2 Timothy 1:1-14 (NIV)1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,2 To Timothy, my dear son:Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am 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.6 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. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He 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, 10 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. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.For the next few weeks, we are going to be looking at Paul’s letters of 2 Timothy.Over and over again Paul speaks of the promise of eternal life to believers in Christ Jesus. If you wonder why we pass peace each Sunday, we see it in greetings from Christ, Paul, and other writers... Paul, helping us to keep perspective reminds them (and us) saying whatever good we do, it is for God.If some of us are so fortunate to have a lineage of faithful disciples before us, we can trace some of those values to our current lives. It’s what Paul was speaking about with grandmother Lois, mother Eunice... and goes on to remind them to fan into flame the gift of God in them.7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.And the spirit of a sound mind means quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or negative dispositions, anxiety, or of fears. Maybe these serve as reminders of our constant need?This passage draws a contrast that isn’t very popular with some... Those who hold to the gospel will not be ashamed or disgraced; but those who oppose it, will be ashamed. Paul trusted his life, his soul, and eternity, to Christ.In the same pattern, whoever has stillness and quietness of mind will be enabled to hope... those wrestle with busyness, noise, and such will simply struggle.Paul is speaking from prison again... and begins to speak of joining him in suffering for the gospel. Just so we know, the vast majority of Scripture was written by oppressed people for oppressed people... which frankly, may be one of our greatest weaknesses for the West to comprehend the messages.All that is important comes in quietness and waiting - Paul is helping to unearth the importance of quieting the mind in the midst of circumstance beyond our control.Paul says, 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
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