“Guard …the Treasure”

Scripture: II Timothy 1:13-14

C.I.: Being All that We Can Be!

Today we are beginning a new series on II Timothy. This is Paul's last written correspondence. – Therefore his “last words” to us are the ones he really wants us to hear! – Timothy was young & fearful.
In today's lesson Paul is seeking to encourage Timothy to “be all that he can be” by giving him 5 encouragements...

I. 5 Encouragements for the Timid Christian, (II Timothy 1)

A. Pray for Each Other, (vs. 1-5)

1. ( v. 3 ), “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in
my prayers day & night.”
a. As God's people we should have a lot of folks who are “pulling for us,” e.g., parents, fellow believers!
1) Parents – ( v. 5 ), “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grand….”
2) Church - ( Lk. 19:46 ), “Jesus was saying to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of
prayer.”'” – House = Us, ( quote I Tim. 3:15 ), “…the household of faith, which is the church….”
3) Is it any wonder then that all of us should be praying for each other – as we go forth to tell a
lost and dying world about Jesus – ( Eph. 6:19 ), “And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be
given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
4) ILLUST.: Barna Report , “The reason we need to be praying and sharing!”

B. God's Spirit within Us, (vs. 6-7)

1. ( v. 6 ), “I remind you to rekindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
a. During N.T. – when apostles laid hands on someone they received miraculous power – ( Acts 8:18 ).
1) So Paul is saying to Timothy, “Use the gift from God – so you can be all that you can be!!”
2) Today when a person is saved, God gives us H.S. to empower us, ( Eph. 1:13; Acts 2:38 ).
3) The Spirit empowers us for service, ( I Pt. 4:11 ).
4) Then when we rely upon Him (not ourselves) – He empowers us for success, ( Eph. 3:16, 20 ).
5) No wonder I Thess. 5:19 , says, “Do not quench the Spirit” ! – Remember, “ rekindle afresh ”

b. When we are fearful – we need to recognize that this “fear” did not originate with God!
1) ( v. 7 ), “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
2) No need to fear? ( I Jn. 4:4 ), “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

C. God's Gifts to Us, (vs. 8-11) Three gifts of which we should never be ashamed:

1. God's word and His people, (v. 8)
a. ( v. 8 ), “… do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; - but join with me in
suffering for the gospel.”
1) It is not natural to want to suffer. – But suffering is a natural part of the Xn life, ( II Tim. 3:12 )
2) So we do not need to be ashamed of God's word, ( Rom. 1:16 ).
3) It is this testimony that gives us victory over Satan, ( Rev. 12:11 ), “We overcome him, by….”
2. God's calling of us, (v. 9)
a. ( v. 9 ), “… [God] saved us, and called us with a holy calling….”
1) The “holy calling” that “saves us” is the gospel – ( II Thess. 2:14; Mk. 16:15-16 ).
2) This gospel message is the “testimony of our Lord”!
3. God's purpose for us, (vs. 10-11)
a. ( vs. 10-11 ), “…now [God's purpose for us] has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, - who
abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
1) It is God's purpose for all mankind to be saved through the gospel of Jesus Christ, ( Jn. 3:17 )!!
2) Thus, we have nothing to fear from death, – ( Heb. 2:14 ), “…that Jesus might render powerless
him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death
were subject to slavery their whole lives.”
b. We must not be ashamed of God's gifts to us; His word, His calling, or His purpose for us!

D. A Faithful Savior, (vs. 12-14)

1. We have faith in Him - ( v. 12 ), “… I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able
to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
a. God's faithfulness to us – is seen in His ability to guard our souls – we've entrusted to Him.
1) “That day” = the Day of Judgment (we have nothing to fear) – Matt. 25:34 , “Come, you who… 2) Paul is not ashamed of Jesus – because he knows that Jesus is not ashamed of Him.
3) ( Lk. 9:26 ), “He who is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be….”

2. He has faith in us!
a. ( vs. 13-14 ), “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me... – Guard, through the Holy
Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”
1) The “treasure that has been entrusted to us” is the word of God.
2) The way that we “guard” God's word – is by what Paul said first, “Retain the standard.”
a) Thus, we are not “guarding” the world from the word – but the word from the world!!
b) Remember what Paul wrote in his first letter, ( I Tim. 1:3; 4:1-2; 6:3-4 ), “If anyone
advocates a different doctrine, one not agreeing with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited & understands nothing.”

E. A Godly Believer, (vs. 15-18)

1. ( v. 15 ), “You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus &Hermogenes
a. Nothing else is known of the cowards of the faith. – there names are recorded and then… nothing!
1) How many of us would want to join a roster of the cowardly – ( Rev. 21:8 ), “But for the
cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and
idolaters and all liars, there part will be in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

b. ( vs. 16-18 ), “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed
of my chains; - but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me, and found me … and you know very well
what services he rendered while at Ephesus.”
1) The ones with Paul left him. – But Onesiphorus came to Paul from Ephesus.
2) Distance doesn't change friendship – but the distance someone will come when you are in
need – will sometimes show the depth of that friendship.
3) A second thing about Onesiphorus – is that he was consistent (in Ephesus AND Rome)!!!

CONCLUSION:

1. Review main points
2. Note: only 2 out of 5 depend upon your brethren. – But 3 out of the 5 are always available to us from our God!!!
3. Are you willing to trust your soul unto Jesus – or are you willing to “go it alone” until the judgment?! ( Acts 2:38-41 ).