Passing the Torch

Faith That Endures: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Summary: In this passage, Paul shares a profound message about the endurance of faith amidst trials. He expresses gratitude for Timothy's faith, shaped by generations, and affirms the need to uphold and share this faith diligently. This emphasizes not just the legacy itself, but the perseverance required to maintain it through challenges and hardships.

The journey of the Olympic flame is a tradition rich in symbolism and history. The process begins with the lighting of the flame at the ancient site of Olympia in Greece, using a parabolic mirror to focus the sun's rays and ignite the flame, symbolizing purity and the link to ancient Olympic Games.

Here's how the Olympic flame travels to the host city

Lighting Ceremony: The flame is lit at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece. This ceremony is conducted by actors dressed as ancient Greek priestesses, creating a connection to the origins of the Olympics

Relay: The flame is then transferred to a torch, beginning its relay across various cities and countries, carried by thousands of torchbearers. Each torchbearer runs a segment of the relay, passing the flame to the next person, symbolizing unity and peace

Special Events: The relay includes various cultural and special events, highlighting the host country's heritage and important landmarks. Sometimes, unique modes of transportation are used, such as planes, ships, and even space travel, to add to the spectacle

Arrival at the Host City: The flame eventually reaches the host city of the Olympic Games. A grand arrival ceremony is held, marking the culmination of the flame's journey.

Opening Ceremony: During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the final torchbearer lights the Olympic cauldron, signifying the start of the Games. The cauldron remains lit throughout the duration of the Games.

This entire process is not just a logistical feat but also a celebration of global unity, peace, and the Olympic spirit. The flame's journey brings together people from diverse backgrounds, all sharing in the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming Games.

I love the games, of course, for the symbolism and the challenge of competition. But this image comes to my mind for all of us, that at some point— each of us were handed the faith— that we carry it, and then pass it along to others. This is exactly the nature of the letter of 2 Timothy.

Big Idea: Our faith, built through perseverance and shared experiences, becomes the most powerful legacy we can impart to the next generation.

2 Timothy is a letter from Pauls final imprisonment. He will not be released. This is a more tender and intimate, emotional letter. The tone is much like a dying mentor addressing his beloved men-tee. Paul realizes that Timothy is taking over at Ephesus for sure, and perhaps taking on greater influence and leadership as Paul is imprisoned and perhaps will be executed.

Paul is definitely at the end of his life— contemplating that this might be the last communication he will be able to have with Timothy, or anyone, before he is executed as a martyr. But he emphasizes that

Faith is not something that happens to us, it is something that happens through us!

We see this wonderful relationship between two men-- in the greeting portion of the letter:

2 Timothy 1:1–2 NIV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul is stating who he is— and who Timothy is to himself. The “my dear son” is sometimes translated as “my beloved child”. There is also an approximate 10 years between the letters. Scholars are split on whether Paul was imprisoned for that long— or if he was released and then re-arrested.

Paul, as usual, introduces himself in a way that reminds us that these words are not just from a man named Paul, but these words are coming from God himself— for Timothy and for all of us as we read the letter.

There is a feeling of ‘Generational’ passing of the faith and the “mantle” of leadership. Many sermons of ordination and transferring of authority in churches come from the letter of 2 Timothy. It just has a personal and tender tone. What we will discover is that Paul is charging Timothy to guard the gospel. That’s a phrase coined by the pastor and commentator, John Stott. He was a powerful and influential teacher, I appreciate much of his work.

1. Paul celebrates Timothy’s faith. (v.3-6)

There is a connection here that Paul will start with.

2 Timothy 1:3 NIV

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Some translations may add “both day and night” to this phrase. I love that thought— “I’m thanking God for you Timothy.” I’m thinking of you day and night. I love you.”

Do you have someone that is praying for you like that? This whole series is really about Church as a family— church is not some event that we attend— it’s a family that we belong and live within.

We want you to consider mentoring relationship— both as individuals and perhaps in small groups. Intimate closeness with another couple people to share life with. Paul and Timothy have shared that life. Paul is celebrating and longing for the best for Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:4 NIV

4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Both of these men have been powerfully influenced by their family line. No mention of Timothy’s father… In Acts 16:1, there is a mention of his father, but only his nationality as a Greek.

Then he continues with what many believe is the whole thesis of this letter:

2 Timothy 1:6 NIV

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Paul highlights four main reasons he admires — and actually praises God for Timothy:

Paul praises God for Timothy’s:

a. His spiritual heritage(v.5)

Even though Acts 16 mentions that his father may not have been a believer, Timothy was raised within the loving context of believing grandmother and mother. This is a heritage that can be expressed through blood line families— or even through Christian fellowship. Many scholars believe that Paul may have been an obvious fatherly figure in Timothy’s life. Those are special relationships that should be cherished and recognized.

Do you have these mentors and Christian family members ahead of you? Who has invested in us this way- Thank God for them today, or even mention it to them sometime this week.

b. His spiritual friendship(v.4)

After our parents (both spiritual and physical) our friends and close associates are another significant influence upon us and our faith. Paul highlights and is probably remembering the ministry and partnership that Timothy has shared with him. “I remember your tears...” Some believe this is a reference to when Paul first met Timothy— recorded back in Acts 20:36-37

Acts 20:36–37 NIV

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.

This refers to the time Paul called all the elders and leaders of the church at Ephesus together and they sent him off— probably the last time they would see him. Timothy was most likely set up at that moment to be the lead elder of the church. That’s close to the heart. That’s true faithful friendship.

c. His spiritual gift(v.6)

The next thing Paul mentions here is the direct influence of God in Timothy’s life. Paul was there and laid his hands on Timothy to receive the gift. Paul spoke wonderful words over Timothy at that moment. It was much like our services to ordain and to commission pastors or missionaries.

Think about this for a moment. Paul is the apostle of Jesus, the most powerful authority of God in his time— laying hands on a young person, praying over him. The scripture specifically says there wasn’t a dry eye. Sure it might be because they probably wouldn’t see Paul again, but it was powerful because Timothy was empowered with the gift of leadership, or teaching, or whatever.

Matt, Owen, and me all that that distinct honor to be commissioned and ordained by this church. To have the elders and leaders of the church surround us, to physically lay hands and ask God to impart wisdom and strength and courage to us— that’s good stuff. I’ll never forget that.

d. His spiritual discipline(v.7)

He commends Timothy to fan into flame the coals of fire placed inside him— nuggets of God’s spirit of power, love, and self-control. What are you aiming at?

That is a commitment to consistency in meeting Jesus, in asking the hardest questions about life and yourself— it’s hard work to fan into flames the embers of the fire of faith. Paul knows that Timothy has been doing that— and he commends him to keep up the good fight. Fulfilling all that God has created us to be is a partnership between us and God.

Paul is reminding Timothy of his true identity.

Paul understands that who we are comes down to a complex mixture:

A godly upbringing

Paul’s friendship and mentoring

God’s gifting to him

and his own self-discipline to keep stirring it up!

[graphic to explain identity elements]

How have these elements shaped who you are today?

What do you have control over moving forward in life?

2. Paul encourages conquering fear with faith. (v. 7-10)

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

It’s not a spirit of fear— it’s power, love and self-discipline.

Verse 7 here almost became another memory verse— It’s a good one. We do not have a spirit of fear, or to be timid. But God’s spirit is power, love and self-discipline.

The Holy Spirit give us power, love, and self-control.

Fear isn’t really an emotion— Fear is a spirit. It’s spirit that our enemy uses to harass us. Fear is that voice in your life that tells you you’re too young, or your too old, or you don’t have the training or the background— or whatever. Timothy certainly was dealing with that. We didn’t preach it— but in I Timothy 5 Paul mentions some sort of stomach problems that Timothy suffered with. It could be that Timothy might have grown up without a strong faithful father— until he meets and joins Paul.

I’m pastoring in 2025, and in ministry— today, I can find resources on any number of problems or challenges we face. Timothy was a pioneer. He was the second generation church leader. I’m like the 1000th generation church leader… Paul says no Timothy— God did not give you a spirit of fear— but of power, and love, and self-control. The world does not get to tell you who you are. You are not defined by your scars… You are defined by Jesus’ scars.

2 Timothy 1:8 NIV

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

The temptation to shrink back from our faith is strong and insidious— Even Peter himself walked with Jesus, and at the very moment— he denies even knowing Jesus. The enemy wants to tell you who you are— but Paul is making sure Timothy can have words from his mentor that encourage him no matter what:

Romans 8:37 NIV

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

If you are struggling to really own this Christian thing in your life— I want you to hear this, just like Timothy may have. God has created and purposed you. He knows you, He loves you, and he has NOT given you a spirit of fear, but what He placed inside you is POWER, and LOVE, and SELF-Control. Don’t believe the lies of the enemy. Peter took that bait one time. He denied Jesus.

Three critical areas our enemy tempts us to be ashamed:

a. Christ’s name, which we are called to witness about.

b. Christ’s people, whom we are in fellowship with.

c. Christ’s gospel, which we are entrusted to share.

Peter’s denial story is recorded in

Matthew 26:69–74 “69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” 73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.”

Peter denied and was ashamed of his association with Jesus, his association with Jesus other disciples, and even ashamed of the death of Jesus— He may not have realized the gospel— the whole story was playing out just as Jesus had explained, but Peter’s fear paralyzed him. We are susceptible to that as well.

Fear paralyzes, but faith produces action.

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

2 Timothy 1:10 NIV

10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

This is one of those passages that explain the gospel— the good news of God. The news that transcends everything— it’s a big message, from a big God Timothy— don’t ever forget that. It’s a high calling, a magnificent life to know and to follow Jesus— it’s the hard that makes it great.

And so with this— Paul has celebrated Timothy’s faith and growth as a Christian leader— He’s encouraged Timothy to continually fight fear with faith—he has outlined what the Gospel is— and that we should put our whole life and trust in it-- and now he summarizes this thought by imploring and instructing Timothy to take responsibility for not only himself, but also those that are under his care— he tells him to:

3. Guard the good deposit.(v.11-14)

2 Timothy 1:11 NIV

11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.

And then Paul writes one of the most profound statements in all of scripture. One that we could preach a whole new sermon on alone.

Let’s unpack this just a bit:

2 Timothy 1:12 NIV

12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Talk about self-differentiation! Paul expresses his own heart— that he knows (he sees, he understands, he acknowledges) the one that he has believed in (to trust, to have faith in, to perceive as true), and I’m convinced, (I’m persuaded, I’m confident, I’m all-in), that he (Jesus) is able to guard (to protect, to preserve, to sustain), what I have entrusted (given, committed, submitted) to him until that day (the day of his return, or). The end, when we pass from labor to reward.

Guarding the gospel may include suffering— But

We have a duty to preserve it, protect it, and proclaim it.

This section of scripture is deeper than we can cover in this short time.

We are reading the powerful words of a mentor, speaking life and love into his younger mentee:

to Guard the Gospel faithfully

To spread it actively,

and to Suffer for it bravely.

He ends with a wonderful crescendo:

2 Timothy 1:13 NIV

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:14 NIV

14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

How do you preserve the gospel? You give it away. It’s the only thing in the world you guard by giving away.

D. A. Carson

Wow- That’s it, isn’t it? That’s faith. It’s also summarized so well in the work of one Daniel Webster Whittle— a man born in Massachusetts in 1840— he fought and attained the rank of major in the US Army during the Civil war. He migrated after the war to Chicago and teamed up with a certain evangelist named Dwight L. Moody— and he wrote a hymn in 1883 based upon this verse and thought, as a 43 year old songwriter, evangelist and Bible teacher. It’s #586 in the RMH, and #338 in the Blue. We’re going to sing that wonderful song here to end our sermon time.