2 Timothy 1:8-18 Remain Faithful

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Intro:

All through history God has chosen and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on him made possible the unique display of his power and grace. Chambers

If this is true (and it is!), then Timothy was the right man for the job.

He was not endowed with a powerful body and iron constitution—he was frail.

He was not bold but reticent. And he was not a natural leader.

If the job was to get done, he would have to rely upon God.

Everything would have to be the result of Timothy’s profound dependence upon God’s power and grace.

Stronger men than Timothy had wilted when faced with shame and suffering.

The temptation for Timothy to succumb to shame was not a figment of Paul’s imagination.

The cross of Christianity was a scandal

both Jews and Gentiles viewed crucifixion (a penalty reserved only for the worst of criminals) as the ultimate emblem of disgrace and dishonor

The idea of a Jewish peasant becoming the substitutionary atonement for people’s sins was laughable.

Educated, urbane Greeks snickered at such crudeness

Called to be Courageous & Unashamed vs. 8-10

To remain faithful we need to be courageous & unashamed of the Gospel

If Timothy took the courage God gave, he would not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.

We often fail to understand that it wasn’t easy to follow a crucified Master.

Today, we have sanitized Jesus and disinfected the cross, making it all safe.

Romans 1:16 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

vs. 8 Unashamed of the Gospel

We can be unashamed because of the power of God

Paul is telling Timothy not to be ashamed of Jesus or him

Jesus was crucified on the cross and Paul was in prison

In the day Paul wrote this, it would seem strange indeed to follow a crucified man and call him savior.

If Timothy took the courage God gave, he would not be ashamed of Paul the prisoner.

It wasn’t easy to support an imprisoned apostle.

But Paul is telling Timothy to be courageous and unashamed

No matter how gifted a person may be, or how well trained, biblically literate, astute, or articulate, and no matter much opportunity or privilege he may have, if he lacks spiritual courage and commitment, he will not speak and act effectively for the Lord.

It wasn’t enough that Paul told Timothy to not be ashamed of him and his chains; he also invited Timothy to share in all of it.

2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

We are able to endure the sufferings only by the power of God

vs. 9 Called for His Purpose

We can be courageous because we have been called for His Purpose

Paul reminds timothy that he has been saved and called with a holy calling

Not according to our works, but his purpose & grace

Sometimes it helps to be reminded of what God has done for us

His ways are not our ways

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Because we have been called we can go forward with courage because God is going to lead us

vs. 10 Brought Life & Immortality

We can be courageous because Jesus abolished death, brought us life and immortality

Jesus leveled the playing field with his victory on the cross

The world may seem against us but Jesus has abolished death

The world may destroy this earthly tent but our soul is kept forever

We have immortality

On this May 4th, otherwise known as Star Wars day, you have a force greater than anything movies can muster

You are filled with life

This is all possible through the Gospel

Realize Your Duty vs. 11-12

We can remain faithful because we realize our duty

When we know our job it empowers us to remain faithful

Nothing is worse than going to a job and having nothing to do or not knowing what to do

As Christians we have a Commission to share the Gospel and make disciples

That manifests itself in different ways

vs. 11 Appointed a Preacher

Paul & Timothy was appointed a preacher

Their job was to teach the people about Jesus

Your job is to let people know about the Good News of Jesus

It may be by teaching Sunday School, greeting people with a warm smile as they walk into church, or it could be as a caring soul in the workplace

It is much more meaningful when we look at our life as having more purpose than punching a clock

Everyone plays a role but we have to realize our duty

vs. 12 He is Able to Guard

Paul went with confidence in his duty because he knew that Jesus had his back

He suffered and wasn’t ashamed because he trusted that God was able to guard him

It’s a lot easier to remain faithful to Jesus when we know He has our back

Peter has great advice

1 Peter 4:19 ESV

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

If you follow Jesus you will suffer for it

No one is exempt and it is futile to try to avoid it

Instead, grow in your faith by learning to entrust your soul to the faithful creator

Hold Fast to the Truth vs. 13-14

We can remain faithful to Jesus when we hold fast to the truth of God’s Word

Paul tells timothy to follow the pattern of sound words that you have heard from me

Timothy sat under Paul’s teaching for years

vs. 13 Follow Pattern of Sound Words

Paul reminds him that there was a pattern in those sound words

Sometimes when it seems like the wheels are falling off we forgot what we were taught

Good coaches have them repeat the same plays thousands of times so that when the pressure is on they do things automatically without thinking

The military teaches battle techniques relentlessly so that when the bullets start to fly the soldier reacts instead of panics

The Christian fills their heart and mind with God’s word so that when the storms hit they push forward in faith

Titus 1:9 ESV

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

vs. 14 Spirit Dwells in Us

We are also able to advance instead of retreat because the Spirit dwells in us

Paul tells us in Ephesians that we need to be continually filled with the Spirit

Think of it as a spiritual gas tank

As we live every day we drain the tank

We need to go to God on a daily basis and get refilled

The best part about this tank is that it is tariff and inflation resistant

It doesn’t cost us anything to be filled

The problem is that so many of us are on running on fumes or flat out empty

Faithfulness Brings Refreshing vs. 15-18

When we remain faithful it brings us times of refreshing

Paul tells timothy that everyone in Asia turned away from Paul

This means that his suffering and imprisonment was too much of an embarrasment

Instead, Onesiphorus wasn’t ashamed of his chains and came to Rome and searched him out

When he found him he provided for Paul

This was an unexpected blessing

When we are struggling unexpected people will show up out of the blue and bless you

Hebrews 6:10 ESV

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.