2 Timothy 1:1-2 – Last Words – Bible study

2Timothy 1:1-2 Last Words The book that we are looking at tonight is unique in two ways. 1. It was the last book written by the Apostle Paul. Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. He may or may not have gotten out for a period of time. If he did, he did not stay out long, and he did not write any more epistles while he was out. Either way, he will soon be beheaded for preaching the gospel. 2. Paul was writing to Timothy, a seasoned Christian and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would think that the commands Paul gave to Timothy in this letter would be some of the deeper or perhaps the more important challenges. Yet, the epistle is an open book and the challenges God gave were to us as well as to Timothy. With that in mind, lets look at some of Pauls LAST WORDS. I. \#1:6\ Paul told Timothy to stir up the gift within him. 2Tim 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. A. There are several implications from this verse. 1. Timothy had a gift given to him from God. a. We will suppose that Timothys gift was that of preaching the gospel, perhaps the gift of pastoring. b. But what is important is that God gave him that gift. c. A gift is a special calling and empowering from God to accomplish something God. d. Pastoring is one of those gifts: Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; e. That is the reason those who claim to have some gifts need to be examined to be certain that God is working in and through them. f. Good men may have a desire to handle the Word of God and that is all right, but pastors need to be called by God. g. Just a sub thought here. Everyone has some type of gift or manifestation from God. 1Corthinians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 2. Our gifts need to be stirred from time to time. a. This was the command that Paul was giving here. b. Stir it, fan the flame, keep it hot. c. Even those with God-given gifts and callings can grow cold. 3. It is the responsibility of the called to stir his/her gift. a. Again, that is what Paul was commanding Timothy to do. b. Paul did not offer to stir the gift for Timothy nor did he pray that God might stir Timothys gift. c. He told Timothy to do it. d. How does one keep his gift aflame? (1) Be aware of the need. (2) Be in the company of other firebrands. (Whatever your gift is let others with the same gift challenge you.) (3) Be near the Source of the flame (God). B. So we must stir our gifts and our commitments to God. II. \#1:8\ Dont be ashamed of the afflictions of gospel. 2Timothy 1:8 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; A. Most would prefer that their friends, family, and co-laborers were not felons. 1. Some of Pauls did too. 2. He had lost friends for his stand for Jesus and for the suffering that he had endured. B. Again, there is an implication from this command. 1. There will be afflictions for serving Jesus. a. Paul paid the greatest price. b. He was mocked, arrested, beaten, and ultimately beheaded for Christ. c. He was not ashamed of these things for he received them in the line of service for Jesus. 2. As times get tougher on this planet, we will be called upon to make some payments in the bank of suffering. a. Our goal is not to be arrogant when that day comes, just committed. b. It should be our goal not to abandon Jesus. C. There is a similar command that might be more like what will happen for a time. 2Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 1. Hardness is not the same thing as suffering afflictions. 2. Hardness might be embarrassment or even light persecutions: skipped over for a promotion, laughed at, perhaps even fired. 3. So far, I have endured no affliction and very little hardship. 4. Lets grow our character so that we will not fail our Jesus. III. \#1:13\ Hold to sound words. 2Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. A. Pauls command to Timothy was to stay true to the Word of God. 1. We sometimes use the word compromise when we speak of people that quit standing for the Word of God. 2. I dont think compromising is the correct term. 3. I do not view compromising as sacrificing principal or truth. 4. Compromising is bending with someone who is also bending to accomplish a good purpose. 5. Husbands and wives compromise, political parties compromise for the good of the people. 6. But a Politians who sells out capitalism for socialism or democracy for a dictatorship is not compromising. He is betraying his country. 7. When a Christian sells out the Word of God, he is not compromising. He is betraying his God. B. Again, I see implications being made. 1. It was possible that Timothy could turn from the Word of God. a. Paul had seen others do it. b. They had started believing but later rejected the Word. 2. If Timothy could, we can. We need to watch out. IV. \#2:15\ Study to show you were called by God. 2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. A. The word "approved" means tested and proven. 1. Every Christians is called to handle the Word of God. 2. But some are called to pastor flocks. 3. That is a calling from God. Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4. Those who claim to be called to such a position should show some indication of it by their skills and abilities with the Word. B. The Word of God should be studied. 1. This is true of all, but it was also true of Timothy. a. Timothy had a calling, but he still needed to study. b. Timothy had the Holy Ghost, but he still needed to study. c. Timothy had heard some great preaching, but he still needed to study. d. Timothy had read the Word of God, but he still needed to study. 2.. Nothing replaces studying the Word of God. V. \#4:2\ Preach the Word 2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. A. First I will say that this was Timothys command because of his calling. B. However, this is every believers command. 1. Not everyone is called to pastor but everyone is called to preach at least one message. 2. That is the message of salvation. a. There is sin. b. There is a Savior. c. There is salvation. d. There is service.