Sermon Cloud

I like a road map to have an idea of where I’m going before I start my journey. I haven’t yet got into Sat Navs for I fear you only see the bit you’re looking at and not the whole picture.  I do like Google maps – cos you can see the big picture, and then zoom in to the smaller details of names of roads etc.

The BIG Picture of 2 Timothy is therefore this:

After Paul’s visit to Ephesus he left Timothy there to develop the church; he had to deal with heretics – people coming along and teaching false truth; he needed to put in strong leadership – elders and deacons, to make sure the widows were looked after and that godly behaviour ensued. But above all he was to ensure the apostolic faith was taught. All that is found in 1 Tim. Timothy is to fight the good fight of faith, 6:12 so the people really grasp the gospel

Now in 2 Tim, although he wants Timothy to continue to teach the truth, he asks him to leave Ephesus and come to Rome 2 Timothy 4:9, 21. Paul feels as though his work may well be over; I have fought the good fight, 4:7, I have finished the race, he says.

Paul is probably in prison in Rome, expecting to be executed shortly. So this is his “last will and testament” – the last letter he wrote – an extremely moving letter and very helpful to show us how to keep up gospel work.

It seems as though he wants Timothy to take the overall reigns of his gospel work; but he must stay committed to this gospel.  In this deeply personal letter from a senior to junior the message is: don’t fritter away your life in ways that are not really building the kingdom, remain faithful to Christ and the gospel right up to death - exactly as Paul has done. Stick with the gospel – is Paul’s theme

Yes, things will get tough – ch 3 – yes Paul is about to depart, 4:6 – but Timothy is to keep going in preaching the word, 4:1-2. Look what this means:

Don’t be scared, 1:7

1:1-5 Paul is very fond of Timothy; he prays for him, and longs to see him again. He is thrilled with Timothy’s faith and longs for him to be really useful in the kingdom. This friendship goes back over 15 yrs; not only did Paul lead Timothy to faith in Christ (he calls him his son who is faithful in the Lord -1 Cor 4:17) but Timothy has been his fellow worker (Rom 16:21) and servant in the gospel. Paul told the Philippians, 2:20f he had no one like him. He may be young, even shy and reserved – but he’s a terrific help and leader – why? … I suggest its cos he’s a gospel man.  Paul emphasises again and again how he must stick to the gospel; teach it, preach it, live it he says. It’s the gospel he was taught from an early age, 1:5-7

It seems that humanly speaking Timothy was – as one commentator puts it – “hopelessly unfit to assume these weighty responsibilities of leadership in the church”.  Well join the club – that’s us!

Some think he was less than suitable in these areas:

Age  We know Timothy was comparatively young  - see 1 Timothy 4:12 and in 2 Timothy 2:22 he is to flee the evil desires of youth. A youngster in the 1^st century may well be in his 30’s. Young he may have been, but he had great experience, having worked – and suffered alongside Paul.

Health  Timothy may have been prone to illness –1 Timothy 5:23 – so he needed medicine – wine is prescribed. But that was in the 1^st letter, and it is unlikely that a man with poor health with be Paul’s sidekick.  Maybe Paul was telling him to ease up from the pressures – take wine; it will help him relax.

Temperament  Timothy is often thought to be naturally shy, a timid personality - maybe an introvert; so that he would naturally shrink back from taking on certain tasks. Is Paul encouraging him not to be so bashful – 2 Timothy 1:7, 8, 2:1, he’s told to endure hardship, 4:5? No what Paul is calling for is courage – a greater willingness to stand firm under the pressures. He mustn’t be scared, even though that’s his natural style.

He may be “young in years, frail in physique, retiring in disposition”, but God wants to use him in gospel ministry.  Aren’t you grateful for that?  God can use shy introverted people as well as up-front shouters. Timothy’s are needed in leadership, whether introverts or not. Don’t be scared.

Don’t be ashamed, 1:8-12

In this “shame culture”, Timothy could be ashamed of Paul – being in prison – being tried under Roman law. What a stick to hit the Christians - the leader in prison - shame on the believers.   But there is also the danger that under pressure one hunkers down and is ashamed of the gospel itself.

Rather than be shamed, Timothy is to testify about the Lord Jesus, 1:8 + do the work of an evangelist, 4:5.

Paul is not ashamed, 1:12. Why?  He knows the gospel; meaning he knows Christ, 12. Timothy too is not to be ashamed of Christ or the gospel, 8. He had a godly upbringing, but he needs to develop the gifts God has given him, 6-7; he mustn’t let the gifts lie dormant, they need to be fanned into a flame.

We all need to use our gifts to serve God. Some have the gift of evangelism but we’re all to do it.  Timothy is to teach and testify. He’s not to be shy but a man of power, love and self-control.

So too we mustn’t be characterised by timid embarrassment.  At this time that Nero was running amok in Rome and the temptation would be to keep quiet and not cause trouble.

In the Ephesus congregations, some immature believers remained immature – 3:7 some were always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. That’s very frustrating, isn’t it? Timothy needs to be robust, to stand up under the pressure and get the church back on track. He mustn’t be scared nor ashamed.

To testify, 8 about the Lord Jesus or as Paul says OUR Lord, ie making the gospel known, is a big theme in 2 Timothy.  The great ch 4 is all about preaching the gospel = proclaiming, announcing, 4:2. Timothy is called up to do the work on an evangelist, 4:5. Even if evangelism isn’t his main gift – he can contribute towards it.  Indeed preaching and proclaiming are used as terms to make the gospel known; of which Timothy is not to be ashamed.

And nor are we. It does take courage to follow Christ; to stand up for Christ.  We always say that when starting a new job, or a new study course – make it clear you are a believer in Christ. It may be a bit embarrassing – as no doubt it was for Timothy who could have felt ashamed at knowing Paul the prisoner, 1:8 – and maybe you will have to face some opposition for the gospel.  But if the gospel is true – if Jesus is the life-changer – isn’t it worth it?

Even if it means suffering for the gospel, 8b – look what Christ has done – destroyed death, 10 brought life and immortality.  This is the good news/gospel that Paul heralded, 11 - making it known like an announcer.

Guard the gospel, 13-14

If proclaiming is the positive, guarding is the negative.  Not that guarding means hiding it away as hidden treasure.  Spurgeon used to say that the best way to guard the bible was to treat it like a lion – just open the cage door and let it loose.

Emperor Nero determined to suppress all secret societies, had the church in his sights. Some capitulated from the gospel into error.  One commentator says at this time Christianity trembled, humanly speaking it was on the verge of annihilation.  Paul no doubt thought about this carefully while languishing in his Roman dungeon.  Timothy must hold on to the gospel - 2 Timothy 1:14 guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you. This deposit is the sound teaching that has been given to him.

We guard the gospel by letting it loose.

Paul taught well – Timothy is to do the same – he’s to keep the pattern of the same sound teaching, 13.

Yes, Timothy may well suffer for the gospel, as Paul did, 2 Timothy 2:8-9. He’s to serve as a soldier, 2:3.  But while evil is on the rise, Timothy is to continue his gospel work, 3:14; remembering God’s word is not chained, 2:9. Isn’t that a great encouragement to us – we guard the gospel by proclaiming it?

Don’t desert, 15-18

Think of the pressure he’s under - the heartache of those who deserted, 1:15. Timothy was to hold tight, just as Onesiphorus had been such a help, 1:16f and wasn’t ashamed.

Imagine the pain of seeing people leave a congregation, being sucked away from the truth by those with strong personalities. But Timothy isn’t to run away. Like us he is to keep going in the gospel.

We guard the gospel by using it. So stick with it. Don’t desert, keep going in the gospel.

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Pray: Our Father we thank you that we can look over Timothy’s shoulder and see what needs to be done in one particular local church. We are well aware that the same truths apply to us. So give us courage we asked not to be scared or ashamed of the gospel and our fellow believers.   Help us to make this gospel known – to use it and therefore guard it.  May we be those who stick with Christ and don’t fall away. We bring our friends to you who seem to have deserted the truth, asking you to restore them gently we pray. We fear for their souls.

May we too fight the good fight of faith & stick with the gospel we ask. For your glory O Lord, Amen.