Sermon Tone Analysis

Setting up the series

Paul’s life is drawing to an end.

The times have changed and he knew what was coming.

We have before us now his final instructions, final appeals to his young protege Timothy.

(intro to 2nd Timothy slide here)

Paul as certain of his death (2Tim4:6) and many of his contemporaries have left him, so he sends for Timothy with some appeals from his heart to Timothy and for the learning of the church.

Paul while an ambassador in chains pending his death was not worried about himself, but for the young evangelist in Ephesus who would pick up the mantle of the gospel ministry.

Paul sent Tychicus to replace Timothy at Ephesus so he could come to Paul (2Tim4:9, 12).

so a little more history and set up for today and the series.

This letter is penned during Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome.

It was believed to be written

Date: AD 66-67

From: Rome

To: Timothy in Ephesus

Purpose:

Give final thoughts

To warn against false teachers and apostates

Conduct instructions for Timothy to finish strong (suffer, endure, standfast, stay the course and do not compromise)

Key verses: 2Tim1:13-14

Something to consider: Paul had told the Romans that he was going to go see them on his way to Spain and to impart a spiritual gift on them (Rom1:10-11; 15:23-24)

So, we have not scripture showing that Paul ever made it to Spain, but there is outside evidence that he did in the writings of Clement in about A.D. 95 (1Clement5:7) and also noted later in the Muratorian Canon (dated in late 2nd century) So, the trip would have been between the 1st and 2nd imprisonments of Paul.

Just an interesting thing to consider.

The general outline:

The Pastoral appeal (Chapter 1)

The Practical appeal (Chapter 2)

The Prophetic appeal (Chapter 3)

The Personal appeal (Chapter 4)

Now don’t think we are going to get through this book in 4 sessions, there will be many lessons we can learn from along the way from the appeals that Paul makes to Timothy of which we can apply many today.

(Transition) So, this morning we will start with our first installment from chapter one.

Courageous Enthusiasm

Courage, everyone needs courage to face life and life’s demands.

Joshua was told, and told again to be courageous (Jos1:6, 7, 9, 18 and 10:25).

Don’t we all need courage?

So how about encouragement?

That is what Paul does to help prepare Timothy for what was coming.

Courageous enthusiasm is essential not just in ministry but in any kind of work if you want to succeed.

Paul is fanning the flames in Timothy (1:6) so to kindle afresh what God had given him.

Paul is not saying Timothy lacked faith, zeal, enthusiasm or courage, but wants to keep that fire burning in him.

Paul accomplishes this through four encouragements to Timothy in these verses

Paul’s love (vv.1-2)

Paul’s prayers (vv.3-4)

Paul’s confidence (v.5)

Paul’s reminder (vv.6-7)

Paul’s love

Love is a great motivator, and always endearing.

And as Paul’s life and end of life in view he sees what a special place Timothy played in his life and will in the life of the church.

Paul was facing difficult circumstances but one thing he knew and it encouraged him was that he was an ambassador in chains for Christ Jesus.

Look at how Paul sees things.

Chosen by the will of God to be an apostle

He has been sent to tell of the eternal life promised.

He knew regardless of his outcome, his circumstance he knew he had eternal life in Christ

Be it in life or death he was OK, makes me think of (Php1:23-25; and let me give you one more (2Tim1:10)

One more quick point to grab, look at (v.2) Paul in (1Tim1:2) says “Timothy my true son in the faith” now says “my beloved son”; and, ok, one more thing, He says grace, mercy and peace.

It says that again several other places in the pastoral epistles

and in our verses today and again in Titus

You think Paul knew that Timothy (as well as all ministers, preachers, teachers, pastors) needed mercy?

(Transition) now from Paul’s love, endearing love to Paul’s prayer’s

Paul’s Prayers

Do you like it when you know others are praying for you?

From a sincere heart Paul encourages Timothy through prayer.

Some questions to consider when you look at these verses.

How did Paul pray for Timothy?

With thanksgiving to God

With a pure (clear) conscience

Prayed without ceasing

What did Paul pray?

We know desiring to see him.

Paul is calling for Timothy to come to him before he dies (2Tim4:11-13)

He prayed in knowledge of Timothy’s tears.

He prayed in anticipation of his (Paul’s joy) being fulfilled in Timothy

Paul knew Timothy, called Timothy knowing his strength’s (his history; will see that more in a minute) and his weaknesses.

Paul is praying with a heart of compassion and concern for his “beloved son” in the faith.

I think it would only be fair to take a quick journey about the “pure conscience.”

Paul served God with a pure conscience before the Damascus Road.

He was a Hebrew of Hebrews (Php3:5) raised in the ways of Jewish orthodoxy faith.

He did it zealously even persecuting the people of the Way and consenting of the death of Stephen.

Until that Damascus Road time when everything changed.

He had served as his forefathers did, now he served with full revelation of the mystery, Jesus Christ and the Church.

Can we live with a pure, clear conscience today?

The answer is YES!

Yes for we have the truth and the truth has set us free

Yes we have full counsel of God at our fingertips for our learning

Yes we have the body of Christ (the church) to help us to grow, to encourage, to edify and to unify us together as One Body.

(Transition): From Paul’s love for God, for the love the promise of life in Christ Jesus and for his beloved son Timothy, to heartfelt prayers now leading us to our next point

Paul’s Confidence

Sincere faith, not just his own, but faith in Timothy.

A confidence he had in Timothy that was evident.

Paul was confident of Timothy’s genuine, sincere faith.

Paul did not think Timothy was weak or that his faith was weak.

Paul knew that Timothy’s faith was genuine.

It was genuine faith needed and it was genuine faith that would help him to face the things he was facing and would go through.

The reason for His genuine faith, his upbringing

How did Timothy get genuine faith?

It was displayed and lived by his grandmother (Lois) and his mother (Eunice).

Now Timothy was one-half Greek (Act16:1) so his mom would not have been a practicing Jew.

But they taught him the scriptures

What scriptures would these be?

The O.T. scriptures that would lead to salvation (expand on this)

Timothy travelled with Paul on his 2nd and 3rd missionary trips and knew his faith was genuine.

Timothy’s upbringing mattered as does how we raise, example for our children and grandchildren.