The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Faith’s Foundation: Guard the Good Deposit
Proper 22, 03 October 2010, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, LWML Sunday
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (1 Timothy 1:2a) Amen.
For the green seasons of the Church Year, Epistle readings, readings from the New Testament letters of Paul and the other apostles, have been chosen separately from the theme established by the choice of the Gospel and Old Testament readings. You may have recently noticed, possibly because of this sermon series, that epistle lessons have been semi-continuous readings of specific epistles. In three previous weeks, we have heard four readings from 1 Timothy. This morning is the first of four readings from 2 Timothy over four weeks.
In 1 Timothy St. Paul taught us about faith’s foundation. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. We are to pray for all, especially those in authority, and we are to pray for others’ salvation. Scripture is clear about the qualifications God has for the men serving as overseers, as pastors. And Christians are given to fight the good fight in defense of Biblical truth and against the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. This morning, 2 Timothy chapter one teaches us to “guard the good deposit.”
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy, my beloved child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
The ties of Christian relationships can be stronger than those of blood. Timothy is Paul’s son by faith and not by birth. Yet, Timothy was blessed with faithful Christian family of blood as well.
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. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
These verses fit in well on LWML Sunday, when we highlight the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and their support of Gospel Outreach and Human Care projects here and around the world. It is a Sunday when we thank God for all Christian women.
Paul briefly refers to his ancestors, but Lois and Eunice are mentioned by name here in 2 Timothy. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, was trained by Gamaliel as a scribe, and was a Pharisee leading the persecution of Christians before he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus. He was baptized and began proclaiming Christ. Soon after, the book of Acts ceases calling him Saul and exclusively calls him Paul.
It appears that Timothy was raised as a Christian by a faithful grandmother and Christian mother. The faith that dwells in him is there because he was taught the Christian Scriptures from childhood, even from infancy. His grandmother and mother made his spiritual education a priority even though his father did not. And he was trained and ordained as a pastor by Paul, a father in the faith. Timothy was given gifts of God in order to proclaim and administer the gifts of God to God’s people. We need these gifts of God because life in this world is hard. And it is easy to become discouraged.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
This is the second time that Paul has urged Timothy to “guard the good deposit.” The previous time was at the very end of Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Paul wrote, “Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” Stick with Jesus. Proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Have the mind of Christ. Preach Christ and Him crucified.
Jesus suffered for His message. His suffering gives us the victory of life everlasting. Paul suffers for proclaiming Christ. Even suffering leading to death can be a blessing because of the life and immortality that Paul and Timothy teach in the Gospel as preachers, apostles, and teachers. The Holy Spirit works through them to proclaim Christ.
The good deposit is guarded for the sake of the comfort that the Gospel is. God’s Word needs to be defended for the sake of the faithful, for the sake of those who are not faithful guardians in the hope that they would become faithful guardians, and also for the sake of those who have not yet been brought to faith by Word, water, and the Holy Spirit.
Beginning on October 17th, we will begin a new Sunday morning Bible Class series to help equip you to defend faithful Bible teaching and practice. We will begin with Baptism, the forgiveness of sins, and Holy Communion and will move on to other topics when we’re ready.
The good deposit is guarded for the sake of the comfort that the Gospel is. God’s Word needs to be defended for the sake of the faithful, for the sake of those who are not faithful guardians in the hope that they would become faithful guardians, and also for the sake of those who have not yet been brought to faith by Word, water, and the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God is powerful. It is not bound! Amen.
That is where we pick up next Sunday.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. (2 Timothy 4:22) Amen.
