April 13, 2008
Evening Service

IITim. 1:7-18

 

Review:

1.      This morning we discussed how to build a good conscience.

2.      We also saw the importance of being brought up in a Christian home.

3.      Then we looked at the idea that we all have been given certain gifts, to edify one another, the church.

4.      We closed this morning with the thought of “stirring up this gift that God has given us.”

 

NOTICE WHAT HE TELLS TIMOTHY:

(7)  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

·        This is a very good scripture to remember. 

·        The spirit of fear;  I think of these scriptures:

1. Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
2. Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

·        But of power; 

1. Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
2. Act 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus

·        Of love:

1. Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2. Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

·        A sound mind: 

1. Mar 5:15  And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Then he says:

(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; 

·        And you won’t be if you have received of His Spirit.  You will have this boldness to stand up in the time of trial, and in the face of the enemy.

·        Paul said in the Roman letter:  “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

·        There will be some afflictions.  Paul said, “all those who will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecutions.”   Now we don’t know, but one day we may. 

(9)  Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 

·        He has saved us!  Called us!  With a holy calling!  Not according to our works!  But according to His own purpose, and grace! 

·        which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 

1. Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

·         Look at the conditions:  That we should be holy, without blame, in love.

Now notice:

(10)  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 

·         Peter said;  1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Let’s catch the moment in these last two Scriptures:

·        God’s plan for mankind has been revealed to us through the life of Jesus Christ. 

·        WHO HAS;  Abolished death;  has shown us we don’t have to die permanently;  but that we can live eternally with God forever in a land of bliss.  All this is taught us in the gospel message.

·        Almighty God has chosen to give us this knowledge ONLY THROUGH JESUS OF NAZARETH.  THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME GIVEN AMONG MEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED. 

(11)  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.  (12)  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

·        We sing the song, “I know whom I have believed”.

(13)  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 

·        Here again we see the admonition of holding onto sound teaching, from the Apostle Paul, IN FAITH, AND LOVE.  Not in argument, or strife, but faith, and love.

(14)  That good thing ( the gospel ) which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (15)  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 

·        This is extremely sad when you think of the Apostle being in prison, in chains, and this is one of the things he is remembering.  All the work, and witnessing that he has done in this area, and now they are forsaking him.  Very sad.

(16)  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:  (17)  But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.  (18)  The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

·        Onesiphorus is mentioned but two times in the Bible, and both in this letter.  This is all we know of him, but he is left a wonderful legacy.  A friend indeed, to one who is in chains, in prison, for his faith in Jesus Christ.

 

AS WAS THIS MORNING, ( STIR UP THE GIFT ).  THIS EVENING IT APPEARS TO BE, ( STAND UP, AND BE COUNTED ).

 

IT IS OUR LIFE TO SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, WITH A LOST AND DYING WORLD.  WE SHOULD NEVER BE ASHAMED TO STAND UP FOR THE GOSPEL MESSAGE, FOR “IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION.”