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; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,  2 Timothy 1:8-9

Are you ashamed of your Lord Jesus Christ? There are many people who profess to be Christians, yet they are ashamed of our Lord Jesus. Do you share the gospel with other people? Do you share your testimony of when you became Born Again with other people? They would say, No I’m embarrassed or backwards, or some other excuse, the reality is they are ashamed of their faith in Christ. If you truly believe in the gospel message, then you would be living the gospel message, because this is the power to give life!

As the Apostle Paul also said “I am not ashamed of the gospel because its the power of God for salvation to everyone” (Romans 1:16) Do you truly believe this? Do you understand that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation (John 14:6) and all other ways lead to the road of Hell? This idea that we should have a “personal faith”, that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves is not Biblical. In fact Jesus commanded us “Go into all the world  and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15)

Jesus also said “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words , in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes” (Mark 8:38) Our Lord became flesh and died on the cross for your sins, to bring you salvation, and yet your are too ashamed of him to share the gospel with someone? You are too proud to go to Church and serve? You are too politically correct to tell everyone that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation?

As the Apostle Paul instructs us here under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” Do you have boldness for our Lord Jesus Christ? Do you love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul? Do you actually love your neighbor? If you did you would tell them about Jesus, and tell them the truth, that without Christ the entire world is perishing! 

“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling” When you become saved in Christ, that’s just the beginning of your walk with Christ. It’s not about getting a golden ticket to Heaven, its about becoming Born Again and living for Christ, you are a new creation in Christ . As the Apostle Paul describes is, “he became a prisoner of Christ” meaning his whole life belonged to Jesus. 

So I ask you, are you ashamed of your Lord Jesus Christ? The Lord died for you, can you live for him? Share the gospel to the entire world before its too late, Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation! Amen

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:3-6

The Second Epistle to Paul’s spiritual son Timothy once again begins in a prison. However things are different with this letter, as the Apostle Paul would not make it out of prison this time, and he understands the urgency and that time is running out for him with his earthly ministry. So the Apostle Paul is trying to make sure, Timothy is spiritually ready and prepared to lead the Church with a strong faith and uncompromising doctrine

The first thing to notice the Apostle Paul says “I remember you in my prayers night and day” Even though the Apostle Paul was in prison, he spent alot of his time praying for his brothers and sisters in Christ. Are we doing the same? Are we praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ without ceasing? And notice Paul “greatly desired to see you (Timothy)” Fellowship with the body of Christ is very important, this is why we should gather in person with other Christians, community is important. But also its clear Paul understands his time is near, he wants to see Timothy one last time to encourage him, to lead the Church

It’s very interesting here, that Paul then mentions Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, its clear Paul knows Timothy’s family, in fact he might have brought them to Christ by his preaching. It’s probable that Paul knew Timothy since he was a young boy and has been mentoring him most of his life. This is the strong community connection of the Church. Also Paul mentions to Timothy “the genuine faith that is in you” His family were true Born Again believers, they were not false converts, they were filled and led by the Holy Spirit

The Apostle Paul then acknowledges the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in Timothy “therefor I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you” Timothy was chosen to lead the Church because the Holy Spirit chose him. Paul recognized the gift of the Holy Spirit was in him, thereofor Paul is being obedient to God by training Timothy. 

One thing that is mention here is Paul says “by the laying on my hands” This was a practice by the early Church when someone was a new convert the Church would lay hands on that person to receive the Holy Spirit. Another practice that can’t be performed over a Zoom call, this demonstrates the closeness of community and faith in Christ as the body of Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  1 Timothy 6:17-19

Once again we see the Apostle Paul giving us a warning about obsession with money. In fact as you read through the New Testament Jesus spends a great deal of time warning about the dangers of money and letting it become your idol. As Jesus said “It will be easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than a rich person to enter the Kingdom ofHeaven” (Mark 10:25) Why will it be impossible according to Jesus for a rich person to enter Heaven? 

Consider what the Apostle Paul says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “don’t trust or hope in the uncertainty of riches or wealth, but trust in the living God” If someone is rich, typically they didn’t become rich by accident. Money has become an idol for this person, they labor and slave to this wealth all day. Instead of focusing on God they are continually forced on their wealth, which is all temporary and will eventually fade away.

Secondly they put all their trust and hope in their bank account instead of God our provider. While its Biblical we should work and provide for our family, we shouldn’t rely on our wealth to be our god. When disaster strikes , the rich person believes they will just buy their way our of it, or if a health issue occurs, they believe I’ll just hire the best doctors to cure me. They never turn to Christ as their Lord, money actually has become their Lord

The Apostle Paul here makes another profound statement “ God who gives us all things richly to enjoy” We as fallen humans like to believe we are in total control of everything, this is one of the illusions wealth creates. Buts its God who gives us all things, as Jesus taught us in Matthew 6 “Look at the birds of the air, they never sow nor reap, nor gather in barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26)The rich man will take credit for providing for his family, when actually it was God who provides for us and our family. Yes its a difficult concept for our minds to grasp, the sovereignty of God, yet this is what our Lord reveals to us.

Now with that being said , its not that the birds don’t do anything. The birds don’t sit in their nest all day and wait for food to fall in their mouths. No they go out and build nests and gather food and take care of their young, however God is the source of their provision. Jesus is telling us the same things, go out and work and provide for your family but keep God first and nothing above him!

I want to just end with more wisdom by the Apostle Paul “storing or laying up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come” Are you building a good foundation for eternity? Or do you have a carnal and temporal perspective on life? Prepare for the Kingdom of God , which is at hand. Don’t worry about this temporal world which is fading away, put your faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ, our true Provider, Amen