Thursday, August 31, 2017

2 TIMOTHY 1:1-7 KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

2 TIMOTHY 1:1-7
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

Susan: The path which Paul is on was not of his own choosing; it was chosen for him by Jesus.

Susie: In fact, you may remember that Paul who was called Saul at the time had been diametrically opposed to Christianity to the point of arresting Christians to be imprisoned or executed. Jesus accosted Him on his way to Damascus to persecute believers and totally turned his life upside down. You may want to read the story of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9.

Susan: On the way to Damascus Saul/Paul was arrested, stopped dead in his tracks, by the blinding light of the glory of Jesus. Jesus confronted Saul about his persecution of those who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Saul was left blind with instructions to go into the city and wait.

Susie: Meanwhile, the Lord spoke to a man named Ananias, telling him to witness to, to share the good news of salvation in Jesus with, a man named Saul. Ananias was reluctant because Saul’s reputation preceded him. But God assured Ananias that He had a special plan for Saul’s life:

Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Susan: When Ananias obediently visited Saul, he shared the gospel with him and prayed for him. The scales which had caused his blindness miraculously fell from his eyes. His sight was gloriously restored. Jesus’ message began transforming him Saul the persecutor into Paul the persecuted preacher.

Susie: Paul continued to powerfully preach the message of salvation through Jesus Christ alone and is responsible for being the human vessel God used to write much of the New Testament.

2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace5485, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Susie: Paul not only preached, but he discipled many believers training them to share the good news of Jesus’ grace as well. Timothy was not Paul’s biological son but was his “son in the faith,” a young man he had guided and nurtured in understanding God’s word and the gospel message and whom he loved deeply. At the writing of this letter, Paul had entrusted Timothy to pastor the believers in Ephesus.

New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:

5485 Charis – graciousness of manner or act: lit. fig., or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life

Susan: Grace and peace was a greeting used by Paul in all his letters. Grace as defined above was asking the Lord to effect change in Timothy’s life. With the word peace, Paul was indicating his desire that the Lord set Timothy’s life in order, make him whole, and give him rest. Peace refers back to the Hebrew word shalom which has the connotation of “Nothing missing, nothing broken.” Paul also prays mercy for Timothy. God is merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, toward those who place their trust in His Son, Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Susie: Paul was thankful that God had called him, saved him, and given him a clean conscience to serve Him faithfully. Paul had a strong heritage in the Jewish faith. Paul had quite a pedigree:

Philippians 3:4-7 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Susie: His forefathers had worship the true God and anticipated the Messiah, the Anointed One, to come. Paul had now met the Messiah in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and was following His calling to serve Him as His ambassador.

Susan: Paul, Timothy’s father in the faith, nurtured Timothy relentlessly by way of intercessory prayer.

2 Timothy 1:4-5 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When 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.

Susie: Paul longed for Timothy to visit him in person again and remembered that at their previous parting, Timothy had wept. The love between them was mutual, the deep bond of love that the Holy Spirit gives to the family of faith. Paul knew they would experience great joy when they saw each other again. He would love to observe again Timothy’s sincere faith in action.

Susan: Timothy’s heritage of faith stemmed from the maternal influence of both his mother and grandmother. They were devout Jewish women who had converted to Christianity and were strong in their faith in their Messiah, Jesus. Paul that same hunger for righteousness and sincere faith reflected in Timothy as well. Paul eagerly, joyfully accepted his role as Timothy’s spiritual father. Timothy’s biological father was Greek, and as far as we know, was not a Christian.

Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Timothy 1:6 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.

Susan: Paul urged Timothy to fan the flame of the faith and continue to pursue his calling to shepherd and teach the believers at Ephesus with fervency. Paul had placed his hands upon Timothy ordaining him, confirming the gift which the Holy Spirit had given him and Paul had recognized and nurtured.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power1411, and of love26, and of a sound4995 mind.

Susie: Perhaps Timothy had been timid, and most certainly he was in the midst of persecution of believers, so Paul reminded him that fear is not from God. Trust in our sovereign Lord overcomes fear.

Susan: Power is the Greek word dunamis indicating a miraculous power.

Susie: Believers are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit Himself. We serve God, not in our own might, but with His.

Philippians 4:13 (AMPC) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Susan: The Greek word for love is agape, the God kind of love that we are instructed to share. It is a choice to love someone unconditionally.

Susie: The Greek word translated “sound mind” means disciplined and self-controlled. The Lord replaces our fear and timidity with His power, His love, and the mind of Christ which is definitely sound.
Philippians 2:5 (KJV) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:5 (CJB) Let your attitude toward one another be governed by your being in union with the Messiah Yeshua

Philippians 2:5 (VOICE)   In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts.



QUESTIONS

1.        Who appointed Paul as an apostle?
2.        What did God show Paul? (Acts 9:15-16)
3.        In what sense was timothy Paul’s son?
4.        What did Paul do day and night concerning Timothy?
5.        Is there someone for whom you are interceding consistently? Are you blessed to have someone who prays that way for you?
6.        What two women were an instrumental, positive influence in Timothy’s life?

7.        God replaces our fear with what attributes?

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