Deepfake - Part 4 [Notes]

Deepfake is a four-week series through the four chapters of 2nd Timothy. Just as AI-generated “deepfakes” can look real but aren’t, we live in a world full of ideas, beliefs, and value systems being presented to us as true and for our good, when in reality they are false and destructive. In this letter from the apostle Paul to Timothy, his son in the faith, Paul warns and encourages him to hold on to the truth in a world full of lies and deception. Though “deepfakes” are all around us, we can confidently stand on God’s unchanging Word.
Deepfake – A Study of 2nd Timothy
  • Week 1, Chapter 1: Pass on the Truth
  • Week 2, Chapter 2: Protect the Truth
  • Week 3, Chapter 3: Practice the Truth
  • Week 4, Chapter 4: Preach the Truth
Preach the Truth
Preach the Truth
  • 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Fulfill Your Ministry
  • 2 Timothy 4:9-18, Final Instructions
  • 2 Timothy 4:19-22, Benediction
Preach the Truth
  • 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Fulfill Your Ministry
 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.
— 2 Timothy 4:1-8 (CSB)
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
— 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (CSB)
3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.
— 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (CSB)
For error to flourish both sides of the transaction must cooperate.
– Dr. A.D. Litfin, The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
— 2 Timothy 4:5 (CSB)
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.
— 2 Timothy 4:6 (CSB)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.
— 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (CSB)
In Roman athletic games, a laurel wreath, or crown, would be given to each winner. A symbol of triumph and honor, it was the most coveted prize in ancient Rome. Paul uses this analogy when he writes of a “crown of righteousness”.
Life Application Study Bible
Preach the Truth
  • 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Fulfill Your Ministry
  • 2 Timothy 4:9-18, Final Instructions
9 Make every effort to come to me soon, 10 because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. 12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. 15 Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words. 16 At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
— 2 Timothy 4:9-18 (CSB)
9 Make every effort to come to me soon, 10 because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. 12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
— 2 Timothy 4:9-12 (CSB)
13 When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments.
— 2 Timothy 4:13 (CSB)
14 Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. 15 Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.
— 2 Timothy 4:14-15 (CSB)
16 At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
— 2 Timothy 4:16-17 (CSB)
 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
— 2 Timothy 4:18 (CSB)
6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
— 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (CSB)
Preach the Truth
  • 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Fulfill Your Ministry 
  • 2 Timothy 4:9-18, Final Instructions 
  • 2 Timothy 4:19-22, Benediction 
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
— 2 Timothy 4:19 (CSB)
20 Erastus has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
— 2 Timothy 4:20 (CSB)
21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.
— 2 Timothy 4:21 (CSB)
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
— 2 Timothy 4:22 (CSB)
Dear God, I acknowledge that I have sinned and need a Savior. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. Today, I place my trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. I come to You in Jesus’ name and because of what He did for me. Amen.
Pass on the Truth
God, please help us faithfully pass on the truth to others.
Protect the Truth
God, please give us discernment and courage to protect the truth.
Practice the Truth
God, please empower us to practice the truth in our daily lives.
Preach the Truth
God, please open our ears and soften our hearts to receive the truth, especially when it’s hard to hear.

Discussion Questions //

  1. Josh compared rejecting hard truth to wanting a doctor to tell you everything is fine when it isn't. Why do you think people (including us) sometimes resist truth that challenges us?
    • Can you think of a time when hearing a difficult truth ultimately helped you grow?
  2. Paul warned that people would seek out teachers who tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Where do you see this temptation in today's culture, social media, or even your own life?
    • How can we guard against only listening to voices that affirm our preferences?
  3. Paul instructed Timothy to "correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching." Why is it important that truth is paired with patience and love?
    • Which of those three—correction, rebuke, or encouragement—do you find easiest or hardest to receive?
  4. Paul described his life by saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." If you were evaluating your own spiritual journey today, which of those three statements feels most challenging for you right now, and why?
  5. The series ended with four challenges: Pass on the Truth, Protect the Truth, Practice the Truth, and Preach the Truth. Which of these areas do you feel God is calling you to focus on most in this season?
    • What is one practical step you can take this week to live that out?
  6. Bonus Question (Series Wrap-Up):
    Looking back over the entire Deepfake series, what has been the most impactful lesson, challenge, or truth God has highlighted for you, and how do you plan to respond to it?

Catch Up // 

You can watch or listen to past messages online!

Worship Setlist //

Battle Belongs // Trustworthy // Holy Forever // Follow // Shout To The Lord // 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

Give // 

Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity. We cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.
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