Sunday School 2-5-06 2nd Timothy 1(3-14)
Timothy, Second Epistle to
2nd Timothy
was probably written a year or so after the first, and from Rome, where Paul
was for a second time a prisoner, and was sent to Timothy by the hands of
Tychicus. In it he entreats Timothy to come to him
before winter, and to bring Mark with him (Compare Phil
2:22). He was
anticipating that "the time of his departure was at hand" (2 Timothy
4:6), and he exhorts
his "son Timothy" to all diligence and steadfastness, and to patience under
persecution (1:6-15),
and to a faithful discharge of all the duties of his office (4:1-5),
with all the solemnity of one who was about to appear before the Judge of
quick and dead.
2nd Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Praying for his friend
Paul mentions two things in this verse that are worth noting. First, he points out that his conscience is clear towards God. How important it is to serve God faithfully and righteously so that we are not condemned. No one is perfect, but we can be forgiven and we can be satisfied with our efforts to lift up the name of Christ in this world. Secondly, Paul mentions that he prays for Timothy night and day. Prayer is a wonderful expression of love for someone. If somebody is willing to take of their time and to develop enough passion to spend time in prayer for me, I think that person has a sincere love and care for me. Those we are unwilling to pray for we don’t think much of.
4 greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
Christian fellowship
The call to preach the gospel in different areas had separated these two brethren from one another, but they shared a great brotherly love. Relationships between people who have worked together in the ministry seem to be very strong and valued no matter how far apart life may force them to be. I have wonderful friends who I have labored with in revivals and other events; I miss them when they are called away. That is the bond between Paul and Timothy. Here Paul mentions they shed tears when they parted. In another place Paul called Timothy “his son” in the Lord. If a person is looking for friendship and love in this old world, the best place to find it is in service to Jesus Christ.
5 when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Family training
The importance of family influence on the spiritual life of children cannot be overestimated. Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother; they imparted a love for the Lord to this young man. No doubt, he had avoided a lot of the distractions and detours that tend to hamper so many young people today. Some children in America today are starting from such a terrible starting place. Their parents are on drugs or living unholy lives and that is the example they are seeing everyday. Sunday school teachers and youth advisers need to realize they are the only poisitive, godly example some of these children ever see. We need to snatch them from the fires of hell as quickly as possible. Love will go along way in allowing them to open their heart to the gospel. Somebody must show them that they care. Somebody must give them value and hope. Let us strive to be that someone!
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Ordination
Some today care very little to go through the proper channels to ministry. I still believe, and the Bible backs me up, that it is important for a man who intends to preach the gospel or serve as a deacon in a church to be ordained. The act of ordination is symbolic of the presbytery of the included churches placing their seal of approval upon the life and calling of the candidate. It should be evident to the world that this person has been examined and observed and has shown the attributes necessary to serve as a minister. Some have added so many rules as to prevent most folks from receiving ordination and some have no rules at all. I believe we should strive to lay hands only upon those who have shown they deserve our commendation. They should live holy lives and we should be able to witness their possession of the Spirit of preaching. We should never let personal feelings or doctrinal ideas which are not clearly spelled out in scripture harm the ministry of someone God has called to preach His word.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Christian spirit
God does not want us walking in fear, but in the spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind. Power means strength power, ability, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth, power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul, the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth, power and resources arising from numbers, power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts. God wants His people to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. We should never fear what man can do to us as we are protected by God. Even if they take our lives we are the victor as killing a Christian just provides an early entry into the glories of Heaven. The word translated love means brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence, love feasts. All psychologists agree the strongest need of a human being is to give and receive love. God is love and He generates love for Him and for our brethren to everyone who yields their life to Him. A life without love would be a long, painful existence. I thank God for my Christian friends whom I love and who love me! A sound mind means an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control. The Christian is not always flying off the handle and getting himself involved in the latest craze. The Christian should live a quiet, peaceable life in the service of others. A true Christian is the best husband, wife, parent, grandparent, friend, neighbor, or work mate that a person could ask for. He will be kind, loving, and patient. He will be honest in his business dealings. He will be honest with the government. He will serve his nation when called. There is no better citizen in the USA than a true born-again child of God!
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Ashamed of God
Who do we think we are? It is supremely illogical for a Christian person to be ashamed of God, but all of us have been guilty of not speaking up in behalf of Christ at one time or another. We need to recognize this tendency and strive to correct it in our daily walk. Christ is the only force that can keep a soul out of hell. We are His creation; how can we dare be ashamed of Him! I must give you a stern warning directly from the Scripture: Mark 8:38 “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” That is Jesus Christ speaking in that verse. He takes it personally when we are ashamed of Him. I certainly want Him to own me as one of His before His father and the angels of God: to guarantee that, I must own Him in this sinful world. He died for us; the very least we can do is speak up for Him!
9 who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Saved by Grace
I love the Freewill Baptist Church, but some of them are guilty of one very dangerous thing. Because we stress personal responsibility and holy living, sometimes we tend to suggest we are saved by our good deeds. Nothing could be farther from the truth! No man can live good enough to save him or to keep him. We are saved by grace and kept saved by grace. Take note of the Bible Dictionary definition of grace: it is the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. I have searched and searched the scripture for my part in the plan of salvation. All I do is say yes. When God called me, He sent the Holy Spirit of God to convict me of my sins, He sent a preacher to guide me to the way of salvation; the only thing I did was say yes. He keeps me each day the same way. All I have to do is say yes each day and God directs my steps and helps me avoid dangerous pitfalls. When I am tempted, He provides a way of escape and the strength to endure. Salvation is in Him! Meditate upon this scriptures:
- Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
- Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
- Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
- Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
- RO 5:20- 21 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
- 2nd Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
- Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
- Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I could add many more, but I think that’s enough to prove my point. We need to shed the pride and come to grips with the fact that our salvation is due to the goodness of God, not our goodness. Without the shed blood of Jesus Christ we would all die in our sins and suffer eternal damnation, but due to His sacrificial gift and the grace of our loving God, we have hope!
10 but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Immortality
Immortality means we will never die. As a matter of fact we will never grow old, sick or weak. Eternal life cannot be understood by the finite mind of a human being, but let me give you just a brief few blessings to meditate on. There will be no funeral homes, cemeteries, wreaths, dirges, eulogies, separation, sadness, tears, sickness, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, disappointment, or any other such things which are part of the curse of sin allowed through the gates of Heaven. It will be one long, glorious, wonderful day spent fellowshipping in perfect unity and worshipping our magnificent God. The songwriter was never more correct when he penned the words; What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see!
11 whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Final Charges
Lets review the charges Paul gives to the young man of God.
- He reminds him why they are called to preach. The verse above is the reason; because there is a heaven to gain and souls to reach. Never let the devil clog your mind to the point where you think you are not important. You are the only lifeline separating some folks from Hell. If they are going to be reached; youwill be the one to reach them.
- Why we suffer. We suffer because our cause is so vital. We cannot throw up our hands in disgust and weariness. Souls are in the balance.
- We can know Him. I do not believe in this modern mealy mouth religion which says “I hope I am saved.” I believe we can know Him and know that we are saved. I, like Paul, know him in whom I have believed and trusted with my eternal destiny. Like Paul, I am persuaded that He is able to keep me in this present dark, dangerous world. The word translated persuaded means to have trust, confidence, and belief in something. If I was not persuaded God could keep me, I would give up now. I’m going to Heaven by the grace of God and the Devil has no power to stop me!
- Stay in the Book. Paul reminds Timothy to hold fast to doctrine he has learned from the Apostle. The Bible has not changed in 2000 years. We need to study to show ourselves approved and then be true to the doctrine of the faith. Tactics to attract lost souls change, but the Word of God never changes! Worship styles may change, but the Word of God never changes! We need to strive to follow faithfully the directives of the Holy Scripture!
New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)
3 Timothy, I thank God for you. He is the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
5 I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8 So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News.
9 It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began—to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the coming of Christ Jesus, our Savior, who broke the power of death and showed us the way to everlasting life through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
12 And that is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him* until the day of his return.
13 Hold on to the pattern of right teaching you learned from me. And remember to live in the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.
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PASTOR RICK BARCUS
