Faithfulness In The Face Of Fear

Paul hits the beginning of this letter pretty hard with the emphasis on encouraging Timothy not giving into the spirit of fear, nor be ashamed of the Gospel or of Paul as a prisoner, but to join with Paul in suffering for the Gospel.

Today we’ll see Paul give 2 examples, one negative and one positive, of Faithfulness in the Face of Fear. We’ll also look again at ordinary faithfulness again, and wrap up talking about our Faithful God.

The Unfaithful (vs 15)

The spirit of fear can lead us to not stand up - cowardice.

Unfaithfulness in the Face of Fear.

Suffering for the Gospel (vs 15)

ALL who are in Asia turned away from me.

As amazing as the Apostle Paul was, he was still human.

He felt the sting of abandonment

Ministry Leaders are not immune to relational disappointments

In fact, they are probably more prone to have them.

Being a ministry leader is sometimes the loneliest occupation.

You are aware...

Timothy knows about the situation.

Among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

We don’t know much about them or what they did specifically.

Naming these 2 individuals implies that they are known to Timothy.

Asia minor - Western part of Turkey with Ephesus as its capital.

We know Timothy was pastoring the church in Ephesus.

Maybe they were members of the congregation...

Based upon the themes of the letter, especially to not be ashamed of Paul as prisoner, it looks like once Paul got arrested, they fled and left.

It’s possible the reference in vs. 17 to “but when Onesiphorus was in Rome, he searched for me...”, implies that this is a contrasting statement with Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Maybe they were summoned to come to Rome to provide assistance to Paul and they refused.

Maybe at some point when they happened to be in Rome, they didn’t bother to find Paul...

Reminiscent of the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The point - Their unfaithfulness led to their leaving Paul.

A general failure to support the apostle in his personal time of need.

When the cost of loyalty rises, some fall away.

Application:

Have you ever felt abandoned, or lonely due to your faith? You’re not alone. Paul and even Jesus felt the same.

Are we faithful only when it’s easy?

The Faithful (vs. 16-17)

vs 16-18 is one sentence in the Greek, btw.

God did not give us a spirit of fear (cowardice), but of power, love, and a sound mind.

We see this through the faithfulness of Onesiphorus.

The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus.

Often refreshed me.

Refreshing with cool air as the body when overheated.

To relieve when under distress.

Spiritually, emotionally, and probably materially.

Other services (vs 18)

Other means - not necessarily financial, but does includes financially.

Eagerly searched for me and found me.

Apparently there was great effort involved to find Paul.

Search and Rescue.

Risked his own safety.

Loyalty is active, not passive

By his presence - the ministry of presence

Was not ashamed of my chains.

Instead of a spirit of cowardice, we see a spirit of courageous faith.

Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.

Sincere faith

Didn’t care that Paul had a reputation as a criminal or law breaker or trouble maker, or whatever false slanderous accusation had been placed on him.

Didn’t worry, that he might be arrested as a co-conspirator of Paul’s.

Application:

How can you be a tool of the mercy of God?

Do you see someone who might need some refreshing?

Do you see someone that might just need your presence?

Ordinary Faithfulness (vs 18)

Other services

Diakoneo

a work or service that is helpful

one who serves by waiting on tables.

ministry/servant of the church

Faithfulness in small, unseen acts of service.

When he was in Rome...

Since I’m here, I need to find Paul.

The Lord grant to him to find mercy

Great play on words here.

First in Lord...Lord

Second in finding mercy.

Just like Onesiphorus eagerly found Paul, may mercy eagerly find Onesiphorus

Finding it - to find without seeking.

Mercy would come to Onesiphorus...even when not seeking for it.

Matthew 5:7 NASB95

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Paul prayed that the mercy shown would be returned.

Galatians 6:7–8 NASB95

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:9–10 NASB95

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Mercy to the house of...

For the family to have all their needs met in Onesiphorus’ travels.

Also possible this is a refence to a house church.

The church supplying Paul’s needs and Onesiphorus was delivering their gift.

on that day.

To find favor in God’s eyes.

What we do for the kingdom doesn’t always get celebrated here, but it is seen by God.

God will reward faithfulness, ultimately in Heaven at the final reckoning.

Paul is also reminding Timothy that everything we do is viewed through the lens of eternity.

Application:

Showing mercy and being a servant are 2 examples of ordinary faithfulness.

There are those who have the spiritual gift of mercy and those that have the spiritual gift of being a deacon, but we are all called to be ministers of mercy.

If you have received mercy, pray for God to grant the mercy giver mercy in return, and if it be in your power to repay the kindness, do so.

God Is Our Source (vs 18)

The Lord grant...mercy

grant - to give with good will and benevolent intent

We can give mercy because we have received mercy.

We love because God first loved us.

We can give mercy because God first had mercy on us.

Lean into the mercies of God.

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Mercy

Eleos - NT

More than just feeling pity.

Seeing someone in difficult circumstances or hurting and desiring to alleviate it in some way.

Compassion - OT

womb - in singular

in plural - tenderness and mercy

OT word engenders thoughts of warm and tender emotions.

We are to be wombs for one another.

a place of safety, security, nurturing, provision, peace, and tranquility.

This is God for us, and what we should be for others.

We can be Faithful in the Face of Fear, because God is Faithful

emunah - ordinary faithfulness

Proverbs 28:20 NASB95

A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

The steadfast love - Hesed

Also means mercy, lovingkindness, faithfulness.

I Know Whom I Have Believed.

Conclusion / Summary:

As believers in Jesus Christ we will experience some form of suffering for our faith. Some more than others.

Go to our good God of mercy and pray for mercy. Trust His faithfulness to see you through whatever suffering you find yourself in.

When we see someone else suffering, especially for their faith, pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you with mercy so that you can be a conduit of mercy and grace to the person in need.

Don’t let fear paralyze you from action. You have the Holy Spirit’s power, love, and discernment to assist.

Finally, remember we can show mercy because God has shown us mercy. We can be faithful because God is faithful to us.

Closing Song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness; The Steadfast Love Of The Lord