READ:
2 Timothy 1
Paul had such a love for Timothy and for the church that he had to write one more letter to him (them). He again addressed him as his dear son", Timothy (2 timothy 1:2). This chapter mirrors a lot of what the first chapter of 1 Timothy says. Paul reminds Timothy that they are being used as church leaders not because of their worthiness, but rather because of Christ’s worthiness. He tells Timothy that ALL is possible only by the grace of God. Finally, Paul brings it all back to what they have been entrusted with by God.
Why
write the same message twice? Would Timothy really have forgotten Paul’s first
letter? Not likely! Actually, he tells us what he is up to in verse 13. “What
you heard from me, keep as a pattern of wholesome teaching." And
what is the rule of patterns? They repeat themselves!! Paul’s message doesn’t
really change towards Timothy and even the way he says it hardly varies.
Why?
Take for example Southland’s weekend messages. Each week we cover a new passage
of scripture and once a year we change the message series (slight exaggeration....J).
Even though there are adjustments to what passages are used and what the series
are, the core themes of the preaching never change! There is a God! He is most
fully known in Jesus! We can know Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, read His
words in the Bible, fellowship with His spirit and we are only saved by
repenting and believing in Him (which are ongoing things)! This basically sums
up the core message. Why do the preachers hit these main points so often? They
are preaching a “pattern of sound teaching." In in doing so, it is being ingrained
into the church.
Moses
also did the same thing for the Israelites. In his writings (Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) Moses is constantly repeating himself over and
over again. This is a common practice all over the Bible. Proverbs, Psalms, the
prophets, and the gospels are filled with repetition! Paul wasn’t trying
something new, he was taking a good old fashioned approach to apostleship. You
see, it isn’t the quantity of things that we know that is important to God.
Rather, it is our obedience to what we already know and keep hearing. Will we
be doers of the Word? Paul was challenging Timothy and the church with these
thoughts.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Re-read 1 Timothy 1 as well
as 2 Timothy 1. Meditate on the passages and ask the Holy Spirit to highlight
something new for you. Insert your name where Timothy’s is and read it as a
letter written directly to you. Ask God to put his vision in your heart for
your life.
2.
Paul starts this chapter
off by talking about the “sincere faith" passed down in Timothy’s family.
Spend some time thanking God for your family. Maybe you didn’t come from a
Christian family. In this case, thank God that he still saved you and now you
can pass it on to others.
Paul
passed on to Timothy a pattern of sound teaching. Pray and ask Jesus how you
can begin to pass something on to someone else. Maybe it’s encouragement to a co-worker,
or someone in the same cell group you attend. Maybe it’s a passage of scripture
to a friend or family member. Follow Jesus' lead!