2 Timothy 1:1-18
Part 1, Defending the Truth Series
The evil in this world constantly hates God and wants everything that God created destroyed. The world that God made to reflect his beauty and goodness, has been filled with violence and falsehood. Lie is evil’s favorite tool for destroying God’s Word. So many lies have been said about God’s Word. There were even those who said that the Bible is nothing, but a book of lullaby stories. Some people rejected the historical Jesus, they reject his birth, his cross and his resurrection.
Edmund Burke nailed it correctly when he said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Thus, if believers do nothing to preserve God’s Word in our church, we are making it easy for evil to destroy our church. The apostle said, “14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:14. As God’s church, we have been mandated, to preserve the truth.
1. Speak God’s Word.
“1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:1
· Nero had Paul arrested. This was Paul’s 2nd arrest.
· Paul jailed in a cold cell, chained to a prison guard, limited mobility, and limited visitors.
· Paul was battling God’s enemies from within the church (false teachers) and from without (Nero)
· Paul was never afraid to speak God’s word that he wrote 13 letters addressed to Christian churches, 5 of which were written in prison.
· All his letters became part of the Holy Scripture.
2. Share the Word.
“2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. “ 2 Timothy 1:2-7
· Even though Paul shared an intimate father-son spiritual relationship, he used his authority to help Timothy correct some of his ways. vv.6-7
· Paul reminded Timothy that the Christian faith is a shared faith. v. 5, see Romans 10:14-15 also.
· God’s truth appeals to human reason but only those whom God has chosen will understand and respond. v.5
· Sharing our faith helps us preserve God’s truth in our church.
3. Serve the Word faithfully.
“6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7
· Apparently, Timothy was going through some tough times and his faith could have been wavering.
· Leadership challenges because of his young age.
· False teachers in the church causing disunity and discord.
· Perhaps, Timothy wasn’t performing well as a shepherd so Paul reminded him in verse 7, that God gave him some resources he can use, namely, power, love, and self-discipline.
· The divine resources must be used in combination with his spiritual gifts to make him an effective minister of the Word.
4. Strive to preserve the Word.
“15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.” 2 Timothy 1:15
· Many friends abandoned him in a cold prison cell.
· He named his close friends who hurt him the most.
· Despite the many discouragements, Paul strived to preserve the Word of God.