TEXT: II Timothy 1:3-5

SUBJECT: Exposition of II Timothy #2: Paul's Gratitude, Desire, and Joy

We come this evening to the second sermon in our study of Paul's final word to Timothy and to us. Last time, we looked at the greeting, and from it learned the basics: the writer is Paul; the reader is Timothy; and the purpose is convey "grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ". It would be good if our communications were as nobly motivated.

The next paragraph is also made up of three parts. Paul begins by giving thanks, goes on to reveal his desire, and closes with a joyful memory. Let's take each in turn. God help us, for Christ's sake. Amen.

"I thank God whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers day and night". Paul opens on a thankful note. This didn't surprise Timothy, as he knew the Apostle's customary state of mind. The numbing exhaustion, the deadly persecution, the heartbreaking betrayals, the advancing age, did not leave Paul a bitter old man. If they had, we would understand; feel sympathy for him. But even now, in prison, awaiting the chopper's block, he is thankful. How different he is from most Christians! Free from discontent, ingratitude, and murmuring, he is able to practice what he preaches: "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you".

To Whom is he offering these thanks? He tells us: "God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did..." Men are often unfaithful and not deserving of thanks. But "He is faithful who promised". Thus, whatever your circumstances, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD".

What is he thankful for? "I remember you in my prayers". He is thankful for Timothy. This is instructive. As vv.6ff., indicate, Timothy was not a perfect man. Nobody is, of course. But more: He did not measure up to Paul's standard! Even in prison, Paul was "serving" God, whereas Timothy, it seems, had become a bit slack in his work. Paul was "not ashamed of the Gospel"; Timothy, it seems was, if only a tad. Thus, Paul was certainly the better man. Yet the great man does not despise his weaker brother!

If the Apostle does not look down upon lesser men, dare any of us to do so? Does anyone agree with this? "Because I know more than you do, I may justly despise you?" "Because you are more disciplined than I, you may hold me in contempt?" On a theoretical level, we all turn away in disgust from such pride. But practically...we do both. God forgive us.

On this subject, Paul Tournier has written an interesting book titled: "The Strong and the Weak". In it, he argues for the disuse of these terms because no Christian is strong in every way, and every Christian is strong is some way. In short, every Christian is both "strong" and "weak", depending on which area of his life you are talking about.

How often does Paul give thanks for Timothy? "Without ceasing, I remember you in my prayers night and day". Did the Apostle have other things on his mind? I suppose so. He was sick, old, and in prison. Yet he's not become self-absorbed. His aches and pains and fears haven't taken over his mind. He's thinking of another; he's thankful for him.

This is the thanksgiving. Paul is grateful to God for Timothy. We ought to be more thankful for one another than we are. Perhaps if we thanked God more often for one another (even half-heartedly), God would give us the grace to be truly grateful.

Next, we come to Paul's desire. Paul is blessing God for Timothy's sacred memory. But he's not content with a memory. He wants to see the man one last time. He writes, I am "Greatly desiring to see you".

Why is he so fervent about this hoped for visit? Because I am "mindful of your tears". Timothy is disheartened without Paul. Who wouldn't miss such a man? Where else could he hear such teaching? Find such an example? Paul wants to encourage his "beloved son". How does he do it? Not by lying! Paul doesn't suggest that he's about to be released from prison. Later, in fact, he calls himself "a drink offering being poured out". He cheers his drooping friend with the Gospel! This Gospel Paul had received from Christ Himself. It is the Gospel that Timothy had learned from his grandmother and from his mother. It is the Gospel that both Paul and Timothy were charged to preach. It began with hope: "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel". It would end in the same hope:

"If we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him".

This too throws light on Paul's character. He is a vulnerable man. He wants to see Timothy; needs him very badly. Not even Paul is "an island to himself". Yet, he's not selfish or demanding. He desperately wants to see Timothy. But he's not about to use him. He wants to see Timothy so that he--a dying man--might encourage his young friend.

Paul, in short:

"Esteemed others

Better than himself".

Having looked into the future with hope, he now turns to the past with joy. A quick technical note: the last phrase of v.4 belongs with the thought of v.5. Otherwise, we find Paul being "filled with joy as he thinks on Timothy's tears". Obviously, his "joy" comes from somewhere else. Where? V.5 tells us: "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, is in you, too".

Timothy's faith is "genuine". The Greek word means "un-hypocritical". There is no pretence in it. Timothy is not self-deluded; he's not trying to fool others. He truly believes in Jesus Christ.

How did he come to this faith? It seems that he believed in Christ under the ministry of Paul. But long before the Apostle reached him, Timothy had been steeped in Scripture. He had "known it from infancy"; he had seen its put into practice by mother and grandmother alike. And they did so--please remember--under less than ideal conditions. Eunice was married to a Greek Pagan. How her faith must have been tested! Were idols set up in her house? Was she beaten? Did her husband flaunt his affairs with other women? Pagan depravity is hard to fathom. Yet she remained firm. She read the Bible and loved the Savior. Hers was an example that her husband could not discredit, or her son forget.

Those of you with Christian parents ought to thank God for your heritage. Those of you who didn't have them, ought to be sure that your children receive the inheritance you were denied.

One final thought: Paul was "persuaded" that Timothy had this faith. The word is stronger in Greek than it is in English. It carries with it the idea of certainty. Paul doesn't "think" or "hope" or "pretend" that Timothy has this faith. He is utterly convinced of it! Why? Because it bore fruit. In what he did. And, more importantly, in what he was.

Do you live in such a way as to "persuade" discerning men that your faith is genuine? May God help us all to answer "yes".

Let these words teach us to live as Paul did. Let us thank God for each other. Let us long for each other's company. Let us admire the grace that God has given each of his people.

Paul's gratitude, desire, and joy. May God make them ours, for Christ's sake. Amen.