Sheboygan eFree Church Sunday Messages Sheboygan eFree Church

Originally called “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day is a National Day of Mourning which calls Americans to reflect upon the personal sacrifice of 1.3 million soldiers who have died in US military service for the cause of freedom and liberty in our land. Indeed, “some gave all,” and we thank God for them.

In the 27th Psalm, David teaches us how those who face great conflict and threat can have confidence in total victory as we draw near to the LORD. On this Memorial Day, it is imperative that we set our hopes on the Friend of sinners, who sacrificially laid down his life in love so that all who trust him enjoy liberty and freedom forever.

We are not surprised that the word entrust appears in this passage, since the term was used by the Apostle Paul in prior instructions to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul wrote O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul states that God is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Two verses later, Paul challenges Timothy to guard the good deposit entrusted to you (2 Timothy 1:14).

In 2 Timothy 2:1-7, we can see how Paul’s transition plan is to unfold. In verse 2, the Apostle writes and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Paul hopes for a living chain of truth that will extend through the centuries. Let’s seek to understand the transition plan described in these verses and apply the insights to the times in which we live.

The heart of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is revealed in the second chapter of Luke. Upon Christ’s birth, shepherds arrived in Bethlehem to witness what God had revealed. After this occurrence, Luke tells us that Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (2:19). At the age of twelve, Jesus joined his parents in traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Passover. It was such a memorable experience that, when the family returned to Nazareth, Mary treasured up all these things in her heart (2:51). Mary’s heart was a storehouse of treasures.

The story we are considering today highlights the wisdom of Jesus, cultivated in his loving home environment (2:40, 52). Note the various stages of Jesus’ growth: baby (2:16), child (2:40), boy (2:43), and finally just his name, Jesus (2:52). On this special day, when we pause to honor our mothers, let’s examine the relationship of Mary and Jesus, applying these truths to life.

The Apostle Paul demonstrated a great capacity for developing personal relationships. His vast circle of friendships included Timothy, Titus, Priscilla and Aquila, Silas, Luke, Barnabas, Ananias, and John Mark. Clearly, Paul invested himself in the lives of others to bring honor to the Lord. When we examine the final chapter of Romans, we find Paul sending greetings to thirty-three people, twenty-four of whom were in Rome.

In 2 Timothy 1:15-18, we find Paul in a reflective state of mind. The great Apostle wants to equip Timothy to use discernment when choosing ministry associates. Through the use of contrast, Paul describes those who have departed from him (i.e., Phygelus and Hermogenes) and one who remained loyal to him through the trials of life (Onesiphorus). Let’s ponder the wisdom provided in these verses as we cultivate relationships in a way that brings glory to God.

As the Apostle Paul unfolds a transition strategy for the next generation of leaders, the word entrusted becomes a key term in his vocabulary. In 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul wrote “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.” At the end of 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul reminds us that the Lord “is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” Shortly after that, Paul challenges Timothy to “guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” As we will eventually observe, this idea is reemphasized in 2:2.

The word picture associated with entrust involves guarding a significant deposit. In this case, what Paul is entrusting to future leaders is the gospel of Jesus Christ, as emphasized in the word of God. Let’s examine verses 12b-14 carefully, and ponder how they relate to our lives.

Having Been Entrusted With The Gospel, Note…
• The Certainty We Should Possess. (12b)
• The Pattern We Should Follow. (13)
• The Responsibility We Should Fulfill. (14)

In 2 Timothy, we have Paul’s last words and final thoughts as he mentors Timothy, who pastors the church in Ephesus. As persecution was ramping up, it seems that Timothy struggled with fear and timidity in his proclamation of Jesus. Paul speaks a word of encouragement to Timothy to “not be ashamed,” and to be ready to “share in the suffering” that comes with the gospel. All of us are called to stand courageously as we minister the message of the good news about Jesus, and all of us wrestle with some fear and timidity. As Paul encourages Timothy, he does so by emphasizing the greatness of God and the glory of God’s grace which can be clearly seen now that Christ has appeared.

• Do not be ashamed of the gospel. (8a)
• Share in suffering for the gospel. (8b-12a)
    • How will we do this? (8b)
    • Why must we do this? (9-12a)