Newsletter 259 V September 4, 2011
TIMOTHY - FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD
2 Timothy 1:5-18 King James Version (KJV)
This is probably the last of Paul’s letters, and was written from prison. As he was not certain that he would even be living by the time Timothy could come to him he used the opportunity to include final instructions, and encouragements to his “son in the faith.” It is very personal and clearly shows his familiarity with the family. Timothy’s father had been a Greek, but his grandmother and mother were faithful Jewish women who lived by, and taught Timothy the Old Testament scriptures. Here was one Jewish family who readily accepted Jesus as the Messiah, and was probably converted by Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary tour in that area. Timothy must have been in his late teens at that time. Now, perhaps fifteen years later, Timothy is following in the footsteps of Paul, and will carry on the work he had started.
5 I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. (1 Timothy 1:5, Acts 16:1, 2 Timothy 3:15)
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (1 Timothy 4:14)
He reminds Timothy that he had taught him in the faith, and endowed him with special gifts that he would need in his ministry. He was concerned, perhaps that Timothy might be fearful, but fear was not of God who gave him love and power added to his good mind.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (John 14:27, Romans 8:15)
One of Satan’s weapons is fear. No one wants to be scorned or called a lunatic, both of which were likely to happen in the future, both then and now. All of the apostles died a martyr’s death with the exception of John, who survived death, but was banished to the Roman prison colony on Patmos instead.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (Mark 8:38, Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:6, Ephesians 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:9, 2 Timothy 4:5, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:8)
God has a purpose for each of us and has called us to serve, in a task for which He has prepared us. From the beginning, He knew the end, and He specially made each of us to be where we are, at the exact time to do the job that we were prepared to do. We are not “off the rack Christians,” we are “one of a kind,” and specially made for our task.
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (Romans 11:14, Romans 2:28, Romans 11:29, Ephesians 2:9, 1 Timothy 1:1, Romans 16:25, Ephesians 1:4, Titus 1:2)
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (Romans 15:26, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:11, 2 Timothy 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Hebrews 2:14)
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (1 Timothy 2:7)
Paul had been following his own plans until Jesus stopped him in his tracks, on the road to Damascus. He was going there to destroy those of the faith, but God directed him into his ministry of spreading that very same faith. He did it well, once he turned his life over to the Lord. The persecutor became the persecuted through Christ and he was never ashamed of the faith.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:16, Titus 3:8, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:14, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:13, 2 Timothy 1:18, 2Timothy 4:8)
Paul knew what lay ahead for Timothy, so he gave him the encouragement he would need.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14, Titus 1:9, Romans 2:20, Romans 6:17, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:21 Timothy 1:14, 2 Timothy 1:1)
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (Romans 8:9, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:1-12)
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can, any of us, persevere.
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER
4th. Sunday – Isaiah 8, 9, 2 Corinthians 4, Psalm 105:23-36
5th. Monday – Isaiah 10, 11, 2 Corinthians 5, Proverbs 21:24-31
6th. Tuesday – Isaiah 12, 13, 14, 2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 105:37-45
7th. Wednesday - Isaiah 15, 16, 17, 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 106:1-15
8th. Thursday - Isaiah 18, 19, 20, 2 Corinthians 8, Psalm 106:16-31
9th. Friday – Isaiah 21, 22, 23, 2 Corinthians 9, Proverbs 22:1-16
10th. Saturday - Isaiah 24, 25, 26, 2 Corinthians 10, Psalm 106:32-39
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
1 Timothy 4:1-2
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Jack was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands.
The preacher grabbed Jack by the hand and pulled him aside.
The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"
Jack replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."
The Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
Jack whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."
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ISBN 976-1-4628-9617-2, soft cover $15.99
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Order from:Kindle.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Amazon.com, Xlibris Bookstore.com, Cbookstore.com, Readers Store.com
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