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IN GOOD HANDS. II Timothy 1:13-18. 09/11/2022. #3.
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
1. Follow the pattern
a. Paul was a template for what Timothy should be
a1. Paul did not claim to be perfect
a2. Paul did set a proper example for Timothy to follow and to teach
b. Paul set forth an example as a mentor
a1. I Corinthians 11:1 follow me as I follow Christ
a2. Galatians 1 Paul preached the only true Gospel
a3. 1 Corinthians 3 taught same truths as the Lord
c. Timothy had to be certain of the truths he was taught
a1. Paul spent much time instructing Timothy
a2. Acts 1:1-8 Paul had given Timothy the
proofs of what he taught (Luke 24)
a3. Timothy was well grounded
a4. The same truths have been passed to us
d. Paul tells Timothy to hold onto the pattern of truth committed to him
a1. Keep hold of the form or example given
a2. “Committed” = deposited or entrusted
e. Paul had entrusted Timothy with the same Gospel ministry that the Lord had entrusted to him
a1. Timothy’s ministry was confirmed by Lord
a2. He was not to waver from his calling or what he was taught (many drift away)
a3. If you drift from the truth, you never fully believed it to begin with (1 Jn. 2:19)
a4. A difference between mimicking truth and fully embracing it
f. The Spirit had confirmed the truth in Timothy
a1. Timothy probably wasn’t wavering in what was true, but he may have been shrinking back from the requirements of ministry
a2. Both the truth and calling were his as a trust
g. Violating sacred trusts and vows brings severe results
2. Paul’s lonely exit
a. Paul was shaken by a corps of defections
a1. He wanted to make sure Timothy was firm
a2. After being arrested and charged with sedition his “friends” fled from him in shame, not wanting to identify with him and face his fate
b. Paul mentions 2 men who fled who he deemed solid
c. All who came with him from Asia Minor (Turkey) left
d. Courage is only forged in testing and conviction in trials
a1. Talk is cheap; actions reveal the inner self
a2. Paul needed Timothy to affirm his faithfulness
e. No one can ascertain another’s faith (not depend on relying on others)
3. God sends a surprise gift to Paul
a. Onesiphorus showed up to comfort Paul
a1. Onesiphorus came to Rome to seek Paul out
a2. Paul was not expecting this kindness
b. Onesiphorus came from Ephesus (where Timothy was) so that he could comfort Paul in his time of need
a1. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chains
a2. Onesiphorus risked all to support Paul in his need
a3. Onesiphorus had ministered to Paul in Ephesus
c. Paul prays for an extra blessing on Onesiphorus and his household for their kindness and care of him
a1. Extra reward for caring for God’s servants
a2. Care for the persecuted puts self at risk
d. Mt. 25:30-46 the Lord pronounced an extra blessing on those who took care of his children in need
a1. Onesiphorus actually sought out Paul to help him
a2. Looking to help others brings blessings
Key verse: Acts 1:1-81 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”