed Timothy for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2Timothy 3:15).

Paul goes on to talk about the various ways that the scriptures are supposed to help us in our walk with Christ.  Like Timothy, some of us grew up learning the scriptures, while others may be brand new in their faith.  Wherever we happen to find ourselves, we are all presented with the privilege and task of embracing the gospel message.  As the King’s couriers, we are to know the good news of Jesus Christ intimately.

We should champion the role of our children’s Sunday School departments.  For many of our young ones, this is where they first get to hear about the love of God offered through Christ Jesus.  Bible study together as a church is vitally important, as is having a devotional time whether alone or with your family.  The King’s couriers know the message and become the message themselves.

Proclaiming the message    

In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of sharing the good news.  Although Paul’s letter is addressed to his young protégé, the truth is just as applicable to those who are not pastors or leaders in the church.  All believers are the King’s couriers.  We all share in the high calling of proclaiming the gospel message.

Verse 2 (2 Timothy 4:2) also tells us that we are to be prepared in season and out of season. We can’t know for certain, but an example of “in season” could have meant when it is expected or when the situation is favorable.²  This could involve sharing your testimony at church or with someone who is obviously interested. “Out of season” could be when someone puts you on the spot when the conditions aren’t so favorable, or when someone skeptically asks you why you believe in Jesus. These are times when what you have to say may not be popular.

In this same verse, Paul also mentions correcting, rebuking, and encouraging others. Most of us probably wouldn’t have a problem with encouraging others, but to correct and rebuke, that could be a different story. That’s why Paul warns us to do these things with great care and patience. You want to pray and seek wisdom from the Spirit and spiritual guidance from your pastor or mentor in the faith before you start correcting and rebuking things you might disagree with.

Defending the message    

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2Timothy 4:3–4 NIV

Stephen Covey once wrote: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”³  The main thing when it comes to the gospel message is Christ Jesus, him crucified and resurrected. It’s tempting to appeal to people’s sensibilities.  But this only leads to distorted messages regarding Christ. Some people distort the message for influence and wealth.  Others get carried away with pointless controversies and special knowledge about Jesus that they claim only a select few will ever understand.

As couriers of the King, our job is not to add to or change his message to fit our own desires that come from the flesh.  Our task is not to engage in endless debates and quarrels.  Instead, we have been charged with the simple task of keeping Jesus and his completed work for humanity as of utmost importance.  This is the message that has the power to truly change the lives of those who we have been sent to deliver the King’s all-important message to.  Let us embrace our roles as his royal couriers — those who know, proclaim, and defend His beautiful message regarding our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

1) https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/messengers

2) https://www.bibleref.com/2-Timothy/4/2-Timothy-4-2.html

3) https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/170736-the-main-thing-is-to-keep-the-main-thing-the

Small Group Discussion Questions