2Timothy 1:8. “Be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God…” INVOLVED. To be a testimony to the Gospel will never be an easy thing: Its message is clear as to the state of a sinner, so it produces conviction. Its method is personal as to the choice of a sinner, so it demands commitment. Its motivation is challenging due to the urgency of the sinner, so it demands action. Its meaning is life-changing to the heart of the sinner, so it demands reality.
The participants in the work of the Gospel are not powerless, because they know the scriptures and the power of God [Mat. 22:29]; they have seen evidence of the power of God [Lu. 9:43], they know for themselves the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation [Ro. 1:16]; they have experienced the life- changing power of God [1Co.6:7]; they pass on the good news not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God [1Co.2:5]; they have the ongoing experience of the impact of the Gospel by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness [2Co.6:7]; they experience in life’s situations the fact of being kept by the power of God [1Pe.1:5].
There are obstacles and complications I see on every hand It is not only here where I live, but all across the land People are making choices, wanting what they demand They think that You, O God, should give what they command.
As a citizen-intercessor, I appeal for this great nation If it is possible, would give You another divine visitation I know we can't be trusted; we're all full of self-occupation But please, if it is Thy will, hold back final condemnation.
We preach the Gospel often and seek to bring people to the Lord. For some reason, most don't care; they won't pay attention to Thy Word. I know from personal experience that the Bible is a two-edged sword And I know, O God, there are unusual ways Thy voice is often heard.
I know I am getting older, Father, but some experiences I can share. I want to be willing and able to let people know I really care Even though I am weak and timid, I bring this nation to Thee in prayer Help all of us remember the responsibilities we must bear.
“O Father, the Great Owner of the field and Lord of the harvest: Keep me from taking it easy. I want to feel the sweat of labor all over my body. I want to know the sting of the salt in my eyes. I long to have thick calluses from hard work in the field of the Lord. Please let me get into that part of the field where the seed is bearing fruit. I don’t want to waste time on the roadside, among the thorns, or in the rocks. The feel of good, turned-over earth on the feet is such a good thing. It is warm and cooling at the same time. Even though I can’t see it, I know the life principle is working in that part of the field. I want to get wet with the rain, and hot with the life-giving Sun. The dirt on the hands is not a problem, Father, because You have provided such an abundant supply of Cleansing Water. I am ready to work, willing and able. Amen.”
The apostle's responsibility as one whom God saved was similar to ours today. Paul looked beyond prison walls to the fact that a sovereign God had brought him to the present circumstances, the present place and time, for this reason. There is no shame in that. There is a suffering that goes along with that which is good. Reproach and suffering go along with blessing and victory. We are not to just pass on words, but we have been called to "be holy for I am holy." The change in a believer is not made by our own resolution but by God's, who in grace has a reason to save us. This plan was designed in the past, "before the world began," and in the present has been "now made manifest," and in the future, "that day" will be on display to the universe. That reason has been made clear to us now, because our Savior Jesus Christ has come and given eternal life to those who believe in Him.
When the Lord abolished death (separation from God), its power was taken away by the victory of Christ over death, when "He gave His life as a ransom for all to be testified in due time." Now, believers who were dead spiritually have been made alive in Christ; we are alive forevermore. Physical death for those who God has saved is like stepping through a door from one room to another. Even mortality is not an enemy, because death has been annulled, and the life we have now is eternal in its quality. Our life is different now in that it will be forever without any separation from God. The Gospel has given us a clear view ahead.
Paul was a steward, a designated person who was to preach the Gospel. The public declaration of the Gospel is to pass on an official message from a higher authority with the dignity it deserves because of the Source. Integrity as to the message of salvation cannot be changed to suit the wishes of the people who hear it. An apostle had official responsibilities as one who had seen and/or been with the Lord Jesus Christ after His resurrection. Paul was intellectually and educationally suited to be the apostle to the Gentiles. God knows His people and uses them in the ways and places He knows are best. So, we may be challenged to endure afflictions and not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of His servants.
Suffering and affliction of one kind or another go with Gospel preaching, because we are making inroads into places where sin abounds, and lives are not at all what God intends. One in those circumstances knows that God is dependable to use any situation in life to perfectly fulfill His will through His chosen servant. We know God, and that is enough in any time of suffering and service to which we are called. What we do for Him, He keeps safe in view of the times when all we have done receives a "just recompense." In spite of all he was suffering in prison shortly before he died, Paul had his confidence in God, knowing that "God is able." Weak faith doesn't limit God in any way. "All power" is His, and our relationship with Him is based on the fact that we know Him personally and know that nothing will break the bands of love that held him to the Savior who loved him. The Gospel was given in trust to Paul and would continue on through other servants until the Lord comes. Persecution will not stop the Gospel nor the faith of those who believe. It did not stop nor discourage the apostle, nor should it hinder us in our work for Him. Even in adverse circumstances, the apostle Paul used his time to encourage and challenge Timothy.
2nd Timothy 1:8. “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.” A LOYAL SON. There will be times when no one knows, and tears will run down your face. The one you respected and cared for is caught in a very hard place. Your faith is tried and tested hard – Is it true “In God you trust?” Can you really rest upon Him wholly, assured He will do what’s best?
The work you do with the gift God gave helps to live your life by faith. You know your Lord knows all difficult events – each helping you trace The path in life you walk, and even the difficulties of your brother. Don’t be ashamed – don’t turn away – in faith you must support each other.
God has a reason behind each stress – we may not know this problem today Has been let happen; why the tears flow, or why we must walk this way.
Don’t let your afflictions cause you to stumble; never give place to your doubts. Do your duty – meet your responsibility – God’s grace will bring you out.
The days are dark – they will get darker still as sin seems to victory have won. But this is not the end, you’re not finished yet, and God is still on His throne. So stand strong, my son; don’t be ashamed of God and what you know is right. When the night is gone and the battle is won, the darkness will give way to the light.
“I was young once, O gracious Father, and I can still remember what a comfort it was to know my God sees in the dark places. It is true Thy grace is sufficient. I know better now how to be content. But there are many young believers I have been recently trying to reach with the assurance of Thy interest in each one and each event in their lives. If there is more I can do to help them be loyal to Thee, please let me know what to do and how to do it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The framework of what we preach and teach has to be held as it is, without changing it in any way. The Gospel message, when it is believed, gives spiritual life and health to those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Savior. "Sound words" do that. Timothy had now passed the responsibility of leading. He was no longer a helper. He was assured God would help him face and deal with the need. He was to guard the teaching of sound words with confidence and Christ-like love for the people, the word, and the Lord. What he was given to preach and teach was right and deserved every effort to preserve and pass on to those who are willing to listen. The Holy Spirit gives the needed help to that which needs to be done. We hold this by faith in God and love toward mankind with the same grace that Christ Jesus had when He provided salvation. What I believe and how I present it need to be consistent with each other.
This Gospel had been given to Paul, and now Timothy had the authority to pass on divine truth to his generation. By the Spirit's power within, we are able to guard the trust we have been given. Some people had heard the word of God at that time and had repudiated it. The contrast between Timothy and Phygellus and Hermogenes demonstrates what Paul had been warning about – cowardice, shame, self-indulgence, and infidelity. Like Timothy, we have the challenge to hold fast to the form of sound words. Sound words of faith and love are good things, which we are to keep. In spite of personal weakness, and even when others abandon the faith, we will find there are some who go out of their way to help others with courage, love, self- discipline, boldness, and faithfulness.
Onesiphorus must have already died, perhaps in the persecution that was going on in Rome at the time. He had made it a point to search for the apostle Paul until he found him, likely in a dungeon awaiting death in his final imprisonment. What a blessing it is to "have oft refreshed" one who is in a difficult time and place, and when we know one who suffers, we make it a point to go and help them in any way possible. The very fact of making the effort is a comfort to one suffering or being persecuted. Now, for the family that was left, there was a need for which Paul was praying. He was also desiring a blessing for himself on the day of rewards that was coming. Timothy personally knew what Onesiphorus had done for the apostle and those with him. For all of us, payday is coming. May that encourage us in the work of the Lord to be faithful, diligent, and courageous. We should never underestimate the value of a man Who is available for use in the work, doing everything he can. Not all have the same ability to use the gifts that God does give But there are those who have committed their lives for God to live.
One man may be shy and retiring, another brave and bold; One may have a public gift to preach, another truth to hold. Each one in the place he's found has a calling to fulfill. I pray that when called to go up higher, the post they are holding still.
One young man by an older was charged, "Of thy Lord be not ashamed." "Keep yourself pure, so when you preach, the message will not be blamed" We, too, in our day, are given a work from God, the Gospel to proclaim There is power and authority, too, when we serve in Jesus' name.
We may not realize at the time the worth of what we do One man's words may take away bitterness before the visit is through An encouraging word, a positive attitude, helps in what, why, or who Because what we commit to is not only men, but our Savior, too.
1Timothy 2:1-7 LOYALTY IN DEVOTED SERVICE
Paul writes to Timothy as a father speaks to his son and gives him an example of one who was strong in grace. Onesiphorus was one involved in spiritual service when he ministered to Paul in his need. It is a great privilege to serve in this way, and it calls for our best efforts. He begins with identifying Timothy as a son and concludes with him as a servant engaged in public service. Between these two identifying roles as a believer, there are five occupations given as examples of how to prepare for divine service. In this challenge to endure, Timothy is called a loved son (child) v.1. This is a term of endearment. Living by grace means we have learned to trust in Christ and not our own strength alone. We are to continually draw on the power of our Lord Jesus Christ that His grace has brought to us. The grace (gift) is found only in Christ. We are saved by grace [Eph.2:8-9]; we should live by grace [Col. 2:6]. This means trusting completely in Christ and His power, not trying to live for Christ in our own power. We are incapable of divine service in the energy of the flesh, but by the grace of Christ, we are able to fulfill His desire for us. The contrast of the defectors of Asia and the faithfulness of Onesiphorus is used to exhort Timothy to work effectively for Christ.