WEBVTT 00:00:10.170 --> 00:00:15.016 So we didn't get a chance to test this before, so it sounds good to me. 00:00:15.016 --> 00:00:17.248 I hope it's good to you. 00:00:17.248 --> 00:00:19.422 Well, good evening. 00:00:19.422 --> 00:00:22.751 My brothers and sisters in Christ, my eternal family. 00:00:22.751 --> 00:00:23.391 This is great. 00:00:23.391 --> 00:00:29.992 What a privilege this is to be called on to give an overview of 2 Timothy. 00:00:29.992 --> 00:00:40.155 We're making our way through the 66 books of the Bible during the Sunday night services called Route 66 through the Bible. 00:00:42.402 --> 00:00:45.289 2 Timothy is the 55th book in the Bible. 00:00:45.289 --> 00:00:46.432 2 Timothy is the 55th book in the Bible. 00:00:46.432 --> 00:00:54.972 It's called 2 Timothy because it's the second letter to Timothy, and I bet you thought you weren't going to learn anything new tonight. 00:00:54.972 --> 00:00:56.280 How about that? 00:00:56.280 --> 00:01:11.804 This letter written by Paul to Timothy is not for Timothy's sake, only to Timothy, is not for Timothy's sake only, it's for our sake as well, and it's also for the glory of God. 00:01:11.804 --> 00:01:13.667 So before I begin, let's pray once again, please. 00:01:13.667 --> 00:01:34.748 Oh Father, how wonderful are your ways that you would preserve these words down through the ages to write here tonight to us for our edification, for our comfort, for our sanctification. 00:01:34.748 --> 00:01:40.500 Oh God, these are your holy words that we examine tonight. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:43.831 Let us not consider this study lightly or casually. 00:01:43.831 --> 00:01:52.852 Let us not take for granted this special privilege, this desire that you planted in our hearts to study the Word. 00:01:52.852 --> 00:01:55.182 What a great gift that is, father. 00:01:55.182 --> 00:02:04.430 Thank you so, father, open our ears and our hearts that your word would fall afresh upon us. 00:02:04.430 --> 00:02:10.802 May we have a high and exalted view of your Son and our Savior, jesus Christ. 00:02:10.802 --> 00:02:12.507 Thank you, father. 00:02:12.507 --> 00:02:13.188 We love you. 00:02:13.188 --> 00:02:15.193 We worship you, amen. 00:02:17.502 --> 00:02:32.302 So to forward us a little deeper understanding of this wonderful letter, this heartfelt letter by Paul, I thought it might help if we dig in a little bit into the circumstances and the context in which this letter was actually written. 00:02:32.302 --> 00:02:42.171 So if you would afford me just a little extra time to build the front porch, the introduction to this overview, I think I hope you'll find it helpful. 00:02:42.171 --> 00:02:46.544 So I want to look at just three things tonight before we get into the text. 00:02:46.544 --> 00:02:48.850 Three things to kind of set the stage. 00:02:48.850 --> 00:02:53.564 Number one what was the relationship like between Paul and Timothy? 00:02:53.564 --> 00:03:00.782 Number two, what was Timothy encountering and where was he located when he received this letter? 00:03:00.782 --> 00:03:08.562 And number three, what was Paul encountering and what was his location when he wrote the letter? 00:03:08.562 --> 00:03:11.288 So first of all, the relationship. 00:03:11.288 --> 00:03:15.563 We all know about Timothy and Paul, but what a great relationship they had. 00:03:15.563 --> 00:03:18.991 You know Paul had other ministry relationships. 00:03:18.991 --> 00:03:26.972 He had Barnabas, he had Silas, he had Aquila and Priscilla, he had Titus, luke, many others. 00:03:27.832 --> 00:03:30.586 But I believe this relationship with Timothy was different. 00:03:30.586 --> 00:03:37.645 It was stronger and for several reasons it was not just a ministry co-worker association. 00:03:37.645 --> 00:03:41.431 It was a mentor-protege type of relationship. 00:03:41.431 --> 00:03:43.924 It was paternal relationship. 00:03:43.924 --> 00:03:45.647 It was like father and son. 00:03:45.647 --> 00:03:49.764 Timothy was like the son that Paul never had. 00:03:49.764 --> 00:03:53.229 When they met, timothy was just a young man. 00:03:53.229 --> 00:04:07.215 They estimate that he was probably between the ages of 16 to 20 years old and Paul was probably in his early to maybe mid-40s and they had known each other by the time. 00:04:07.294 --> 00:04:17.964 2 Timothy is written for over 15 years and Timothy had traveled over 7,000 miles with Paul as he established new churches throughout Asia and Europe. 00:04:17.964 --> 00:04:20.372 So a lot of time spent together. 00:04:20.372 --> 00:04:29.093 And if you spend that amount of time with someone, I mean, have you ever gone on a long journey with anybody Like you know somebody new that you didn't know? 00:04:29.093 --> 00:04:35.668 And about the 250th mile in, I'm sure you said, well, I kind of know that guy now or that person. 00:04:35.668 --> 00:04:41.887 Well, timothy, you got to remember he traveled 7,000 miles with Paul, night and day. 00:04:41.887 --> 00:04:50.629 What a wonderful experience this must have been and what a shared experience to really bond this relationship, which it did. 00:04:51.750 --> 00:04:56.067 So I want you to just turn, if you have your Bibles there's a pew Bible there if you'd like to look at it. 00:04:56.067 --> 00:05:03.992 To follow along, if you could just turn to the first letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians, first Corinthians. 00:05:03.992 --> 00:05:11.312 I want to show you just a couple of places where Paul writes to other churches and where he mentions Timothy and the regard he has for Timothy. 00:05:11.312 --> 00:05:20.312 So turn to 1 Corinthians, chapter 4, excuse me, chapter 4 and verse 15. 00:05:20.312 --> 00:05:21.334 I'm going to read for us. 00:05:21.334 --> 00:05:31.850 This is what it says, for you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don't have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:05:31.850 --> 00:05:35.689 Therefore, I urge you to imitate me. 00:05:35.689 --> 00:05:38.689 This is why I have sent Timothy to you. 00:05:38.689 --> 00:05:42.771 He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. 00:05:42.771 --> 00:05:46.810 He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus. 00:05:46.810 --> 00:05:56.387 And just as I teach everywhere, in every church, so Paul says to the Corinthians I'm sending Timothy first of all because Timothy imitates me. 00:05:56.387 --> 00:05:59.492 Timothy is like a carbon copy of me. 00:05:59.492 --> 00:06:04.855 Secondly, he's going to remind you about my ways in Christ. 00:06:04.855 --> 00:06:06.139 And thirdly, he's going to remind you about my ways in Christ. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:12.213 And thirdly, he's going to teach it just as I teach it everywhere, in every church. 00:06:12.213 --> 00:06:16.290 Timothy knew all that Paul taught and he believed it. 00:06:16.290 --> 00:06:21.752 And Paul knew that Timothy was grounded in Christ and trusted him unconditionally. 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:31.353 Let's look at one other place where Paul writes in another letter and references Timothy Turn over to Philippians, philippians, chapter 2. 00:06:31.353 --> 00:06:48.293 In Philippians, chapter 2, and I hear those Bible fans going with those, those the Baptist fans right Turn over to Philippians, chapter 2 and verse 19. 00:06:48.293 --> 00:07:03.223 Now it says I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by news about you, for I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interest. 00:07:03.223 --> 00:07:06.721 All seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 00:07:06.721 --> 00:07:13.845 But you know his proven character because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 00:07:13.845 --> 00:07:17.833 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 00:07:17.833 --> 00:07:23.372 So Paul says I don't have anyone else to send who thinks like I do but Timothy. 00:07:23.372 --> 00:07:25.038 That's a huge compliment. 00:07:25.038 --> 00:07:26.235 But more than that, I don't have anyone else to send who thinks like I do but Timothy. 00:07:26.235 --> 00:07:26.697 That's a huge compliment. 00:07:26.697 --> 00:07:33.218 But more than that, I don't have anyone else to send who's as genuine in his caring for the saints of God. 00:07:33.218 --> 00:07:37.906 If I send Timothy, you're getting the best I have. 00:07:37.906 --> 00:07:50.630 So this relationship of Timothy and Paul, such a special relationship, so close father and son, they were on the same page, bonded through these shared experiences, special, special relationship. 00:07:51.331 --> 00:07:54.446 Let's look at the second thing we want to get in setting the context. 00:07:54.446 --> 00:07:56.149 Where was Paul? 00:07:56.149 --> 00:08:02.127 I mean, I'm sorry, where was Timothy and what was he contending with when he received the letter? 00:08:02.127 --> 00:08:10.367 Well, a few years before 2 Timothy is written, paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to pastor the church there. 00:08:10.367 --> 00:08:17.166 The church in Ephesus, asia Minor, was in a battle when this letter arrived for Timothy. 00:08:17.166 --> 00:08:27.834 Heresy had been taught by some of its leaders, moral compromise had seeped in among some of the congregants and there was disloyalty towards Timothy's authority. 00:08:27.834 --> 00:08:30.540 Let me show you how we know this real quickly. 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:36.894 We actually see it indicated to us in 2 Timothy, the study that we're going to do tonight. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:39.123 So turn to 2 Timothy. 00:08:39.123 --> 00:08:56.815 And in chapter 1 and verse 15 of 2 Timothy, paul writes this you know that all those in the province of Asia have deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 00:08:56.815 --> 00:09:02.885 Paul's writing to Timothy and says Timothy, you know this, did you see that at the beginning? 00:09:02.885 --> 00:09:12.760 You know that all those in the province of Asia have deserted me Timothy's aware of this and they're all deserting Paul in Asia. 00:09:12.760 --> 00:09:16.495 Maybe a little overstated, but they're deserting Paul in Asia. 00:09:16.495 --> 00:09:27.409 And if they're deserting Paul and his teaching in Asia, which is where the church is, that Timothy's pastoring and Timothy's basically a carbon copy of Paul and he's teaching the same thing, we've got to surmise that Timothy's pastoring and Timothy's basically a carbon copy of Paul and he's teaching the same thing. 00:09:27.409 --> 00:09:35.791 We've got to surmise that there's got to be some pushing back and some deserting of Timothy as well, because he's so closely associated with the Apostle Paul. 00:09:35.791 --> 00:09:40.606 And then we get a little bit more insight into what Timothy is contending with. 00:09:40.606 --> 00:09:51.389 Turn to chapter 2, now of 2 Timothy contending with Turn to chapter 2, now of 2 Timothy, chapter 2 and verse 16. 00:09:51.408 --> 00:09:54.015 It says Remind them of these things and the them there. 00:09:54.015 --> 00:09:54.336 Remind them. 00:09:54.336 --> 00:09:57.303 The them are the congregants in Ephesus that Timothy's pastoring. 00:09:57.303 --> 00:10:04.442 Remind them of these things and charge them before God not to fight about words. 00:10:04.442 --> 00:10:08.072 This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:17.428 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more ungodliness and their teaching will spread like gangrene. 00:10:17.428 --> 00:10:20.389 Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. 00:10:20.389 --> 00:10:28.173 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place and are ruining the faith of some. 00:10:28.173 --> 00:10:36.864 People were fighting about words, probably doctrine and teaching the phrase empty speech. 00:10:36.864 --> 00:10:50.004 This refers to arguments, bickering that doesn't lead to any good, and there were some congregants spreading heresy that was ruining the faith of some Hymenaeus and Philetus. 00:10:50.966 --> 00:10:51.707 So what's Timothy? 00:10:51.707 --> 00:11:02.443 Contending with Widespread desertion, active false teachers twisting doctrine, rising hypocrisy, arguing causing dissension and division. 00:11:02.443 --> 00:11:11.631 This is tough for the young pastor trying to make his way, you know, but it's not nearly as difficult as where we find his mentor, paul. 00:11:11.631 --> 00:11:17.947 So that brings us to the third thing when was Paul and what was Paul contending with when he wrote this letter? 00:11:17.947 --> 00:11:33.614 Well, paul was in Rome when he wrote 2 Timothy and we've already learned that Paul says to Timothy while he's in Rome when he wrote 2 Timothy, and we've already learned that Paul says to Timothy while he's in Rome that everybody in Asia has deserted him, but that's not everyone who's deserted him. 00:11:33.614 --> 00:11:38.884 Stay in 2 Timothy and go to chapter 4 of 2 Timothy. 00:11:38.884 --> 00:11:42.066 Look at verse 16. 00:11:42.066 --> 00:11:42.547 Look at verse 16. 00:11:42.547 --> 00:11:46.850 Paul writes At my first defense. 00:11:46.850 --> 00:11:52.914 No one supported me, but all deserted me. 00:11:52.914 --> 00:11:55.317 May it not be counted against them. 00:11:55.317 --> 00:12:00.042 That had to be tough and painful. 00:12:00.101 --> 00:12:04.908 But there was more significant crisis in Rome which was greatly impacting Paul at this time. 00:12:04.908 --> 00:12:19.063 When Paul returned to Rome in 66 AD, the persecution of Christians had broken out and it was rampant under Emperor Nero at this time. 00:12:19.063 --> 00:12:20.168 There's a historian, his name is Tacitus. 00:12:20.168 --> 00:12:28.309 He lived at this time, so this is ex-biblical, but this is somebody who was there and he wrote about the persecutions that were happening to the Christians, so I thought it would be helpful for us to hear this. 00:12:28.309 --> 00:12:42.029 This is what he writes, and I quote Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite torture on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. 00:12:42.029 --> 00:12:45.875 Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. 00:12:45.875 --> 00:12:57.485 Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs, others were burned to serve as a nightly illumination when the daylight had expired. 00:12:57.485 --> 00:13:05.230 End quote Christians, among other tortures, were used as human tortures at Nero's garden parties. 00:13:05.230 --> 00:13:11.032 This was the atmosphere in Rome towards Christians when Paul returned. 00:13:11.032 --> 00:13:15.370 And when Paul returned, he was quickly arrested. 00:13:15.370 --> 00:13:24.450 He was thrown into the most horrific and terrible prison in antiquity, the Mamertine prison, also referred to as a Tullianum. 00:13:25.363 --> 00:13:29.524 In the first century in Rome, prisons were not correctional facilities. 00:13:29.524 --> 00:13:32.431 You didn't go to prison for punishment. 00:13:32.431 --> 00:13:43.888 You were incarcerated for one of two reasons Either you were awaiting trial or you were awaiting execution, and the worst place to be held for this was the Tullianum. 00:13:43.888 --> 00:13:48.370 And the worst place to be held for this was the Telanium. 00:13:48.370 --> 00:13:52.511 It was an underground cistern water cistern and now it was a dungeon. 00:13:52.511 --> 00:13:59.635 It was a round room made out of stone with a hole in the top In the ceiling where they used to lower the bucket to get the water. 00:13:59.635 --> 00:14:05.880 Now they would lower down the prisoner into this stoned, walled cistern no windows. 00:14:05.880 --> 00:14:12.750 We have another Roman historian who lived in the first century BC, called Solus, who saw this prison. 00:14:12.750 --> 00:14:15.674 In fact, you can see this prison too If you ever go to Rome. 00:14:15.674 --> 00:14:30.532 It's still there, the Mamertine prison but Solus wrote about it in the first century BC when he saw it, and I quote there is a part of the prison which is called the Tullianum, where you ascend a short way on the left. 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:36.013 The Tullianum is sunk into the earth about twelve feet and is constructed of stone walls on all sides. 00:14:36.013 --> 00:14:43.833 Above this is a room with a ceiling of vaulted stone, foul from neglect, darkness and stench. 00:14:43.833 --> 00:14:48.691 It is an altogether terrifying sight, end quote. 00:14:48.691 --> 00:14:51.849 And this is where our Apostle Paul is. 00:14:51.849 --> 00:14:55.990 Why is this happening to the Apostle Paul? 00:14:55.990 --> 00:15:05.453 Well, that's the backdrop for this second Timothy letter. 00:15:05.453 --> 00:15:10.870 There's a great bond between Paul and Timothy, great relationship. 00:15:10.870 --> 00:15:17.032 Timothy's battling in Ephesus and Paul's thrown into a dungeon. 00:15:19.280 --> 00:15:26.342 Listen, we've all kind of been there at some time in our life where we cry out to God and say why you know why is this happening? 00:15:26.342 --> 00:15:30.315 And Paul's got to write a letter. 00:15:30.315 --> 00:15:34.546 He's got to write to Timothy because Timothy's supposed to carry on the torch for Christ. 00:15:34.546 --> 00:15:38.921 He's got to pass the baton, if you will, to Timothy. 00:15:38.921 --> 00:15:42.447 So what do you say in a time like this? 00:15:42.447 --> 00:15:46.433 I mean, what would you write to your daughter or your son? 00:15:46.433 --> 00:15:48.205 How would you encourage them? 00:15:48.205 --> 00:15:53.009 Well, he's not going to be able to say well, this is some sweet life. 00:15:53.009 --> 00:15:58.462 We signed up for Great traveling perks, stellar accommodation, everybody loves us and supports us. 00:15:58.462 --> 00:16:00.085 Certainly can't write that. 00:16:00.085 --> 00:16:03.274 Let's find out how. 00:16:03.274 --> 00:16:06.279 How is he able to write what he writes? 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:10.711 That's what we want to focus on Now. 00:16:10.770 --> 00:16:13.659 Remember, second, timothy is a little different from the other letters. 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:14.250 That he's right. 00:16:14.250 --> 00:16:16.977 It can feel a little disjointed, it jumps around a bit. 00:16:16.977 --> 00:16:19.432 It's a bumpy ride, understandably. 00:16:19.432 --> 00:16:24.950 Yet between all of that there's a reflective, heartfelt, beautiful, emotional letter. 00:16:24.950 --> 00:16:26.773 That there's a reflective, heartfelt, beautiful, emotional letter. 00:16:26.773 --> 00:16:29.118 And, by the way, don't forget this, this letter is for us too. 00:16:29.118 --> 00:16:31.302 This letter is for us too. 00:16:31.302 --> 00:16:36.484 So enough of the front porch, let's get into the house already. 00:16:36.950 --> 00:16:37.552 So you look at 2 Timothy. 00:16:37.552 --> 00:16:46.999 There's a lot of points and a lot of thoughts you can extract from 2 Timothy, but I settled in on three that kept jumping out at me, so I'd like to zero in on just these three points. 00:16:46.999 --> 00:16:53.844 The first point is you'll see that Paul reminds Timothy repeatedly about his faith. 00:16:53.844 --> 00:17:08.873 He keeps reminding Timothy of this faith that is in him, I think, because that's what's going to get Timothy through all the trials, timothy through all the trials. 00:17:08.873 --> 00:17:12.506 And I also think that Paul is maybe steadying himself when he's reminding Timothy of his faith and what it is for himself to get through everything. 00:17:12.506 --> 00:17:19.923 So that's the first point Timothy's faith and our faith reminding us about that. 00:17:19.923 --> 00:17:28.821 The second point I want to make is Paul keeps telling and keeps letting Timothy know that troubles are ahead in the Christian life. 00:17:28.821 --> 00:17:32.936 It's inevitable there are going to be troubles. 00:17:32.936 --> 00:17:37.496 Things are not going to be smooth and he lets Timothy know this. 00:17:37.496 --> 00:17:39.470 That's the second point. 00:17:39.470 --> 00:17:43.902 The third point is how do we shore up one's faith? 00:17:43.902 --> 00:17:48.059 Yeah, there's faith in Timothy, but how do we stir it up? 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.876 How do we fan it into flame? 00:17:49.876 --> 00:17:56.896 What is the means for us that we can do that, that we can shore up our faith, that can get us through these trials in life? 00:17:56.896 --> 00:18:02.801 So Paul tells us the means or the source to keep those flames of faith burning. 00:18:02.801 --> 00:18:04.076 So those are the three points. 00:18:06.555 --> 00:18:07.638 So 2 Timothy, chapter 1. 00:18:07.638 --> 00:18:12.741 So almost immediately in 2 Timothy, he reminds Timothy of his faith. 00:18:12.741 --> 00:18:16.577 That's our point number one and he does it in such a heartfelt way. 00:18:16.577 --> 00:18:20.240 Look at chapter 1, and we're going to look at verses 5 and 6. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:24.192 Timothy says I mean, paul says this. 00:18:24.192 --> 00:18:34.346 Timothy says I mean Paul says this I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother, lois, and in your mother, eunice, and now, I'm convinced, is in you also. 00:18:34.346 --> 00:18:44.532 Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 00:18:44.532 --> 00:18:50.421 I, like the NIV translation says fan into flame the gift of God, or the King James version stir up that gift of God. 00:18:51.962 --> 00:18:55.046 So the first thing Paul wants Timothy to do is to think about his faith. 00:18:55.046 --> 00:19:00.652 He doesn't want Timothy to get discouraged. 00:19:00.652 --> 00:19:03.175 He doesn't want the difficulties that Timmy's facing in Ephesus to extinguish his faith. 00:19:03.175 --> 00:19:10.858 Paul wants him to remember his faith and fan it into a flame again, and also make note of this. 00:19:10.858 --> 00:19:12.779 This is a great place for us to start. 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:18.538 If we're ministering to somebody that's going through a difficult time, remind them of that strong faith that's in them. 00:19:18.538 --> 00:19:21.434 Fan it into flame for them. 00:19:21.434 --> 00:19:27.798 So Paul says I recall your sincere faith, timothy, and the gift that you received from God. 00:19:27.798 --> 00:19:31.738 I was there, timothy, I laid my hands on you when you received the gift. 00:19:31.738 --> 00:19:34.123 I'm convinced it's in you. 00:19:36.030 --> 00:19:41.363 So how is Timothy to kindle a fresh fan into flame, this faith that Paul is talking about? 00:19:41.363 --> 00:19:43.775 I mean, things are difficult in Ephesus. 00:19:43.775 --> 00:19:46.161 It's become hard to hold the line for Christ. 00:19:46.161 --> 00:19:54.395 People are pushing back, deserting his teaching, quarrels bickering, causing dissension in the church. 00:19:54.395 --> 00:19:56.401 Paul says, timothy, don't focus on that right now. 00:19:56.401 --> 00:20:01.452 Paul says focus on whom you believe in and what he has done. 00:20:01.452 --> 00:20:04.417 Focus on the power that's in you. 00:20:04.877 --> 00:20:06.780 Look at verse 7 of chapter 1. 00:20:06.780 --> 00:20:17.971 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and sound judgment, for God has not given us a spirit of timidity. 00:20:17.971 --> 00:20:28.065 Another translation says Timothy, did you forget that when you first believed in Christ, the Spirit of God took up residence in you? 00:20:28.065 --> 00:20:31.439 And what kind of spirit did God send to you? 00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:39.019 He didn't send a spirit of timidity to make you feel frightened or to take away your courage or your confidence. 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:48.762 No, no, timothy, god's given us a spirit of power, a spirit of love, a spirit of sound judgment. 00:20:48.762 --> 00:20:57.921 This sounds very much like Romans 8.15, which says For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. 00:20:57.921 --> 00:21:04.903 So the negative of what the Holy Spirit is not is it's not a spirit that causes you to be fearful. 00:21:04.903 --> 00:21:08.750 Okay, so what kind of spirit is given us by Christ? 00:21:08.750 --> 00:21:11.035 Well, we'll stay in Romans. 00:21:11.035 --> 00:21:13.980 For that, we'll go to Romans 15. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:16.744 Romans, chapter 15 and 13. 00:21:17.630 --> 00:21:21.334 This is what Paul writes Now in 2 Timothy 1.7. 00:21:21.334 --> 00:21:42.321 The Spirit God gave you is not a timid spirit, but a spirit that gives you hope and overflows. 00:21:42.321 --> 00:21:48.020 Even in tough times you have so much hope that it just overflows out of you. 00:21:48.020 --> 00:21:49.873 Think about that, timothy. 00:21:49.873 --> 00:21:55.211 And to drive that point home, paul reiterates it again in the next verse, verse 8. 00:21:55.211 --> 00:22:00.863 So don't be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me as prisoner. 00:22:00.863 --> 00:22:05.278 Instead, share in the suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. 00:22:05.278 --> 00:22:07.442 Paul says come on, timothy, don't be afraid. 00:22:07.442 --> 00:22:08.936 You don't have a spirit of timidity. 00:22:08.936 --> 00:22:12.460 Don't be ashamed of my circumstances, but lean in here with me. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:17.031 Share in my suffering, paul. 00:22:17.031 --> 00:22:18.557 How am I supposed to do that? 00:22:18.557 --> 00:22:20.935 Well, keep reading in verse 8. 00:22:20.935 --> 00:22:25.358 It's at the end Relying on the power of God. 00:22:25.358 --> 00:22:28.898 Don't rely on your power, timothy, but God's. 00:22:28.898 --> 00:22:37.511 And then this little section here is wrapped up by Paul in this glorious confession of faith we just sang about it. 00:22:39.816 --> 00:22:55.443 Paul says in verse 12, and that's why I suffer these things of, and that's why I suffer these things, but I'm not ashamed because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he's able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 00:22:55.443 --> 00:22:58.652 Why, paul? 00:22:58.652 --> 00:22:59.974 Why do you suffer these things? 00:22:59.974 --> 00:23:06.116 Everyone in Asia is deserted, yet People's deserted you that you depended on here in Rome. 00:23:06.116 --> 00:23:10.152 Paul, how do you do it? 00:23:10.152 --> 00:23:12.075 How do I maintain my faith and hope? 00:23:12.075 --> 00:23:24.465 Well, it's because I know who I believe in and I am persuaded Some translations say I am convinced. 00:23:27.369 --> 00:23:29.436 Another way to say it is I'm completely certain that he is able to guard what I've entrusted to him. 00:23:29.436 --> 00:23:35.921 I think paul is saying I know who I believe in and I'm certain he's able to guard, to protect, to defend, to take care of what I've entrusted to him. 00:23:35.921 --> 00:23:42.781 I don't have to worry about my outcome because I'm certain, without a doubt, that he'll guard my life, my faith, until that day. 00:23:42.781 --> 00:23:46.343 I don't have to make sure of it, I don't have to guard it because I've entrusted my faith. 00:23:46.343 --> 00:23:47.467 Until that day, I don't have to make sure of it. 00:23:47.467 --> 00:23:55.051 I don't have to guard it because I've entrusted my faith and my life to him and I'm convinced that he's more than capable of guarding it until that day. 00:23:56.472 --> 00:23:58.655 That day refers to the returning of Christ. 00:23:58.655 --> 00:24:04.663 That day, isn't this really Philippians 1.6? 00:24:04.663 --> 00:24:06.705 Look at Philippians 1.6. 00:24:06.705 --> 00:24:10.459 He says I am sure of there it is again. 00:24:10.459 --> 00:24:21.842 I'm persuaded, I'm convinced right, I am sure of this that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 00:24:21.842 --> 00:24:29.842 Also, look at 1 Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 5, verses 23 and 24. 00:24:31.630 --> 00:24:45.000 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:48.634 He who calls you is faithful, he will do it. 00:24:48.634 --> 00:24:55.339 Wow, now those are words to hold to when you're going through trials. 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:59.714 Look at that, he himself. 00:24:59.714 --> 00:25:11.759 I love that, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept sound and blameless when Now Not necessarily at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ who calls you, he is faithful, he will do it. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:14.913 He who calls you will not abandon you. 00:25:14.913 --> 00:25:21.092 Why would he call you to believe, call you out of darkness and then abandon you? 00:25:21.092 --> 00:25:24.843 I don't think he will do do it. 00:25:24.843 --> 00:25:28.916 I will be presented blameless in the day of Christ. 00:25:28.916 --> 00:25:33.076 I was dead, but he called me to life. 00:25:33.076 --> 00:25:35.919 He called me like he called Lazarus. 00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:37.777 He will do it. 00:25:38.633 --> 00:25:43.130 That's what Paul is convinced of and that is why he maintains through suffering. 00:25:43.130 --> 00:25:47.420 Look at, you don't have to turn there, but if, if, you want to, it's Jude 24. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:50.173 I'm going to read it Now to him. 00:25:50.173 --> 00:25:58.442 Who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory without blemish and with great joy. 00:25:58.442 --> 00:26:05.776 Wow, he's going to make a stand in the presence of God's glory and we won't have any blemish. 00:26:05.776 --> 00:26:08.213 We'll have his righteousness, and with great joy. 00:26:08.213 --> 00:26:14.236 I'm not sure if it's the great joy of his showing us or if he's joy to present us to God. 00:26:14.236 --> 00:26:18.365 So, paul, how do I do that? 00:26:18.365 --> 00:26:20.770 How do I become convinced that he's going to guard me? 00:26:20.770 --> 00:26:23.537 How do I become, you know, persuaded? 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:28.452 Keep reading Timothy, verse 13 and 14. 00:26:28.452 --> 00:26:35.162 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me. 00:26:35.162 --> 00:26:39.680 In the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus, guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:45.682 Timothy, retain, hold on to recollect what I've been teaching you. 00:26:45.682 --> 00:26:47.997 That's how you shore up the faith. 00:26:47.997 --> 00:26:49.877 You've got to keep your head in the Word. 00:26:49.877 --> 00:26:51.615 That's our point number three. 00:26:51.615 --> 00:26:56.821 When things are going difficult, go to the Word. 00:26:56.821 --> 00:26:59.397 Hold fast to true Christian teaching. 00:26:59.397 --> 00:27:03.250 Guard that good deposit in you, but not in your own strength. 00:27:03.250 --> 00:27:05.037 Look what it says at the end of that verse. 00:27:05.037 --> 00:27:08.519 Guard it through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 00:27:12.471 --> 00:27:16.781 Now, most of chapter two is a litany of instructions for Timothy. 00:27:16.781 --> 00:27:21.997 So, verse 14, remind them of these things. 00:27:21.997 --> 00:27:23.921 Verse 15, be diligent. 00:27:23.921 --> 00:27:25.954 Verse 16, avoid worldly and empty chatter. 00:27:25.954 --> 00:27:26.448 Verse 22, refuse foolish and ignorant speculations. 00:27:26.448 --> 00:27:26.584 Verse 15, be diligent. 00:27:26.584 --> 00:27:26.833 Verse 16, avoid worldly and empty chatter. 00:27:26.833 --> 00:27:28.875 Verse 22, refuse foolish and ignorant speculations. 00:27:28.875 --> 00:27:31.628 Verse 24, do not be quarrelsome, be kind to all. 00:27:31.628 --> 00:27:34.776 Verse 25, with gentleness, correct those who are in opposition. 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:38.163 Then, starting in chapter 3. 00:27:38.163 --> 00:27:42.557 And then for nine straight verses, paul gives it to Timothy straight. 00:27:42.557 --> 00:27:44.782 He doesn't sugarcoat it. 00:27:44.782 --> 00:27:46.296 He lets him know that hard times are coming. 00:27:46.296 --> 00:27:47.394 That's our point number two. 00:27:47.394 --> 00:27:49.714 Tough times are inevitable. 00:27:49.714 --> 00:27:57.039 So look at verse one, but know this hard times will come in the last days. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:59.124 Oh, great Hard times are coming. 00:27:59.124 --> 00:28:01.636 I feel like I'm in hard times. 00:28:03.851 --> 00:28:12.515 So then there's a list, a long list, starting in verse 2, a list of vices, 19 negative character traits and behavior in four verses. 00:28:12.515 --> 00:28:18.892 The list ends in verse 5 with this three-word sentence avoid these people. 00:28:18.892 --> 00:28:26.242 And then verse 8 says they are men who are corrupt in mind and worthless in regard to the faith. 00:28:26.242 --> 00:28:28.611 Drop down to verse 10. 00:28:28.611 --> 00:28:34.090 Paul makes a contrast between those degenerate men in those verses, one to nine, and Timothy. 00:28:34.090 --> 00:28:36.857 He turns to Timothy and says you're not like those men. 00:28:36.857 --> 00:28:39.531 You are not worthless in regard to the faith like them. 00:28:40.153 --> 00:28:43.260 In verse 11, he comes back to the point number two about suffering. 00:28:43.260 --> 00:28:44.351 He reminds Timothy. 00:28:44.351 --> 00:28:47.881 He says, timothy, you were with me through all those trials. 00:28:47.881 --> 00:28:54.996 He reminds Timothy, at the end of verse 11, what persecutions I endured and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 00:28:54.996 --> 00:28:59.935 Okay, a little encouragement, but then right back to the persecution. 00:28:59.935 --> 00:29:01.200 Paul keeps the pedal to the metal. 00:29:02.210 --> 00:29:06.602 Verse 12, a very famous verse about what to expect in the Christian life. 00:29:06.602 --> 00:29:13.042 It says, in fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 00:29:13.042 --> 00:29:15.016 Again, that's our point number two. 00:29:15.016 --> 00:29:18.259 This goes hand in hand with the Christian life persecution. 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:21.138 He doesn't say some of the Christians may be persecuted. 00:29:21.138 --> 00:29:22.976 Paul says all and will be. 00:29:22.976 --> 00:29:41.757 And just in case, timothy, you thought that maybe down the road things will turn around and get a little better, paul says in verse 13, evil people and imposters will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 00:29:41.757 --> 00:29:47.582 The NASB says but evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse. 00:29:47.582 --> 00:29:51.016 Timothy, don't expect things to get better. 00:29:51.016 --> 00:29:55.275 They're going to get worse, paul, what's Timothy to do? 00:29:55.275 --> 00:29:56.500 Just grit his teeth and bear it. 00:29:56.641 --> 00:30:03.038 No, come back to point number three again how to shore up that faith, how to fan it into a flame. 00:30:03.038 --> 00:30:05.002 Stay in the word, timothy, verse 14. 00:30:05.002 --> 00:30:09.713 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. 00:30:09.713 --> 00:30:21.374 You know those who taught you and verse 15, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 00:30:21.374 --> 00:30:23.916 How great is that? 00:30:23.916 --> 00:30:34.061 That's the ballast in our ship that holds us through the storms of life, to give you stability so you don't get tossed here and there. 00:30:34.061 --> 00:30:43.568 Continue in what you've learned, keep reminding yourself of what you have learned and whom you have learned from beloved. 00:30:43.568 --> 00:30:49.386 This is why it is so important to stay under sound preaching that holds a high regard for Bible teaching. 00:30:49.386 --> 00:30:56.009 Do you know how blessed we are to be able to come to this church where they have a high regard for biblical teaching? 00:30:56.009 --> 00:30:59.915 That's not common, that's rare. 00:30:59.915 --> 00:31:02.420 We are truly blessed. 00:31:04.026 --> 00:31:05.929 And our worship we referred to it before. 00:31:05.929 --> 00:31:06.890 They're hymns we sing. 00:31:06.890 --> 00:31:08.813 We're basically singing the Bible. 00:31:08.813 --> 00:31:11.857 Forgive me, I digress. 00:31:11.857 --> 00:31:13.941 Paul doesn't digress, though. 00:31:13.941 --> 00:31:14.726 He stays on point. 00:31:14.726 --> 00:31:16.811 He continues to drive the importance of the word. 00:31:16.811 --> 00:31:18.375 Our point number three. 00:31:18.375 --> 00:31:18.717 Look at it. 00:31:18.717 --> 00:31:21.150 Verses one and two of chapter four. 00:31:21.150 --> 00:31:24.395 Verses one and two of chapter four. 00:31:24.675 --> 00:31:38.626 I solemnly charge you before God in Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing in his kingdom, preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and teaching. 00:31:38.626 --> 00:31:42.634 I solemnly charge you Solemnly. 00:31:42.634 --> 00:31:44.459 We don't use that in our vernacular today. 00:31:44.459 --> 00:31:46.666 What's Paul saying? 00:31:46.666 --> 00:31:53.470 Timothy, I'm placing you under a serious obligation before God and Jesus, who ultimately judge everyone. 00:31:53.470 --> 00:31:54.615 Preach the word. 00:31:54.615 --> 00:31:58.453 I don't think you can get a stronger command from Paul than that. 00:31:59.546 --> 00:32:02.434 Timothy, your congregation's pushing back. 00:32:02.434 --> 00:32:04.432 They're questioning your authority. 00:32:04.432 --> 00:32:05.286 They're questioning your teaching. 00:32:05.286 --> 00:32:05.747 They're bickering. 00:32:05.747 --> 00:32:07.490 They're talking amongst themselves about this and questioning your teaching. 00:32:07.490 --> 00:32:11.576 They're bickering, they're talking amongst themselves about this and that, and some are teaching hypocrisy. 00:32:11.576 --> 00:32:14.321 But you, timothy, you preach the Word. 00:32:14.321 --> 00:32:16.486 I solemnly charge you. 00:32:16.486 --> 00:32:17.910 You preach it, whether the people like it or not. 00:32:17.910 --> 00:32:20.016 You correct them, you rebuke them. 00:32:20.016 --> 00:32:25.494 Also, encourage them with patience and not being just critical, but teach them. 00:32:25.494 --> 00:32:36.597 Verse 3 and 4, though, basically say they're not going to want to hear it, and verse 5 says it really doesn't matter what they want to do. 00:32:36.765 --> 00:32:38.890 Timothy, exercise self-control. 00:32:38.890 --> 00:32:40.132 Look at verse 5. 00:32:40.132 --> 00:32:43.465 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything. 00:32:43.465 --> 00:32:44.449 Endure hardship. 00:32:44.449 --> 00:32:47.936 Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 00:32:47.936 --> 00:32:51.348 Don't get crazy, timothy. 00:32:51.348 --> 00:32:52.652 Don't lose your temper. 00:32:52.652 --> 00:32:54.777 Don't get sideways, thrown off track. 00:32:54.777 --> 00:32:56.728 Exercise self-control. 00:32:56.728 --> 00:32:59.556 And then I love the last words from Paul. 00:32:59.556 --> 00:33:03.810 They're so direct Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 00:33:03.810 --> 00:33:04.451 That's it. 00:33:04.451 --> 00:33:05.954 Do the work, timothy. 00:33:05.954 --> 00:33:08.019 Do your job, finish the work. 00:33:09.786 --> 00:33:21.170 I think this subject maybe triggered something within Paul to think about his own ministry, as he's telling Timothy to do the work to fulfill his evangelistic obligations and to fulfill his ministry. 00:33:21.170 --> 00:33:34.978 I think it's tricked something in Paul, because the next 13 verses, from 6 to 8 to the end of the letter, except for a couple of greetings and closing, is filled with a lot of pathos, sadness. 00:33:34.978 --> 00:33:43.199 Listen to verses 6, 7, and 8, as he's just reminded Timothy about his ministry and fulfilling it. 00:33:43.199 --> 00:33:49.469 Paul says for I'm already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is close. 00:33:49.469 --> 00:33:53.967 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 00:33:53.967 --> 00:34:03.778 There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but to all those who have loved his appearing. 00:34:04.984 --> 00:34:07.308 Now, as I said in the beginning, this letter is a little disjointed. 00:34:07.308 --> 00:34:14.766 It jumps around a bit, understandably so, in verses 9, and then it skips to verse 11, and then it skips to verse 11,. 00:34:14.766 --> 00:34:32.052 Paul has some last requests the request of a dying man who is alone in a dark dungeon 12 feet underground with criminals and it doesn't smell really well. 00:34:32.052 --> 00:34:32.954 He's on death row and he knows it. 00:34:32.954 --> 00:34:41.318 So what are the four things that you would ask for in this situation, four critical things that you would want. 00:34:43.525 --> 00:34:43.965 What does Paul want? 00:34:43.965 --> 00:34:48.077