How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in his excellent word.

Word pictures are powerful.

When communicating a tough concept, sometimes painting a picture of it is much more effective.

Welcome to Through the Bible, in the study of 2 Timothy 2, Dr. J. Vernon McGee is going to take us

through some of the many metaphors that Paul uses to explain the

Christian life. Can you relate to any of them? Are you a soldier? You know soldiers

need to be focused on winning the battle. Maybe you're more of an athlete who trains and

disciplines themselves to achieve a prize. Athletes care about the rules of the

game and the competition. Or maybe you relate to a hardworking farmer. You clear a field, you plant the seed, and then

you keep an eye on the weather.

All three great metaphors of the Christian life, aren't they?

Well this passage in 2nd Timothy 2 is for everyone who wants to stand before God

unashamed after a lifetime of applying what they've been taught in God's

word. Is that you? I know I want to have him be pleased with how I invested my time in this life

and that begins with understanding God's word. Speaking of soldiers by the way we get a lot of letters from those who are serving from their home

countries and I'd love to share some of those with you now.

The first one comes from Ethiopia where a young man writes this, to the presenter of the Bible study in the Aromo language,

I lack words to praise the Lord for this radio program.

When I am on military duty, the Bible study has become my great treasure in the word of God. I am still

strong in my faith because of it. And then here's another letter from an

Ethiopian, but this listener listens in the language of Amharic. I am living where the condition is not stable due to

guerrilla fighters. The majority of people here are Muslim believers. It is not easy to find

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