How to Be Bold In Witnessing! -- 2 Timothy 1:4-18
How to Be Bold In Witnessing! -- 2 Timothy 1:4-18
July 27, 2008 AM
By Pastor Lee Hemen
In our day and age there are those who think that Christianity needs to not only change the way it conveys its message but that it should change its message as well. Both are heresy and unbiblical. They have become ashamed of the gospel message. What needs to occur in a society that has become aggressive toward the gospel is for the church and its members to be bold in their witnessing. There is a false doctrine that runs rampant in today’s evangelical churches, namely, that we should lure unsuspecting people into Christian worship in order for them to experience Jesus. However, this is not what Jesus taught nor what the early church was encouraged to do. Christians are to be bold in their witnessing.
Paul wrote his second Letter to Timothy as his personal situation worsened. He had apparently already attended a preliminary hearing (2 Tim. 4:16-18) and some had deserted him (1:15), and others had gone to serve in different locations (4:10-12). Paul’s trials, however, did not dampen his enthusiasm to witness courageously for the Lord. Paul wrote to encourage Timothy to serve God boldly even though the apostle was currently experiencing persecution (1:4-7). Paul reminded Timothy of his calling and encouraged him to keep the flame burning to reach other people with the gospel. The apostle also challenged Timothy to display courage when others opposed him (vv. 8-12). Christians are to be bold in their witnessing. Let’s therefore discover what Paul teaches Timothy in how to be bold in witnessing for Jesus Christ.
READ: 2 Timothy 1:4-18
At a time when some felt shame as a result of Paul’s imprisonment and many had rejected the gospel that he preached, the apostle encouraged Timothy to look to the Lord for courage. Paul instructed Timothy to remain faithful regardless of what he experienced (vv. 13-18). Paul wanted to inspire his younger associate to witness boldly in the midst of difficult circumstances. Paul wanted Timothy to be bold in his witnessing and he could by…
I. Serving God Confidently (2 Timothy 1:4-7)
1. Confidence comes with being certain of what you believe! Few today know what they actually believe about Jesus. Paul “recalled” Timothy’s “tears” the last time he had seen him. Paul was being sent to Rome to face trial for his faith. While there Paul writes Timothy to be confident in his faith. In fact, he had “been reminded of [Timothy’s] sincere faith” which Paul had first seen in Timothy’s grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice. Because of this, Paul was persuaded it lived also in Timothy as well. It was for this reason Paul wanted to remind Timothy “to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Paul, personally was invested in Timothy’s life and his faith. Timothy had evidently come to Christ because of Paul’s witness and now Paul wanted him to live up to the examples set before him by his mother, grandmother, and Paul himself! “Buck up, and remember who you believe in and how you came to know Him!” Paul is basically telling Timothy. Paul literally smacks Timothy on the side of the head verbally by telling him, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline!” Like Timothy many Christians today need to discipline themselves and remember where their power comes from. Not from the latest purpose driven book, learning a specific Old Testament prayer, placing crosses on your wall, or feeling good about Jesus. Serving God confidently comes from being certain of what you believe.
EXAMPLE: What you believe about Jesus will dictate whether you witness or not about Him in your life and actions. Never forget where Paul was writing Timothy from because if you do you will lose the impact of Paul’s writing to Timothy. Paul was in prison. Chained to his personal guard and drug from place to place for trial. Paul was waiting for a personal hearing before one of the most vile Roman Emperors of all time, Nero. He would have to stand before this man, who thought of himself as divine, and declare his faith in Christ and why he was being improperly held as a Roman citizen. Could you do the same? Could you, while awaiting trial before a tyrant, write a friend who was struggling with witnessing? And far too many of us quake with fear because we might be challenged by a friend about our faith. What do you believe about Jesus? There is no other name by which men can be saved, and you if you have believed, you are called to witness about what you believe. Serving God confidently comes from being certain of what you believe.
While many churches grow today through event making, promotional campaigns, and commercialization that is not the main means by which the good news is to be shared. When believers allow the church to become a company that sells the product Jesus, they have abdicated their responsibility to witness boldly about Christ. And, it tacitly tells the world they are to be ashamed of the gospel message. Are you? Paul wanted Timothy to be bold in his witnessing and he could by…
II. Exhibiting Courage (2 Timothy 1:8-12)
1. God guards those who are courageous for Him! Throughout this letter, Paul indicated that Timothy was far too shy and fearful. The apostle portrayed Timothy as a younger and more hesitant coworker. Timothy needed encouragement to demonstrate courage. Paul reminded Timothy that God has not given His children a spirit of fearfulness. The word translated fearfulness often referred to cowardice, timidity, or hesitancy. Here, Paul told Timothy not to allow his fear to make him to “be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.” For Paul, the gospel, was the power of God, period. In fact, it was God “who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace!” Far too many think they can get God to love them by being good or by being nice. Being nice, is not the same as being holy. Holiness only comes through faith in Jesus. In fact, Paul reminds Timothy, that “This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Never forget this truth. Paul never did. He knew this is why he was called and “was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” Paul related, “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” “Exhibit courage,” Paul tells Timothy. “Do not be ashamed of what you believe and why.” God guards those who are courageous for Him!
EXAMPLE: Are you courageous for Jesus? When was the last time you stood up for your faith in Christ in the face of opposition? We, as believers, have been sold a bill of goods that we have to be sweet, nice, and kind all the time like Thumper’s mother told him in the movie Bambi, “If you can’t saying anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” We equate Jesus’ humility and kindness with this convoluted worldview. When we do we end up conceding our faith to others by being silent thinking that we won’t “offend” someone else. That’s not witnessing, that’s acquiescing our faith! Jesus never did. Paul never did. And he tells Timothy, “Don’t you ever do this!” Courage makes a good theory, but sometimes we need help to practice it. We have many opportunities to step out of our comfort zone to share our faith in Christ. When we don’t have courage, we need to be reminded of God’s promise in 2 Timothy, and we need others’ encouragement to take the leap.
By trusting Christ, those who once lived in fear of death and who live in a state of spiritual death now can experience life and immortality! When Timothy shared the gospel with those who were lost in darkness, its truth shed light on the reality that those who believe in Christ experience eternal life and do not need to live in the fear of death and the grave. Though Paul suffered for his faith, he was never ashamed of the gospel. His intimate relationship with Jesus resulted in his confidence that no matter what happened, God would use him to share the gospel. Courage remains strongest when it is grounded in a personal relationship with Jesus. Paul wanted Timothy to be bold in his witnessing and he could by…
III. Always Being Faithful (2 Timothy 1:13-18)
1. God knows those who are faithful and who are not! Paul writes timid Timothy, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” Timothy was to look at Jesus and at Paul and how he lived for Jesus as a pattern for his own life of faith. This was so important for Pau that he commanded Timothy to “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” He was to actively hold on to and keep his faith secure with the help of the Holy Spirit. Where “everyone in the province of Asia” had deserted Paul because of his imprisonment, others had not. They were not ashamed of his “chains.” In fact, “Onesiphorus,” (whose name means “joy bringer” or “profit bearer”) Paul related, “searched hard for me until he found me.” Can you imagine? Here you are chained to a guard, imprisoned in Rome, and one faithful Christian comes to your aid to encourage you during your time of great personal need. Wow! You know what, sometimes witnessing demands our willingness to put ourselves aside and serve others, just like Onesiphorus did Paul. But this was not the first time he had done this, he had also helped Paul before in Ephesus. Here was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. God knows those who are faithful and who are not. We are bold in our witnessing by always being faithful. Are you faithful?
EXAMPLE: David McCasland writes, “A Major League baseball player announced his retirement, saying, ‘All of a sudden, that passion isn’t there anymore. Physically, I think I could still do it. But something that I loved my whole life and had such a passion for became a major, major job for me. It’s not like it used to be.’” McCasland asks, “What can we do when something that once energized us has become a burden? A career can be changed, but the deepest matters of the heart, especially our relationship with Christ, cry out to recapture the fervor that fueled earlier days. The risen Lord praised the church in Ephesus for their faithful service and perseverance, but added, ‘Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works’ (Revelation 2:4-5).” Now, let me as your pastor ask you: Do you remember who was the first pastor of that church? Timothy was. This is the church and pastor Paul was writing to be bold in his witnessing by being faithful. Kind of interesting, isn’t it? How bold are you in your witness about Jesus? Has your faith slipped? Do you need to remember your “first love”? God knows those who are faithful and who are not. We are bold in our witnessing by always being faithful. Be faithful.
Conclusion:
In our day and age there are those who think that Christianity needs to not only change the way it conveys its message but that it should change its message as well. Both are heresy and unbiblical. They have become ashamed of the gospel message. Are you ashamed of the gospel? Do you witness? Paul taught Timothy how to be bold in his witness by: 1) Serving God confidently, 2) Exhibiting Courage, and by 3) Always being faithful.
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
July 27, 2008 AM
By Pastor Lee Hemen
In our day and age there are those who think that Christianity needs to not only change the way it conveys its message but that it should change its message as well. Both are heresy and unbiblical. They have become ashamed of the gospel message. What needs to occur in a society that has become aggressive toward the gospel is for the church and its members to be bold in their witnessing. There is a false doctrine that runs rampant in today’s evangelical churches, namely, that we should lure unsuspecting people into Christian worship in order for them to experience Jesus. However, this is not what Jesus taught nor what the early church was encouraged to do. Christians are to be bold in their witnessing.
Paul wrote his second Letter to Timothy as his personal situation worsened. He had apparently already attended a preliminary hearing (2 Tim. 4:16-18) and some had deserted him (1:15), and others had gone to serve in different locations (4:10-12). Paul’s trials, however, did not dampen his enthusiasm to witness courageously for the Lord. Paul wrote to encourage Timothy to serve God boldly even though the apostle was currently experiencing persecution (1:4-7). Paul reminded Timothy of his calling and encouraged him to keep the flame burning to reach other people with the gospel. The apostle also challenged Timothy to display courage when others opposed him (vv. 8-12). Christians are to be bold in their witnessing. Let’s therefore discover what Paul teaches Timothy in how to be bold in witnessing for Jesus Christ.
READ: 2 Timothy 1:4-18
At a time when some felt shame as a result of Paul’s imprisonment and many had rejected the gospel that he preached, the apostle encouraged Timothy to look to the Lord for courage. Paul instructed Timothy to remain faithful regardless of what he experienced (vv. 13-18). Paul wanted to inspire his younger associate to witness boldly in the midst of difficult circumstances. Paul wanted Timothy to be bold in his witnessing and he could by…
I. Serving God Confidently (2 Timothy 1:4-7)
1. Confidence comes with being certain of what you believe! Few today know what they actually believe about Jesus. Paul “recalled” Timothy’s “tears” the last time he had seen him. Paul was being sent to Rome to face trial for his faith. While there Paul writes Timothy to be confident in his faith. In fact, he had “been reminded of [Timothy’s] sincere faith” which Paul had first seen in Timothy’s grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice. Because of this, Paul was persuaded it lived also in Timothy as well. It was for this reason Paul wanted to remind Timothy “to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Paul, personally was invested in Timothy’s life and his faith. Timothy had evidently come to Christ because of Paul’s witness and now Paul wanted him to live up to the examples set before him by his mother, grandmother, and Paul himself! “Buck up, and remember who you believe in and how you came to know Him!” Paul is basically telling Timothy. Paul literally smacks Timothy on the side of the head verbally by telling him, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline!” Like Timothy many Christians today need to discipline themselves and remember where their power comes from. Not from the latest purpose driven book, learning a specific Old Testament prayer, placing crosses on your wall, or feeling good about Jesus. Serving God confidently comes from being certain of what you believe.
EXAMPLE: What you believe about Jesus will dictate whether you witness or not about Him in your life and actions. Never forget where Paul was writing Timothy from because if you do you will lose the impact of Paul’s writing to Timothy. Paul was in prison. Chained to his personal guard and drug from place to place for trial. Paul was waiting for a personal hearing before one of the most vile Roman Emperors of all time, Nero. He would have to stand before this man, who thought of himself as divine, and declare his faith in Christ and why he was being improperly held as a Roman citizen. Could you do the same? Could you, while awaiting trial before a tyrant, write a friend who was struggling with witnessing? And far too many of us quake with fear because we might be challenged by a friend about our faith. What do you believe about Jesus? There is no other name by which men can be saved, and you if you have believed, you are called to witness about what you believe. Serving God confidently comes from being certain of what you believe.
While many churches grow today through event making, promotional campaigns, and commercialization that is not the main means by which the good news is to be shared. When believers allow the church to become a company that sells the product Jesus, they have abdicated their responsibility to witness boldly about Christ. And, it tacitly tells the world they are to be ashamed of the gospel message. Are you? Paul wanted Timothy to be bold in his witnessing and he could by…
II. Exhibiting Courage (2 Timothy 1:8-12)
1. God guards those who are courageous for Him! Throughout this letter, Paul indicated that Timothy was far too shy and fearful. The apostle portrayed Timothy as a younger and more hesitant coworker. Timothy needed encouragement to demonstrate courage. Paul reminded Timothy that God has not given His children a spirit of fearfulness. The word translated fearfulness often referred to cowardice, timidity, or hesitancy. Here, Paul told Timothy not to allow his fear to make him to “be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.” For Paul, the gospel, was the power of God, period. In fact, it was God “who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace!” Far too many think they can get God to love them by being good or by being nice. Being nice, is not the same as being holy. Holiness only comes through faith in Jesus. In fact, Paul reminds Timothy, that “This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Never forget this truth. Paul never did. He knew this is why he was called and “was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” Paul related, “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” “Exhibit courage,” Paul tells Timothy. “Do not be ashamed of what you believe and why.” God guards those who are courageous for Him!
EXAMPLE: Are you courageous for Jesus? When was the last time you stood up for your faith in Christ in the face of opposition? We, as believers, have been sold a bill of goods that we have to be sweet, nice, and kind all the time like Thumper’s mother told him in the movie Bambi, “If you can’t saying anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” We equate Jesus’ humility and kindness with this convoluted worldview. When we do we end up conceding our faith to others by being silent thinking that we won’t “offend” someone else. That’s not witnessing, that’s acquiescing our faith! Jesus never did. Paul never did. And he tells Timothy, “Don’t you ever do this!” Courage makes a good theory, but sometimes we need help to practice it. We have many opportunities to step out of our comfort zone to share our faith in Christ. When we don’t have courage, we need to be reminded of God’s promise in 2 Timothy, and we need others’ encouragement to take the leap.
By trusting Christ, those who once lived in fear of death and who live in a state of spiritual death now can experience life and immortality! When Timothy shared the gospel with those who were lost in darkness, its truth shed light on the reality that those who believe in Christ experience eternal life and do not need to live in the fear of death and the grave. Though Paul suffered for his faith, he was never ashamed of the gospel. His intimate relationship with Jesus resulted in his confidence that no matter what happened, God would use him to share the gospel. Courage remains strongest when it is grounded in a personal relationship with Jesus. Paul wanted Timothy to be bold in his witnessing and he could by…
III. Always Being Faithful (2 Timothy 1:13-18)
1. God knows those who are faithful and who are not! Paul writes timid Timothy, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” Timothy was to look at Jesus and at Paul and how he lived for Jesus as a pattern for his own life of faith. This was so important for Pau that he commanded Timothy to “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” He was to actively hold on to and keep his faith secure with the help of the Holy Spirit. Where “everyone in the province of Asia” had deserted Paul because of his imprisonment, others had not. They were not ashamed of his “chains.” In fact, “Onesiphorus,” (whose name means “joy bringer” or “profit bearer”) Paul related, “searched hard for me until he found me.” Can you imagine? Here you are chained to a guard, imprisoned in Rome, and one faithful Christian comes to your aid to encourage you during your time of great personal need. Wow! You know what, sometimes witnessing demands our willingness to put ourselves aside and serve others, just like Onesiphorus did Paul. But this was not the first time he had done this, he had also helped Paul before in Ephesus. Here was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. God knows those who are faithful and who are not. We are bold in our witnessing by always being faithful. Are you faithful?
EXAMPLE: David McCasland writes, “A Major League baseball player announced his retirement, saying, ‘All of a sudden, that passion isn’t there anymore. Physically, I think I could still do it. But something that I loved my whole life and had such a passion for became a major, major job for me. It’s not like it used to be.’” McCasland asks, “What can we do when something that once energized us has become a burden? A career can be changed, but the deepest matters of the heart, especially our relationship with Christ, cry out to recapture the fervor that fueled earlier days. The risen Lord praised the church in Ephesus for their faithful service and perseverance, but added, ‘Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works’ (Revelation 2:4-5).” Now, let me as your pastor ask you: Do you remember who was the first pastor of that church? Timothy was. This is the church and pastor Paul was writing to be bold in his witnessing by being faithful. Kind of interesting, isn’t it? How bold are you in your witness about Jesus? Has your faith slipped? Do you need to remember your “first love”? God knows those who are faithful and who are not. We are bold in our witnessing by always being faithful. Be faithful.
Conclusion:
In our day and age there are those who think that Christianity needs to not only change the way it conveys its message but that it should change its message as well. Both are heresy and unbiblical. They have become ashamed of the gospel message. Are you ashamed of the gospel? Do you witness? Paul taught Timothy how to be bold in his witness by: 1) Serving God confidently, 2) Exhibiting Courage, and by 3) Always being faithful.
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
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