“Paul’s Encouragment”

2 Timothy 1

Paul writing to Timothy to encourage him to fulfill his responsibility as a leader of the church

Rome had burned down in July AD and Nero had blamed the Christians for the fire, thus a dangerous time to be a Christian

Conditions for the NT Church had worsened considerably since Paul had written 1 Timothy

Godlessness and worldliness were invading the church

1. (V1) An Apostle by the will of God

Do you think Paul would of been obedient to the calling if he knew all the suffering that it involves?

Would you have become a Christian if you knew that one day you may have to give up your freedom?

I can’t help but to think of the persecuted church

1.1 Promise of life

Paul imprisoned again in Rome and he is expected to be executed

a) The promise of life is precious to him (both life now and the promise of eternal life)

Never take life for granted, not the eternal life or life right here

2. (V3) Serve God with a pure conscience

His personal life is in order

Imagine depending on God, yet He resists you because of the sin your life

He fulfilled his calling, thus has a pure conscience among man and God

3. (V4) Mindful of your tears

Paul understands the difficulties of the pastoral ministry

Mindful of the suffering Timothy is going through

4. (V6) Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you

The temptation is to pull back when things get difficult

The second time of Paul reminding Timothy of the this

1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”

“The Greek anazopureo (stir up) means either ‘to kindle afresh’ or ‘to keep in full flame’.

5. (V7) God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind

a) Spirit of Fear

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

b) Power

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you

c) Love

1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”

Paul says, love is the greatest gift of all