2 Timothy 1:8-18 Unashamed and Persuaded

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1 2 Timothy 1:8-18 Unashamed and Persuaded Michael Silva / Aug 13, 2017 Opening: Joke A husband and wife were driving through Louisiana. As they approached Natchitoches, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town. They argued back and forth, then they stopped for lunch. At the counter, the husband asked the employee, Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are very slowly? She leaned over the counter and said, Burrr-gerrr Kiiing. - Being misunderstood can be embarrassing! Transition/Intro: 1. Paul tells us in our passage today that as Christians we shouldn t be embarrassed or ashamed. 2. We ve just started a new study in the book of 2 Timothy. This is the last letter written by Paul before he was put to death. a) Church history tells us that Paul was beheaded for his faith around 68 AD by order of Emperor Nero. b) Knowing that his days were numbered, Paul writes this very personal letter to his young protégé, Timothy, who was the pastor of the church in Ephesus. 3. Key Themes: a) Faithfulness despite suffering. b) Holding fast to the Scriptures. c) Preaching the Gospel. d) Fulfilling your ministry. Let's read our passage: 2 Timothy 1:8-18 (NKJV) i And Pray 1. In today s passage Paul emphasizes being Unashamed, Persuaded, and Filled. 2 Timothy 1:8a 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, 1. First, notice Paul s perspective He s not a prisoner of Rome, he s His prisoner, referring to Jesus Christ.

2 Page 2 a) Paul knew that God is Lord over all of his circumstances. i) Faith and perspective are interconnected. ii) Faith changes our perspective from earthly temporal things to the eternal. b) Making it Personal: What s your perspective on your present circumstances? i) Does your perspective reflect your faith? Do you need to let your faith change your perspective? 2. Second, there is nothing that indicates that Timothy was ashamed. a) Therefore, this should be understood as an exhortation to be on guard against the temptation to be give way to feelings of shame. b) The Devil is clever in his attempts to distract, discourage, and derail us in our walk with Jesus. i) In Paul and Timothy s day, it could easily be viewed as shameful that their Leader, Jesus Christ, was crucified on a Roman cross. (1) Today we think of the cross as the object of our salvation. (2) But in their day, it was an object of humiliation and condemnation. (3) You did not want anything to do with those who were crucified. ii) Today, a cross is not shameful, but our culture of Political Correctness and equality for all has created the perfect setting for shaming Christians into silence. c) Whether then or today, Paul s exhortation is do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. i) We are to be unashamed in our faith. d) Making it personal: Have there been instances in your faith where you feel a little ashamed or embarrassed of your faith? i) Perhaps around some coworkers, family members or acquaintances who openly criticize Christianity? ii) For those who work in a secular workplace No, your employer did not hire you to evangelize the office, but you are still supposed to be a light and witness there. (1) The workplace is one of your primary venues for living out your Christian faith. (2) So, don t be ashamed to share your faith when opportunities arise. (3) What s the worst thing they could do? Fire you! (4) That sounds bad, but think about it Page 2

3 Page 3 (a) Would You Rather Game (i) Would you rather eat a small can of cat food or eat two rotten tomatoes? (ii) Would you rather surf in shark-infested waters or jump free fall with a parachute into the Grand Canyon? (b) Would you rather look back on your life and know you got fired for sharing your faith? Or That you kept your job because you kept quiet about your faith? (c) Perhaps living out your faith might lead to some suffering 2 Timothy 1:8b but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 1. Well, that doesn t sound fun?! Suffering? Not exactly my cup of tea, so to speak. a) But what we learn from Paul is that not only is suffering a part of the Christian life, but there s power in it. b) The power of God is present when a Christian suffers for the gospel. c) But it s also the power of God that converts suffering into joy. d) Sometimes things as a Christian can be difficult, but there are no disappointments in the end. e) Ironic, it s the fun things of this world often result in disappointment afterwards i) Have you ever thought (1) Why did I do that? I wish I hadn t done that?! (2) I feel horrible?! I wish I could take that back?! f) But God s ways, though difficult at times, leaves you regret-free. 2 Timothy 1:9 [Paul is speaking of God ] 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, 1. We can be unashamed because our relationship is not according to our works! a) Instead, it s a holy calling, based on His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus. Page 3

4 Page 4 b) The word holy refers to the highest of moral qualities and is pure and divine. i) God is holy! His calling upon our lives is also holy! ii) That means our work and purpose in Christ is sacred!!! iii) God s call on your life and mine was not so we could be casual Christians or wish-washy worshipper. iv) No, we are to remember and regard our calling as holy and sacred. 2. This was established, Paul says, before time began. a) Time was created as a part of our world that we live in. b) But God existed before time began. c) In John 17:24 Jesus prayed Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 2 Timothy 1:10 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, 1. Jesus has abolished death The word abolish means to render inoperable. a) Though physical death still exists in our world, death is truly rendered inoperable in the life of a believer whose soul will live for all eternity. b) The gospel is the good news message that Jesus has brought life and immortality to light. c) John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 2 Timothy 1:11 [Speaking of the gospel, Paul declares ] 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 1. A preacher is a herald of the gospel among unbelievers with the aim of winning them to Christ. a) This role corresponds with Christ s commission to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19). 2. The title apostle speaks of Paul position within the church. a) It speaks of his leadership and authority b) 1 Cor 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles Page 4

5 Page 5 3. A teacher instructs believers and helps them grow in their faith. a) This is the second part of the Great Commission, new disciples from all nations are to be taught to observe all things that Jesus commanded (Matt 28:20) 2 Timothy 1:12 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. 1. Paul s confidence was securely established in God. a) The word persuaded could also be translated as convinced. b) Why would Paul and the other apostles be willing to die for their beliefs if what they believed was really a lie? c) These men s unyielding commitment to the faith demonstrates that what they believed was true! i) Jesus whom Saul saw on the road to Damascus was real! d) Paul was unashamed and willing to suffer because he was so absolutely convinced that God s words and ways in Christ were real i) And that God, not Paul, would keep what [he had] committed to Him until that Day. ii) Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 2 Timothy 1:13 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 1. Hold fast in the original Greek is a word that means to adhere or cling to. It s a word that speaks of those who are closely joined in marriage. a) There is an inseparable bond. b) This is how we are to regard the sound words of biblical teaching. i) We should never disregard them, but instead be married to them. ii) But not in a legalistic way. c) Paul defines what it should look like to hold fast to biblical teachings, he says, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Page 5

6 Page 6 i) Clinging to the words of the Bible in faith and love should keep us from becoming anxious or angry. If it sounds hard to be married to the pattern of sound words? Vs 14 tells us how 2 Timothy 1:14 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 1. This is the key to living the Christian life, being Spirit-filled. 2. John 7:37 38 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. a) Dr. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ writes, Jesus promised that God s Holy Spirit would satisfy the thirst, or deepest longings, of all who believe in Jesus Christ. b) In his tract called Satisfied Dr. Bright reminds believers that, God has given us His Spirit so that we can experience intimacy with Him and enjoy all He has for us. We cannot experience intimacy with God and enjoy all He has for us if we fail to depend on His Spirit. By walking in the Spirit we increasingly experience intimacy with God and enjoy all He has for us. We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. c) Dr. Bright then goes on to emphasize the importance of what he called Spiritual Breathing, a powerful word picture which can help you experience moment-by-moment dependence upon the Spirit. (1) Exhale: Confess your sin the moment you become aware of it agree with God concerning it and thank Him for His forgiveness, according to 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:1-25. Confession requires repentance a change in attitude and action. (2) Inhale: Surrender control of your life to Christ, and rely upon the Holy Spirit to fill you with His presence and power by faith, according to His command (Eph 5:18) and promise (1 John 5:14, 15). 2 Timothy 1: 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; 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. 1. Knowing the end of his life was drawing near to an end, Paul began to recount one of the most important elements of this life, relationships with others. a) Sadly, there were many who had turned away from him in Asia, modern day Turkey. Page 6

7 Page 7 i) These are examples of those who were ashamed of either Paul or the gospel message and turned away. ii) Paul points out two individuals in particular, presumably known by Timothy, who had deserted him. 2. Paul contrasts the deserters with Onesiphorus who had been an unashamed faithful friend! a) Onesiphorus diligently sought him out in Rome and his actions refreshed Paul, who sat in a dark, cold, and wet dungeon. b) Paul prays for mercy for Onesiphorus and his household, that his entire family would be blessed because of Onesiphorus actions. 3. Making it Personal: Do you pray for your friends? Do you ask for God s blessings upon those who have encouraged you? a) Paul leads in an example we should follow in. b) Who can you mention by name in your prayers tonight? Conclusion: What s the big take away from this passage? 1. Paul was unashamed, persuaded and filled with the Spirit and so should we a) God has called you with a holy calling therefore do not be ashamed. b) Spend time with Jesus and become fully persuaded that your hope is in heaven! c) And be filled with God s Spirit for in it you have the power to keep the Word of God in faith and love. Invitation: Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Benediction: 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; i All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. Hebrew and Greek definitions, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Enhanced Strong s Lexicon, Copyright 1995 Woodside Bible Fellowship Page 7