Persevering Faith • 11.06.22

Nick Lees   -   November 8, 2022

Persevering Faith
2 Timothy 1

Responding to the Gospel’s work

1. Celebrate the beauty of faithfulness
2. Live by faith without shame

Good morning church family! It is good to be with you this morning. I want to welcome those who are visiting with us. If I’ve not yet met you, my name is Nick Lees and I serve as the senior pastor here. I would love to visit with you after the service.

I’m excited to dig into Paul’s second letter to Timothy with you today. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed studying this letter this week. Before we get into the Word, why don’t I…

Dismiss 4^th + 5^th graders

I also thought it would be helpful for anyone who is new to quickly recap how 1 and 2 Timothy fit together. So, let’s do that quickly this morning.

Both letters are written by the Apostle Paul to his disciple Timothy. However, they were written at different times (roughly 2-3 years apart), under different circumstances (Paul is imprisoned and near the end of his life when writing 2 Timothy), and with slightly different emphases (1^st Timothy was warning and exhorting him and the church at Ephesus; 2^nd Timothy is much more personal about persevering in the faith, suffering for the gospel, and training up disciples).

Despite their differences faithfulness is one of the central themes that ties these two distinct letters together.

1 Timothy – faithfulness in teaching, leadership, and conduct

2 Timothy – faithfulness in witness to the end, in suffering for Christ, and in teaching the word accurately

Both books emphasize faithfulness. Remaining loyal and steadfast to the Lord and to the gospel truth He has given us. Each letter unpacks specific ways to remain faithful.

When the pastor team was planning the preaching calendar for this year, we saw specific benefits from studying these books for our church. I want to remind you of these. It is our hope that studying 1 + 2 Timothy will:

• Reinforce the biblical vision of godly leadership in the church
• Challenge both men and women, young and old, to rise up and conduct themselves in a godly manner
• Help everyone to value sound doctrine
• Prepare us to recognize and refute false doctrine
• Solidify the Gospel as central to our existence and purpose as a church
• Promote the importance of discipleship within the body

Let’s pray again that God would work through His Word in our church to produce these kinds of transformed lives in us.

Pray

Ushers + Bibles (2 Timothy 1; Page 1179)

As you turn to 2 Timothy 1, I want you to consider the following scenario.

Imagine you’re nearing the end of your life. You’re stuck in prison for your faith with no real hope of parole or just judgment. You have an opportunity to write one last letter to a beloved friend. What would you say in that letter? *Pause*

We’re about to find out Paul’s answer in our study of 2 Timothy… Paul is nearing the end of his life. He’s imprisoned in Rome. And he is remembering his friend, disciple, and fellow pastor, Timothy.

Now, you might expect a man in this position to be concerned for himself. That seems pretty normal, right? Well, not Paul. His letter is one of care and concern for Timothy. It is a call to perseverance in the faith. To continue to fight the good fight of the faith as he had ended his previous letter. To rely on the trustworthy Word as taught and as found in the Scriptures.

Would things be hard? Absolutely! False teachers, persecutors, and other hostile people were all around them. Paul and Timothy had both faced personal rejection and abandonment by men and women for whom they had poured themselves out. But would it be worth it? Absolutely! There is no greater prize than finishing the Christian race and hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in a little, I will entrust you with much. Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Not only that, but Paul is able to say with conviction in this letter, “Follow my example.” He calls Timothy to walk in his path, to emulate him, to live as he lived. He could do that because he was committed to following Christ. Paul had fought the good fight and was about to finish his race. Is that the legacy you will leave? Could you say to your beloved friend or your children or grandchildren – whom you would write that letter to… – “Follow me as I follow Christ?”

I have found this letter to be both challenging and life-giving. It holds out a beautiful example of persevering in the faith and a compelling call to join Paul in that perseverance. Suffering was not an abnormality of Paul’s experience – it is part and parcel of living for Christ to advance the Gospel in a broken, sin-cursed world. Paul is very concerned that Timothy, and subsequently, Christians like us, live as good stewards of the Gospel. That we would be faithful to the end. Holding firmly to the gospel and guarding it by passing it on to the next generation! With that in mind, let’s read our text for today – 2 Timothy 1.

2 Timothy 1:1–18 (ESV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. ⁴ As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰ and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹ for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹² which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. ¹³ Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

¹⁵ You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, ¹⁷ but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— ¹⁸ may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

Praise God for Paul’s faithful service to the Lord and the Lord’s faithfulness to him! To keep him in the faith through many trials and tribulations! Paul is now calling Timothy to persevere in the faith and to not be ashamed of the gospel but rather share in the sufferings of Paul and Christ and all who labor for the sake of the Gospel. This is an incredible letter to have access to today. These final words of Paul to his beloved disciple are so rich for our lives. As we dig into them deeper, our focus is on…

Responding to the Gospel’s work

God has done a great work through his Son, Jesus Christ. He rescued and redeemed sinners like Paul and Timothy. (Sinners like you and me too!) He appointed them to take the message of salvation in Christ alone to the world. (The same call he gives us!) He gave them the hope of eternal life through the conquering of death at the cross and empty tomb. (Which is your hope too, if you are in Christ this morning!)

So, along with Paul and Timothy, we have the privilege of responding to the Gospel’s work. And the first way we get to do that is to…

1. Celebrate the beauty of faithfulness

The start of Paul’s letter is full of celebration. Celebration and thanksgiving to God for the sincere faith of Timothy. That’s what Paul is communicating in the long run-on sentence found in verses 3-5. Along the way, Paul also mentions the faithfulness of his and Timothy’s ancestors. They have both been privileged to inherit faithfulness from their families. For Paul, it was his Jewish ancestry who had believed in God. For Timothy, it was his mother and grandmother who were Christian converts.

Multi-generational faithfulness is worth celebrating. Faith being passed down from one generation to the next. It is a good and godly thing to see grandparents and parents investing in their kids and grandkids. We’re going to get to hear a bit about that on the 20^th at our Stewardship Celebration. Our theme for that night is “Discipling through the Generations”.

But even more important than man’s faithfulness is God’s faithfulness! None of this would be possible if God had not worked in Paul and Timothy or in their relatives. God had worked in them to draw and call them to himself. Paul says, “I thank God whom I serve.” (aka worship) If you know his story, Paul used to oppose Jesus Christ with fervor. He used to imprison and seek to kill Christians! But he encountered the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus and his life was forever changed! He turned from his sin and confessed his faith in Christ.

Praise God for his faithfulness! While we don’t know the full story of Timothy’s conversion, Paul is reminding him that God has been faithful to him as well. In fact, Paul’s remembrance of Timothy’s salvation and subsequent faithfulness is what causes him to give thanks to God. It fills him with longing to see his dear friend again. He has no doubt it will fill him with joy to be able to see and speak with Timothy. What a powerful reminder of the value of godly friends and co-laborers in gospel ministry!

As Paul remembers these things, he is then prompted to call Timothy to action. Look again at vv6-7:

2 Timothy 1:6–7 (ESV)

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

As Paul remembers Timothy’s sincere faith, he now reminds Timothy to keep using the gift of God that was given to him. Paul was personally involved in this gifting, likely during the calling of Timothy into ministry. You may remember it being referenced in the previous letter…

1 Timothy 1:18 (ESV)

¹⁸ This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

1 Timothy 4:14–16 (ESV)

¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Timothy was gifted with the calling to preach the word and to evangelize the lost. We see this throughout both letters.

2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)

⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Since it’s Stewardship Month, I’ll put it this way… Timothy had been entrusted with faith and gifts from God and he needed to be a good steward of that faith and those gifts! He was not to give up or grow weary of doing good.

“Timothy, fan into flame the gift of preaching by preaching the word boldly! In season and out of season!”

“Timothy, fan into flame the gift of evangelism by sharing the truth with the people of Ephesus! Confront those false teachers who have been led astray!”

It’s not hard to imagine that after years of ministering in a large pagan city to a group of people who are actively turning away from the truth that you might get a little discouraged. To have poured out your life and yet see people walk away to pursue sin!? Paul even shares about the many people who have deserted him in verse 15! I’m sure it was similar for Timothy. He had faced off against false teachers in the church! He was watching women in the community be led astray by them. As a man of God, it had to tear him up to watch this happen. As a pastor, surely, he was doing what he could to stop it. But you can’t force people to change. You can only be faithful to the Lord and his calling on your life and trust God for the results.

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 (ESV)

⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

This requires a man of God (or woman of God) to trust in the sovereignty of God. He is in control, and he is good. He will accomplish his purposes. Our job is simply to be faithful. To steward the faith and gifts given to us. This is not just for pastors. This is for every Christian.

What a wonderful truth that Paul reminds Timothy of in verse 7. Through God’s faithful redemptive work in his life, he was given a spirit of power and love and self-control. He had been made new! He was able to speak with confidence and conviction in the truth of the Gospel. He had a delegated authority from the Creator of the Universe! He was called to love those to whom he was ministering. He was able to show self-control, meaning he didn’t have to be ruled by his own passions and desires, instead he could be disciplined in mind and action to please Christ. He was able to watch his own life and doctrine closely. To train himself for godliness. To renounce the former ways of the flesh and to pursue Christ. God had empowered him to do this!

Timothy has everything he needs through God’s faithful provision. It is good and appropriate to celebrate the beauty of faithfulness. Starting with God but including faithful men and women who have used their giftings to serve and bless others for the advance of the gospel. I shared with you last week the testimony of two faithful men who have impacted me. I am glad to be able to share those stories and give thanks to God for these men and their influence. I would encourage you to do the same with people whom God has used in your life. *Pause*

Well, after giving thanks, Paul transitions to what it looks like to fan into flame the gift of God. He exhorts Timothy to a particular way of life. Which brings us to our second way to respond to the gospel’s work…

2. Live by faith without shame

This comes from verses 8-14 and it really becomes the anthem of the letter. As Paul is coming to the end of his life, he wants to impart final words of wisdom to his protégé, Timothy. It brings him great joy to remember Timothy’s sincere faith and calling to ministry. It would bless Paul even more to know that Timothy is going to persevere in the faith with him. Paul, ever the spiritual mentor and friend, is not going to miss an opportunity to encourage his brother in Christ to embrace his calling.

And that calling is to live by faith without shame. That is Timothy’s calling and, truly, it is the calling of every Christian. And if you’re looking closely, there are really two parts to this calling. Living by faith. And doing so without shame. Let’s talk about each component, then discuss what it actually looks like to live this way in real life.

Live by faith. Faith in what or whom? Faith in God through Jesus, of course! He is the one as Paul puts it in verse 9, “who saved us and called us to a holy calling…”

Paul and the rest of Scripture assumes that humanity is born into sin and unable to rescue/redeem itself. That means people like you and me, by the way. We come into this world kicking and screaming and rebelling against God. The testimony of Paul and Timothy’s lives was that they were sinful men in need of salvation! It is this faith, as well as Paul’s own life and ministry, that Paul calls Timothy not to be ashamed of.

To be ashamed would have been a very real temptation. To be ashamed means to be humiliated or to feel contempt. Commentator William Mounce explains this temptation very well:

From a human point of view, there was much in the gospel of which to be ashamed. It was the message of a failed prophet, rejected by his people, executed by the world’s power, and preached by a collection of fishermen and other undesirables. The message they proclaimed was foolishness in the world’s eyes (1 Cor 1:23), based on assumptions that ran counter to the generally accepted norms of Greek philosophy (Acts 17:32). And there was, on the surface, much to be ashamed about in reference to Paul, a man who met constant opposition (2 Cor 11:23–27) and was imprisoned in Rome.

But Timothy was called not to be ashamed; in fact, he was called to share in suffering for this very gospel with Paul. The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16), and regardless of opposition, suffering, and shame, it is nothing to be ashamed of; rather it invites participation. (Word Biblical Commentary)

Jesus himself spoke of the temptation to feel shame for the Gospel:

Luke 9:23–26 (ESV)

²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

There was a very real opportunity for Timothy to feel ashamed of the Gospel or even of Paul, but the warning is that allowing this to take hold of you produces death! This is still a temptation that persists to this day. In modern society, faith is often derided as a crutch for weak people, contrary to science, and unnecessary for those who are good enough on their own strength. It is very easy to succumb to these lies and keep quiet about the reality of Jesus, his D/B/R, and the necessity of faith in him for the forgiveness of sins and salvation of our souls.

As William Mounce said so well the gospel is nothing to be ashamed of rather it is the power of salvation to participate in! And that is exactly what Paul calls Timothy to do. Share in suffering for the gospel!

Paul is very clear throughout his writings – there is no such thing as a life without suffering if you’re living for the gospel. It is simply a part of the way it works to live for Christ in this broken, sin-cursed world. Paul will go on to say…

2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

In our home, we like to read with our girls from the resource Trial and Triumph. It contains testimonies from church history about those who suffered willingly for the faith. Men and women who counted the cost of following Christ so that the gospel may advance. They suffered, and even died, so that future generations and unreached people groups might have access to the Word of God. Whether it’s this resource or Fox’s Book of Martyrs or Torchlighters (video series for kids on RightNow Media) or a variety of the other resources we have in the church library, I would encourage you to learn about the rich heritage of saints who persevered in the faith despite great trials and suffering.

If you are a Christian, then you are called to count the cost of following Christ, which means persecution and suffering. That’s just part of the deal. Christ said that if they treated him in such a hateful way, they would treat those who follow him in the same way. You can’t say you weren’t warned!

It is up to us to choose our response to the gospel. Will you believe and joyfully persevere in the faith, even through suffering? Or will you believe but reject suffering, revealing you didn’t really believe at all?

This is hard teaching! What human being wants to embrace suffering as a necessary part of the Christian experience!? … One who is thinking biblically. But it is still hard. We are prone to wanting to do all we can to avoid suffering. I don’t know about you, but I kind of like having a comfortable, easy life. In fact, I like it TOO MUCH because I try to avoid suffering to keep it that way. But God’s Word reveals that suffering is part of the process God uses to make us more like Christ and to take the Gospel to the world!

So, to put it in terms of stewardship – steward your suffering for the gospel! Paul is calling Timothy to not be ashamed but to share in suffering for the gospel. How can a man/woman ever do this? As Paul tells us at the end of verse 8 – by the power of God.

He is the God who saved you and called you to a holy calling. And not because of anything you’ve done, as if your works somehow contributed to your salvation, but solely because of his own purpose/pleasure and grace! This is a gift of God in Christ Jesus – salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Word of God alone, and to the glory of God alone! And, if you didn’t catch it, this was given in Christ before the ages began (aka before time eternal). This is a clear teaching of the elective calling of God. He knew before time began that you would be his. He determined it as part of his plan.

Nick Lees will follow me. He will go through a series of years where he doesn’t know me and is far from me. He will grow in pride and selfishness and grow addicted to video games and many other forms of comfort/pleasure/and ease. BUT I WILL SAVE HIM THROUGH MY SON. There will be a day when I bring my convicting grace to bear on his soul and open his eyes to his need for a Savior. And on that day, I will RESCUE AND REDEEM HIM. He is mine!

And so began a journey of growing in godliness. Just as it happened for Paul and Timothy and, for you, if you’re in Christ today. This is exactly what Paul says in verse 10 – that God made our salvation known through the appearing of Jesus, the one who conquered death and brought eternal life to light through his finished work!

When Jesus came down and walked among us, the eternal plan of God became more fully realized to us than ever before. There is a reason we celebrate Christmas ever year and it isn’t the presents! It is because the greatest miracle of all time occurred – God taking on human form – the Creator entering his creation – for the purpose of redemption and reconciliation – making a way for sinners like us to be re-united to a holy God like him! What an incredible story and this one is TRUE! It happened! And you and I have the blessings of being the beneficiaries of it today, just as Paul and Timothy did so many years ago.

This gospel (good news) message is what Paul was appointed to preach and teach and why he was suffering in prison in Rome! He had dedicated his life to bold proclamation of the truth of Jesus and calling people to follow him. And it invited suffering into his life.

2 Timothy 1:11–12 (ESV)

¹¹ for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹² which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

Do you hear Paul’s response to the hardship the gospel had brought into his life?! Did he throw in the towel? Did he bow his head in defeat and walk away? NO! He was NOT ashamed. Why? Because he knew Jesus. He knew the one he believed in, and he was convinced that Jesus was able to guard Paul’s faith/soul to the end. The translation in the ESV “guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” is better translated “is able to guard my deposit until that day.” Paul is speaking of Jesus’ ability to protect Paul’s salvation/faith in Him. Jesus is the one who keeps us persevering in the faith!

Living by faith without shame is possible when you KNOW Jesus and are convinced that He is able to protect and keep you – even in the face of incredible suffering! Even if you’re imprisoned for your faith! Even if everyone you’ve invested in deserts you! Even if you have a chronic illness! Even if your family disowns you! Even if you are mocked incessantly by the culture you live in! These were very real circumstances in the lives of Christian converts both then and now.

Paul had great confidence in Christ. His hope was in the gospel. Not in his own abilities or circumstances. When your life is centered on Christ and your hope is in the gospel, you too can live a life without shame and endure in the face of great suffering for the sake of the gospel. You can be a living testimony that impacts MANY, like Doc Smith who I spoke about last week. Or like Timothy. Like the Apostle Paul. What do you want your legacy to be? *Pause*

I do not want to be ashamed of the gospel. I want to be confident in Christ and serve him faithfully for all my days. “God, do this work in me! In us!” Amen?! Amen!

Paul moves from this declaration of his hope and faith to another charge to Timothy in verses 13-14.

2 Timothy 1:13–14 (ESV)

¹³ Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Hold to the gospel! Practice sound doctrine! Guard the gospel! These things are possible as God the Holy Spirit works in you. And the primary way he chooses to work in you is through His Word. Follow and obey sound doctrine and the Spirit will illuminate your soul (giving you understanding) and convict you unto obedience (bringing about change). That is what it looks like to be a good steward of the Gospel. To hear it, believe it, and follow it all the days of your life.

Paul cares deeply that Timothy would persevere in the faith. He has seen far too many people walk away from him and, likely, the faith. That’s what verses 15-18 are highlighting. Many deserted, a few remained faithful.

These final words in chapter one warns of two different paths for life. One of persevering faith and another of turning away. We will hear again in this letter of the different ways people choose to live. But only one leads to life. Only one has the hope of heaven. Only one leaves a godly legacy for the next generation. It’s the path of persevering faith. The path of Paul. The path of Timothy. And, I hope, the path of you and me.

Let’s pray and ask God to help us respond properly to the Gospel.