"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)

Behold The Man!

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, "Behold the man"! (John 19:1-5 KJV)

Krystal Meyers - The Beauty of Grace

061806

Godly Men of Devotion
Timothy: Faith Keeps God First

2 Timothy 1:1-7 (Monday)
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (NIV)
1) How I wish all of us, like Paul, would be able to express the same deep sense of satisfaction in how we have faithfully served the Lord! Imagine—no regrets! Paul was able to speak such words because of a heart felt confidence that can only come from having a conscience that is clear before God (Hebrews 10:22)!
2) Does that mean that Paul never fell short, never stumbled (Romans 7:15-25)?
3) Psalms 40:11-13;?
4) No, Paul was every bit as human as the rest of us and you can be sure he had faults of his own (Acts 12:25;15:36-15:36-41; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:23-24)! The reason Paul was so confident was not in himself or anything that he had accomplished, but in the three words he uses to greet young Timothy—grace, mercy and peace! God gifts bestowed on each and every one of us upon accepting Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, as our Lord and Savior!
a) Grace! Grace is God’s unmerited, unearned favor. What does having God’s favor mean to you personally?
b) Mercy! To be judged by God’s great love, compassion and mercy, and not according to what our transgressions deserve! (Psalms 25:6-11; 40:11-13; 51; 103:8-14
c) Peace! What better blessing than to have peace with God? Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)—you can’t have peace unless you have Christ! (Ephesians 2:10-22; Colossians 1:15-22; 3:15; Hebrews 7; 12:10-11)
5) Back to Timothy! 2 Timothy is believed to be the last of Paul’s writings and it was sent to his beloved son in Christ Jesus, Timothy. Paul was introduced to Timothy during a trip to Lystra. Timothy was a young man of mixed heritage—a Jewish mother and a Greek (non-believer) father. Still, Timothy was blessed with a very sound religious upbringing! Timothy’s Christian brethren at Lystra and Iconium felt so highly of him, they urged Paul to let him accompany him on many of his early missionary travels (Acts 16:1-6). Later, Timothy served as pastor of the very church that Paul had established in Ephesus. The tears mentioned by Paul were probably shed by Timothy at their last meeting. Both men were probably very much aware of how Paul’s plight would end!
6) 2 Timothy is a letter of remembrances! In the verses we are studying this week, the words; recall, remind, remember are used six different times. Paul, who had suffered great persecution and was now facing imminent and certain death, gave no thought to his own situation. Instead, the last desire of his heart was to build up youngTimothy’s faith and confidence in his own calling, faith and talents. Paul did so by admonishing Timothy—Remember, son:
a) you are constantly being lifting up in prayer
b) your genuine love wi a great source of joy
c) you possess a sincere faith—the same faith that had been exhibited in your mother and grandmother
d) you indeed have a divine calling on your life (Paul twice reminds Timothy of his calling—1 Timothy 1:18; 4:14)
7) If someone spoke these same words over you, how would they empower you—or would they?
8) Paul had a fatherly concern that Timothy’s timidity (fear) would get in the way of the work God had for Timothy. What things might have given rise to Timothy’s timidity (fear)?
a) His age (1 Timothy 4:12)
b) His health (1 Timothy 5:23)
c) Discouragement (1 Timothy 1:3)
d) Perhaps, and, oh this could have been a major factor—the fact that Timothy had a first hand knowledge of Paul’s own persecution and suffering for Christ. Timothy knew just how high the cost of following our Lord could sometimes be!
e) Following in someone else’s (Paul’s ) footsteps!
9) Have you ever had to step into someone else’s position? Perhaps that person had performed so well, that you found the task set before you quite daunting. How do you think that may would play into your own timidity?
10) What happens to a fire if it is just left to smolder—if no one tends it? Oh, but what if that same fire, or even mere embers of a fire are stirred and/or fanned? You’re right! You could get a flame going that is big enough to consume an entire forest! How on fire are you? Oh, stir up that flame for Christ Jesus! How would you go about doing so?
11) Do you think it is possible to lose opportunities and gifts of God simply because we are too fearful to step out in faith and actually snatch up the opportunities, or to use the gifts God has give us (Matthew 25:14-29)? Do you think Paul feared this might happen to his beloved Timothy? We would all do well to remember the Hebrew children wandering in the desert for 40 years because they feared entering into God’s promised land! When we are fearful, we would do well to remember Zechariah 4:6! It is always God working in and through us (Philippians 2:13)!
12) Paul’s answer to Timothy’s timidity was God’s Holy Spirit, given to us by God in that we now have within us:
a) A spirit of power (2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 12:9; Ephesians 1:18-23; 3:20; Colossians 1:24-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Peter 1:2-3)
b) A spirit of love (1 Corinthians 13)
c) A spirit of self-discipline (Romans 8:6-9; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:4; 5:6-9; Hebrews 12:7-13; 1 Peter 5:6-9; 2 Peter 1:3-8 and Revelation 3:14-19!)
13) I have to wonder what our last words would be to our friends and loved ones? What things would you want them to remember?
2 Timothy 1:8-14 (Tuesday)
“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (NIV)
1) Wow! Has anyone ever asked you to join in with them in suffering? That’s exactly what Paul wanted for young Timothy? Why? What is Paul speaking of?
2) Paul knew why he was suffering—for the gospel of Christ Jesus! Paul knew if Timothy allowed his timidity (fear) to hinder his work, his testimony, then essentially, he was ashamed of Christ! Not good (Mark 8:38)! So, for heaven’s and your soul’s sake be willing to suffer—rejoice in your sufferings, because we suffer as children—as sons and daughters of the living God (Romans 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 1:5-7; Philippians 1:29; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:6-9; 4:12-19; 1 Peter 5:9-10)
3) Was Paul counting on his sufferings, the fact that he had established many Christian Gentile churches, his imminent death for the gospel’s sake—anything he had done or endure to keep his soul? Who or what was he trusting in?
4) Get a visual of Jesus Christ guarding your soul and share it with us in class on Sunday!
5) Paul gives Timothy clear direction in how to remain firmly planted in faith and truth:
a) Sound teaching (Only the words spoken of by the apostles—Paul, in Timothy’s case)
b) Faith and love in Jesus Christ
6) What was it Paul was telling Timothy to guard (2 Timothy 2:14)?
2 Timothy 2:1-7 (Wednesday)
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (NIV)
1) Now, Timothy—get busy! Be about your Father’s business of spreading the gospel!
a) Make disciples
i) Grow them up in the faith and in sound doctrine so they, in turn, will be able to teach others
b) Willingly endure hardship(s)
i) as a soldier
(1) Let your focus rest solely on pleasing your Commanding Officer—not on yourself, not on what others might think or do, and certainly not on the bent of the world you live in!
ii) as an athlete
(1) Go for the gold medal! Don’t use steroids, or cheat in any other way—play with honor!
iii) as a hardworking farmer
(1) Look forward to the abundant fruit of the rich harvest you have wrought by the sweat of your brow!
2 Timothy 2:8-13 (Thursday)
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (NIV)
1) Jesus, the God Man. God in flesh. Came to this earth and lived a sinless life. Suffered and died for our sins and in our place! Was buried, but after three days, was raised by God from the dead and is now ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father—all according to the word of God! Deviate from this gospel in anyway, and you are no longer preaching Christ! What is it about this simple message that makes the world want to shut us up and even kill us? What is it about this gospel that makes people stumble and not be able to believe God?
2) Paul was remembering, but, oh, he was looking forward, too! What eyes of faith! Did he know how God’s word would end up being spread—that his very words would one day encompass most of the New Testament? No, but he was confident that the gospel would spread (Matthew 24:14, 35; 28:19-20)!
3) What are you willing to endure for the sake of the elect—possibly someone in your family, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor? “Greater love hath no man than this—that he lay down his life for his friend! Oh, I pray you are a friend indeed!
4) Oh, I love that God remains faithful to His promise—that is what Paul was trusting in! When we can’t trust ourselves, and we can’t—trust God!
2 Timothy 2:14-19 (Friday)
“Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (NIV)
1) Timothy served as pastor in what would closely resemble a modern metropolis, a most decadent city—Ephesus! Home to worshippers of the goddess Diana, the pagan goddess of sexuality! Imagine, trying to reach people as they entered temples dedicated to this “goddess” and practiced immorality with the temple prostitutes! It was everywhere young Timothy looked! It was easy for some to pollute the gospel and lead others away from the faith. Paul wanted to make sure that Timothy’s doctrine remained sound!
2) Already, two had wandered—Hymenaeau and Philetus! Apparently, rather than turning toward God, they turned back toward sin! They were not content with damning themselves, they had also destroyed the faith of others by claiming the resurrection had already happened! What kind of effect would hearing that the resurrection had happened, and they weren’t part of it have on believers who were not soundly founded in truth?
3) Can you think of some current events where people have followed after this person or that person and it cost them dearly, perhaps even their lives and/or their souls?
4) Whoa! Does it comfort or make you squirm to realize that the Lord knows who are His?“…must urn away from wickedness.” I think this is the part that makes us squire! If it does, remember, God isn’t through with us until that final breath. And, who is it that is working in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure! And, who is called Faithful! Trust Him!

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