2 Timothy 1:2-14 New Living Translation
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him[a] until the day of his return.
13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
IT’S OUR HISTORY that gives us confidence!
In moments like these we look back to look forward!
2 Timothy 1:2 New Living Translation
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
AD 50: Timothy ministers with Paul and Silas in Philippi
AD 51: Paul flees to Berea; Timothy and Silas continue the work
AD 51 (later): Timothy joins Paul in Athens to assist in the gospel to Macedonia
AD 52: Timothy returns to Thessalonica to encourage new believers
AD 52 (later): Timothy joins Paul in Corinth, expanding from Thessalonica
AD 54-56: Timothy comes to Ephesus to work with Paul during Paul’s three-year ministry
AD 56: Paul sends Timothy to deliver 1 Corinthians to the disordered church
AD 57: Paul comes to Corinth and from there he + Timothy write Romans
AD 60-62: Timothy is with Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome
AD 62: Paul is released, goes to Ephesus and appoints Timothy pastor
AD 62-64: Paul writes 1 Timothy and Titus
AD 64: Major persecution against Christian’s breaks out in Rome
AD 67: Paul returns to Rome, is arrested, writes 2 Timothy from prison
AD 67: Paul is martyred in Rome
2 Timothy 1:3-7 New Living Translation
3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
STAY HOT Timothy.
2 Timothy 1:8-11 New Living Translation
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
The gospel saves us, calls us to holy living, and illuminates the way of life!
2 Timothy 1:12-14 New Living Translation
12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Guard Gr. Phylasso (Foo-loss-o). Comes from the root word, phyle (Foo-lay) which means a tribe.
Phylasso is the verb meaning to watch and protect the tribe.
Acts 21:13 New Living Translation
13 But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”
Sermon Questions
- Paul encourages Timothy to “fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you” and reminds him that God gives “a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline” (v. 6-7). What gifts or strengths has God given you, and how can you rely on His power, love, and self-discipline to use them fully?
- Timothy’s faith was shaped by his family, and Paul reminds him of this legacy (v. 5). Who has influenced your faith journey, and how can you honor their legacy by living out your faith boldly?
- Paul tells Timothy to “guard the precious truth” entrusted to him with the help of the Holy Spirit (v. 13-14). What does it mean for you to guard and protect the gospel in your life, and how can the Holy Spirit help you do so?