Paul: An Apostle of Christ
Theme: To show the confidence Paul had in Christ.
Text: 2 Timothy 1:1 – 2
Note: Commentary used from Raymond's Culpepper's Search 66
Introduction
What a joy it is for my family and I to be here. We have had a great time meeting Pastor Brian’s family over this past week. We love Belize and believe that God has great things in store for this country.
I am going to be reading from 2 Timothy 2
Opening Scripture
2 Timothy 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, (2) To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Outline
2 Timothy 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
Paul begins each of his letters with these same words. 13 books begins with his name. Paul. This is important to him. This is his identity. Who he is.
I. Know who You Are
Each time Paul spoke his name it would bring him back to where he began.
Paul’s conversion and name change
Acts 9
Saul - desired
Paul - 1. to make to cease or desist. 2. to restrain a thing or person from something
3. to cease, to leave off 4. have got release from sin a. no longer stirred by its incitements and seductions
Paul knew who he was – from Saul to Paul
Paul knew whose he was “apostle of Jesus Christ
“When we know who we are, we have both security and significance -two shoes running life’s race”
It in Christ where we find this
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Rom 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written: "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER." (37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
How? Why? By the will of God – now by man.
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Paul makes it clear that it was a man who called him but Christ Jesus himself.
“Promise of Life”
Only in Christ Jesus – “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life”
II. Know who He (Christ) Is – our true identity is found in Christ
according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus
Php 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The I am – whatever we need
Jesus our savior, Jesus our rock, Jesus our hope.
He holds the promises. The promise of eternal life. The promise of peace.
Mat 16:13-19 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (14) So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (15) He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" (16) Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (17) Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
III. Bring someone else along – relationships are key to fulfilling your destiny.
(2) To Timothy, a beloved son:
Paul met Timothy in Acts 16 in Derbre. A young man who was growing in his faith.
To Timothy a beloved son - Mentor – share
God never called us to walk in this alone. I will mean trust of others. Trust of leaders. Trust your Pastor (Spiritual leader)
IV. Don’t forget Your Testimony
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Grace – to give, this is God’s favor
Mercy – to hold back the judgement
Peace – wholeness, completeness. “fearing nothing from God” blessed are the peace makers
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
"These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
V. Glow where you are – “let your light shine” – share the gospel
We should express these same characteristics to others.
Note the greeting by Paul. He names three qualities that a disciple must possess.
1. There is the grace of God and of Christ (see Deeper Study #1, Grace—Titus 2:11-15 for discussion).
2. There is the mercy of God and of Christ (see note, Mercy—1 Tim. 1:2 for discussion).
3. There is the peace of God and of Christ. Peace (eirene) means to be bound, joined, and weaved together. It means to be assured, confident, and secure in the love and care of God. It means to have a sense, a consciousness, a knowledge that God will...
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Conclusion
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Do you know the peace of God and the mercy of God?
Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
I am not going to remove you from where you are but I am going to prosper you. I am going to make a way where it seems to be no way. I am going to give you rivers of nourishment where things seem dry.
