2 Timothy 1 - Guard the Deposit!
Introduction to 2 Timothy - Insight for Living
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul gives his familiar opening greeting, although he adds "mercy" to "grace and peace".
"Spurgeon used this verse, along with 1 Timothy 1:2 and Titus 1:4 to show that ministers need more mercy than others do. After all, in the beginning to his letters to churches in general, Paul only wrote grace and peace in his greeting." - Guzik
Again Paul uses the term, "my dear son", showing his fondness and affection for Timothy.
Thanksgiving
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Paul gives us more details about his relationship with Timothy, and how his mother and grandmother had a tremendous impact on his faith life. I could say the same thing about my mother, and both my grandmothers. My German grandma taught at a Missouri Synod Lutheran schoolhouse. Her husband, my grandfather, died when my father was 6 months old, so she was a single mom raising my dad and his sister. She was a devout Lutheran. She went to heaven before I became a Lutheran pastor, which I sure she would have loved.
My grandma in my mom's side was Dutch, and an active member the Reformed Church in America. He also had a big impact on my life, and came to Pasadena when I graduated from Fuller Seminary. in 1994 She and my grandfather were big fans of Robert Schuller, as they watched him on TV every Sunday because my Grandfather was handicapped. I took her there to see the Crystal Cathedral and the pulpit Schuller preached from. That was a thrill for both of us.
I often wonder if Timothy's father or grandfather were involved in his faith life. Those who study the church have proven, while not minimizing the impact of women in their kid's faith life, how powerful it is when a male figure invests especially in young man's life.
If you are a parent or grandparent you have the opportunity to influence your children or grandchildren in their faith. I believe it is a holy calling we have as parents and grandparents to influence this next generation for Christ.
Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
By nature Timothy was a little timid because of his youth. Paul reminded Timothy of the source of his power and courage, which was the Holy Spirit. Notice once again we see the practice of the laying on of hands when someone is commissioned as a minister of the gospel. If you struggle with timidity or boldness remember this verse. I memorized it when I was a young pastor and it has served me very well.
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
When you are tempted to be anxious or afraid, remember that the Holy Spirit has given you a spirit of power, love, and self-control. The call on Timothy's life was similar to Paul's. Timothy was saved by God's grace and set apart for his holy calling.
Paul is now at the end of his life and will soon die, so these words are especially poignant. Paul isn't complaining. Because of his deep abiding faith in Christ, he could put in all in perspective. Listen to his confidence,
"I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day!"
I'm sure Paul taught Timothy many things, but more than anything he taught him about what it looked like to trust in Christ in any and every circumstance. Paul's courageous leadership was a model for Timothy, and other young leaders in the church. Paul "walked the talk". He was not a "health and wealth" gospel kind of guy. He didn't have either at the end of his life. But he had Christ. and that was all he needed!
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Paul urges Timothy to follow the pattern of sound teaching he had heard from him. Paul told him to "guard the good deposit" which was given to him.
What was the "good deposit"?
The good deposit was the "gospel". The gospel is the treasure we have all been given. It is the pearl of great price. To keep it we need to guard it's integrity. We need to guard it from "legalism" on the one hand and "cheap grace" on the other hand. Legalism is what the Pharisees were guilty of. They turned the gospel back into the Law. A bunch of do's and don't and building a religious resume to impress God.
We also water down the gospel when we cheapen the grace Jesus has given us. We have to remember the cost Jesus paid to set us free from sin, death, and the power of the devil. We are forgiven by grace alone, through faith alone, but that should not give us an excuse to sin.
Paul calls this out in Romans when he says to the believers there,
6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
If you are a believer, you have had the gospel entrusted to you. It is gift we didn't deserve that has been given to us in Jesus Christ before the beginning of time. It has been entrusted to us not to keep to ourselves but to share it with the world.
I have found the greatest joy in life has been sharing the gospel with others. I wish I did it more. While not everyone you share the gospel with will come to believe in Jesus, some will. One day in heaven we will have a glimpse of how we have invested the deposit given to us.
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