Sunday, March 9, 2025
Dr. John Welborn
Finishing Well: Gospel Living to the End
Equipped for Gospel Work
2nd Timothy 3:10-17

Have you been tasked to do something without being given the proper training for the job? If you’re a parent, please raise your hand. It has happened to all of us. Some of you feel this way about working for the Lord. You feel like you are expected to do things that you are completely unequipped to do (sharing Jesus with others, studying your Bible, tithing, volunteering at church, mission trips, etc.). And, what’s worse…you know that you will stand before God one day to give an account.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

God has prepared good works for you, and you for good works. Paul makes this point to Timothy, and it will encourage you today!


Main Idea: God has Provided Everything We Need to Finish Well

“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whomyou learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:10-17


God Equips us for Gospel Living in Two Ways in 2 Timothy 3:10-17

I. Examples to Show Us the Way – 2 Timothy 3:10-13

a. Positive Examples – 3:10-12

In Verse 10, Paul referenced his teaching, conduct (DON’T forget), life’s purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings and God’s deliverance through them all. Timothy had a real-life mentor to model! But, there was one qualification that Paul reminded Timothy about…

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12 – Not normal problems and issues, but spiritual attacks!

“The godly arouse the antagonism of the worldly. It has always been so. It was so for Christ, and he said it would be so for us.” John Stott

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19 – This is a qualification of a good mentor!

b. Negative Examples – 3:13

Sometimes seeing what NOT to do can be helpful

“While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 – Wise, Foolish, & Evil People

What’s the big deal about sin?” It’s just fooling around, it’s just a little pot, it’s my money so why be generous? It just goes from bad-worse!!!

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay!” Evangelist Freddie Gage

Everyone needs a Paul (mentor), a Timothy (mentee), and a Barnabas (peer).


II. Scriptures to Shape Us for the Work – 2 Timothy 3:14-17

In our Psalms 119 series we looked at the many ways the Bible blesses us, the most important is that it is God’s revelation of himself. We study the Bible, not to know the Bible, but to know and walk with God! The Bible does not merely INFORM us, but it TRANSFORMS us.

a. Shaped in Conversion – 3:14-15

Paul reminds Timothy to continue in what he had learned as his Jewish mother had taught him the sacred writings (the Old Testament) which paved the way for him to embrace Christ as Savior and Lord.

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24 (KJV)

God has given the Scriptures to make the Gospel clear: we were dead in our sins but Jesus came, lived, died, rose again, and offers reconciliation with God to all who turn to him in repentance and faith. For all the amazing things the Scripture does (wisdom, comfort, history, poetry), THIS is the best part…

“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

b. Shaped in Transformation – 3:16-17

Paul moves from talking about the sacred writings of the OT, to all Scripture including the New Testament. He is clearly stating that every word of Scripture is Inspired, Infallible, and Inerrant

“All Scripture is breathed out by God…” 2 Timothy 3:16a



The Bible is 66 books, written over 1,500 years by 30+ authors, living on 3 continents (Europe, Africa & Asia), written in 3 different languages (Hebrew, Greek & Aramaic), covering many controversial topics and yet presents the beautifully harmonious story of God! It’s absolutely divine.

“Every word of God is pure…” Proverbs 30:5a (NKJV)

Sola Scriptura = Scripture alone is our highest authority (Supreme Court)

“…and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Godmay be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16b-17 – It is not enough to believe the Bible is the Word of God

The purpose of the Scriptures is to shape us into the type of people who are equipped to serve the Lord in Gospel work! Let the Scripture shape you!

Not only do we have examples and the Scriptures, but we have Jesus who created us, saved us, and has promised us…

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father…and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” John 14:12, 16

You are equipped to serve the Lord and finish well. Why? Because of Good Examples, the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit who is with you. Let’s Go!



Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax, General Editor (2021)
The New Bible Commentary – Carson, France, Motyer & Wenham (1994)
Guard the Gospel – 2nd Timothy – John Stott (1973)
New American Commentary: 1, 2 Timothy, Titus – Thomas Lea (1992)
The Letters to Timothy, Titus, & Philemon – William Barclay (1975)
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
The Spurgeon Study Bible – Charles H. Spurgeon (2017)
Word Pictures in the New Testament – A.T. Robertson (1933)