Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20120729.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
2 Timothy: God's Directives For Church Leaders Amid Hardships
Part I: Focusing On Godly Examples And Spiritual Gifting Amid Hardships
(2 Timothy 1:1-7)
  1. Introduction
    1. Trials that arise in the life and times of a local church leader can at times tend to make him feel so overwhelmed that he can not think clearly, let alone minister effectively.
    2. Paul's directive to Pastor Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:1-7 was given amid such a difficult time, and its instruction and application even for our era today is as priceless as it is effective (as follows):
  2. Focusing On Godly Examples And Spiritual Gifting Amid Hardships, 2 Timothy 1:1-7.
    1. When Paul wrote 2 Timothy, varied, great trials faced the letter's recipient, local church leader Timothy:
      1. The writer, the Apostle Paul, faced martyrdom: 2 Timothy 1:8, 16 with 4:6-8, 10-12 reveals he was in a cold dungeon close to being martyred for the faith that tradition holds occurred on the Ostian Way west of Rome, Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, p. 1716, "Intro. to the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy."
      2. Paul's coming martyrdom was a pressing trial for the letter's recipient, Timothy (2 Timothy 1:1-2):
        1. The Apostle had personally discipled Timothy when he met him at Lystra, even to Paul's having Timothy circumcised so he could join Paul in ministering to Jews, Acts 16:1-3.
        2. After that, Timothy had been heavily involved with Paul in missionary outreach seen in Paul's referring to him in writing to the Romans (Rom. 16:21), the Corinthians (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-11), the Philippians (Phil. 1:1; 2:19), the Colossians (Col. 1:1), the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:1; 3:2,6) [and the church in Philemon's house which was the Colossian Church, cf. Col. 4:17 with Phm. 2].
      3. Paul's imminent martyrdom reflected the larger trial the universal Body of Christ faced in Nero's persecution, Ibid., a trial that would weigh heavily on the heart and mind of all pastors like Timothy.
      4. In addition to these trials that pressed upon him from the outside, Timothy faced overwhelming trials in his personal life and pastoral ministry, 2 Timothy 1:1-4:
        1. Paul's introductory remarks referred to his recalling Timothy's "tears," 1 Timothy 1:4.
        2. These tears might have been shed at their last parting when Paul was arrested (Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 750), or Paul might have referred to tears Paul knew Timothy had shed "in the course of his [years of] service for Christ," Ibid., Ryrie, ftn. to 2 Timothy 1:4 (brackets ours).
        3. We know from Paul's 1 Corinthians 16:10-11 charge for the Corinthians not despise Timothy, but to treat him peaceably that he be not afraid along with Paul's remarks for Timothy to overcome timidity in 2 Timothy 1:7 that Timothy had faced a continual trial regarding timidity in the ministry.
    2. Regardless of the trial of the whole Christian community in Nero's persecution, regardless of the soon martyrdom of Timothy's spiritual mentor and ministry companion, Paul, regardless of Timothy's ongoing trial of timidity, Paul had initial directives for him to handle them in 2 Timothy 1:5-7 (as follows):
      1. First, Paul thanked God for Timothy' unhypocritical faith in Christ that had dwelt in his grandmother Lois and in his mother, Eunice, 2 Timothy 1:5. Timothy was to recall these examples of faith to draw from them and from Paul's example how he was to act under trial, cf. 2 Timothy 3:14b.
      2. Second, Paul directed Timothy to fan into flame the spiritual gift God had given him, a gift recognized by Church leaders of Timothy's past, which gifting would equip him to serve the Lord in His power, love and self-discipline for effective Christian service, 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV:
        1. Timothy was to "fan into flame" his spiritual gift (1 Timothy 1:6 NIV), that is, to develop, train and practice his spiritual gift of ministering the Word of God, Ibid., Bible Know. Com., N. T.
        2. This exercise would equip Timothy by the Holy Spirit's power to offset his human weaknesses and natural timidity temptation by applying Scripture in faith, cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Lesson: As the first step in overcoming all kinds of trials, church leaders must (1) follow the examples of their godly forerunners on trusting God and His Word, and (2) exercise the spiritual gifting God has given them to stay self-controlled, to think clearly and courageously and to minister in God's power.

Application: May we heed Paul's 2 Timothy 1:1-7 directive to Timothy to overcome various trials today!