Introduction:

This letter is intensely personal. Paul is alone at Rome, awaiting trial and certain death. He longs to see his son (in the faith) Timothy and to encourage him to take his place in the ministry of the gospel. Paul sees apostasy and defeat all around him. In (I Timothy) we see remarks like, "some have turned aside" (1:6); "which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck" (1:19); "For some are already turned aside after Satan" (5:15); "Some have coveted after" (6:10); "Some professing have erred concerning the faith" (6:21). But when we get to II Timothy you read things like "all have turned away from me" (1:15); "all men forsook me" (4:16). Many churches were turning from the faith, and Paul urges young Timothy to be true to his calling and faithful to his ministry. Timothy appears to have had some fear in facing the brethren about the vital issues and so Paul responds in the following way.

I. A Praying Friend (1:1-5)

Paul lived according to his conscience (vs. 3) and felt compelled in the hour of his own greatest need to pray for others. He assures Timothy of his love and prayers. One of the greatest things you can do for others is to pray for them (I Sam. 12:23).

II. The Gift of God (1:6,7)

One of Timothy's problems was cowardice, a timidity about facing problems and doing God's work. His youthfulness probably contributed to this (I Tim. 4:12). Paul reminds him that he was neglecting the gift God had given him (I Tim. 4:14), and that he needed to stir it up, as a man would fan into flame the embers of a dying fire. The Spirit does not generate fear in us (Rom. 8:15) but power, love and a sound mind. The Holy Spirit is the power of our lives (Acts 1:8; Eph. 3:20-21; Phil. 4:13).

 

III. A Holy calling (1:8-11)

The people of Ephesus knew that Timothy was Paul's friend and co-laborer, but Paul was a Roman prisoner! He tells him not to be ashamed of Paul or the Gospel. Paul reminds Timothy that God has a purpose in mind and that he ought to let Him work out the purpose. Some use (vs. 9) to substantiate the doctrine of Calvinism, which is the idea that God chose some to be saved before the foundation of the world. The book of Ephesians clears this up.

A. We were chosen "in him" before the foundation of the world. Eph. 1:4

B. We were "accepted in the beloved" - Eph. 1:6

C. The basis of our acceptance was the blood - Eph. 1:7

D. Christ had no blood or body before the foundation of the world, therefore we must have been chosen in time and not eternity.

E. If you were in Christ before the world began you had to fall out to get into Adam (Rom. 5:12-21).

F. (Eph. 2:1,2,3,12,13) do not sound like people who were ever in Christ. Jesus. Christ brought immortality to light (vs. 10) through the resurrection. This is something Buddha, Joseph Smith, Mohammed, and a thousand other religious leaders have never done.

IV. A Faithful Savior (1:12-14)

A. Soul

B. Life

C. Future

D. Rewards

If you are going to ask men to commit these things to Christ then it is necessary to keep the form of the words (vs. 13). Not just the words, but the very form of the words.

 

V. A Godly Example (1:15-18)