Godly Remembrance (2 Timothy 1:1-7)

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 97
• Hymn — Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Faith — Westminster Shorter Catechism
• Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 20:18–42
• Pastoral Prayer
• Hymn
• Sermon
• Hymn — Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
• Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14

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Sermon Title: Godly Remembrance

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1–7

I. Introduction to 2 Timothy

A. Context: Paul's second Roman imprisonment, written near the end of his life B. Unlike 1 Timothy (a church manual for Ephesus), 2 Timothy is a deeply personal letter to Timothy C. Paul faces imminent execution and writes with pastoral urgency to his protégé D. The dominant theme of 1:3–7 is remembrance — Paul remembers Timothy, then calls Timothy to remember

II. Paul Remembers Timothy's Tears

A. Verse 4: "As I remember your tears, I longed to see you, that I may be filled with joy" B. The tears likely refer to Timothy's weeping at Paul's departure from Ephesus in Acts 20:37 C. Notably, Paul says Timothy's tears would fill Paul with joy — not the other way around

1. Timothy's tears show he is a true companion and partner in the gospel
2. Paul throughout his letters gauges friendship by one's union with him in the fight for the gospel
3. Phygelus and Hermogenes are condemned for abandoning Paul; Onesiphorus is commended for visiting him D. Paul longs for the fellowship of believers in his suffering — Philippians 1:3, 8
4. In loneliness and suffering, what we need is not politics, sports, or social media — we need Christ
5. Paul longs for Christ, and in longing for Christ he longs for the body of Christ

III. Paul Remembers Timothy's Faith

A. Verse 5: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice" B. First observation: the faith is sincere — genuine, without hypocrisy

1. Timothy was weak, timid, and prone to fear (see 1 Corinthians 16:10–11 and 1 Timothy 5)
2. Paul is certain this genuine faith will endure — as in Philippians 1:6: "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion"
3. Corrie ten Boom's illustration: her father told her God gives us the strength we need when we actually need it — not before
4. A sincere faith, even as small as a mustard seed, will be upheld by a good Father who does not adopt children only to abandon them C. Second observation: this faith has a history — it spans generations
5. Timothy's faith came through his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (Acts 16:1)
6. Paul likewise serves God "as did my ancestors" (2 Timothy 1:3) — his faith is continuous with Old Covenant believers
7. True authentic faith is not a novel, culturally tailored 21st-century faith — it is the faith once for all delivered to the saints
8. We need a Hebrews 11 faith — stretching from Abel through Abraham, Moses, David, and into the new covenant — not the concoctions of men

IV. Paul Remembers Timothy's Gift

A. Verses 6–7: "Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" B. "For this reason" connects this exhortation to everything prior — Timothy's tears, faith, and spiritual heritage are grounds for this call C. The laying on of hands here (Paul's own hands) echoes 1 Timothy 4:14, but emphasizes Paul's apostolic authority

1. Timothy's timidity is a manifestation of the old man in the flesh, not the new man indwelt by the Spirit D. Verse 7: "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control"
2. Power — upholds us in trial and supplies strength in weakness
3. Love — draws our eyes off ourselves and toward our neighbors
4. Self-control — guards against giving in to sin under pressure E. Application: Do not merely sit comfortably in your identity in Christ — fan into flame the gift; actively pursue life as a new man or woman in Christ