2 Timothy 2:3-7 — We are Farmers bum-ba-dum-bum-bum-bum (and athletes and soldiers...bum-dum)

 READ THIS: 2 Timothy 2:3-7

3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

 

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Did you do what verse 7 said, yet? If not, take a second to reread verse 7 and try to reflect for a second before you read. (....did you do it? Yes? Maybe? Okay we prepped y'all yesterday for a long one today, so buckle in, we are going to split up the three comparisons Paul makes):

Soldier: We are called to be good soldiers! Good soldiers listen to their commander, no matter what other soldiers say. Even when everyone else complains and is busy trying to impress each other, we ignore all of that (not getting entangled), and we listen to God!

Athlete: We are called to be rule-following athletes! People get so upset at athletes who cheat because they aren't really playing the game at all. A true athlete can win without cheating, without doing performance enhancing drugs or cutting corners or bribing people. Sometimes people get so focused on looking like a true athlete that they cheat, and sometimes people get so focused on looking like a good Christian that they cheat, too! Instead of actually spending time WITH God, they talk ABOUT God. Instead of asking God for help, they just do it themselves and say, "Oh, yeah, I prayed about that for sure." That's not how we are "winner" Christians. A Christian who cuts corners by doing it without God has already lost, just like an athlete who cheats gets disqualified. We trust in Jesus alone. He's how we play by the rules of being a Christian. 

Farmer: We are called to be hardworking farmers! If you're a farmer who did absolutely nothing, there is no reason for you to get a bunch of crops at harvest time. You didn't plant anything! But, if you worked really hard, planting and watering, then it makes sense that you'll have a bunch of crops and others will want you to get first pick since you did so much. For us, we are called to work hard for God, planting and watering seeds of faith in the people around us. If we don't work hard, why should we expect people around us to believe in Jesus and act like believers in Jesus? We're not going to see any "crops" grow like that. But, also, the hardest working person is also the one who expends the most energy and needs to refuel the most. When we are serving other people, we need to be going to God over and over again, going to Him first before we go to others, either for their help or to help them. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Do you feel more like a soldier, an athlete, or a farmer as a Christian?

2. Which comparison is the hardest one for you to live out? The farmer, athlete, or soldier? Why?

 

TRY THIS:

Below is an activity to do depending on your answer to question 2. If the hardest comparison was farmer, do the farmer one, and so on:

Soldier: If you hear someone complain about doing something today/tomorrow, quietly go and do it with that person, not making a big deal of it because you're doing it for God, not for praise. 

Athlete: Follow EVERY rule today/tomorrow. Any rule you can think of, follow it. From making eye contact with people, to not chewing gum in certain places, to no running or speeding, to not talking when others are talking. Follow EVERY SINGLE ONE and see how much energy it takes to be that diligent. Kinda need the stamina and attention of an athlete...

Farmer: Give your 110% at everything today. Even if it is just walking--walk with sheer intentionality. If it is the dumbest homework or work assignment ever, do it with absolute concentration. See how much effort it takes...you might find it easier if you ask God for help before each thing you do...