october 2 2022
October 2nd 2022
Old Testament: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 “The righteous shall live by faith”
Psalm: Psalm 62 “For God alone, my soul waits”
Epistle: 2nd Timothy 1:1-14 “Follow the pattern of sound words”
Gospel: Luke 17:1-10 “We are unworthy servants”
Sermon Text: 2nd Timothy 1:1-14
Sermon Title: “Do Not Be Ashamed”
“Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord”. (2nd Timothy 1:2b) Amen.
The last three weeks we looked at various texts from 1st Timothy and for the next 4 weeks, (including today), we will be studying his second letter to Timothy. There are a lot of similarities in these letters as they are both called “pastoral epistles” because they are written by Paul to instruct Pastor Timothy (who he calls) “my beloved child” (2nd Timothy 1:2a) in dealing with various issues in the church; including false teachers and violent persecution of the church.
The main difference is that 2nd Timothy was written by Paul from prison; his last imprisonment, where he was later executed by being beheaded. Paul knew that this was the likely outcome ahead of time and so this letter is in many ways, more personal. As the saying goes, knowing you could be executed at any moment has a way of clearing or focusing the mind.
Luther describes 2nd Timothy as a “farewell letter, in which St. Paul exhorts Timothy to go on propagating the Gospel … this is quite necessary, since there are many who fall away; and false teachers and spirits keep springing up all around … Paul prophesies, especially in chapters 3 and 4, concerning the perilous times at the end of the world … when a false spiritual life will lead all the world astray … and every wrong and wickedness will have its fling”.
Before the greeting, which you just heard, Paul identifies himself as “an Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus”. (2nd Timothy 1:1) Paul acknowledged his imprisonment, the end of his ministry and imminent execution were “the will of God”. He immediately offers a word of thanksgiving, “I thank God, whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy”. (2nd Timothy 1:3-4) The ancestors are (of course) the ancient Israelites who lived by faith in the promised Messiah. Paul’s “clear conscience” comes from the forgiveness of sins that he received because of Christ’s atoning work on the cross.
The tears were shed when Paul and Timothy had to part ways several years earlier. Paul desired to see Timothy again, for he had assisted Paul greatly on countless mission trips, but history shows that was not to be. Still, while in prison, Paul had extra time to think and pray about these things. “I am reminded of your sincere (genuine, without hypocrisy) faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and now I am sure dwells in you as well”. (2nd Timothy 1:5) Even though it is likely that Timothy’s father was not a Christian, (we know that he was a gentile) the rest of his immediate family made sure that they raised him in the Christian faith. (in the church) Paul says to Timothy in chapter 3, “continue in what you have learned … how from childhood, you have been acquainted with the sacred writings”. (2nd Timothy 3:14b-15a)
By the way, studies show this is the most likely indicator of whether a child becomes a Christian or remains a Christian, whether or not their parents, particularly the father, brings them to church and model that lifestyle in the home. Luther said in the introduction to the Small Catechism, that preachers should urge parents to educate their children in the faith … and if they do not do so, they are guilty of damnable sin”. As Jesus said in the Gospel this morning, it would be better to be drowned in the sea “than to cause one of these little ones to sin”. (Luke 17:2b)
“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 gave us a spirit, not of fear (meaning cowardice, like a soldier or guard who deserts their post at the first sign of trouble), but of power and love, and self-control”. (2nd Timothy 1:6-7) Many think this is Paul’s way of encouraging Timothy, because he had a quiet, or timid personality; this may be true, but it not clear. What is true is that Paul would not be around much longer to encourage Timothy.
The truth is that all pastors and (in fact) all Christians need this kind of encouragement and reminders from other believers from time to time; or perhaps often. We need not have a “spirit of fear” since our Savior Jesus is “the blessed and only sovereign, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords”. (1st Timothy 6:15) Also, as I talked about last week, even though we are saved by grace alone, apart from works, we are exhorted to “fight the good fight of faith” and “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called”. (1st Timothy 6:12a) Still, we all need these reminders, exhortations “not to fear”, because we live in a world and in a nation that is overtly hostile to the Gospel message.
Paul encourages us, “therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God”. (2nd Timothy 1:8). Do not be ashamed of the message of our crucified Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 1:16a) even though to believe in Christ and His Gospel is to make yourself a target of the world’s hatred. Remember Jesus’ Word, “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels”. (Mark 8:38)
The life of the Christian is not one of ease and comfort, yet He has promised that “the word of God is at work in you believers” (1st Thessalonians 2:13b) strengthening you in the face of all temptations, adversity, trials and persecutions and “that the sufferings of this present world are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”. (Romans 1:18)
Paul continues, “He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus”. (2nd Timothy 1:9-10a) We are saved by grace alone though faith alone in Christ Jesus alone; who died and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins, but we are called to “make the good confession” (1st Timothy 6:12b), to live out that faith in this fallen, sinful world, in our various vocations.
Through His death and bodily resurrection, Jesus has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel; for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher; which is why I suffer as I do”. (2nd Timothy 1:10b-12a) Paul was called/appointed by God to faithfully preach and teach the Word, the Gospel, and this is why he suffered. Paul was in prison awaiting death, because he preached “the Gospel”; the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life, for Jesus’ sake. He suffered because he proclaimed, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all”. (1st Timothy 2:5-6a)
Despite this suffering, even at the hands of some in the visible church, despite the fact that he writes “all who are in Asia turned away from me”, (2nd Timothy 1:15a) Paul declared, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed in and I am convinced (persuaded) that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me”. (2nd Timothy 1:12b) He also encourages Timothy in the same way in his first letter and again here, “guard the good deposit entrusted to you”; (1st Timothy 6:20a, 2nd Timothy 1:14b)
This is accomplished only, “by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us” (2nd Timothy 1:14a) and not in our own power or strength. The “good deposit” that has been entrusted to Paul is the Christian faith and doctrine, and the church and her pastors are to guard this precious treasure of God’s Word against all enemies of His church; until the end of time, proclaiming it faithfully and unapologetically; trusting that everything is in the hands of the Lord who created us all and promised, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you”. (Joshua 1:5)
Paul stresses this precious treasure of the Word of God again saying; “Follow the pattern of sound (or healthy) words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”. (2nd Timothy 1:13) This treasure is to be kept pure, in order that it may be preached to others, that they may be converted to, or kept in the Christian faith. False teachings often appear harmless, but in fact, they are dangerous in many ways, causing many to sin and some to even lose their faith, as Paul warns against frequently elsewhere saying “some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to … the doctrine of demons”. (1st Timothy 4:1)
On the other hand, the Word of God rightly proclaimed is not just an accurate account or a set of facts to believe; the Word of God gives great benefits; the greatest being that God, the Holy Spirit uses it to bring us to saving faith in Jesus. And so, we, like Timothy, are “by the Holy Spirit who dwells within you, to guard this good deposit entrusted to you” (2nd Timothy 1:14) for the Word (and the Sacraments) are true medicine for our sin sick souls.
So, our Lord invites us each week to come to His house to rest; to confess our sins, reflect on His Word and receive His gifts of forgiveness of sins; which strengthens our faith in these troubled times. As Luther taught in the Small Catechism, “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it”. (Third Commandment explanation) As His people, this is what we do, we gladly hear His “sound words” and follow the voice of our Good Shepherd. Amen.
The peace of God …