A song for the march to war

2 Timothy 2:11-13
{11} It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; {12} If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
{13} If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Even a cursory reading of 2 Timothy presents a Christian faith that is so much more than the easy believism of the modern church. In an attempt at relevance toward culture and also in hopes of evangelism, the American church has often been guilty of presenting an easy believism to a world that wants a “lite religion,” instead of the full bodied faith of the New Testament. It is difficult to interact with the teachings of the Apostle in 2 Timothy Chapter 2 without seeing that in the Christian faith blessings come from pain, success comes from steadfast work, glory comes suffering, and life comes from death. This sounds a lot harder than just being faithful in church attendance.

Paul now quotes from what many believe to be a Christian hymn. It is not a hymn which brings lightness to the heart or attempts to bring joy to a believer. It is a song of a battle cry. It is a didactic verse which states the principles of Christian endurance in a march toward war. This is not a song to sing which will lighten your load on the march. It is a song to sing while you march to remind you of the serious commitment we make when we agree to pick up the cross and follow him. There are 4 major facts in the song.

If you are saved you will live forever with Jesus in Heaven
{11} It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
Dying with Jesus is the idea of dying to self and coming alive in Christ. It is the picture of Christian baptism, the burial of the old life and the raising of the new. To use death as a metaphor was highly significant for Paul’s first readers. Many of them would be called upon to make costly sacrifices for the progress of the faith.

If we are faithful, God will bless our faithfulness
{12} If we endure, we will also reign with Him; …
Paul has already used illustrations of individuals who must maintain faithfulness if success is to come to them. The soldier fights for victory, the athlete competes for a crown, and the farmer toils for the harvest. Each illustration is a picture of a person whose success is intricately tied to his steadfastness to do what is necessary to make certain success is fully achieved. It is always a good feeling to get the medal for your achievement. But very often in ministry there is no indication that faithfulness has achieved a result. Here is the promise – God blesses faithfulness. It doesn’t matter if you see it on this side of Heaven – what you do for Jesus will bear fruit.

If we fail, God will never fail us
{13} If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
How many times do we fail as Christians? Let me count the ways I have failed … sorry I don’t have time to count them all this afternoon, I have to finish this devotion. It is difficult to number all the failures of our own faith. One of the first steps in a journey of failure is to remind yourself of all the times you have failed in the past. A good game face is not derived from the failures of the past but from a visage which portrays a bold attitude toward the fight. This promise is a reminder that our courage for the battle does not depend on us. God is faithful. He is always faithful. We are his family, his children, He cannot deny himself.

If you reject Jesus as Savior you will go to Hell
{12} … If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
Here is the cutting edge of the Gospel. To deny Christ is to not gain eternity with him. The phrase is reminiscent of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:33, But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Our march to battle is not for the prize of conquest or glory, it is for the souls of men. Recently I have been reminded of the song of my alma mater, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Soldiers of Christ in Truth Arrayed. Although written in 1860 by professor Basil Manly for the first graduation ceremony it’s word are just as relevant for the modern church. Some would think its prose to be dated. The only thing outdated is the first verse – the world is far more ruined than it was in 1860.

Soldiers of Christ, in Truth Arrayed

by Basil Manly Jr.

Soldiers of Christ, in truth arrayed,

A world in ruins needs your aid:

A world by sin destroyed and dead;

A world for which the Savior bled.

His Gospel to the lost proclaim,

Good news for all in Jesus’ Name;

Let light upon the darkness break

That sinners from their death may wake.

Morning and evening sow the seed,

God’s grace the effort shall succeed.

Seedtimes of tears have oft been found

With sheaves of joy and plenty crowned.

We meet to part, but part to meet

When earthly labors are complete,

To join in yet more blest employ,

In an eternal world of joy.

PRAYER

Lord, help me march, not to the beat of my own drum, but to the beat of yours. Make my feet strong when the path is hard. Let my heart and mind be set as steel for the proclamation of your truth to a world that needs the same hope I have found in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I was worth it

2 Timothy 2:10
{10} For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

There are those among us who are willing to let people see them as they really are. They are authentic and real, an open book for others to read. One cannot read the text of 2 Timothy without noticing a personal insight in the heart of the Apostle Paul. From his emotional trip down memory lane in Chapter one when he remembers the family and tears of his protégé, Timothy, to the final passage when he asks Timothy to bring his cloak to him, 2 Timothy offers an open glimpse into the personality of one of history’s greatest men. This verse is an intimate testimony. That might be interesting, but that is not the most important thing in this verse for me.

There are those among us who are willing to make some sacrifices. The all things statement which describes the various things Paul endured would entail a lengthy list of difficulties. Paul endured a loss of social position, his freedom, and his own personal desires. In Philippians 3 he lists many of his accomplishments in the Hebrew religion and the high position he held in the minds of many. Such pieties he counted as dung. Paul lost it all to follow Jesus. That is the story of a great sacrifice, but that is not the most important thing in this verse for me.

There are those among us who will do heroic things. There are those among us who will act at a moment’s notice to risk everything for a great cause or for the life of another. But Paul’s courage and sacrifice is of a totally different level. There is no surprise concerning his impending death. He knew it was coming. His death was not a spur of the moment event, he did not embrace it as an instantaneous moment of truth decision like a soldier who throws himself on a grenade to save his comrades. We must understand that his death was a journey upon which he had taken many steps toward the ultimate sacrifice of his life. For many years of his missionary work, Paul could have quit preaching. He probably could not have returned to his position among the Jews, but there is no doubt that he could have found some obscure location where he could embrace the peace and tranquility of retirement. Instead, of spending his last days celebrating the laurels of the past he pressed on for the high calling of following his Lord even unto death. That sounds pretty dramatic, but that is not the most important thing in this verse for me.

The most important thing in this verse for me is not the realness of Paul, nor his sacrifice, or even the heroic giving of himself in death. The most important and blessed thing in this verse is Paul’s motive. Paul did what he did so those of us who are of the chosen today would have the opportunity to … obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. Paul did what he did for me. In his eyes and heart, even though he never knew me – I was worth it. You were worth it. We all were worth it.

Many of us show a deep lack of spiritual maturity in our personal quests for success. We want what we want and we want it now with little thought about those who are around us and even less thought for those who will come after us. Think about a believer with a passion that burns hot enough to do whatever is necessary to ensure the proclamation of the gospel for the future. Think about a believer who dreams of the salvation of future converts that will be born into this world long after he himself has departed from it. Paul was such a believer. May God grant that such believers live again among us.

To Paul and all the other heroes of my faith, thank you for what you did for me.

PRAYER
Lord, instill within me the responsibility I must show to those who will come after me. Let me not view my church, my ministry, or any of the blessings you have given as only for me to enjoy. Always keep me aware that the gospel you have placed in my hands for safekeeping must be relayed to the generations of the future. May those who come behind me find me faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You can’t stop this

2 Timothy 2:7-9 {7} Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. {8} Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, {9} for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.


Cynthia Kersey is a self help motivator, life coach, and speaker. Her organization, Unstoppable, has assisted Fortune 500 Companies, as well as individuals from all walks of life on how to create what she calls, “unstoppable success.” Her 30 day Unstoppable Challenge includes a 10 CD set with instructional and informational audio coaching sessions. You can even get a daily email from Kersey for personal encouragement and inspiration. Unstoppable sounds pretty good. An unstoppable power could change you and change the world.


There are times in our lives when we are stopped dead in our tracks
I guess if there is someone who could use a little encouragement at a time of discouragement it would be a good thing to have a friend like Cynthia. A little heartache might be overcome by the healing salve of an encourager, but sometimes real problems need more than a life coach or a Hallmark card has to offer. Paul was at such a time in his life. Abandoned by many he had preached to in the past and now imprisoned awaiting his execution, is it hard to imagine that any person in such a place could feel unstoppable. Many within the church feel that we are surely imprisoned by a future that shows little optimism and hope for the vitality of our faith. But in Paul’s writing we see that the death row resident of today has not given up hope on the future life of tomorrow. Where does such an unstoppable power come from?


Unstoppable power does not come from us because we are stoppable
{7} Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
In the preceding verses Paul gave us 3 illustrations of faithfulness and commitment, the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. Each of these individuals are great examples of people who stick to their jobs to achieve the goals of their vocation. They are not quitters at difficult times. But among the greatest of heroe's physical ability eventually fades. Personal failures bring down even those who have reached the highest pinnacles of success. The kind of power Paul is talking about is not found in human strength and ability.


Nothing can stop Jesus – He is unstoppable
{8} Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, …
The most significant power of the universe is a power which cannot be gauged by instruments of human assessment. The equalizer for all men is death. Want to see someone stop? By every indication of measure, death stops us all. You can’t do much if you are dead. Jesus overcame death. His victory over the grave is valid proof of his unstoppable ability.


God’s … Word goes beyond us even when we are stopped
{8} … according to my gospel, {9} for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.


So how does this unstoppable power work in our lives as we guard the Gospel?


We must own the Gospel for ourselves
The amazing thing about Guarding the Gospel is that God has placed his own power within our hands for safekeeping. Paul states that the story of Jesus which he preached had become something he himself owned. He calls it, “ … my gospel.”


We must be willing to endure for the sake of the unsaved
Paul was more than willing to undergo any hardship for people to hear and respond to the Gospel. I often wonder how Paul would feel if he had an understanding of the far reaching influence of his ministry.


We must remember that we preach a message that will outlast us
Paul knew that when he died in prison, the message of the Gospel would not die with him. From both his words and his actions we see a faith in the eternal significance in the Gospel story.


PRAYER:
Lord, help me to know that my strength is limited. Help me also to know that your Word is unstoppable. Let me hide your Word in my heart and let me proclaim your unstoppable message to my friends, my family, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Farmers

2 Timothy 2:6
The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
 - Bringing in the Sheaves, popular Protestant hymn of the 1800’s

The Apostle Paul now uses his third illustration of faithfulness and commitment. If we are to guard the Gospel we must do so as a farmer. I am not a farmer and have never farmed. Even though I have not been gainfully employed in the field of agriculture it is amazing to me how much of my life has been touched by it. One grandfather owned a family farm. My other grandfather was a tenant farmer. My first church was almost exclusively made up of farming families. My church today is in one of the agricultural centers of the south. My daughter married a farmer. Both my sons, although not farmers, have gardens in their backyards. I am not contemplating planting cotton next year but I have learned a little bit about farming. Here are some great quotes that I have heard directly from the mouth of farmers:

If a young man with no farming background decided to become a farmer and he had enough money to get started, he would be smarter to invest the money and live on the interest.
                    East Texas Farmer

When you got cows, you got problems.
                    East Texas Farmer who also raised beef cattle

And here is my favorite farmer quote – I quit raising turkeys, turkeys are nasty.
                    North Carolina Pig Farmer

Needless to say, if you are looking for a hard job – be a farmer. Today’s successful farmer has to be an economist, a scientist, a constant student, a handyman, a mechanic, an optimist, and above all things a hard worker. Crops do not grow themselves. The survival of farming demands the full participation and sweat of the person who farms.

Somehow the modern church has lost the concept of hard work in spiritual things. Many of our church members come to church in the same way they attend a movie. They come into the auditorium, get the seat of their choice, and watch the show. If the show entertains them, they might recommend it to others. Paul describes this farmer in his illustration as hard-working.

There is a certain amount of satisfaction that a farmer enjoys after a good harvest. Certainly selling the crops bring satisfaction, but there is another contentment that is beyond economic reward. There is the feeling of accomplishment. These are the crops that he planted, sprayed, tended, watered, and finally harvested. It is the reward of personal labor, the fruit of which generates a personal accomplishment. That feeling of personal success is never created without the sacrifice of hard work. So many of our churches argue and fret over things that really do not matter. What would happen if we worked like farmers? What if we labored over the gospel with all our hearts? When we baptize at our church it is a tradition to ask not only the family members of the baptismal candidate to stand in their honor, but also those who have had a part in leading them to Christ. That new convert is a fruit of someone’s labor. There is no greater personal satisfaction to be found in Christianity than to know you have had even a small part in the salvation of a soul. Work hard, the fields are white unto harvest.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to work in your field and bring in the harvest you will give me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Are you on the bench or in the game?

2 Timothy 2:5
{5} Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

“If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?”
                    Vince Lombardi, American Football Legend,
                    Former Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers

This is the second of three illustrations which the Apostle Paul used to describe faithfulness and commitment. It is the illustration of an athlete. If we are to guard the gospel we must do so as an athlete. Athletic competition was something which would have been widely understood by the general reader of Paul’s day. Although there were other famous athletic competitions, the most widely known was the Olympic games. In order for the athlete to compete he must be faithful and committed both in preparation and participation.

Competition is the concept of attempting to win
{5} Also if anyone competes as an athlete, …
The whole basis of athletic competition both in the ancient and modern world is to attempt to win a victory, to prove that you are capable of beating an opponent. The modern church has become far more spectator oriented that participant oriented. I guess if you are going to be sitting in the stadium and only watching the game then being a spectator is fine. But Christianity is not described in the New Testament as a spectator sport. The church of scripture must be viewed as a player that is playing to win. Here is a call from the Apostle for us all get our games faces on and get on the field with our eyes on a victory. The great commission was not given for us to study – it was given to us to do.

Completion must be done according to the rules
{5} … he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
An interesting insight in the verse is the concept of playing according to the rules. The Olympic games had a set of rules which all athletes had to follow. Participants of the games, as well as their fathers and brothers, had to swear an oath on the cooked flesh of a boar that they would not sin against the Olympian games. The Athlete himself had to take a further oath that he had strictly followed the regulations for training for a ten month period. An oath was also taken by those judges who would examine the candidates against receiving a bribe or giving personal information about any athlete to anyone. All of the Olympic judges were chosen from the regional area of Elis, of which Olympia was a part. So well regarded were the reputations of fairness among the Elis judges that any common citizen would have been shocked to discover they had not judged fairly. The existence of rules in a game underscores the honor and prestige of the one who wins. Our rule book is scripture. The rules of a Christian in guarding the gospel would be simple. Know truth, don’t change truth, and teach/preach truth.

There is a prize for those who win
{5} … win the prize …
There are two types of crowns mentioned in the New Testament. The DIADEM crown was a crown given and worn because of the nobility of position. It would be a crown worn by royalty, they did not earn the crown, it was given to them because of their birth or status. The crown mentioned in this text is the STEPHANOS crown. This crown, usually made of twigs and leaves is the reward given to an individual because of their personal win or achievement. It is an earned crown. There is great reward for those who guard the Gospel. There is great reward to those who will faithfully commit themselves to winning victories for God.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to get off the bench and get in the game. May I win for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Soldier of the Lord

2 Timothy 2:3-4 {3} Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. {4} No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
                   United States Oath of Military Enlistment

The Oath of Military Enlistment is not an invitation to a tea party. The military is paid salaries, given benefits, receive reenlistment bonuses, and even are awarded medals for jobs well done. The majority of them probably deserve far more than what they get. However it should be noted that none of those things are promised in the oath of military enlistment. The oath is not about what you will receive, the oath is about what you will do. It is solemn promise to obey and support a cause that is bigger than you. It is a pledge that you will put your personal desires and wants aside and follow the leadership of your superiors in the protection and service of your country.

We must be faithful in guarding the Gospel. Paul uses three illustrations in the next few verses as example of faithfulness and commitment. The first is the illustration of a soldier. Does the modern church resemble a military unit fighting for a cause? Or are we more like the private civic club whose participants are more worried about the form and decorum of the meeting than having a noble purpose for their existence? Are we soldiers of the Lord?

A good soldier is willing to suffer hardship
{3} Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
To suffer hardship is to embrace all the difficulties of military life. The difficulties could range anywhere from doing without everyday comforts all the way to being in harm’s way. Suffering hardship does not mean that such hardship is enjoyed or that fear is not present. The commitment of a soldier is bearing what many others would seem unbearable and doing so in spite of every fiber of your being crying out in fear. John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” Christians have a responsibility to endure whatever it takes to serve Jesus.

A good soldier does not allow everyday life to keep him from doing his duty
{4} No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, …
The affairs of everyday life in this verse refer to activities of business and family life. A person who serves in the military cannot be concerned with the affairs of civilian life. You can’t decide you are not going to war because your team is in the playoffs and you just can’t miss the game. When the order is given to go, a soldier must go with no questions asked. To embrace the cross is to follow the banner of Christ even when marching toward the battle is incontinent.

A good soldier obeys the orders and honors the will of his commander
{4} … so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
Does what I do please Jesus? In the Lord’s army he sets the regulations, issues the orders, and accompanies us into battle. My actions both on and off the battlefield must be accomplished with the goal of pleasing him. Soldiers give up their will for the will of those that give the orders.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to be a good soldier in the Lord’s army. Help me to run to the battle with the courage only you can give me. Teach me to follow you without question. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pass it on

2 Timothy 2:2 {2} The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Foundation for a Better Life is a good group of folks. This non-profit corporation creates public service announcements which communicate values that make a difference in our communities. Its founder, Philip Anshutz is ranked by Forbes as the 123rd richest man in the world. An Evangelical Christian, Anshutz created a $700 million endowment to produce public service campaigns “… to communicate the values that make a difference in our communities – values such as honesty, caring, optimism, hard work, and helping others.” Most people have seen them either on TV or billboards. There is a short inspirational statement or story and then a simple statement, “Pass it on.” The message seems to be that there are good values in life and that it is important for all of us the pass on values that constructive and wholesome. There are some things in life that are worth passing on to others.

 The Apostle Paul here reminds Timothy of one of the most important functions of the church. Guarding the Gospel must be the passion of the church. However, there is a need for the passion of our heart to be fleshed out in a practical means. The formula for passing on the truth of the Gospel is here spelled out.

The truth of the Gospel is be passed on
{2} The things …
The things that Paul is describing are the tenets and teachings of the Gospel. The Gospel is defined as the whole story of Jesus, his life, his teachings, his death, his resurrection and his coming. This story is not just the telling of historical facts. The facts are told also with a passionate call for all people to accept God’s free gift of salvation and eternal life to through his grace.

The truth of the Gospel is best cared for and passed on in the fellowship of a church
{2} … which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses,…
Paul’s mention of these other individuals is a reminder of Timothy of the communal nature of the Gospel. Christians are gathered together in the community of the Bride of Christ, the Church. It is within the Church that the story of the Gospel is passed on. There in front of witnesses the story is told and retold. Part of the responsibility of the community is to witness with each other to make certain that the story does not change, that the truth of the Gospel is guarded and protected for the next generation.

The truth of the Gospel should be given to faithful followers of Christ
{2} … entrust these to faithful men …
What does it take to be one whom the story of the Gospel is entrusted to? It takes faithfulness. Scholarship and academic acumen, although important and should be strived for, are not on the top list of requirements to be a passer on of the faith. If we are faithful to the task, God blesses our efforts. This is not an excuse for lackadaisical teaching. Faithfulness itself is a call to excellence.

The truth of the Gospel must be passed on from one generation to another
{2} … who will be able to teach others also.
Here is the purpose of 2 Timothy. Each generation needs to hear the truth of the Gospel. It is not enough that we hear it and understand it. We must commit ourselves to those who would come after us in the days to come.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to know the Gospel. Convict me that knowing the Gospel is not just the knowing of historical facts. Convict my heart with a passion to pass on your truth to others and to the next generation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Get Pumped

2 Timothy 2:1
{1} You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

    "I can promise you that when I go to Sacramento, I will pump up Sacramento.
        -Campaign promise by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

When Arnold Schwarzenegger was running his campaign to become Governor of California he made a promise to his constituency that many understood from his personal background. Schwarzenegger, a former professional body builder and Hollywood star often played an overtly strong man in his films, used a term of the gym. To get pumped up is the muscle sensation ones feels after doing a set of weight lifting. The muscles are tight and are larger because they have literally been pumped with blood. Before he was the Governator, Schwarzenegger made a career out of exercising and building his body. Strength was his calling card. In his campaign he promised to use his personal strength to force his state to exercise and grow in its own strength.

The Apostle Paul calls us to be strong. Literally to be enstrengthened or to put it bluntly, get pumped up. It is a call to be strong in faith and action. Too many people have the concept of the church and its followers as a bunch of sanctimonious sissies. Many picture the church as those folks who have a mild mannered preacher who preaches mild mannered sermons to mild mannered people about how to be more mild mannered. Sadly, many of our churches have contributed to this popular opinion. We have become social clubs where those who care little about doing anything of monumental importance hold positions of authority over the congregation to keep it from ever growing in any type of strength or vitality. Most of our churches could stand to get a little pumped up.

True Christian faith is strong in nature. When true Christian faith is followed it empowers Christians to rise above the ordinary and do extraordinary things. In ancient Rome it was the custom to take unwanted infants to the city dump and leave them. There they were adopted as slaves or died. The Roman mindset was either way the problem of an unwanted child was solved quickly. It was the early Christians of Rome who scoured the dumps and raised the orphans. To adopt such a mindset of the dignity and sanctity of a weak and helpless life was to run against the entire grain of Roman culture. The church did not survive centuries of persecution because it was weak. Our forefathers understood what it meant to be strong Christians.

What would happen to American Christianity if we grew strong in the grace of Jesus? Christianity changed the ancient world and gave direction and purpose to Western Civilization. Maybe, with God’s help we need to pump up the world again.

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to be strong in my faith. Give me your strength and let me use it for the glory of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Citizen Soldier

2 Timothy 1:16-18
{16} The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; {17} but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— {18} the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

          By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
          Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
          Here once the embattled farmers stood,
          And fired the shot heard round the world.
               Concord Hymn, Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson captured the spirit of the American Revolution in his Concord Hymn. The poem was written by Emerson for the dedication of a monument to commemorate the Battle or Lexington and Concord, the first armed conflict of the Colonials against the British Empire. The drama of this battle, as well as the revolution itself has grown in legend over the years because so many of the Colonials were common people. Many within the ranks of the revolution’s army were Militia, citizens who left their private lives to fight for the cause of American freedom. These commoners won their independence from a world power and they did so fighting against a professional military. Hence the poet refers to the farmer who fired the shot was heard round the world. They were as the National Guard states, Citizen Soldiers.

Wars are won or lost when leaders lead troops into battle. Generals however are often not on the front line or in the field of fire. It is the common soldier who is the unsung hero of the battlefield. Onesiphorus was such a man. Mentioned only in 2 Timothy in chapters 1 and 4, he should be viewed a common person who served his Lord as a Citizen Soldier. Onesiphorus was not an Apostle, he was not a missionary, he was not a preacher, and there is no indication that he was a leader of any sort. He was simply a Citizen Solider who did his part in the overall scheme of the war. Christianity and our churches are and should be grateful for their leaders. But the real heroes of our church are not those leaders who proclaim scripture in a leadership position or office. The real heroes are the people who live out the teachings of scripture in their everyday lives. They are the Citizen Soldiers. They are the ones who fire the shots heard round the world. How does a person become a Citizen Soldier in the army of the Lord?

A Citizen Soldier will never quit his mission
It is difficult to view verse 16 without referring back to verse 15 where Paul states, that all who are in Asia turned away from me. In stark contrast, Onesiphorus took up his mission and completed it at time when the many of the people in his acquaintance had forsaken the Apostle Paul. One of the great characteristics of a hero is his willingness to stand alone when everyone else quits.

A Citizen Soldier serves
In the information we have about the ministry of Onesiphorus it is obvious that he served the Apostle Paul as well as the church at Ephesus. Onesiphorus left Ephesus, the location of Timothy, and traveled to Rome to minister to Paul. The danger and length of such a journey shows a commitment to service which was sacrificial in its scope.

A Citizen Soldier will pay any price for the cause of the Gospel
This passage is almost a prayer that the family of Onesiphorus will find mercy. Paul speaks of the same thing concerning his family in chapter 4. It is easy to get the idea from the prayer request that Onesiphorus did not find mercy in Rome and also that he did not make it back to Ephesus. Therefore prayer is lifted up for his family who may have lost both father and husband in his death.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember that every member of your church is important to you. Help me also to remember that God has called all of us, including me, to be Citizen Soldiers of his army. Convict me by your Holy Spirit and embolden me that I may never quit the mission you have placed in my hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Alone

2 Timothy 1:15
{15} You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

A Gallup Poll of May, 2010 shows a significant shift in American Cultural standards and is most probably a shadow of things to come in American society. The poll was a survey of 16 different behaviors or social practices and how Americans felt about them. Beginning in 2001 Gallup included questions concerning homosexual behavior in its social polling. This year’s poll reveals for the first time that that the majority of Americans do not feel that homosexual behavior is immoral. 52% of Americans accept gay or lesbian relationships as normal. Only 43% viewed such relationships as morally wrong. Opinion polls of the public at large over the last decade have shown a steady rise in the acceptance of homosexual behavior. As Western Civilization loses the influence of an orthodox Christianity we can only guess what such an opinion poll will say 20 to 30 years from now. Christians, especially Christians in America, have enjoyed the privilege of living in a culture that has been Christianized. We are now quickly moving to a culture where the majority of it citizens are ready to forget the basis of our rich heritage and are more than willing to accept the pottage of a God does not exist philosophy. Those who were once in the majority and held sway in public opinion might very well become the minority whose viewpoints are seen as irrelevant. What if everyone turned from the faith of our fathers? What if everyone else turned away and you alone were left?

Paul statement of being forsaken is sobering. Timothy knew full well the success of Paul’s ministry in Asia. In Ephesus, the location of Timothy at the writing of this Epistle, a massive spiritual awakening had taken place. Acts 19:10 gives a summation of the event, This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. Those who turned away from Paul did not just represent a theological shift for him. For Paul it was also personal in nature. Those who had turned away from Paul were not strangers. Amazingly, Paul who was the leader or facilitator of this awakening now finds himself forsaken by those who were themselves the recipients of the blessings of his missionary work. With the passing of time Paul had moved from popular leader to shunned outcast. How do you deal with forsakenness especially when those you love or have served are the very ones you feel have forsaken you?

Although the next passage, deals with a person who lifted Paul’s spirit in his dungeon of forsakenness, I think the best indication of Paul’s strength in this area goes far beyond the scope of human assistance. People can do so many things for us, but no person can love us the way our Lord loves us. People will fail, but God’s mercies toward us are made new everyday.

In 2 Timothy we see that the Apostle has discovered a strength that reaches beyond prison. How can such a faith exist? He does not allow the present circumstances of his environment or the cruel rejections he has faced from friends dictate his future or his heart. Here is a man who places his faith in a heavenly authority which cannot be judged by the inconsistencies and failures of human support. A man who has such faith cannot be stopped. He might even be killed, but the purpose for which he has given his life will still live and breathe the message of the Gospel for generations to come.

PRAYER
Lord help me always remember that you are always with me. Teach me that I am never alone. Make me understand that when I look at my life, even when I can’t understand my circumstances, that you are in charge of every moment of my existence and every fiber of my being. Make my life count for you for you, and if necessary, make my death count for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A sacred trust

2 Timothy 1:13-14
{13} Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. {14} Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery is one of the most popular tourists spot in the D. C. Area. The particular people whose remains are interred in that spot are individuals who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. Each of the men buried there were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. Although no biographical information is known concerning these individuals they represent to a great extent all American soldiers who have gave their lives in service to our country. The thing that makes the Tomb of the Unknowns a popular tourist site is the drama of the guard. Members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard) stand guard over the tomb 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The ceremony and care of their duty in their military patrol of the tomb has been continuous since 1930. Although this guard post has been in existence for 80 years only about 600 soldiers have won “Tomb Badges” and only a few hundred of them have actually earned the right to stand watch. For those who have walked the post they speak of it as a life changing experience. They speak of their duties with hushed tones and as a motivating factor of their lives. To guard a sacred treasure is life changing and life consuming.

Paul calls the Gospel a treasure which has been entrusted. The Lord has given us blessings that are far too innumerable to mention. But the blessing of the Gospel is different. It is not a gift given just for our personal edification, it is a gift we must guard, a sacred trust, a treasure we must preserve for the generations which will come behind us. How do we guard such a treasure?

Don’t trade your treasure for trash
{13} Retain the standard of sound words …
The word standard carries the idea of a pattern. It could describe the sketch of an artist or the outline of a writer which could be used as a guideline before the finished project. Sound words are words that are healthy and not harmful. We are commanded to retain the pattern of healthy words. In a day when truth is up for grabs, scriptural truth must be guarded and maintained. Many are tempted to leave the truths of scripture for so called new truths that are discovered. Many look for a truth that will correspond and relate to their own whims and desires. To change truth is to make it less than truth. As we guard the treasure of the Gospel we cannot allow it to become contaminated with impurity.

Keep your treasure in the safety deposit box of the church
{13} … which you have heard from me, …
The doctrine of Timothy had been given to him by the Apostle Paul. The laying on of hands in 1:6 is an allusion to an ordination service. Paul viewed himself as an Apostle, a gift that was given to the church. Paul’s teachings include a high view of the church and the church is consistently seen as the keeper of the faith. The greatest encouragement of good theology is the environment of a local church where questions are asked, where concepts are discussed, and where those who have gifts of wisdom and teaching can assist us all in our understanding of truth. When iron sharpens iron, iron gets sharper. As we guard the treasure of the Gospel we must do so in the workings and environment of a church.

Let the treasure rule your heart
{13} … in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
You cannot be committed to the truth of scripture without the truth of scripture becoming a part of your life. To guard the gospel is an honor. To guard the Gospel is also a life changing experience. As we hold the gospel close to our hearts the faith and love expressed in it will change the activities and attitudes of our personal lives.

PRAYER:
Lord help me to understand the awesome responsibility I have to guard the Gospel. May I never look upon my responsibilities in doing such as something I just simply do out of tradition. Help me to embrace this honor with all my heart. And when my life in this world is over may it be said of me that I stood for the truth of the Gospel in both word and deed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A stone of hope from the mountain of despair

2 Timothy 1:12
{12} For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

The “I have a Dream” speech of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 has become a part of American thought and literature. King delivered his speech at a time when national tensions were high and when the jury was still out concerning the future of race relations in America. Regardless of the harsh environment of his day, one cannot listen to the recordings of the speech without sensing the faith of the speaker. King was convinced that his dream would become a reality. In speaking of his hope King said that he was going back to the South with faith that his people could hew “a stone of hope” from a “mountain of despair.” Often faith is discovered following the turmoil where the faithful has the vantage point of looking back through difficulties and now having the deliverance of God in his grasp. But this is not the case with Paul. The faith of the Apostle is found in the middle of the struggle and not at the end of the journey. Paul states, I also suffer. The verb is a Greek tense is present and conveys the idea of suffering actually taking place at the time of writing. Paul’s suffering was not behind him, he was in the middle of it. He is imprisoned and believes that his mortal life is quickly coming to an end. But he knows that his salvation and service to God are worth it. At the time of his suffering there are no regrets for his losses but instead there is hope for his future which the suffering cannot steal away. Within the furnace of hot turmoil Paul is hewing out a stone of hope from a mountain of despair.

How do you cut a stone of hope out of the mountain of despair? How could such a faith be achieved?

Faith must be fully embraced
Paul states, I am not ashamed. If anyone could have ever been in a quandary as whether or not to accept the situation at hand, it would have been the Apostle Paul. Sitting in a dungeon and awaiting a certain death doesn’t sound like the kind of future to put your faith in. But Paul was convinced that his life was wrapped up in the sovereign will of God. Therefore there was no shame in embracing the suffering was looming before him. A faith that cannot be embraced in the middle of suffering is a faith you can’t depend on.

Faith must be decided in irrevocable decisions
The text speaks of 3 major decisions made within the mind of Paul. Faith decisions are permanent decisions. They do not change with the passing of time or with the circumstances of reality. Paul states, For I know, I have believed, and I am convinced. Each of these phrases are in the perfect tense emphasizing the serious nature of the decisions and the commitment of Paul to not change his mind. First, Paul knew his faith. To know your faith is to understand it and comprehend it. Faith may be discovered in the events of life but strong faith is not just discovered, it is studied, exercised, and grown. Second, Paul believed his faith. To believe in something is to trust it. Paul trusted his faith and knew he could depend upon it. Third, Paul was convinced of his faith. To be convinced of your faith is to grow in the maturity of your trust. After you have learned to trust something over a period of time you learn that arguments which might arise concerning the validity of faith are futile. When the Discovery Channel talks about another Gospel of Jesus, your faith is not shaken or concerned. You are convinced of it and no argument of the present can shake the faith of the future.

Faith must be dependent on God and God alone
The Apostle states that He is able to guard. There is no doubt concerning the ability of God. Paul had accomplished much as a missionary/theologian but he realizes that his own strengths are meaningless in terms of faith. In order for his service and salvation to have any meaning at all it must be entrusted into the safekeeping of God.

Faith understands that it can last until faith is no longer needed
Verse 12 speaks of the future of faith. Until that day is a reference to that time to come in eternity. In Heaven, faith will no longer have a bearing in our lives. Our mortal relationship is based on faith. Our relationship of eternity will not be through a glass darkly as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13, but it will be relationship which will be face to face.

PRAYER
Lord, help my faith to grow. Convict me so that I will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that no matter what my circumstances are you are always there directing the affairs of my life. Help me to make all the decisions of my life based on my faith relationship with you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Guard the Gospel – A summons to nobility

2 Timothy 1:9-10
{9} who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, {10} but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel,

Peter Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University, speaks of the “Greatest Generation” in his book The Good Life, Truths that Last in Times of Need. There he gives a short list of graduates who left the halls of Harvard and pursued lives of service to their fellow man. It is easy to see the impact of this academic institution in American life – Gomes lists John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, We E. B Dubois, Helen Keller, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Each of these individuals could be viewed as visionary leaders who made major impacts upon their world. After listing these greats of America History, Gomez then poses a question for this present generation:

“What will be our call to greatness, our summons to nobility? In this season of endless prosperity and self-interest, is there anything that will require the best of what we have to offer? Is there any cause great or good enough to provoke goodness and greatness is us?”

The modern church struggles with our own summons to nobility. What many of us fail to realize is that the great cause of our faith is the common salvation which all Christians share. Too often we become intoxicated with something shiny and new, the next “big” thing in church life. Our cause is as old as creation itself. It is the cause of the Gospel – God’s plan to bring redemption to a fallen world.

There is a summons to nobility – We must guard the Gospel because it is a unique treasure of God given to us.
It is simple enough for a child to understand but yet so profound that it cannot be fathomed in human understanding. There are 7 verbs in these two verses. Each of them is in the Aorist tense of the Greek language emphasizing a point in time action. These verses state that at one point in time or contained in one incident Jesus did all of these things. It is a statement of an encapsulation of the Gospel. Through this one thing, the mighty Gospel of God: Jesus saved us; called us; granted us purpose and grace; revealed himself; appearing in the flesh; abolished death; and brought life and immortality to light. His plan of salvation is beyond the scope of human imagination and invention. It is a plan that on one hand has nothing to do with human works or ability (verse 9 states not according to our works) but at the same time uses human works and ability to accomplish its purpose (verses 4-6 speak of the impact others had in Timothy’s salvation and call).

There is a summons to nobility – We must guard the Gospel because it is the only hope mankind holds for eternal change.
We are constantly looking for that thing which will change us or our society. The call for hope and change rings loud for all of us because hope and change are so desperately needed. All of the changes that are embraced outside the Gospel are nothing more than cosmetic in nature and temporal in result. Only the Gospel brings change within. A change of the heart brings a change that is so much more than cosmetic in nature. It is a change that lasts forever.

There is a summons to nobility – We must guard the Gospel because it is a treasure so great God came to deliver it in person.
Included in Paul’s description of our call to nobility he makes mention of the fact that God’s Gospel is revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. God did not send another prophet to deliver the Gospel. He came in person, deity wrapped up in human flesh. The mystery and miracle of the incarnation were for the purpose of hand delivering God’s greatest gift to sinful man.

There is a summons to nobility – We must guard the Gospel because it abolishes death and generates life.
Our world is dying. Our culture is dying. Because of the ravages of sin, we are all dying. Today’s world embraces a culture of death and seems to be happy to do so. From the violence of our entertainment to the growth of militant Islam we are marching ourselves to an open grave of dismal hopelessness. We are moving from the bedrock biblical principles which gave rise to the prosperity and hope of Western Civilization to a new dark age of skepticism and godlessness where man is nothing more than an evolved life form and has little meaning for existence. Only in the Gospel can life be found. Jesus said in John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

There is a summons to nobility – We must embrace the calling of God on our lives to guard the Gospel.
Paul here mentions the stations of his own calling. The calling of God is for all of us. Not all are called to be preachers, apostles, or teachers. But we are all summoned to guard the Gospel. We are all summoned to nobility.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to rise to the occasion of my calling. Teach me that without God I am nothing. But also convict me that with the power of God in my life I can make an impact on the world in which I live. Summon me from my commonness and let me hear your call to nobility. May I guard the Gospel with all my heart and life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Every Christian a rifleman

2 Timothy 1:8-11 {8} Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, {9} who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, {10} but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, {11} for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

The United States Marines Corps presents an integration of job education and instruction which is a great illustration for the modern church. A major doctrine of their battle readiness is the tenet, “Every Marine is a rifleman.” All enlisted Marines, regardless of their specialization receive infantry training as riflemen. In conjunction with that all officers, regardless of their specialization, receive training as infantry platoon commanders. The value of this mindset has been proven on more than one occasion.

The surprise attack on the American military outpost on Wake Island just a few hours after Pearl Harbor saw the destruction of the majority of Marine Aircraft. The first attempted land invasion failed, even though Japan had a force far larger than the embattled Americans. A major reason was that Marine Pilots who no longer had planes to fly formed platoons of clerks and cooks who repelled the attack. Every Marine, no matter what their actual job was, took an individual responsibility to serve in an infantry position. Such a culture forms a strong bond of camaraderie which is forged even stronger in the crucible of battle.

Verses 8-11 are all one sentence. Verses 9-10 can stand alone as a description of our incomparable salvation. A subject we will approach tomorrow. But the entire sentence is a statement of the equality of purpose and responsibility of every Christian. The task of guarding the Gospel is not for a select few. Guarding the Gospel is a responsibility for us all.

Paul and Timothy are to become partners in suffering.
{8} Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
There is no doubt that Paul is of higher rank that Timothy. Timothy would view him as mentor, teacher, leader, and apostle. Paul would view Timothy as student, understudy, and disciple. Regardless of the different ranks they hold, there can be no shame between them and they are both to suffer for the Gospel. Every Christian shares equality of purpose and responsibility.

Paul and Timothy share the common bond of a miraculous salvation.
{9} who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, {10} but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
There are many bonds which could be mentioned in the relationship shared by Paul and Timothy but there is no greater bond that the salvation they share. The Gospel they are called to guard is beyond the scope of human imagination. It is a Gospel that looked beyond their sins. It is a Gospel so massive in nature that it existed before the time frame of their existence and promises to hold them in its grip beyond the realms of eternity. To share such a faith and to understand its commonality among Christians joins us with deep bonds. Every Christian shares equality of purpose and responsibility.

Paul and Timothy are both appointed to office by the God who saved them.
{11} for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.
Paul mentions three offices which he himself held. Two of the three offices were also held by Timothy. The word translated “appointed” is the simple word for “put” or “place.” Used in a passive voice it gives the idea of God picking them up and physically putting them into a particular job or place of service. Although their jobs might not be identical in nature they have the same supernatural employer.

No Christian is exempt from the call to guard the Gospel. We do not all have the same abilities or even have the same positions in the church. But we are all responsible to fulfill the role God has chosen for us. Every Christian a rifleman.

PRAYER
Lord, help me and all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to realize the common bonds we share. Help us all embrace the same purpose with a great passion. Raise us up as a mighty army to build your kingdom.

Christian Invincibility

2 Timothy 1:7
{7} For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

In his book Southern Invincibility Wiley Sword, Civil War Historian, attempts to help us understand the bravery within the heart of the southern soldier. The subtitle “A History of the Confederate Heart,” tells the story of why defeat was so tragic in the lives of many southerners. Southerners viewed themselves as better than their northern counterparts. Confederate President Jefferson Davis remarked to his wife early in the Civil War that, “We are like the British. We think every Southerner equal to three Yankees at least.” To be sure there was in the Confederate heart a passion for bravery which overrode the facts and reality of the North’s greater ability to wage a lengthy war with greater resources and manpower. The loss of the war was a changing of a world view of personal superiority. Such a mistaken heart led to an inevitable defeat. Still wars that are won are won because of the daring of the common soldier who overcomes the fear of battle and marches forward even if victory is an uncertainty.

Paul states that we are not given a “spirit of timidity.” This describes a person who is a coward. It would be somebody who would run from a fight instead of standing his ground. Timothy fully understood the importance of the call upon his life. He also understood the fears that could grip his heart and cause him to give up that call. In his service as a pastor he was already a veteran of the battles one would face in guarding the gospel. No doubt he discovered quickly that guarding the gospel is not an activity for the lighthearted or fearful.

The fear of failure, the fear of the unknown, or even the fear of others often paralyzes the work of the gospel. Many a common Christian has not risen to accomplish uncommon things because of the crippling nature of fear. But Timothy is admonished to not be fearful. Remember, God has not given us a spirit of timidity. In the listing of grace gifts which the Lord has bestowed upon his church, there is no gift of fear. Our courage is also bolstered because we do not ride out to battle empty handed. God gives us three weapons to use in the fight to guard the gospel.

We have the weapon of power.
The word actually means ability. A frequent contrast of scripture is that God often chooses what we would think of as the least likely person to achieve success. The least likely one is endowed with a power that is beyond the realm of human ability. 80 year old men like Moses don’t walk around splitting seas in half everyday. But any person endowed with the power of God is able to accomplish that which God wishes for him to accomplish.

We have the weapon of love.
Guarding the gospel or guarding anything of value always brings up an activity of struggle. If there was no force attempting to change the gospel then there would be little need to guard it. Warfare presupposes the existence and activity of an enemy. It is easy for us to forget the overarching command of love when we struggle. But love is a weapon that not only overcomes a multitude of sins, it also has a way of disarming and changing the lives of those who come into contact with it. The world will never be interested in the gospel until the purveyors of the gospel love them the way Jesus does.

We have the weapon of discipline.
The term here refers to self control. The soldier who guards the gospel must be in the control of the activities of his own life. Timothy’s fears could not be overcome until they meet a resistance which is strong and practiced. Wars are not won by the mere material resources which are supplied to soldiers. Wars are won when such soldiers use their weapons to the best of their ability. Dirty rifles jam and misfire. Rifles not aimed well never hit their targets.

Are Christians invincible? As mere mortals we are not. But armed with the power and might of God we may be assured that the gates of hell themselves will never prevail against us. We are most certainly described as the sheep of Jesus’ flock, but it is the intent of God that every one of his lambs has the heart of a lion. Guard the gospel. It is your responsibility. With God’s help it is in the realm of your ability.

Jesus wants you

2 Timothy 1:6
{6} For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

“Uncle Sam wants you …,” These are the famous words of the military recruiting poster. In America we view it as a call to arms for the individual, a call to personal responsibility to join the effort, participate in the fight, to do your part. In the last few generations the church has become far too spectator oriented instead of participant oriented. God never intended for us to sit and watch, it is the intent of God that every Christian be utilized in the service of the kingdom. Paul’s call to Timothy to guard the gospel is not just an educational lecture in which Timothy learns facts – It is a call of personal responsibility to get on the front line of the battle.

Jesus wants you – There is a cause for which to fight.
{6} For this reason …
The reason Timothy must be personal responsible for guarding the gospel could be singular or multifaceted. In looking at the context of the passage “reason” could refer to his heritage, his relationship with Paul, his family tradition, or even to the experience of his personal salvation. I believe that the best interpretation of this is the overall theme of the book. Paul calls him to remember the awesome responsibility of guarding the gospel. Personal ministry is not a hobby to be done for enjoyment or pastime. We are at war. There are forces in this world that strive to destroy truth. We must stand up for them with all the boldness we can muster.

Jesus wants you – God has specifically put a weapon in your hands
{6} … I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you …
God does not leave us without a weapon in the struggle for truth. The gift mentioned in this text could be referred to as a “grace gift.” It is a gift of some type of service which God bestows in the life of every believer. Timothy’s gift was to be a pastor. Not every Christian is called to an office of leadership within the church, but every child of God is given a gift from God to be utilized in his service. Not all soldiers carry the same weapon. Some weapons are more sophisticated than others and some are different in their function and purpose. Regardless of which weapon God has placed in your hand it is your responsibility to use the weapon God has designed for you to guard the gospel. Personal responsibility is seriously pointed out in the phrase “kindle afresh.” It is the idea of fanning or blowing on a glowing coal until it springs up into a working flame. God puts his weapon of choice in your hands but he demands that you practice it and care for it so that you can use it to the best of your ability.

Jesus wants you – Serve him in the ranks of the church
{6} … through the laying on of my hands.
The laying on of hands does not imply some magical bequeathing of spiritual power. It is a sign of church recognition and authority. Ephesians 4 clearly teaches us that the spiritual gifts were given to the church. Paul reminds Timothy that he was set aside in a solemn ceremony, he was sworn into the army of God. He must remember his oath of office and guard the gospel accordingly.

Does Jesus really want me? YES.

Passing the Torch – Who are you passing the torch to?

2 Timothy 1:1-5 
{1} Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, {2} to Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. {3} I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, {4} longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. {5} For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

The last week we have looked at the idea of passing the torch of the Gospel to the next generation. When we look at the first 5 verses of 2 Timothy and place them in the context of the entire book, it is easy to see the desire Paul had to see the Gospel flourish long after his death.

There are some pretty important personalities found in these verses.
• Paul – An Apostle of the church, the missionary preacher to the Gentiles, the renowned theologian of the New Testament. A writer of multiple books of the New Testament.
• Timothy – An understudy of Paul, companion of the Apostle in his ministry. The recipient of 2 epistles of the New Testament.
• Lois and Eunice – Grandmother and Mother of Timothy, both credited in being major influencers of an influential preacher of the New Testament.

That is quite a list of heroes. Any of them would make great guest speakers at the next mission conference at our church. Paul would be a great guest preacher for one of our church’s Downpour services in August. Timothy could lead a church life seminar for pastors. Lois and Eunice would also do a great job at leading some parenting classes. Regardless of which person we invited, the multitudes would come to hear them, after all these are people in the Bible. They are heroes of the faith. Most of us think that compared to them we are just normal folks. If we could get them to come we would be excited about having such heroes in our midst.

Here’s a challenge. Instead of looking at some prominent heroes of the faith whose names are found in these verses, be challenged to place your own name in the passage. A major issue of the 2 Timothy is to guard the Gospel and a major issue of that is the passing down of absolute truth from one generation to another. To read 2 Timothy and not feel a passion in your own heart to guard the truth and pass the torch is to miss the point of the book. God wants you to be a hero of the faith. Here is the big question, “Who are you passing the torch to?” We are living in a day when we can no longer afford to view the principles and commands of scripture as things that the heroes of the Bible did, but perhaps they really do not apply to us. Who are YOU passing the torch to?

PRAYER
Lord help me to understand the grave responsibility I have to stand for truth. Help me to grow in my faith. Help me to pass the torch of my faith to those who will come behind me. Help me to view my life, all of it, as an instrument to be used for the building of your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

Passing the torch – The importance of family

2 Timothy 1:5
{5} For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

There are many things that a church can do to pass to the torch to the next generation. We can have dynamic worship to inspire, we can have good programs of Bible study and discipleship. We can elevate the importance of biblical truth in everything we do. However, there is no greater tool for passing the torch of biblical faith than family.

When Paul spoke of Timothy’s faith he mentioned his mother and grandmother and the impact they had on his life. Not much is known about Lois and Eunice except for the fact of their impact on Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul writes of Timothy knowing the scriptures from childhood. The best interpretation since they are already mentioned in the epistle is that they are the ones who first taught Timothy the timeless principles of the Bible.

The presence and instruction of parents in the life of a child is of indispensable importance. No person is more equipped to discipline and nurture like a parent. Many parents have a good understanding of the need to care for the physical, emotional, and social needs of their children. Spiritual education in the faith is of no less importance. Sad is the parent who believes that spiritual education can be limited to occasional church attendance or that knowledge of spiritual things is given by some sort of osmosis because of family heritage. The offspring of spiritually apathetic parents will be spiritually influenced by forces outside the family. Our children are too important for us to entrust their relationship with Jesus to others. Sadly, as a pastor I have met many young people who thrive in the faith in spite of their parents instead of with parental help.

Consistency is the key. Since all of us are sinners, there must be a consistent push against the sinful nature of the flesh. In addition to our sinful character there are multiple forces at work in the world that will vie for the position of spiritual education. Whether you realize it or not your child is given spiritual instruction by what they watch on TV, what they see in movies, what they hear at school, and what their friends believe. There is no greater spiritual instructor in the life of a child than that of a parent who speaks the faith and lives out the faith on a daily basis. The daily example of spiritual instruction and a life well lived for a child to imitate is the greatest tool for passing the torch of the faith in the life of your child.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to be an example in the life of my child. Give me a daily conviction that my actions and attitudes must be in step with the teachings of scripture. Help me to live out the claims of the Bible in my own life so that I can be a good example to the children you have place in my caretaking. In Jesus name, Amen.

Passing the torch – Bonds between generations

2 Timothy 1:3b-4
{3} … as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, {4} longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.

The words of Paul echo not just a relationship between a teacher and a student but a strong emotional bond between the Apostle and Timothy his understudy. Individuals who share the experiences of conflict and hardship together develop strong relationships which last long beyond the environment of partnered difficulties. Paul was not just writing to a student who attended his lectures in a sterile classroom environment, he was writing to a disciple in whom he himself had invested much.

What would happen in our churches if we began to view our generational divides in such a manner? What if older generations took seriously the responsibility of passing the torch on to those who were coming after them? What if younger generations honestly viewed senior adults as individuals of worth and wisdom from whom much could be gained?

A great obstacle which keeps older generations from teaching is a lack of credibility in spiritual maturity. Timothy could look at Paul and know for certain that what he had to say was not based on personal whims and traditions of man. Timothy knew Paul to be a giant of the faith, a man who viewed the gospel in such a serious manner that he was willing to be imprisoned for it. A great obstacle which keeps younger generations from receiving the teaching of older generations is the lack of respect. Those who have sacrificed for the gospel must and should be honored.

A major tenet of the relationship between Paul and Timothy was one of love. Paul’s words are tender. He remembers the time he had with Timothy. He remembers their struggles together. He remembers the openness of a relationship where tears were shed with no shame. It is the hope of Paul as seen in this verse and in the concluding passage of 2 Timothy to see Timothy face to face.

Prayer
Lord help me be willing to learn from my elders and help me also teach those who come after me. Strengthen the fellowship of my church. Help me to build lasting relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ so that we can work together to pass the torch of the gospel from one generation to another. In Jesus name, Amen.