2 Timothy 1: Extinguish Fear
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INTRODUCTION
· Today, we are beginning our study of Paul’s final epistle as far as we know… the Epistle of 2 Timothy. We see within this epistle that Paul loves Timothy, his young protégé, and he wanted to do what he could to help him to have courage and to be prepared for what would happen in the future regarding his own circumstances.
· One of the keys to understanding this epistle is in recognizing the change in Paul’s circumstances. Paul had been arrested again and awaiting his second trial. We see this hinted to within the epistle in a couple places. Paul believes his death is coming near
· Timothy’s circumstances were difficult also. Obviously, he is probably concerned about his mentor; about what would happen to Paul. I think this is seen in verse 4 of chapter 1, Paul talks about the “tears” that he remembered Timothy shedding during one of their previous times together. This event may have been similar to what we see in the book of Acts when Paul tells the Ephesian elders that they would not see his face again… Just the fact that you know that someone you care about will be leaving this life can be something that can be discouraging.
· Timothy was enduring hardship himself. This may have been one of the main reasons that Paul wrote this epistle. Knowing what Paul endured for the Gospel, and seeing that you yourself are in danger of physical suffering and persecution for you teaching can lead to discouragement and fear. The things that we will talk about today are just the beginning of Paul’s encouragement within the epistle that is meant to strengthen the hands of his fellow worker in the Gospel.
· We also see in this epistle that Timothy was still dealing with false teaching. He was in the present, and would continue to do so in the future. This is just part of the work of an evangelist… The spiritual battles just do not stop. Once you deal with one, others come… All of this can make a soldier of Christ feel beaten down.
· So, Paul begins this epistle to his son in the faith by giving Timothy some words of affirmation and encouragement…
PAUL GIVES AFFIRMATION (vs3-5)
· “[3] I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. [4] As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. [5] I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (ESV)
· In verse 3 He begins by sharing with Timothy one of the most important things one can share with a brother or sister in Christ who needs encouragement and strength. Paul tells Timothy that he is praying for him and thanking God for him. And he is praying for him often – night AND day he tells him… how encouraging would that reminder be, knowing that your beloved mentor, an apostle of Christ, thought about you often and was praying for you?
· Then in verses 4 and 5, Paul shares with Timothy some good memories he has of him. In verse 4 he remembers the tears that Timothy shed… this was a great reminder to Paul of their close relationship in the Lord, and it made Paul want to see Timothy again so badly. He will end up later in the epistle instructing Timothy to come to him in Rome before the winter… He also was reminded of Timothy’s sincere faith as he thought about him… I know your faith... It is genuine… No hypocrisy… His example was just like the examples that his mother and grandmother set for him as they taught him (3:15)… They put a lot of time and effort into helping Timothy grow in his faith towards God. (Remember, what Paul is saying here is to encourage Timothy to not allow fear to get in the way of continued growth and faithfulness to Christ.)
WHERE FEAR DOES NOT COME FROM
· In verses 6 and 7, Paul turns his tone to instruction. He gives Timothy teaching that is based on what he told him in verses 3-5” [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 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
· Paul gives Timothy an important reminder about where fear does NOT come from… It does not come from God… This is important to remember when we are discouraged from doing what we need to be doing or if we are tempted to fear… These feelings are not from God. These kinds of feelings distract us from showing the love, courage, and strength that comes from the Spirit.
· So Paul instructs Timothy to kindle afresh; to stir up the gift that had been given to Him by God so that he can be zealous for God’s work. Just as anyone who has tended a fire-place or a camp-fire knows that it needs to be stirred up occasionally, all of God’s servants are in need of periodically examining themselves so they can see if they are zealously serving the Lord, and if they are not, they need to renew their passion for serving God. They need to be stirred up to love and good works…
DO NOT BE ASHAMED!
· [8] Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, [9] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, [10] and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel… (ESV).
· Verse 8 is a sobering verse. Whenever we are tempted to fear, we are being tempted to show shame towards the Gospel and towards those who have sacrificed for it!
· Preaching the gospel could have brought harm to Timothy, and if this led him to be silent, then he would be showing shame towards the Gospel. Paul instructs Timothy to allow the spirit that is in him to lead him to be willing to endure suffering for the lord as Paul was!
· Verses 9 & 10 function both as a reminder of the content of the gospel and why he should not be ashamed of it. It should be encouragement in the face of hardship to stand for what is right. After all that Jesus did for us, leaving Heaven and becoming a man… Emptying Himself of life through His death on the cross. Then showing you and I mercy by removing our sin from our accounts… then even to promise His eternal presence in glory… WOW! Knowing all that Jesus did for us should lead us to action for the Lord, not inaction! This is what Paul is trying to get through to Timothy. Jesus’ saving Timothy and giving him an example of sacrificial love and dealing with hardship must spur him on to use whatever gift Paul is speaking of in this passage to show love to others and to be an example of self-control and of God’s power to overcome his fears and temptations…
· Paul then, in verses 11-14, shows his response to what Jesus has done for him… Let’s read verses 11-14…
PAUL’S EXAMPLE OF FAITH
· [11] for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, [12] which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. [13] Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [14] By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
· Since God had appointed Him to be a preacher of the gospel and had given him the authority of an apostle, he had decided that he was going to act. He was not going to be ashamed. He was going to obey God and to teach the truth no matter what the consequences may be, and he was confident that the Lord would care for him and be faithful to him.
· Paul’s example here is exactly what he is encouraging in Timothy. Being appointed as a teacher or a preacher of the Gospel will entail hardship, and Timothy needed to be willing to follow in the steps, not only of Jesus, but also of his mentor here… To follow what Paul has taught him and to show the faith and love of Christ… It was Timothy’s responsibility to fulfill his ministry and to be faithful in teaching the truth no matter what the consequences may be just as Paul has done. And Paul tells Timothy that he does not have to do all of this on his own power and ability… God’s Holy Spirit, who dwells within His people, will give him the strength to do the work he has been called to do.
· Paul then closes this chapter in giving Timothy some other examples of being ashamed and not being ashamed… Let’s read verses 15-18…
SOME OTHER EXAMPLES
· [15] You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. [16] May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, [17] but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—[18] may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus. (ESV).
· Paul mentions some that have been ashamed of the testimony of the Lord and of his chains, and have turned away from him at this point. He says ALL who are in Asia. This may be speaking of all of the coworkers that Paul has taken along with him who are from Asia. He gives us two examples here: (I am not even going to attempt to pronounce these names) Phygelus and Hermogenes. We aren’t told the exact circumstances of what happened with these two me (probably because Timothy did know the circumstances). All who turned away from Paul in Asia portray the very things Paul had been warning Timothy against—cowardice, shame, a lack of love, and infidelity to Paul and the Gospel.
· But in verse 16, you have O-ne-siph-or-us, on the other hand, demonstrated the characteristics Paul had been recommending to Timothy—courage, love, self-control, boldness, and faithfulness. Paul calls him a refreshment to himself in the situation he was in in prison. Onesiphorus went to much trouble to track Paul down, and he shamelessly identified with the imprisoned Paul, unafraid of the consequences of doing so.
· Paul’s point to Timothy is clear enough. Don’t you be ashamed of the gospel or of me, Christ’s prisoner. Some have, but not Onesiphorus; so be like him. It may be the case that Timothy was hesitant in visiting Paul… He needed to follow in the steps of Onesiphorus.
CONCLUSION
· Paul gives us, here in chapter 1, a great example regarding how to encourage brothers and sisters who are struggling.
o Be praying for them and telling them that you are doing so. Tell them that you are praying for them and share with them the things that you are thankful to God in regards to their example and faithfulness…
o Remind them of all that went into their growth to where they are now in their faith
o Remind them of where their struggles are really coming from and the kind of character the Lord wants them to have
o Encourage them to stay true to the Gospel and to be faithful to Christ who died for them
o And remind them of examples of brothers and sisters in scripture and in our lives who have successfully dealt with adversity.
· Are we ashamed of the testimony of the Lord (cf. )? Can we say wholeheartedly as Paul did in , “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ…”? Are we allowing our fears of failure or ridicule, rejection, or whatever the fear may be, keep us from doing good and sharing the message of Christ with others?