Authentic Faith Tested
Notes
Transcript
Paul in his first missionary trip went to a place called Antioch
Not well received among the Jews and thrown out of Antioch - This would become the mission sending church in Galatia
Came to Lystra and the city was turned upside down for the Gospel
There was a crippled man from birth. Paul as he began ministry there was introduced to this man and God miraculously healed this man through Paul.
The townsfolk were amazed at what had happened, and immediately proclaimed that Paul & Barnabas were incarnations of the pagan gods Mercury and Jupiter. The local priest prepared enthusiastically to sacrifice oxen in their honour.
Paul, when hearing of the sacrifice, used all his persuasive powers to prevent the people from offering the sacrifice.
Lystra was changed because of the Gospel, and many were coming to Christ.
Among those that got saved, a family, part Jew and part Gentile, got saved.
A grandmother - Lois
a mother - Eunice
Her husband, a Gentile, raised their son on stories of Greek mythology and making men like Alexander the Great heroic in the home
Yet, Eunice, a Jew, told Timothy of the stories of her heroes: Moses, Elijah, David, Joseph, Daniel and others
a son named Timothy
Father, a Gentile, never is mentioned suggesting that he may have not gotten saved
Paul became Timothy’s hero.
Angry Jews from Antioch and Iconium heard of what was going on in Lystra. They came and branded Paul as a heretic and troublemaker and succeeded in stirring up a riot. Paul was seized, stoned, and dragged out of the city, and left for dead. The Jews thinking Paul was dead finally dispersed the rioters.
The disciples went to where Paul was only to find themselves in awe themselves as Paul got up and walked away from what everyone thought was certain death.
Timothy loved Paul and Paul loved Timothy. The heart of Timothy was given to Paul.
Timothy grew in the Lord in Lystra.
In Paul’s second missionary journey Timothy would begin to play a part.
Timothy would travel with Paul Troas, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Timothy helped the troubled church in Corinth, and would come back to Corinth with Paul after Titus.
Timothy and Luke were Paul’s often companions in travels and ministry. They were very dear to Paul, but Timothy was special to Paul.
One of the places where Timothy served was in Ephesus. It is likely that this was at least 2 occasions.
Between the 2 occasions, Timothy would end up in prison for preaching Jesus.
He would be set free and went to Ephesus and likely worked with the disciple, John.
It is here where the last epistle, which means letter, would have been received by Timothy. This is Paul’s final letter.
Paul was now in Rome, sentenced to execution, living in a dark prison cell. The conditions surrounding him were less than desirable with rats as his partners there along with nauseating odours and scraps of food given just enough to keep him alive for his death sentence.
It is with this background we find our text this morning.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
The love and warmth that is felt in this opening is beyond heart warming
Paul knows time for his execution may be at any time, and he endearingly let’s Timothy know of his prayers for him and the joy that Timothy brings to his heart.
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
He reminisces for a moment on the unfeigned faith
Unfeigned - genuine, unhypocritical, sincere
Authentic faith
I’ve seen the faith of your grandmother - She get’s it!
I’ve seen your mum’s faith - It is real!
I’ve seen your faith. Your faith is real. It’s genuine and unhypocritical.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
The faith we have has moved us.
Our faith has not given in to fear. It has moved us to see the power of God.
We’ve loved people through faith like Christ loves people.
Our minds have been given wisdom from the Gospel. People are looking and longing for something to find rest and stability. Their gods have failed them, but Jesus has given us reason to have sound judgement and a life controlled by the Gospel.
Paul speaks of actions of faith; what they have done together and how to keep going forward in faith of Jesus Christ
Fishing by the Blanchard River - finding something in the mud
It was hard to the touch, but there was a shiny spot that had been cleared away by the flowing water
I picked it up, and wiped away a bit more of the mud - it was a bright, shiny, yellow metal!
The more I cleaned the metal piece, the shinier and more brilliant it became!
This metal looked like gold!
I was so excited! I ran to the house and showed my dad.
He looked at it for a moment, and told me what it was… fool’s gold. It looks like gold, shines like gold, but it is made up of different materials that make it something else.
Our faith is exposed more and more when our lives are cleaned from the muck and mire of the world.
Faith can be built upon many things. Faith is built upon what we hope and believe in.
This year has exposed what our faith is made of.
If your faith has been built upon what the government can do; you’ve been let down.
If your faith is built upon what doctors can do; you’ve struggled.
If your faith is built upon your finances; you’ve seen that finances cannot be fully trusted.
If your faith is built upon a belief that there is no God; you’ve seen the partial results of that this year.
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Paul reminded Timothy, I know what many believe and act upon, but I know where my belief lies. I know whom I have believed!
Paul, waiting his execution for telling others about Jesus, said, I’ve done what I know is right. I am happy to end my life knowing that I have preached salvation through Jesus alone.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
What did Paul admonish Timothy to do as he neared his execution?
What you have seen me do, keep doing.
What you have heard me teach, keep teaching.
What I have committed to you, keep believing!
Paul said, I believe, and Timothy, you too need to have the testimony that says, I Believe.
The challenge for each of us this year is to dig deeper into our faith than the surface of what is seen, and ask ourselves, what do I believe?
May we take Paul’s testimony and charge, and firmly state, I believe in the Saviour Jesus Christ.