BIG IDEA:
PAUL CHALLENGES TIMOTHY TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE AND TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO PAUL’S PERSONAL MINISTRY AS THE MESSENGER OF THE GOSPEL
I. (:13-14) REMAIN FAITHFUL (LOYAL) TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
A. (:13) Maintain Sound Doctrine
How important is sound doctrine? How much deviation is acceptable?
cf. the game of Whispering down the Lane” – very quickly the message becomes distorted
1. A Healthy Pattern to be Maintained and Replicated
“Retain the standard of sound words”
Wiersbe: “The word ‘form’ means ‘a pattern, an architect’s sketch.’ There was a definite outline of doctrine in the early church, a standard by which teaching was tested. If Timothy changed this outline, or abandoned it, then he would have nothing by which he could test other teachers and preachers.”
Hiebert: “… does not imply a fixed creedal formula to which Timothy is bound to adhere. It refers rather to the system of truth conveyed in divinely taught expresions which Timothy has heard from Paul.”
2. A Good Tradition to Pass Along
“which you have heard from me”
Received from a reputable source
3. A Godly Character to Adorn the Gospel
“in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus”
– these characteristics are produced in your life by the gospel
– these characteristics must be evident in your communication of the gospel
Hiebert: “The spirit in whch one clings to the truth is of vital importance. It is not to be a formal, lifeless retention of formulas… ‘His theology is to be the theology of the heart, vitalized and spiritualized in the atmosphere of Christian faith and love.’ (Harvey)”
B. (:14) Guard the Treasure of the Gospel Message
1. Activity of Guarding – “Guard”
Kent: “protection against loss, destruction or change”
2. Agent of Enabling – Indwelling Holy Spirit
“through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us”
3. Stewardship Responsibility – “the treaure which has been entrusted to you”
Hendriksen: “It is precious or excellent because it belongs to God and results in his glory through the salvation of those who accept it by sovereign grace”
II. (:15-18) REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOSPEL MESSENGERS –
ESPECIALLY TO PAUL’S PERSONAL MINISTRY
A. (:15) Negative Example: Disappointment of Unfaithfulness / Desertion —
1. Reminder of Known Facts – “You are aware of the fact”
2. Description of Unfaithfulness – “turned away from me”
3. Examples of Unfaithfulness
a. General – “all who are in Asia”
b. Specific – “among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes”
B. (:16-18) Positive Example: Encouragement of Faithfulness – Onesiphorus
name means “bringer of help”
Hendriksen: “He was, indeed, a ‘profit-bringer,’ a messenger of courage and cheer. The beauty of his character and the nobility of his actions stand out clearly upon the dark background of the sorry behavior of ‘all those in Asia.’
1. Worthy of Reward = the mercy of the Lord on his entire household
“The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus”
“the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day”
2. Description of Faithfulness
a. Ministry of Refreshing and Encouragement
“for he often refreshed me”
b. Ministry of Fellowship in Suffering
“was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me, and found me”
3. Consistent with His Faithful Ministry to Saints at Ephesus
“and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus”