December 7, 2014
Evening Service

We have just finished Paul’s first letter to Timothy as he explained “how you must conduct yourself in the house of God.”  It spoke of how the church authority is to be established and the responsibilities they are to fulfill. 

Paul’s second letter is believed to be the last he wrote in our Bible.  Persecution from Nero had escalated and Paul was imprisoned, not under house arrest as before.  This is a very personal and intimate letter from a mentor to his student, really more like father to his son. You can clearly see that Paul knew his end was near.  This letter however, shines with the hope that lies within him.  As a great leader, he charges and encourages Timothy to carry on the ministry to the Gentiles that he had been called to.  Each of us along our journey to God will have a Timothy in our lives as well.  There will be those who are not as far along their journey as we are and they will look to us for encouragement and guidance.   As we study, let’s look for ways to invest well in their lives and follow the examples Paul gives us in this letter.

2Ti 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,  (2)  to Timothy, my dearly beloved child. Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  (3)  I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, (4) greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, (5) taking recollection of the unfeigned faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice. And I am persuaded that it is in you also.

·         The intimacy is quickly clear as Paul addresses Timothy as “my beloved child.”  Do we tell those around us that we love and appreciate them?

·         Paul is also very faithful in praying for Timothy, both night and day.  Are we praying as we should for those whom we are leading?

·         Paul knows Timothy.  He has invested time and effort in getting to know him and his family and he understands what Timothy is going through.  This is shown in the statement that he is “mindful or your tears.”  Are we investing in others to that depth?

·         He also encourages him that that he possesses the faith of his mother and grandmother.  Encouragement is free, yet can be priceless.

 

2Ti 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.

·         Paul here encourages Timothy to use the gift he has been given (I Tim. 4:14).  The NIV states it “fan into flame the gift of God.”  Let’s encourage others to use their gifts to glorify God, as we set the example by using ours.  May a small spark in our hearts become a raging wild fire for His kingdom.

2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

·         These are powerful words that we all need to here.  Timothy was just like us, he had concerns, worries, doubts, and even fears.  This is God speaking to him and us about those issues.  Look at what John wrote:

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

·         Perfect love creates perfect trust and we simply believe He is in charge at all times.  Remind others of this fact.

 

2Ti 1:8-9 Therefore you should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner. But share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, (9)  who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the eternal times.

·         Paul speaks of being a prisoner and suffering here literally.  Despite his circumstances Paul continues to hold on to his faith.  God has not changed since he has been incarcerated, He still is the One who saves and calls us to serve Him.  We should not ever be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord even if we don’t understand where He is leading us.

 

2Ti 1:10-12  But it is now having been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has made death of no effect, bringing life and immortality to light through the gospel;  (11)  to which I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles.  (12)  For this cause I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

·         You see here Paul perhaps reflecting upon his own condition as he states the fact that “death has no effect.”  It is that light of eternal life that is the message of the gospel.  It is that message that he has been called to share and has completely devoted his life to.  Verse 12 is an awesome statement of faith for him.

·         We too need not be ashamed of that gospel message and need to engage our faith to the point that we know that we know He holds our future and will not let us down.  We win in the end.

 

2Ti 1:13-14  Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (14)  Guard the good Deposit given through the Holy Spirit indwelling in us.

·         The charge here is given to “hold fast” the teachings he has received.  These teachings came in faith and love and in Christ.  This can be done through relying upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

·         Paul here is holding Timothy accountable to teach only the doctrine he has been taught.  We must in turn point others to the scriptures.

 

 

2Ti 1:15-18  This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.  (16)  May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain.  (17)  But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me.  (18)  May the Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day. And in what things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well.

·         With the increased persecution towards Christians, when Paul was arrested the church in Asia severed their ties with him.  Perhaps in fear for their own lives they forsook Paul at the time he needed them most.

·         He then mentions Onesiphorus who sought out Paul diligently and brought a greatly needed refreshing to his spirit.

·         We are encouraged to not be “fair weather friends,” but to also be near at the time of the storm.  We are called to run into the fire much like the Marines and our emergency response teams. 

·         This can only happen because we too “are persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.”  Our efforts will be backed by the mighty workings of the Holy Spirit.

·         Have you ever been refreshed in a time of trouble by someone’s small act of kindness?  Let’s look for opportunities to be that person.

 

Just as financial analysts are constantly looking for profitable investments, let’s look for lives that we can invest in.  The returns will be far greater than any monetary value.

 

Lord may our eyes see the potential in others  and may we encourage them to “stir up the gift of God” within in them.