Power In The Word Series

“Power In The Word”

Part 1: Book of 2nd Timothy

2 Timothy 1:1-18

Lead Pastor Tyler Barrett

Starting a series going through the Book of 2nd Timothy.

I am afraid in our modern day churches that the TRUE preaching of the Word of God has diminished. I am also afraid in our modern day homes that the TRUE reading and practicing of the Word of God has diminished.

Why would that be the case? Why would we diminish the reading, preaching, and practicing of the Word of God?

Number one, because we don’t believe in its power anymore. Number two, because we don’t believe that it really applies to today. Number three, because our priorities are in the wrong places.

According to Christianity Today 80% of church goers don’t read their Bibles, while only 40% of church goers read there Bible on occasions.

The reason you have no victory is because you have neglected the Word of God. If you neglect the Word of God then you void yourselves of the promises that God has put into His Word for you.

So many people say they want a strong relationship with God, but you never pick up His Word and study it; that my friends will never equal a good relationship with Jesus.

Never expect more out of God than what you are willing to produce. Remember from the last couple weeks if you want the full attention of God, you must first give your full attention TO God.

Now, Paul wrote the Book of 2nd Timothy in letter format to Timothy. Timothy like a few others was Paul’s “sons” in the faith. Paul was training them and using them to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This particular letter pictures Paul in prison in Rome, awaiting death. Most likely, then, this letter was written during Paul’s 2nd Roman imprisonment. Therefore this letter would have been written after 1st Timothy and Titus.

According to Eusebius (Ecclesiastical History) that Paul was martyred sometime during Nero’s reign, which ended in 68AD, but the intense persecution began in 64AD. Therefore Paul wrote 2 Timothy shortly before his death, around 64 to 65AD.

2nd Timothy is a bold, clear call for the perseverance in the gospel in spite of suffering. Paul calls on his young coworker to continue the fight of faith, even as Paul approaches the end of his own life.

Paul knew that his death was imminent, the timing is uncertain, yet he wrote this final exhortation to Timothy to urge him to stand firm on the Word of God in the midst of persecution.

Now, before we begin, it is important to understand that EVERY Word in the Bible is equally important. Some people will say that “no, the words in red are the most important because Jesus spoke them”.

No, that is inaccurate. The worst thing the publishing companies could have done was to put the words in red, because all scriptures are equally important. The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that ALL scriptures are God breathed.

We must understand that as we continue.

Now, in the 1st couple verses of Chapter 1 Paul is giving his standard greeting and reminding Timothy that the purpose of his apostleship has been to proclaim the gospel, the promise of the life that is in Jesus Christ.

I) The Word gives us SINCERE faith.

The Bible tells us “Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen” in Hebrews 11:1.

We can’t see God, but I know God is real because of the fact I am still here today, when I should have been dead.

A. We should be thankful of the passed down faith.

Look at what out text says in verses 3-5. “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

Paul told Timothy that he is reminded of a faith that first dwelt in his grandmother. In other words Timothy has a heritage of faith that is stored up in him.

There has been many days that I have come up against trials in tribulations and didn’t know what to do.

But I am reminded of times that I have watched my grandmother and my mother press their ways through trails and tribulation.

I am reminded of times that I have watched them pray and seek the face of God in times of need.

They may not see God, but they had the faith that God was there and that His Word gave them a sincere faith that come hell or high water, God would come through.