2 Timothy: Not Ashamed

2 Timothy intro

Paul’s last epistle

long time between 1st and 2nd Timothy

Paul is imprisoned in Rome, near death

Abandoned by many…alone

QUESTION: When is it hardest for you to be faithful to your beliefs?

QUESTION: What keeps you faithful?

2 Timothy 1:1–2 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul doesn’t wallow in his suffering…he lifts his eyes to the life that is to come

But Paul, as strong as he is, is looking for a companion to join him, so he writes to timothy

Importance of our upbringing

2 Timothy 1:3–5 NKJV

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

2 Timothy 1:6–7 NKJV

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

timothy’s parents. Dad - Gentile / Mom - Jewish

Paul attributes the strength of Timothy’s faith as coming from his mom/grandma

Sincere / Genuine faith

its not sentimental

its a reference to his upbringing in the jewish scriptures by his mom/grandma

there is depth to his strength, which is found in scripture.

Genuine faith and sacramental blessing compliment each other. (v.6) God works synergisticly with us.

Not Ashamed

2 Timothy 1:8 NKJV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

Ashamed: embarrassed or guilty because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations.

Shame: a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

Both words point towards a feeling that something at its core is wrong.

Communion through suffering (v.8) Suffering is a pathway to fellowship and closeness....we shouldn’t be afraid of it but rather embrace it.

Sadly the constant avoidance of what is difficult leaves people empty and alone chasing after what is pleasant and easy.

Why should we not be ashamed?

2 timothy 1:9-10

2 Timothy 1:9–10 NKJV

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

St. Paul is providing the logic for why he is not ashamed. There is reason to our faith along with mystery.

What is something reasonable in v. 9-10

What is mystical

2 Timothy 1:11–12 NKJV

11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason 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 what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Hope serves as our fuel when we are running on fumes.

Not Ashamed but Loyal

QUESTION: how do you define loyalty?

constant allegiance to something/someone no mater the cost

Loyalty was inherent in martyrdom…one has to be loyal to the point of death, the ultimate sacrifice.

2 Timothy 1:13–14 NKJV

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Faith is handed down from one generation to the next. (apostolic succession)

When handed to us we must make an effort to nourish it with our own personal spiritual practices and disciplines.

John 14:26 NKJV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Out of continual nourishment comes the loyalty to the gospel.

example of Onesimus

2 Timothy 1:15–16 NKJV

15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;

2 Timothy 1:17–18 NKJV

17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.