Bible Study Lesson and Devotional #5: 2nd Timothy Chapter One
Please read through the first chapter.
"A Spirit of Power, Love and Self-Discipline"
So Far we have learned that:
1. Paul is writing to Timothy from prison in Rome. He (Paul) is about to be executed under the notorious Roman Emperor Nero.
2. Timothy is struggling, in his assignment, as a leader and a pastor at the church in Ephesus.
3. Paul is writing to Timothy to remind him to perform his duty, "discharge all the duties of your ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5 NIV).
4. Paul reminds Timothy to return to walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh, "I remind you to fan into flame the Gift of God" (2 Tim. 1:6 NIV).
5. The Holy Spirit is Fully God, endowed with all wisdom, inexhaustible resources, endless love and compassion. Thus, each of us should learn to "walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7 NIV).
Today's Concentration: 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline"
The Theme: "Boldness"
The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to embolden him to "roll up his sleeves," to "buck up," and do his duty. Timothy needed reminding that he is, "not his own, he has been bought with at Price!"
The Apostle Paul wants Timothy to "fan into flame," the Holy Spirit that resides in Timothy. Paul, himself, has and is demonstrating what happens to a man when he is walking in and under the Power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's life was marked by boldness, tenacity, persistence, and audacity. Timothy is by nature timid; a man more accustomed to taking the second chair, he is a second generation believer, he has problems with his stomach, which is common in a man who is prone to worry.
Unlike Paul, Timothy struggles with confidence; he is not characteristically brave. Unlike Paul, Timothy has to work at being assertive and fearless. Timothy needs to be a Man; a Holy Spirit Filled and Steadfast instrument of God.
This is why Paul tells Timothy that, "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
Timidity denotes fearfulness, cowardliness. God says in the Book of Revelation that among those who, "will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur," are the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, all liars, .....and the cowardly" (Rev. 21:8 NIV).
Cowardliness is inconsistent with Godliness!
Break It Down
1. Paul to Timothy: "I have been reminded of your sincere faith" (2 Tim. 1:5 NIV). Paul is saying, "I know you are saved." "I know your faith is genuine" (sincere). "I know the Godly heritage you have." Note: This is why Paul is pouring himself into Timothy. Paul is not trying to raise the dead. Paul is not wasting his last few days trying to regenerate the unregenerate. Paul is saying in essence, "I know you are the real thing and not only are you in the Kingdom, but you have been called into leadership in that Kingdom." Here are two men with totally different personalities, but each has been called to be God's messenger of Grace. Remember Paul's first words to Timothy:
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God" (2 Tim. 1:1 NIV).
2. Now, Paul says that I am reminded of the genuine nature of your faith, "I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Tim 1:6 NIV).
Paul is saying to Timothy, "you have the job!" "God has appointed you!" "Not because of anything we have done, but because of His (God's) own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2 Tim. 1:9 NIV).
3. Thus, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7 NIV).
We need to hear these words today, in a time when it is so easy to get lost in the ways of the world, or become timid when faced with opposition, or to simply become lazy in the things of the Lord. Let's be Bold for God's Glory and as a witness to the power of resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rosaria Butterfield:
"the early Christians knew that false teaching is far more dangerous than persecution. We twenty-first-century Western Christians often believe just the opposite. And because we fear persecution more than false teaching, we are often ineffective in offering biblical teaching that best communicates gospel truth and gospel grace.
May God Richly Bless You My Beloved,
Pastor Brad
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