2 Timothy 1 - The Handover
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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.
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. -
Bible
I would like to share a few words about this small book of 2 Timothy over the next four weeks. It is quite poignant in that it is Paul’s last letter before he was martyred in AD66. We find Paul in a Roman prison writing a moving, personal, memorable and tender letter from the older mentor to his successor the younger pastor, Timothy. Paul is saying farewell and confesses his faith and gives guidance to stir up and strengthen Timothy and us one last time.
Context:
2 Timothy is Paul’s last letter before he was martyred in AD66. Paul is in a Roman Prison. This is a moving, personal, memorable, tender letter from the older mentor to his successor, the younger pastor - Timothy. Paul is saying farewell, confesses his faith and gives guidance to stir up and strengthen Timothy and us one last time.
The Handover is the emphasis in this first chapter of 2 Timothy and we will look at the Who, What, and Why of the Handover
1. Who is involved in the Handover
2. What is being handed over
3. Why is the handover important
Who
Paul is mentioning names in the first part of this chapter, names of people who nurtured Timothy in the faith. I wonder do you know Tommy Foster, Willy-John McMurray (my grandad) , Rita Burke (my mother)? They were Christians who taught me, prayed for me, encouraged and corrected me – they brought me up in the way of faith. Can you remember the 1st person who introduced you to God and the Bible? My mother led me to say a child’s prayer at the age of 9 and that prayer changed my life.
John Stott (pg 19) man who led him to Christ wrote every wk for 7 yrs, prayed every day.
Paul in 2 Tim 1:5 appeals to Tim to remain loyal to the teaching he received from mum & Grandmother. Mum brought him up in the way of faith. Tim knew the scriptures from childhood Tim would name Paul with Eunice and Lois
For years Timothy had been understudy to Paul, now he is being named as Paul’s successor, this young pastor. Paul writing from his prison cell saying Tim ‘remain loyal to the gospel’ (not ashamed). Paul’s last letter. Martyred AD66. We are reminded of the sincere faith of Eunice and Lois (v5). Anecdotes are great but Paul goes further with Tim – over to you Christian, take the torch & run (v6) ‘fan into flame the gift which is in you v7 for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love & self-discipline.’ Fan into flame is not meant to imply that his flame of zeal had faded (John Stott) this is stirring Tim up. v8 ‘Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… suffer for the gospel’ - Inspiring people should never leave you feeling useless/worthless. They stir. Paul writes to us today to stir up the gift within you. Inspiring People pass the baton on, over to you now, says Paul to Tim.
If you are older, at the Paul stage of life rather than the Timothy stage, as it were, - pray for and encourage and mentor young people (maybe your grandchild or a relative, a younger Christian). Will you be named by some young person as a person who inspired or mentored them?
‘fan into flame the gift which is in you….
for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love & self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6,7
What is handed over
The Gospel. In his epistles, Paul writes that the gospel was revealed to him, not taught by apostles after his conversion. Gal 1:9 ‘I want you to know that the gospel I preached is not of human origin – I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ’. Gospel - ‘Good News’ think ‘news’ something that has happened – Testimony.
2 Timothy 1:8 ‘So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
Paul then delivers a concise synopsis of the Gospel,
2 Timothy 1:9-10 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Saved us. Called us to a Holy life. Grace, undeserved, our Saviour (v10) Christ Jesus who destroyed death giving life and immortality through the Gospel. There is a tendency in evangelical circles to only see the gospel as the way of salvation (to enter the kingdom of God). It is also the way to address every challenge and to grow in faith ‘a holy life’ v9 – That is the what of the handover….
Why
2 Timothy 1v11 “And of this gospel, I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”
The Gospel is under attack
I sat up in bed early morn of 12/8/22 and wrote this: “The Bible - the word of God, reveals who he is, his character. It reveals the gospel message, the good news of Jesus Christ. It reveals that his wonderful creation point to a living active creator God. The gospel is under attack like never before in 1700 years since this canon of scripture was put together some of it 4000 years old. It has been handed down and each generation has a responsibility to say to the next that we must not add to or diminish it in any way (Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18). There will be new translations but this Word is not to be progressively re-interpreted and re-written for the culture of the day or the spirit of the age that we are in.”
This is the word of God and it is under attack.
At the Lambeth Conference 2022, the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans communiqué repled to some of the Church of England Bishops who are changing scriptures to please the Western Society: "‘Herein lies the difference with the revisionist Provinces. “They adapt the Word of God to the prevailing culture, bring in unorthodox interpretations of God’s word and end up condoning what is morally wrong in God’s eyes.” ’
Friends this is spiritual warfare and we cannot just ignore it.
There is right Christian belief (Salvation) and a right Christian living (holy life).
The Gospel is about being found by Christ and then living in him 2 Timothy 1:9-10. These letters are to Christians not simply to share the good news but to ‘live the holy life according to God’s purpose and grace.’
The gospel is the A-Z of Christian life, not just ABC of coming to faith
Astonishingly, Christians in the early church were coming under similar pressures that Chjurch leaders are experiencing today. Galatians 1:6 “I am astonished that you are deserting the call to live in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all.” Alistair Begg Church once so strong and forceful is now weak and vague, ashamed of the gospel
J I Packer’s ‘A Quest for Godliness’ (Crossway, p1251990) said over the last century we have allowed a new gospel to be told. It is not the true Gospel but it sounds similar and is easier to speak about. Its centre of reference is us, a gospel that is “helpful” to us, to bring peace, comfort, happiness, satisfaction and too little concerned about glorifying God.
Westminster Confession ‘Glorify God and enjoy him forever.’
Thus, Paul is writing to Tim, 2 Timothy 1:8 ‘Don’t be ashamed… join me in suffering for the gospel’
The true Gospel has Jesus at the centre. Sounds obvious but we waver. JI Packer wrote 22 yrs ago that the Gospel had changed its emphasis. How much more has it changed in the last 22 years?
Wm Booth who died in 1912 said, “The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.” That was a warning for the 20th Century. How much more do we need it for the 21st Century?
In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul said ‘the Gospel is this Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners’ (Paul is worst). God has provided a saviour and friend. We often sing a chorus ‘It’s all about you Jesus’ - The Gospel is all about glorifying God and our saviour Lord Jesus Christ – of course, you will be transformed, you will know peace, freedom, forgiveness, have eternal life because of him.
Friends: Thank God for people who have inspired you, pray for people you can mentor - don’t be ashamed of the gospel live it and tell it to your friends, relatives and neighbours.
Priscilla Owens, born in 1829 was a Sunday School teacher who wrote children’s hymns that influenced hundreds of young people. She was an unsung hero. Most of her songs are not sung today but a hymn she wrote based on Hebrews 6:19 is still widely used in Christian worship.
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain
Will your anchor drift or firm remain
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the bellows roll
Fastened to the Rock that cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviours love
Let us thank God for the people who have inspired you, pray for the people you mentor and could mentor. Read the inspired word of God, don’t be ashamed of the gospel live it and tell it.
