Words of a dying man

2 Timothy Chapter 1:6-7

Introduction: Illustrating a babies first words and the last words of a loved one.

Our text today is taken from 2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 6 and 7.

Historical context behind Acts chapters 14, 15, and 16. How Paul met Timothy.

Acts 14: Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium. Preach with power. Are not received well, so they are kicked out and stoned. Paul and Barnabas flee to Lystra and Derbe. While they were there Paul and Barnabas come upon a crippled man from birth. Paul “sees” this mans faith. Paul looks at him and says “stand up”. and the man started jumping. As soon as the town saw what these men were doing they started shouting, gods among us. They thought Barnabas was Zeus, and Paul was Hermes-since he was the chief speaker. Hermes was a god of messengers. One who speaks eloquently. Incidentally this is were we get our word hermeneutics from. The Priests of the temple of Zeus was close by and came running to sacrifice animals, and crown them with flowers. Paul and Barnabas heard of this and they tore their clothes and rebuked them. Explained that they were humans just like them.

Acts 15: Paul and Barnabas separate over a disagreement. Paul decides he wants to visit the churches recently planted to see how the new believers are doing. Paul stays with Silas.

Acts 16: Paul's second missionary journey. He returns to Lystra, and meets a young disciple named Timothy. Timothy: Honor GOD. Paul wanted Timothy to join them. He had a good reputation. Timothy ministered with Paul in many places. In many letter including the letter to the Philippians, 1 and 2nd Thessalonians, Romans, Colossians, Philemon, 1 and 2nd Corinthians…Paul mentions him as a dear son, faithful collaborator. Faithful child. His mother was Eunice, and his grandmother was Lois. He grew up knowing the sacred writings of the Jewish Bible.

Who wrote the letter?

Paul the Apostle. This is known as his last letter. He writes it to encourage, warn, and make known his last wishes before he dies. Paul is in prison, shackled in chains for preaching the gospel. He feels alone. Illustrate the prison cell. He states that he has been abandoned. But he mandates Timothy to be strong, be faithful to the scriptures, and to act as a soldier, act as a farmer, act as an athlete. Persevere. Be strong.

Prohibitions:

Do not be ashamed.

flee from youthful passions

Imperatives:

be strong

pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.

suffer hardship

train yourself.

preach the word

be sober minded; clear headed

don’t be afraid to suffer for the Lord.

Repeated Words

Faith 7 times

Chosen 2 times

Shame 6 times

suffering 7 times

teach 10 times

Endure 3 times

remember 2 times

strengthen yourself 2 times

truth 9 times.

Word Study:

Faith pistis: commitment, assurance, oath, pledge, and constancy

remember: retain, call to mind, remembering Gods work in the past can lead to praise, and rejoicing and to hope for the future.

In the OT remember is mentioned 181 times

In the NT remember is mentioned 23 times

Luke 24:6 “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,”

Luke 24:8 “And they remembered his words,”

John 2:22 “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”

2 Peter 3:2 “that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,”

Jude 17 “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Fear: cowardice

Power: might, strength, force, capability, resource

power is mentioned 119 times in the NT.

Love: Agape Love (used 116 times in the NT)

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”

Self discipline: Prudence, sound judgement, moderation, sober minded.

APPLICATION:

Was Paul worried? How would you feel if you were dying? What would your last words be.

How must have Timothy felt?

2 Timothy 1:4 “As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.”

This Greek word tear is used only 10 times in the New Testament. It is used to illustrate deep sadness. It is used again the Gospel of Luke 7:44 “Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.”

These aren’t tear drops. This is more like sobbing. (Sollozo).

Another instance this word is used, is in Hebrews 5:7 “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.”

What practical advice can we deduce from the Scripture?

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

ACTS as a soldier, athlete and farmer.

Was Paul asking for too much? Paul obviously was dedicated to the ministry. He agreed to be circumcised in Acts 16:3 “Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.” He did this not because Paul believed this would act as a justification for his faith but as a missionary strategy to reach Jewish population. He was being culturally sensitive.

What was ministry life like?

It was dangerous to be a Christian, and perhaps even more dangerous to be associated with a Christian Leader such as Paul. Consequently many believers, decided to keep a low profile. Timothy faced temptation to do the same. Paul speaks of the characteristics of the last days. He was preparing him for things to come. What it would be like to minister in a time where people were lovers of self, and money. Arrogant, and prideful. Deceitful.

This passage brings to mind 2 Chronicles 26:21 “And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king’s household, governing the people of the land.”

People will be abusive towards others. ungrateful, unthankful, and disobedient.

Paul exhorts Timothy that he and consequently us as well have been given a Spirit of power, love and self control.

Where does power come from in the Christian Life?

Well Christ ascended to heaven with our human nature to represent us before the Father and left us His nature to represent Him in the world. He has given us power.

What comes to mind when we hear power or might may be physical strength. But it isn’t. It is Christ forming his character in us. God in the Bible gives us inner resolve, and courage. Samson for example had a strong physique but a very weak moral character. The 1st recorded indication of Samson’s super human strength is described with his ability to tear apart a young lion with his bare hands. Moments later He reaches into the carcass of the lion to scoop up honey and eat it. This was a test of character which he obviously failed. Worms and maggots usually grow in dead animals but God allowed honey to grow to test Samson. He never had power, or self control. He let his passions control him. Samson was spiritually blind. The difference between physical and spiritual blindness is that physically blind people know their blindness and work around it. Spiritually blind people will always find an excuse and justify their sin. They are blind to their sin. When Samson became physically weak, he was humbled and prayed. Now his strength was disciplined by his faith. Some people suffer from the Samson syndrome: they trust in their own strength. Yet when we compare Samson alongside with Jesus. There are similarities but polar contrasts as well.

Sin marked Samson’s life

Jesus was sinless

Samson’s last prayer was for strength to avenge himself and kill his enemies.

Jesus’ last prayer was to forgive His enemies! [I want this kind of power]. A power that forgives. That forfeits rights, and doesn’t care about winning the argument.

Lastly Samson died, but Jesus LIVES. and He chooses to live through us as well by His Holy Spirit.

This is true power. Power to flee, power to forgive. Power to bless when cursed. Power to seek the good of those who persecute you.

LOVE:

Many people were able to identify Jesus’ disciples because the walked with Jesus on earth. But what about now? How can people know that we are His disciples? John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” Love tells all. Love is the fulfillment of the law. LOVE. But love sincerely without hypocrisy. Do not pretend to love others. The Bible calls these people hypocrites. Another word for hypocrite is actor.

Are you acting before God? acting before men? Remember God cannot be deceived.

Remember Jacob impersonating Esau. He was acting. Lying to steal a blessing. That’s the world way. People lie, and cheat and deceive to get what they want. Godly men women wait on His time. Like Joseph, or like Job.

Love purely. Love unconditionally. Last illustration. I make it a habit to talk to my daughter seriously now and then. And when I do. I explain my unconditional love for her. I tell her I LOVE YOU. I will always love you. There is nothing you can do to stop me from loving you. You may do things that upset me, shame me, embarrass me. But these will never stop me from loving you. You have no power in you to stop me from loving you. And that is born out of the love God has for us. Not me. But knowing full well that God loves me. God truly loves me. And that Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” explains it to me fully. It doesn’t say we wont pass through hard times but that He will love us through the Hard times. He love you. God loves you. Despite the dirty things you may have done. Rebellions. Neglecting Him. In fact I would go as far as to say that He brought you here today to tell you that there is nothing you can do that will stop Him from loving You. He has already done it. He has given you His Son. Everything. He has brought you here. He is calling you. Brethren love as God loves. Love unconditionally. love your family love your spouse, and your kids, and your family this way. Look at them and tell them that there is absolutely nothing they can do to stop you from loving them. Because love covers a multitude of sin.