Sermon Cloud

Sacredness

We live in a time when we have lost the sense of the sacred. In a culture that is obsessed with novelty we are hard pressed to see the value in the ancient, the eternal and sacred trust of the gospel. We need to see that some things should never be treated trivially and are worthy of our greatest hope and stewardship.

Not Ashamed

Paul knew that Timothy would face pressure in his call to follow, teach and lead in the cause of the gospel. Therefore he exhorts young Timothy to not be ashamed of the gospel or of Paul's condition in chains. Paul offers his own life as an example-that he was not ashamed because he knew his trust was in the living God rather than his circumstances.

Guarding the Trust

Finally, Paul wanted Timothy to know that he had a great trust to guard and fulfill. He was being entrusted with the very words of God and the calling of a gospel minister. This would not be an effort of willpower but a work of faith and love which would be empowered by the very Holy Spirit of God. Paul was about to give Timothy a great charge in the latter parts of the letter; he wanted to be sure the gospel and his responsibility were clear. If Timothy would walk in guarding the good deposit of the gospel; he would be able to fulfill the calling of his ministry.