Opening: Coffee Chat & Listener Feedback

• Seth visited Fresh Grounds and chatted with David (shoutout).

• Tried a developing Tiramisu Iced Drink (Monin tiramisu syrup, mocha, cinnamon).

• Feedback: try cocoa powder instead of mocha; steam powders into milk; mascarpone flavor is hardest to replicate.

• Noah’s drinks: hot vanilla latte + black coffee.

• Noah shares his dad’s feedback: “Less weird coffee hot takes!”

• Noah’s dad will send coffee for on-air tasting; Seth commits to trying it black.

• Plans to invite David from Fresh Grounds on the podcast soon.

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📖 Main Passage: 2 Timothy 4:1–8

Read aloud (NIV).

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1. The Setting and Authority of the Charge (v. 1)

• Paul charges Timothy “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.”

• This is a divine commission, not a suggestion—rooted in ultimate authority.

• Eschatological tone shows urgency and seriousness (Douglas Mangum).

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2. Preach the Word – A Call for All Believers (v. 2a)

• “Preach” (Greek: proclaim) goes beyond pulpit preaching—every believer is a truth-teller.

• Connected to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20; Rom. 10:14–15).

• Every Christian is called to proclaim the gospel wherever they are.

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3. Be Ready In and Out of Season (v. 2b)

• Be prepared whether convenient or not—faithful in every season.

• Analogies:

• Pro athletes train in the off-season.

• Hurricane preparedness—too late to prepare once the storm hits.

• Quotes:

• John Wooden: “When opportunity knocks, it’s too late to prepare.”

• Abraham Lincoln: “I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.”

• Challenge: fill our lives with Scripture now so we’re ready when opportunities come (1 Pet. 3:15).

• Conviction over convenience: spiritual formation takes time—no “microwave” shortcuts.

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4. Correct, Rebuke, and Encourage (v. 2c)

• Hold truth and love together: speak truth, but with patience and gentleness.

• Testimony: worship pastor’s mother who prayed 25 years for her family’s salvation—God answered in full.

• A picture of patient perseverance and faith in God’s timing.

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5. The Danger of “Itching Ears” and False Teaching (vv. 3–4)

• People reject sound doctrine and seek teachers who affirm desires.

• “Myths” are compelling cultural stories that sound true but distort the gospel (Mangum).

• Modern parallels: influencer culture, prosperity teaching, and compromise masked with “Jesus language.”

• Practice discernment: read in context; prioritize exegesis over eisegesis.

• Example: a misleading video exposed when reading just one more verse beyond its claim.

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6. Sober-Minded Endurance and Evangelistic Work (v. 5)

• Be steady, endure suffering, and “do the work of an evangelist.”

• Evangelism isn’t a title—it’s obedience in every vocation.

• “Big-C calling”: make disciples.

• “Little-c calling”: how and where God calls you to do it.

• Nicholas Zinzendorf: “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.”

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7. Finishing Well and the Crown of Righteousness (vv. 6–8)

• Paul faces death with confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

• The focus is finishing, not winning—Christ is the Victor.

• The “crown of righteousness” = Christ Himself, the reward of His presence.

• Encouragement for believers facing hardship: stay faithful, look forward to Christ’s appearing.

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Looking Ahead

• Next week: conclude the 2 Timothy series.

• Plan to bring Fresh Grounds’ David on as a guest.

• Awaiting coffee shipment from Noah’s dad for live tasting and review.

Segment Highlights:

Intro & Banter: Florida heat, office AC debates, Pat McAfee 33-yard challenge.

Rapid Coffee Opinions: Cold brew, Starbucks, pour-over, moka pot, iced vs. hot coffee, entry-level machines.

Main Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 3:16–17

“All Scripture is breathed out by God…”

Inspiration: God guided authors; human context included.

Five Ps of Reliability: Profession, Production, Prophecy, Preservation, Personal Testimony

Profitable Uses: Teaching, Reproof, Correction, Training in Righteousness

Equipped for Every Good Work: Scripture fully equips all believers.

Closing Encouragement: Daily Scripture reading transforms lives; humor in Scripture is real!

Resources Mentioned:

The Bible is Funny (Podcast & Card Game)

Key Takeaways:

Scripture is reliable and inspired.

It equips believers for right living, not just leaders.

Engaging with Scripture daily produces transformation.

Main Idea:

Paul calls Timothy to follow his example of faithful living, endurance under persecution, and deep love rooted in Scripture.

Key Segments:

• Coffee Kickoff: Fall flavors, barista styles, and our Keurig lineup

• Passage Context: Paul contrasts godliness with the moral decay of 2 Tim 3:1–9

• Following Paul’s Example: Teaching, conduct, and purpose that align

• Agape Love & Endurance: The strength to bear trials and love unconditionally

• Persecution Is Inevitable: Faithfulness brings friction in a fallen world

• Responding to Evil: We can’t control culture’s decline, but we can live faithfully

• Relational Discipleship: Faith learned from mentors and family (Paul, Lois, Eunice)

• Scripture’s Power: God’s Word makes us wise for salvation through Christ

Coming Up Next:

Part 2 — The God-Breathed Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

1. Setting Up the Passage

• Paul’s “last days” = church age (Acts 2 → present)

• Goal isn’t timeline speculation but moral awareness: “Avoid such people.”

2. Three Misdirected Loves

• Self: “I must be exalted.” → narcissism, influencer culture

• Antidote: humility, surrender to Christ

• Money: “I must have more.” → consumer Christianity, worship as preference

• Antidote: contentment, generosity

• Pleasure: “I must feel good.” → escapism, comfort over calling

• Antidote: worship, endurance, crucify the flesh

3. Appearance vs. Power (v. 5)

• Outward godliness without inward transformation

• Discernment: test teachers by Scripture, not charisma

• Avoid pride when separating—truth + mercy

4. Deception and the Vulnerable (vv. 6–8)

• “Creeping into households” = targeting isolated believers

• Application: stay in community and accountability

• Jannes & Jambres = imitation without transformation

5. Encouragement (v. 9)

• Evil doesn’t win. “Their folly will be plain.”

• Christ preserves His church

Closing Application

• Which love are you drifting toward?

• How can you cultivate the antidotes this week?

• Read ahead: next episode covers 2 Tim. 3:10–17—Paul’s example and Scripture’s authority.

This week, Noah Wagner and Seth Pippen continue their 2 Timothy series after last week’s detour on “asking questions.” In this episode, they unpack Paul’s imagery of vessels in a great house, the call to flee youthful passions, and what it means for the Lord’s servant to avoid quarrels while teaching with kindness and gentleness.

Coffee Banter ☕

• Seth: Iced chai “dirty” (with espresso + brown sugar)

• Noah: Brown sugar shaken espresso with spiced cold foam

• Debate: how to properly shake a brown sugar espresso (two techniques explained)

• Rant: paying extra for cold foam and then drinking with a straw

Main Text: 2 Timothy 2:20–26

• Honorable vs. dishonorable vessels – set apart for God’s purposes, not self-cleansing but Christ-cleansing

• Commands – flee youthful passions (pride, arrogance, quarrelsomeness—not just lust) and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace

• Ministry posture – avoid foolish controversies, don’t fight, but be kind, patient, and gentle when correcting

• Ultimate goal – not winning arguments but praying that God grants repentance

Key Takeaways

• To flee sin is also to run toward Christ.

• Quarrels are “foolish and stupid arguments” (moros = root of “moron”). Don’t get caught in “word wars.”

• The Lord’s servant is known for kindness, patience, and gentle correction.

• Our aim: win hearts, not debates.

Next Steps

• Resource: “Five Non-Negotiables of Christianity” (linked in show notes)

• Next episode: 2 Timothy 3—“All Scripture is breathed out by God”

• Encourage listeners: Share, subscribe, and leave a review!

Five non-negotiables:
1. The Gospel is central – Do they believe and proclaim that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone—not by good works, not by church attendance, but by what Christ has already done?

2. The Trinity is true – Do they believe in the one true God revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? This is foundational to understanding who God is and how He works in the world.

3. The Resurrection is real – Do they hold firmly that Jesus literally rose from the dead and that we too will be raised? This is a core truth, not just a symbol or metaphor.

4. God’s Word is handled rightly – Do they take the Bible seriously, aiming to understand what it actually says instead of twisting it to fit their own ideas or culture?

5. A life of holiness is pursued – Do they show a desire to leave sin behind and live in a way that honors Jesus? None of us are perfect, but real believers should be moving toward Christlikeness.

Episode Overview

Noah and Seth take a break from their verse-by-verse study in 2 Timothy to discuss why asking questions in the Christian life is healthy, how to do it wisely, and where to find trustworthy answers. This episode explores the difference between doubt and disbelief, provides biblical examples of faithful questioning, and offers practical guidance for approaching God and Scripture with curiosity and humility.

Topics Covered

Coffee Opener: Drinks, caffeine, and milk preferences — humorous discussion before the main topic.

Why This Topic: Office limitations and relevance to students/young adults wrestling with faith.

Is Questioning God Wrong? Charles Spurgeon quote: “It is not wrong to question God, but it is wrong to question His goodness.”

Personal Testimony: Seth shares a prayer-walk experience where honest questioning led to peace and clarity.

Doubt vs. Disbelief:

Mark 9:24, John 20 (Thomas), Psalm 13, Acts 17:10–12, 2 Timothy 2:7

Proverbs on humility and seeking understanding

Why Asking Questions Matters: Fear, assumptions, and the danger of unexamined doubt.

Principles for Asking Questions:

Ask with humility, not hostility.

Be willing to listen and go to the right sources.

Root questions in seeking God, not finding excuses.

Common Faith Questions:

Trustworthiness of the Bible

Why God allows suffering

Salvation and Jesus’ resurrection

Prayer, discernment, and relationships

Where to Seek Answers:

Scripture (primary authority)

Holy Spirit guidance

Local church and godly counsel

Vetted Christian resources (expository commentaries, trusted podcasts/articles)

Key Takeaways

God welcomes humble questions; healthy doubt deepens faith.

Avoid hostility or refusing to seek answers.

Thoughtful questioning moves faith from shallow assumptions to deep, Scripture-rooted trust.

Next Steps / Actions

Return next week to 2 Timothy chapter 2.

Bring questions to God humbly; don’t let doubts fester.

Study Scripture, pray for Spirit guidance, and seek counsel from Bible-believing leaders.

Use vetted resources as supplements, not replacements for Scripture.

Resources Mentioned:

2 Timothy 2

Mark 9:24; John 20; Psalm 13; Acts 17:10–12; Proverbs

Desiring God (John Piper)

Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greer (podcast)

Episode Title: Rightly Handling Scripture (2 Timothy 2:14–19)
Length: 61:18 minutes
Hosts: Noah Wagner & Seth Pippin

Overview

This episode unpacks Paul’s instructions to Timothy on teaching faithfully, avoiding petty disputes, and guarding the church from false teaching—all while resting in God’s firm foundation.

What’s Inside

Coffee banter: fall lattes, Florida humidity, and why matcha gets a thumbs down.

What “a good cup of coffee” means: charitable discussions on tertiary issues.

Tiers of doctrine: primary (salvation), second-tier (denominational practices), tertiary (friendly debate).

2 Timothy 2:14–19 study highlights:

Avoid “word wars” that hurt hearers.

Rightly handle the Word—cut it straight, not crooked.

False teaching spreads like gangrene.

Hymenaeus & Philetus: how their errors harmed others.

God’s foundation remains secure: “The Lord knows who are his.”

Next Episode

2 Timothy 2:20–26 — continuing Paul’s charge to Timothy.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave us a review!

verview:

Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:8–13 reminds believers to keep their eyes on Jesus, risen from the dead and the promised Son of David. It highlights the unstoppable nature of God’s Word, the call to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel, and the trustworthy saying that holds both promises and warnings for disciples. Along the way: coffee banter, real-life mission trip stories, and practical encouragements for everyday evangelism.

Key Themes:

• Remembering Jesus: resurrection hope and messianic promises.

• The Word of God is unbound—even when Paul is chained.

• Endurance for the sake of the elect; evangelism as seed-sowing.

• Sanctification: daily growth, humility, and dependence on God.

• The “trustworthy saying”: assurance, perseverance, warning, and God’s faithfulness.

Coffee Notes:

• Fall vibes: iced chai latte with honey (no pumpkin spice… yet).

• Dark roast Peet’s + the joy of a good grinder.

• Shoutout to Fresh Grounds (still not a sponsor).

Next Steps for Listeners:

• Anchor yourself in the resurrection of Christ.

• Keep sowing gospel seeds even when it feels awkward.

• Pray for God’s heart for the lost.

• Endure faithfully, knowing Christ’s promises are sure.