Sep 4, 2022. II Timothy 1:8-12

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NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL. II Timothy 1:8-12. 9/4/2022. #2.

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, 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, 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.

1. Paul’s urgent admonition

                a. Paul loved Timothy and had confidence in him

                                a1. “My beloved son”

                                a2. Philippians 2:19-23 Paul had no man like Timothy who would take care of needs of Philippians church

                b. Paul did not doubt Timothy’s faith, commitment to Christ, or desire to serve the Lord

                c. Paul was concerned about Tim. lack of courage

                                a1. “Let no one despise your youth”

                                a2. “Reignite the gift within you”

                                a3. “You have not been given a spirit of timidity, but of love, power, and reason”

                d. Tim.’s reluctance to be bold and to face opposition caused Paul to pressure him to stand firm

2. No shame in Christ

                a. Paul urges Tim. not to be ashamed to witness

                                a1. Not to be ashamed to identify with Paul, who was imprisoned for Christ

                                a2. To be willing to suffer along with Paul

                b. Those who seek to avoid ridicule and threats will never be bold witnesses for Christ

                                a1. Avoiding pain = also avoiding testimony

                                a2. Witnessing and opposition go together

                c. Luke 9:23-26 Christ ashamed of those ashamed of him

                d. Tim. was a great servant of Christ, but an introvert

                                a1. Paul states that he had to lay aside his fears and doubts in order to obey the Lord

                                a2. Self-focus is self-defeating

                e. God used many shy, reluctant people

                                a1. Esther was afraid to approach the king

                                a2. Jer. thought that he was too young

                                a3. Moses couldn’t speak well

                                a4. Mark fled from his first mission’s encounter

3. Focus above

                a. Tim. had the wrong focus

                                a1. To worry what would happen to him when he testified of Christ neutralized his witness

                                a2. Tim. had to get his mind off himself

                b. Paul instructs Tim. to focus outwardly

                                a1. Paul and Tm. = partners in ministry and suffering

                                a2. Use the power of God in him to persevere

                                a3. A holy calling given from before time began

                                                b1. Not dependent on our works

                                                b2. Dependent on purposes of God

                                a4. Christ suffered that we might be saved and empowered to do his will

                                                b1. Given immortality in Christ

                                                b2. Service is small gratitude to return

                c. Paul used himself as an example

                                a1. He was called, appointed a preacher and an apostle in order to teach the nations of Christ

                                a2. As a saved and called one, he has a sacred trust to keep the faith entrusted to him

                                a3. Paul believed that all that he committed to the Lord would be kept until His return

                d. Paul was not ashamed of his calling, for the Lord bore the shame of the cross for him

                                a1. Focused on ministry entrusted to him

                                a2. God would protect him until he was done, strengthen him when attacked, and reward him when he exited this present life

                e. Paul wants Tim. to focus on Lord and not his safety

                f. All believers are entrusted with a calling to keep

Key Verse: Luke 9:23-26

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Aug 28, 2022. II Timothy 1:1-7

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20220828_Morning

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE. II Timothy 1:1-7. 08/28/2022. #01.

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. 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. 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.

1. Introduction

                a. Paul had written 1 Timothy after he was released from house arrest in 64 AD (his appeal to Caesar)

                b. Now Paul finds himself rearrested after Christians were blamed for the fire of Rome (64 AD)

                c. By 66 AD, Paul is in a cold dungeon (the Mamertine)

                                a1. Paul knows that his time is short

                                a2. He wants to write Timothy one last time

                d. Paul’s purpose in writing Timothy was to strengthen him

                                a1. Paul was cold, lonely, and bored, so he wanted Timothy to bring some friends, his coat, and books

                                a2. Paul assures Timothy that he is going to his reward, so this is not a sad time

2. Heritage

                a. Paul again emphasized that he was called to be an apostle by the will of God, not of man

                                a1. Paul had not sought out Christ or the apostleship (God does the choosing)

                                a2. Timothy was also call by God

                b. Paul assures Timothy of his affection for him (“son”)

                c. Paul could honestly say that he prayed for Timothy every single day (a pure conscience in saying this)

                d. Paul states that he served God faithfully just as his forefathers before him had done

                                a1. Paul was raised by faithful parents

                                a2. The heritage of faith goes back far in his line

                e. Paul reminds Timothy that his grandma and mom were faithful believers before him (his dad was Greek)

                                a1. The heritage of faith was passed to him

                                a2. Timothy was raised in the faith

                f. Christian heritage is a precious and rare blessing

                                a1. Few people are raised by godly parents

                                a2. Fewer come from a long line of believers

                                a3. To be ingrained with Bible truths from the youngest age is an advantage and trust

                                a4. Godly upbringing = cherished and used

                g. Paul and Timothy bemoan (tears) their separation and their soon earthly parting

                                a1. As it should be = the work goes on

                                a2. Sorrow will culminate in reunion

                                a3. Paul is confident that Timothy will stay true

                h. Paul reminds Timothy that he is grounded and equipped

3. Emboldened to the task

                a. Paul wants Timothy to focus on his heritage and calling

                b. Stir up (lit., kindle, set on fire; rekindle; English Words pyrotechnic, pyromaniac…) gifts in you

                                a1. Eliminate all doubts and hesitation (boldness)

                                a2. Must master our own doubtful and insecure personalities that plague our faith

                                a3. The gift was in Timothy for it was given him by God and confirmed by the laying on of hands

                c. Battle against self-doubt is intense

                                a1. Must choose to obey even if unsure

                                a2. Know the right choice and follow it

                                a3. Ignore or subdue fears and uncertainty

                d. Just as we must choose holiness against fleshly desires, we must choose obedience above fears

                e. Believers have not been given a spirit of fear (cowardice, timidity), shrinking before evil (II Peter 1:1-11)

                f. Paul states that believers have been gifted 3 things:

                                a1. Power (might; English = dynamo) – 2 Corinthians 10

                                a2. Love (charitable love) motivates a desire to witness of your faith (2 Cor. 5:12-15)

                                a3. Sound mind (rationality, soberness, self-control, reasonableness) = faith logic

                g. We have the tools; but we must decide to use them

Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:1-11

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Aug 21, 2022. I Timothy 6:17-21

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FAITH and FALSEHOOD. I Timothy 6:17-21. Aug 21, 2022.  #22.

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

1. Self-sufficiency and salvation

                a. Paul warns Timothy of 3 things as he closes

                                a1. Self-sufficiency brings independence from God and godliness

                                a2. Guard the truths that are entrusted to you, rejecting vain babblings

                                a3. Beware of false knowledge (science)

                b. The temptation to depend on self comes in many forms (ruin of Adam and Eve)

                                a1. Having enough $ and possessions that you feel no need to be grateful for your “daily bread”

                                a2. Having great authority and independence to be lifted up in pride (Saul, Nebuchadnezzar)

                                a3. Feeling absolutely secure in your situation – invincible (David on palace roof)

                c. Paul returns to the theme of riches – let the rich not be haughty in their wealth (need of nothing)

                                a1. You don’t have to be fabulously rich to feel self-sufficient and independent

                                a2. Independence leads to self-reliance

                d. Paul admonishes the rich to use wealth for God

                                a1. God grants wealth to be used for his glory as stewards of the gifts of God

                                a2. Luke 12 much responsibility and accountability before God when given much

                                a3. Store up treasures in heaven (great blessing when able to do great good)

2. Faith fortress

                a. Timothy again challenged to guard truth given him

                b. Just as Jesus invested much in the apostles, Paul had invested much in Timothy

                                a1. Timothy = hold onto great truth and teach it

                                a2. Timothy = pass on this truth to others

                c. Timothy was to resist and oppose deceptive rhetoric

                                a1. Evil and deceived men will use false statements and fancy philosophy

                                a2. Paul calls falsehood “profane” (“to cross a threshold”, go where forbidden or corrupt) and empty (vain, useless)

                d. Many profound sounding truth claims that are false, deceptive, and destructive

                                a1. Use “evidence” that is not true at all

                                a2. Use “logic” based on false premises

                e. Only solid truth can oppose falsehood

                                a1. TRUTH NEEDS NO DECEPTIVE CLAIMS

                                a2. Truth = not need to hide, hedge, or hit

3. False science

                a. Paul warns of false knowledge (gnoseos, our word “science” comes from this word)

                b. Prophetic – as if Paul saw in time the advent of naturalism, evolution, conceptual science…)

                c. Bible men caved into this “false science”

                d. Timothy is to hold onto the truths of creation, the Incarnation, atonement, resurrection,…

                e. II Peter 3:1-13 faith will be vindicated and all that opposes God’s truth will be exposed as folly

Key verse: 2 Peter 3:1-131 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Aug 14, 2022. I Timothy 6:11-16

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HOLY WARFARE. I Timothy 6:11-16. 8/14/2022. #21.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

1. Flee lusts and greed

                a. The second time Paul has warned Timothy to avoid evil and embrace what is righteous

                                a1. Flee greed and covetousness

                                a2. 2 Timothy 2:22 flee youthful lusts

                b. Paul is well aware of temptations faced by young men (knew Timothy well)

                                a1. Timothy’s reserved and shy personality left him vulnerable to aggressive tempt.

                                a2. Paul was concerned move about Timothy’s lack of bold resolve, rather than intent

                c. Inner strength comes from three areas: strength of personality, strength of will, strength of conviction (lacking one, you must use the others)

                                a1. Paul had all three, but Timothy lacked the first

                                a2. Paul wanted Timothy to “stir up” the strength and will and conviction in him

                d. Paul’s address to Timothy, “O, man of God”, = a reminder of his calling and commitment

                                a1. Always keep in mind, we are servants

                                a2. To be saved is be set apart for the Lord

                e. Paul knew what battles were ahead of Timothy (concerned for his endurance and resolve)

2. The righteous battle

                a. Paul wants Timothy to embrace all that is righteous and good (similar list as fruit of Spirit in Gal. 5)

                b. Embrace (lay ahold of) eternal life (life everlasting) = live as one who has unending life

                                a1. Doesn’t mean Timothy was not saved

                                a2. Live as if you are saved (being saved is different from living the saved life)

                c. Fight the good fight of faith

                                a1. Fight (struggle) = agon (to gather)

                                a2. Idea = to gather for conflict

                d. 2 TM. 2:1-3 the Christian life is a battle against our flesh, the world, and spiritual darkness

                                a1. We’re commanded to engage in spiritual warfare (prayer, witness, and testimony)

                                a2. Not combative, but boldly testifying

                e. Not to shy away from spiritual battle (Ephesians 6)

                                a1. Fortified by calling, character, and faithful preparation

                                a2. Fortified against trials, temptation, and persecution

3. Jesus, king and Lord        

                a. Stand before Lord who created all things

                b. Description Lord Jesus

                                a1. Good testimony before Pontius Pilate

                                a2. Potentate (sovereign, authority)

                                a3. King of kings and Lord of lords

                                a4. In him is immortality

                                a5. Dwells in unapproachable light (same description as God the Father)

                                                b1. Jesus’s Incarnation covers glory

                                                b2. Same glory and holiness as Father

                                a6. All honor and power

                c. Keep commandments before all holy Lord    

                d. Keep his holiness and our position in mind  

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:1-31 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Aug 7, 2022. I Timothy 6:6-10

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GODLY CONTENTMENT. I Timothy 6:6-10. 8/07/2022. #20.

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1. The way of internal peace

                a. Paul summarizes how to avoid the striving which he had just condemned

                                a1. As in Gal. 5, Paul first describes the turmoil of men who desire fame and money

                                a2. Opposite of striving is contentment    

                b. Greek word for contentment here means “satisfaction within oneself”

                                a1. No desires or obsessions

                                a2. Discontent = desire for something more than what you have

                c. Paul prescribes 2 traits to eliminate greed:

                                a1. Godliness (lit., good devotion)

                                a2. Contentment (pleased within self)

                d. Godliness = devoted to holy living

                e. Godliness and contentment are major themes

                                a1. Matthew 6:24-34 – the Lord said that if we have food and shelter, be content

                                a2. Philippians 4:9-12 Paul learned to be content

                                a3. Job 1 Job the Lord took back what was his (Job owned nothing)

2. Divine perspective

                a. Paul provides the proper perspective:

                                a1. We enter and leave the world with nothing

                                                b1. What is accumulated is left

                                                b2. Life is temporary and fleeting

                                a2. Having the necessities of life is all we need (food and covering)

                                                b1. All the tools needed to be feed and sheltered are given by God

                                                b2. Beyond life’s necessities are bonuses and not entitlements

                b. Contentment with adequate provisions as we serve the Lord leads to peaceful satisfaction

3. Desire for more leads to misery

                a. Striving for greater power, pleasure, and possessions brings pain, dissatisfaction, and more desire

                                a1. Things cannot bring contentment and joy

                                a2. Pleasure yields desire for more pleasure

                b. Paul states that the desire to be rich is a snare

                                a1. A temptation that brings destruction

                                a2. Pursuing riches is an unworthy goal

                                a3. Foolish and harmful lusts = men will engage in sinful, deceptive, and self-destructive acts to gain pleasure and money

                                a4. Fleshliness and worldliness are gained by compromising faith and morals

                c. The love of $ is the root of all kinds of evil

                                a1. There are wealthy people who use their wealth to serve the Lord (rare)

                                a2. Some of the most miserable people are the rich (not bring happiness)

                d. Curbing desire for things and thrills is a battle, especially in an affluent society

                                a1. Can pull us away from the faith

                                a2. Godly focus takes constant diligence

Key Verse:   Matthew 6:24-34

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [d]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.