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2 Timothy

How Great Is Our God!

For many, God remains a vague background presence—believed in, but not really understood. Yet Scripture insists that knowing God is not reserved for theologians. It’s why we exist!

In How Great Is Our God! Pastor Chuck Swindoll leads a sweeping study of the triune God. Stand in awe of the Father’s glory, holiness, love, and grace. Discover afresh the Son’s humility, sacrifice, and cross. Get clear on the Holy Spirit’s power, filling, and quiet work within every believer.

Draw near to the God who is greater than you imagined. Let the truth of who He is transform the way you live!

Every aspect of our lives—how we face trials, how we celebrate joys, and how we view our purpose—is determined by how we answer one central question: Who is God? In this 12-part theological survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the majestic attributes of the Trinity. From the holiness and glory of God the Father to the sacrificial love of the Son and the active ministry of the Holy Spirit, these messages provide a firm biblical anchor. This series is designed to reacquaint believers with the magnitude of the God they serve, offering hope and stability in an ever-changing world.

Message 1: The Glory of God

  • Summary: This message explores the “shekinah” glory of God—the visible manifestation of His presence. It challenges the believer to move beyond a small, manageable view of God and instead stand in awe of His overwhelming majesty and weightiness.
  • Key Facts: God’s glory is the sum total of all His attributes; it is the “weight” of His character that demands our reverence.
  • Scripture: Psalm 19:1; Exodus 33:18–23; Isaiah 6:1–3.

Message 2: The Holiness of God

  • Summary: Holiness is the attribute that sets God apart from everything else. This overview discusses the absolute purity of God and why His moral perfection is the foundation for all other divine traits.
  • Key Facts: To be holy means to be “separate” or “cut off” from sin; God’s holiness provides the standard for human righteousness.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 6:1–8; 1 Peter 1:15–16; Habakkuk 1:13.

Message 3: The Love of God

  • Summary: Unlike human love, which is often conditional, God’s love is an extension of His essence. This message focuses on the “agape” love of God—a choice-driven, sacrificial affection that reached out to us while we were still sinners.
  • Key Facts: God does not just “have” love; He is love. His love is eternal, unchanging, and independent of the object being loved.
  • Scripture: 1 John 4:7–19; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 3:17–19.

Message 4: The Grace of God

  • Summary: Grace is often defined as “unmerited favor,” but this message dives deeper into how God’s grace provides what we cannot earn and do not deserve. It contrasts the Law with the freedom found in the gift of God.
  • Key Facts: Grace is the answer to human helplessness; it is the bridge between a holy God and a sinful humanity.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 2:1–10; Titus 2:11–14; Romans 3:24.

Message 5: The Cup That He Drank

  • Summary: Focusing on the agony of Gethsemane, this message examines the “cup” of divine wrath that Jesus agreed to drink. It highlights the immense cost of our redemption and the submission of the Son to the Father’s will.
  • Key Facts: The “cup” represents the concentrated judgment of God against sin; Jesus’ choice to drink it was the ultimate act of obedience.
  • Scripture: Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46; Isaiah 51:17.

Message 6: The Servant who Came

  • Summary: This overview looks at the “Kenosis”—the self-emptying of Christ. Though He was God, He took on the form of a bondservant, modeling the humility that should characterize every follower of Christ.
  • Key Facts: True greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by service, not status; Jesus is the “Suffering Servant” prophesied in the Old Testament.
  • Scripture: Philippians 2:5–11; Isaiah 53:1–12; Mark 10:45.

Message 7: The Lamb That Was Slaughtered

  • Summary: Drawing from the Passover tradition, this message explains why Jesus is the “Lamb of God.” It details the necessity of a blood sacrifice for the atonement of sins and the finality of Christ’s work on the cross.
  • Key Facts: Sacrifice is the only way to satisfy divine justice; Jesus is the perfect, spotless fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
  • Scripture: John 1:29; Revelation 5:6–14; 1 Peter 1:18–20.

Message 8: The Cross We Proclaim

  • Summary: The cross is the central symbol of the Christian faith. This message discusses why the “message of the cross” is foolishness to the world but the power of God to those who are being saved.
  • Key Facts: The cross is where God’s justice and God’s love met; it is the only basis for a believer’s boast.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25; Galatians 6:14; Colossians 2:13–15.

Message 9: Getting Reacquainted with the Spirit of Power

  • Summary: Many Christians live as though the Holy Spirit is a vague force rather than a Person. This message introduces the Spirit as our Comforter, Advocate, and the source of supernatural power for daily living.
  • Key Facts: The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, equal in essence to the Father and the Son; He is the “Helper” promised by Jesus.
  • Scripture: John 14:16–17; John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8.

Message 10: What Does Being ”Filled with the Spirit” Mean?

  • Summary: This overview clarifies the difference between the “baptism” of the Spirit and the “filling” of the Spirit. It focuses on the command to be continually under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit.
  • Key Facts: Being filled with the Spirit is a command to be obeyed, not just a feeling to be sought; it results in the “fruit of the Spirit” in a believer’s life.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 5:18–21; Galatians 5:22–23; Colossians 3:16.

Message 11: Those Unidentified Inner Promptings

  • Summary: How do we distinguish the leading of the Holy Spirit from our own thoughts or emotions? This message provides biblical filters to identify the quiet, inner promptings of God in our decision-making process.
  • Key Facts: The Spirit will never lead in a direction contrary to the Word of God; inner peace and biblical alignment are key indicators of the Spirit’s leading.
  • Scripture: Romans 8:14–16; 1 Kings 19:11–13; Psalm 32:8.

Message 12: The Spirit’s Most Significant Mission

  • Summary: The series concludes by emphasizing that the Holy Spirit’s primary mission is to glorify Jesus Christ. He does this by convicting the world of sin and empowering the church to bear witness to the Gospel.
  • Key Facts: The Spirit does not draw attention to Himself but always points toward the Son; His mission is to make the presence of Jesus real to the believer.
  • Scripture: John 16:13–14; Acts 4:31; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18.

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The Integrity of Finishing Well

Only with integrity can a godly man or woman finish well in life. The journey of faith is a race to be run, a fight to be won. Uncompromising integrity that clings to the promises of God is one essential ingredient that gets us to the end.

In this moving sermon on 2 Timothy 4:5–18, Pastor Chuck Swindoll examines Paul’s final words that he penned before his execution. Find guidance, encouragement, and hope from this man who proved to be full of grace and full of grit.

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Distinctives of a Contagious Church

Mentorship was central for the establishment of the church, and it has continued to be down to this very day! Pastor Chuck Swindoll teaches what you can learn from the church’s best mentor, the apostle Paul, who wrote profound words to Timothy, his mentee, in 2 Timothy 2:1–10. Listen to this important message to deepen your understanding of what true, biblical success means for church leadership and church members.

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God-Breathed Truth

Those who make a lasting difference finish well. They don’t merely start well or maintain well, they finish well. They stay in the race all the way to the finish line. They endure. They persevere to the end. As one man put it, they sustain “a long obedience in the same direction.” This was Paul’s great hope for Timothy, who had received a solid foundation that set him on his way—he started well. He had proved himself a faithful traveling companion and loyal disciple of Paul for years—he maintained well. Both were certainly commendable, but neither was enough; Timothy needed to finish well.

With Timothy about to be on his own without Paul’s presence and encouragement, the question he must answer was, “How?” As we shall see, the answer has everything to do with how greatly he valued, how diligently he studied, how strongly he defended, and how personally he embraced and applied the God-breathed truth of Holy Scripture. What was true for Timothy is equally true for us: we will finish only as well as we stand for truth.

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Every Pastor’s Job Profile

We arrive at the last chapter written by Paul the apostle. Death awaited him. It would not be long before Paul was pulled by Roman soldiers from the dark and dismal underground Mamertine dungeon. He would then be led, bound in shackles as a criminal, along the Ostian Way toward the sea where his executioner’s axe would fall across Paul’s neck.

These are, literally, the man’s concluding words to his much-younger colleague in the work of ministry, Timothy, who served as the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Not surprisingly, Paul delivered a solemn, never-to-be-forgotten charge to Timothy that provides a timely (and timeless) message to all pastors, regardless of age, era, personal temperament, geographical location, or cultural setting. There cannot be found in all of Scripture—or all of literature for that matter—a more necessary or relevant statement setting forth every pastor’s job profile than these first five verses of 2 Timothy 4.

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Looking Back—No Regrets

We learned at the beginning of our study of 2 Timothy that we were examining Paul’s “swan song.” This letter comprises the last recorded words Paul wrote prior to his death. The fourth chapter reveals that this rugged missionary and remarkable apostle of grace knew he had come to the end of the trail. Paul was turning the final corner as he headed to his eternal home.

Most of us will come to our final hours of life without realizing it. As James wrote, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow” (James 4:14). For all we know, we may have another ten years to live; then again, we may not have ten days—or for that matter, ten hours!

Paul was different; he knew his days were few in number. That explains why he wrote what he did in the section of Scripture we’re considering today. Up until that point, he had written Timothy in hopes of preparing him for what he would surely face in the months and years ahead. But now he wrote about himself. Without a glimmer of fear and without a hint of regret, Paul wrote one of the finest epitaphs found in all of literature.

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Christian Leadership 101

With such a dominant emphasis on public performance these days, not enough is said regarding the value of character among those who stand before the public. Whether a person is a leader in business or politics, medicine or law, technology or public service, industry or education, or promotion of sales, almost all the training received addresses personal skills, efficiency, and competence. Virtually nothing is said regarding the individual’s morality and integrity.

Our culture underscores the externals while Scripture constantly emphasizes the inner life. No matter what our occupations or roles in life may be, the Bible forever points to issues related to our hearts and souls—those things that have to do with character. This is especially true when it comes to the Christian leader, regardless of a person’s specific calling.

Paul addresses this issue of character in this second (and final) letter to Timothy. His deepest concern is that the young man be “a vessel for honor . . . useful to the Master” (2:21), not simply an efficient pastor or a strong preacher. What is written to Timothy certainly applies to each of us.

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Depravity on Parade

Whatever we may say about the Bible, we may be sure of this: it tells us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We may not want to hear it or face it, but nevertheless there it is: realism in the raw. Like no other book in existence, it enables us to see the ugliness of sin. God’s Word strips off all the veneer of fanciful optimism as it cuts to the chase and reveals the evil that lurks in the dark shadows of the world around us.

It goes far deeper as it exposes the nature within us . . . the subtle temptations that allure us, the shameful thoughts we’d rather keep secret, and even the selfish motives we try to hide. Some sections of the Scriptures are painfully clear when it comes to this kind of realism—and the verses we’re looking at today represent a classic example. Since “all the world’s a stage,” as Shakespeare once wrote, Paul pulls back the curtains in the initial verses of 2 Timothy 3 to give us a glimpse of how wicked this world has become and how treacherous our times really are.

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Making a Lasting Difference

Enough of the negatives! The apostle Paul has gone to great lengths to help us all understand the depths of depravity. He offers no fewer than 19 characteristics that comprise “difficult times” as he paints the scene of society in dark shades and ugly shadows. But enough of that! It’s time to emphasize the positive. What can we do to make a real impact in a world like ours?

We start by understanding the value of being men and women of God, who face the raw reality of our times . . . yet refuse to allow all of that to squeeze us into the world’s mold. Accomplishing that all-important pursuit means we must focus on the goal, then come to terms with what it takes to get there. When we do, there is nothing to keep us from making a lasting difference.

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Straight Talk to the Timid and Reluctant

Not all of God’s spokespersons are confident and bold. Not every leader is ready to stand strong and all alone, if necessary, in the face of conflict. There are some who have been called to do God’s work but are timid, shy, and fearful. This was true even among some whose names appear in the Bible. Stop and think. Let’s call some of those people to mind.

Without trying too hard we could name some who were reluctant (remember Moses at the burning bush?), others who were hesitant (like Esther, when she first considered presenting her case before the king), a few who lacked courage (as King Saul did before the giant, Goliath), and occasionally we find one who was downright resistant and rebellious (think Jonah).

It shouldn’t surprise us, then, that a 30-something-year-old pastor named Timothy was in that same category. Perhaps his shyness could be traced to his ill health. Maybe it stemmed from personal feelings of intimidation that only intensified while travelling with Paul—a man of enormous courage and grit. Whatever the cause, Paul knew that the future Timothy faced would require his strongest and best efforts. Having affirmed Timothy’s godly roots and sincere faith (2 Timothy 1:5) and having urged him to “kindle afresh” the gift God had given him (1:6), Paul now offered straight talk on courage and persistence.

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