2 Timothy 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, writes to Timothy, a beloved son. He extends grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did. Without ceasing, I remember you in my prayers night and day. I greatly desire to see you, being mindful of your tears, so that I may be filled with joy when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I am persuaded that it is in you also.

Father, as we open the Scriptures today, this very text in 2 Timothy says that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. We come before this, trusting that it is God-breathed, that You inspired individuals to pen these things thousands of years ago for our instruction. They are given for doctrine and reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, so that we would be ready for every good work.

Lord, each of the people standing here this morning, You have ordered and ordained that there would be good works on their path of life. So God, would You prepare us for those good works that we are ordained to walk in this week? Continue the work of transforming us by the renewing of our minds as we look into Your Word. We ask this in Jesus' name, and all those that agreed said, Amen. You can be seated.

If you were with us last week as we opened this letter for the first time, you know that this is Paul's last letter, which is significant when you study the New Testament of the Bible. The last 27 books of the Bible are called the New Testament. When you study through that, 13 of those 27 books were penned by the apostle Paul 2,000 years ago, and this is the last of those letters. It is also the last of a series of letters referred to by Bible teachers and scholars as the pastoral epistles. Paul wrote three letters to two different individuals: one to Timothy and the other to Titus.

We studied through First Timothy, his first letter to Timothy, and his letter to Titus last year. As we round this out, we're studying Second Timothy to finish out this year. The context in which it was written is really important. As I mentioned last week, Paul is at this moment in the city of Rome, awaiting a final trial. He is on trial because of his faith and profession in Christ. He is being treated as a criminal, though he really had done nothing criminal other than preaching Christ.

At that moment, due to public sentiment and opinion, Christians were not viewed very highly in society. This shift in perception was largely due to what had happened a couple of years prior in the city of Rome. The emperor of Rome at that time was a lunatic. It is a good thing that he didn't have some of the technological social media advancements that we have today, but he was indeed known for his erratic behavior. Historians say that there was a huge fire in Rome in the year 64 AD, which is largely attributed to Nero. He had this fire started predominantly so that he could reorder and rebuild the city of Rome in the image that he desired.

Of course, this caused significant problems for him. When a leader sets fire to the capital city, people have a real hard time with that. In that day, when they had a hard time with their leader, they would take him outside the city and put him to death. To deal with the public opinion problem, Nero scapegoated the Christians, this sect of followers of Jesus of Nazareth, which at that time was seen as a small group within Judaism. He targeted the Christians because they were outsiders to Roman society, and public sentiment shifted against them.

The leaders of that movement were figures like the Apostle Peter, who by this time is believed to have already been put to death; he had been crucified in the city of Rome. Then there was also the Apostle Paul. Paul had already been on track to stand trial before Nero before this shift in public sentiment occurred. Now that trial has come about, and at least one of those trials has already happened. He makes reference to it in this letter, stating that at his first defense, during his first time standing trial before a lower court in Rome, nobody stood with him. Everyone had departed. There was such fear among Christians within the church that they all basically fled.

Paul is writing this last letter to Timothy, whom he refers to as his son in the faith. As we go through it, we will see that this letter is significant in many ways.

The handing of the torch, the passing of the torch from Paul, who was kind of a first-generation Apostle, to the next generation is a significant moment. We know very well that if any movement is going to continue, that torch needs to be passed. The baton needs to be passed. It is in that passing of the baton where things oftentimes get dropped, and failure normally occurs. Paul is seeking for that failure not to happen.

At this point, it is believed in church history that Paul has been delivered into a notorious prison in Rome called the Mamertine prison. If you do any research on the Mamertine prison, you'll find that it was a horrible place to be. We don't know for sure if that's where Paul was, but it is possible that he spent the last days of his life there before his execution. He was beheaded around the end of the year 66 AD, which is fast approaching at this point in time. Although we don't know the absolute details about whether or not he was in the Mamertine prison, we do know that he is suffering in prison. This very passage tells us so.

In 2 Timothy chapter 1, verse 8, he says to Timothy, "Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me, his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings of the gospel according to the power of God." Then in verse 12, he says again, "For this reason, I also suffer," because he is a preacher of the gospel. This is why he is suffering in prison. Not only is he suffering in prison, but it seems that he is suffering in chains.

In 2 Timothy chapter 1, verse 16, Paul writes, "The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain." Here is this man of God who is being persecuted. He is suffering because of his faithful witness of Christ, and he is being treated like a criminal in chains. There is a strong possibility that those who were once close to him or identified him as their pastor or leader would step back and say, "I don't want to be associated with this guy." However, he acknowledges that Onesiphorus and his household deserve mercy because he was not ashamed of Paul's chains.

It also seems from the very next verse, verse 17, that not only was Paul suffering in prison and chained, but he was also in a very obscure place, hard to find. He states, "But when he, Onesiphorus, arrived in Rome, he searched for me earnestly and found me." Onesiphorus had to look hard to try and find where Paul was. So, Paul is in some obscure prison in Rome, in chains, and he is suffering.

As a criminal, though he's never done anything criminal that we can see, Second Timothy, chapter 2, verse 9, tells us, "For which I suffer to the point of being bound, chained, like a criminal." Paul is being treated just like a common criminal for preaching the gospel, but the word of God is not bound. This is the dreadful situation that the Apostle Paul is in, and he knows that time is short.

He was friends with the Apostle Peter and knew him fairly well. News had begun to spread throughout the Christian world at that time that Peter had been put to death in Rome, and Paul is now kind of the next in line in that situation. He understands that his time is limited. Some people view this letter as Paul's last will and testament; it is kind of Paul's finale. As I've already said, it is definitely the passing of the torch to Timothy.

In this book, Paul is commissioning Timothy to carry on the work that he has done for the last thirty years. For a significant part of that last thirty-year ministry, Timothy has been there with Paul. He has been able to watch this whole thing play out. He has seen Paul at the high moments when he was preaching the gospel in places like Ephesus, Athens, and Corinth. However, he has also witnessed Paul during the very low times when he was thrown in prison and beaten in places like Philippi, Ephesus, and Jerusalem. Timothy has been there through all of this and has observed the boldness of the Apostle Paul.

If you have studied through the book of Acts and the New Testament, you might want to identify with Paul, this man of faith with great boldness. However, if we step back for a moment and really look at ourselves in the mirror, we may realize that we probably identify more with Timothy. It becomes very clear when you study through 1 and 2 Timothy that, although Timothy was with Paul and watched Paul's boldness throughout those fourteen to fifteen years of ministry, he had some issues with timidity. He was quite susceptible to being fearful and ashamed in the face of opposition for the gospel.

Though many of us want to identify with the boldness of Paul, we likely see ourselves more in the timidity of Timothy. The words of encouragement that Paul gives to Timothy in this passage are helpful and have been an encouragement to me over the years. Paul is calling Timothy to carry on this work.

To carry on this work, Paul is going to call Timothy and say, "Listen, it's going to require that you step up and fill some pretty big shoes." It will require that Timothy remembers the grace, mercy, and peace that God has given to him. He must rely on the genuine faith in which he was raised by his grandmother and mother, who nurtured him in the faith. Timothy is called to live and walk in the gifting that God has given him through the Holy Spirit.

It is essential for him to be filled with the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind in Christ. He must not be ashamed or fearful in the face of opposition. Timothy is encouraged not to shy away from the possibility of suffering for the sake of the gospel and to press into these challenges. He must always keep in mind the reality of the promise of life in Christ Jesus. These are the things Paul will challenge Timothy with as he prepares him to step into a time of opposition and persecution.

In fact, in this very book, Paul makes the point that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. This was the reality that first-century Christians faced at that time. We, as followers of Jesus, have been privileged not to experience the threat of persecution and suffering for the cause of Christ. However, it is very possible that this could change at some point. In other parts of the world, standing up as a Christian often means suffering and persecution for the name of Christ.

We know that there are brothers and sisters in various parts of the world who are suffering at this very moment because of their faith, and we are greatly blessed not to have to experience that. Yet, the reality for the Apostle Paul and Timothy reflects the reality for many Christians today in other places around the world. Paul tells Timothy that as he steps into this moment and ministry, he must keep in mind the promise of life that extends beyond this life.

In the opening chapter of this text, Paul states that it is the gospel that brings to light life and immortality, revealing to us the opportunity for eternal life.

To have life and immortality is essential. It is important to keep that life and immortality beyond this life in mind when you walk through the trials and tribulations of this life, as Paul had done so often. Paul is going to commission Timothy to the work.

What exactly is Paul going to commission Timothy to? In First Timothy chapters one through four, there are basically five commissioning statements that Paul makes to Timothy. We will look at them more in depth as we go through this book over the next several weeks and months. However, it is helpful to consider them as a whole. What is it that Paul is calling him to?

The first commissioning statement is given in Second Timothy chapter one. In verses 13 and 14, Paul says, "Timothy, hold fast the pattern of sound words, which you have heard from me in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, the gospel, the doctrines, the teaching—keep it, guard it by the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit will empower you and enable you to do this. But you need to step forward and guard this doctrine that was committed to you.

Timothy, you have watched it in my life. You have seen me preach it and write it. You have probably memorized large sections of what I have written on these things. I have committed these things to you, and you need to hold fast the pattern of sound words and guard these teachings. That is the first commission.

The second commission is given just a few verses later in the next chapter, Second Timothy chapter two. In verse two, Paul states, "And these things that you have heard from me, these doctrines, these teachings, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." This is a really important verse, as it shows us the transference of doctrine.

Timothy, you are to guard the doctrine that has been committed to you, these sound words. You are to keep and hold on to them. But not only are you to guard them, you are to transfer them. These things that you, generation one—actually generation two—have heard from me, so Paul is generation one and Timothy is generation two. You are to commit these to faithful witnesses, faithful men, who represent generation number three. They will be able to commit these to others, representing generation number four. There is a transference that must take place in the movement of the kingdom of God. The fact that we are sitting here 2,000 years later is a testimony to this truth.

Paul and Timothy did that work well. The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit them to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. That has been the progression of the church for the last twenty centuries, and it will continue to be the progression of the church. There have been those who have sounded off about the death of the church and how the church is going to die. The church is not going to die because Jesus said, "Upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against her." Jesus is the one who will enable this by His Holy Spirit.

He has called the members of the church, in particular, to take these things that we have received from the doctrine, to hold them, to guard them, and then to commit them to faithful individuals who will be able to teach others also. Those are the first two commissioning statements. The third commissioning statement is found in verses 14 through 16 of Second Timothy 2. As you are committing these things to faithful individuals, remind them of these things. Charge them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. The commissions are pretty simple so far. Timothy, you have received this doctrine, these sound words from me. You are to keep it, you are to guard it, but you are also to transfer it to other people. You are to commission them just like I am commissioning you, and you are to charge them not to get sidetracked into peripheral issues and secondary things, but to guard the sincere word of God and to rightly divide the word of truth so that you would not be ashamed as a worker of God.

The fourth commission is found in chapter four, a couple of pages over to the right. In chapter four, verses one and two, I charge you, Timothy, therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. Here is the charge: preach the word. That which was committed to you, that you are to guard, that which you are to transfer to others, and you are to charge them to rightly divide. You are to preach this word, herald it, speak it loudly and clearly. Make it clear after you have rightly divided it, even though it might mean opposition, persecution, and suffering. Preach the word; be ready at any time, in season and out of season, to convince, rebuke.

And exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. I'm thoroughly convinced that every generation of followers of Jesus needs to be reminded of this exhortation to clearly articulate the Word of God, having rightly divided it. We need to be able, with the Word of God, to convince, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

I would say that this century, this time that we're living in, 2018, is no different. There is a need in our culture here in the United States of America, throughout North America, throughout Western Europe, and throughout the world. There is a need for Christians to have rightly divided the Word of Truth, to understand what it says, what it means, and to be able to articulate that for other people. It's a challenge. It takes work. Be diligent to do this work, as it says in chapter two, verse 15. But it is something that God has called and commissioned us to.

Timothy is given a fifth commission in verse five of chapter four. Paul says to him, "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." When we piece together these five commissioning statements of the Apostle Paul in First and Second Timothy, it shows us very clearly where Paul's heart and mind were at this moment as he is facing his imminent execution. He realizes the time is short. He says it in this very same passage: "The time of my departure is nearing. It's coming very quickly," he states in chapter four of Second Timothy.

He understands the time is short, and where is his mind and heart as he finds himself in this dreadful situation, suffering in chains, persecuted in prison? His mind and heart are with Timothy. He has committed to Timothy's care the sound words of doctrine. Timothy needs to guard them and deliver them to faithful individuals who will be able to take those to other people as well.

On top of being able to do that, Timothy needs to charge them to be diligent in looking into those things and not be distracted by other sorts of matters. He needs to fulfill this ministry of preaching the Word and being an evangelist. That is where Paul's heart and mind were at this moment. They were centered on the work of the ministry. There were so many things at this moment that could have filled his heart and mind, could have distracted him. He is facing trouble; he is in terrible, dire straits. He is in prison and suffering.

And yet, his heart and his mind are centered on the message of the gospel and the ministry of the church. At the very least, that's inspiring. It's inspiring that, though he was suffering and awaiting persecution, his mindset is this: Look at Second Timothy, chapter one, verse twelve. "For this reason, I also suffer these things." What reason? I'm a preacher of the gospel. So, I am suffering because of my ministry of the gospel. Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.

Now, I think it might not be a bad thing to put a little star next to that verse in your Bible and maybe commit that verse to memory. You may be someone who says, "Well, I don't have a very good memory." It might take you more than a week; maybe it will take you the rest of this year. But there are some of you here who still remember songs from the 1980s, word for word. So, if you can remember that, then you could probably remember this verse right here. It would not be a bad thing to commit this to memory.

Paul says, "For this reason, I suffer these things, but I am not ashamed." I'm not ashamed because I know in whom I have believed. It’s not that I know what I have believed; I know in whom I have believed. When it says, "I know in whom I believe," it means I know in whom I have entrusted myself. In entrusting myself to Christ, I know that He is faithful and He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that day. He was able to say this because of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

I think it's worth revisiting what was our final point last week as our first point this week, because it's still applicable and appropriate. Point number one in your outline: We can face any trouble if we have the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Paul is an absolute testimony to that truth at this moment in his life. He has experienced imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks. He has been falsely accused many times of things that were not true, and now he is awaiting execution as a martyr for the gospel of Christ. Yet, in the midst of that, he seems to still have joy and gratitude.

It's amazing, as we'll see as we go through this passage. But that is only possible when one has the promise of life in Christ Jesus. This, as I said last week, begs the question: Where do you get the promise of life in Christ Jesus? The simple answer is found in the most translated verse of the Bible, John 3:16.

"For God so loved the world." It's football season, and you'll see this in the end zone again this year, as you do every year: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

Consider what Paul writes as he opens this letter in 2 Timothy 1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a beloved son: "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."

Those words in verse 2 lead us right into the point that the promise of life is available only by the grace and mercy of God in Christ. This promise of life—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, trusts in Him, would not perish but have everlasting life"—is available only by the grace and mercy of God in Christ.

It's really important to note that when Jesus said those words in John 3:16, He was speaking with a man who was probably one of the most religious men of the day, a guy by the name of Nicodemus. You can be certain that Nicodemus, this very learned scholar of the Jewish Scriptures, believed himself righteous according to his good works. He thought he was a shoo-in for the kingdom of God, for eternity, by his religiosity.

However, Jesus said to him, "Unless you're born again, you will not see the kingdom of God." This statement just tweaks his mind; he doesn't even know how to respond to that, and it befuddles him. Jesus walks him through how this happens and explains it to him in that central verse, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life."

So, it comes about by the grace and mercy of God and not by the hard work or religious efforts of man. This is central to the Christian faith.

We are justified by grace through faith alone. This promise of life is available only by the grace and mercy of God in Christ, which is a demonstration of His love. God demonstrated His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died on the cross in our place. This is according to the gracious and merciful benevolence of God.

What is grace? Grace is unmerited, undeserved favor. It is given to you as a gift, not because of anything that you have done. In fact, it is given to you as a gift in spite of the many things you have done. That's mercy. The actual dictionary definition of the word mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

We need to understand and make it very clear for anyone we interact with regarding the things of Scripture that all of us, all humanity, are worthy of wrath because of sin. Through one man, sin entered the world, and sin spread to all humanity so that we are all, every single one of us, sinners. The wages of sin is death.

What is sin? It is breaking God's law. We all, whether we were aware of it or not, have broken God's law. If you were unaware of it, it's a trespass. If you were aware of it and you did it, it's a transgression; you did it knowing you shouldn't have. Every one of us is guilty of transgressions and trespasses and worthy of punishment.

Yet He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might receive the righteousness of God in Christ, which is by grace and mercy—unmerited, undeserved favor that is given to us in spite of our brokenness and our sin. Because of this, Paul could say, "I am not ashamed. I have trusted Christ, and I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have the promise of life in Christ Jesus, and He will keep guard over that until the day that I see Him."

However, it is one thing to say with our words that we believe in Christ. It is quite another thing to entrust yourself to Him and to act with full assurance according to that faith. This is what Paul was doing as he neared the end of his life, facing great trial and great distress. He was walking out that faith, and it was being evidenced in his life.

What we see as he walks out is that faith is the evidence of peace, which is amazing to consider. He said in Second Timothy, chapter one, verse two, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." He is in a very literal pit at this moment. He is in a prison, in a dungeon, if you will. Not only is he in a literal pit, but he is also in an emotional and mental pit. Yet, in this distressing circumstance, Paul evidences the peace that is from God.

It's the same peace that he described in another letter he wrote while he was also in a situation like this, in prison. In Philippians, chapter four, verse six, he says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus."

How could Paul have peace in this moment, where he was facing terrible distress? He was anxious, not because he was unable to bring his prayers and petitions to the Lord and entrust himself to God. In that moment, the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, was guarding his heart and his mind.

I have seen in some of your lives, some of you going through distressing, difficult situations, and you've experienced the peace of God. How is it that this peace is beyond understanding? Because in the midst of that, as you go through it, you find yourself saying, "I don't know how I have peace, but I have peace." Other people watching you wonder, "How can you possibly walk through this and seem to have peace?" It is a peace not of yourself; it is the peace from God.

So, he says, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Clearly, in this moment, Paul had this kind of peace, so much so that he could write in Second Timothy, chapter one, verse three, "I thank God." Maybe just lean over and underline those words in your neighbor's Bible, because of this important point: he is suffering, chained in prison, awaiting an imminent execution for no crime other than being a faithful follower of Jesus. In the face of that, he can say, "I thank God."

In a couple of other letters that Paul wrote, he told us that we were to give thanks.

To God in all things, we sometimes wonder how we can give thanks in all circumstances. Well, by the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, Paul could be in the most distressing situation imaginable, and yet he could say, "I thank God." He thanked God whom he served with a pure conscience. Though he was experiencing outward trials and troubles, he had inward peace. There was no inward turmoil or conflict, even while he was in the midst of a horrible situation.

Paul expressed his gratitude, saying, "I thank God whom I serve with a pure conscience as my fathers did, without ceasing. I remember you day and night in prayer." This wonderful peace that comes from God produces great things. Peace from God produces the joy of a pure conscience. It is remarkable to be in situations and circumstances that are distressing and troubling, yet to have peace in that place.

I prayed with a woman after the first service this morning who is new to our church and will not be here for very long. She is just passing through, on a journey, seeking to follow the Lord and get to know Him more fully to experience that peace. With tears in her eyes, she shared with me that in 2004, her husband was killed in Iraq. A few years later, her 11-year-old daughter died of cancer. Yet, she possesses the peace of God that surpasses understanding. In the midst of that turmoil, she is able to have joy. How is that possible? It is possible by the work of God in our lives. This peace produces the joy of a pure conscience, and what a joy it is to have that.

Paul says to Timothy, "Without ceasing, I remember you in my prayers day and night." Paul was an individual given to persistent and continuous prayer. If he told you, "I'm going to pray for you," you could be certain that he would pray for you. Now, you don't have to raise your hand in confession, but I'm sure you may have experienced telling someone, "I'll pray for you," and then forgetting. A couple of weeks later, they might say, "Oh, thank you so much for praying for me," and you find it hard to admit that you totally forgot. None of you have ever experienced that, right? That's just a pastoral landmine. But Paul was a man dedicated to continuous, persistent prayer.

Now you would say he had a lot of time to do that. He had nothing else to do; he was in chains in prison. But in the midst of that circumstance, where everything around him would seem to motivate a pity party, he says, "I thank God continually for you, Timothy." He expresses a great desire to see Timothy, being mindful of his tears, that he may be filled with joy. Paul desired to be back in fellowship, connected to Timothy. No doubt there was a desire to be with others as well.

We know the only person with Paul at this moment, as he tells us in chapter four, is Luke, the faithful physician who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Luke came to Paul's side and is likely the one dictating this letter at this moment. Paul says, "I greatly desire to see you, Timothy." Later on, he will say, "When you come to me, bring with you Mark," which is a very interesting story we will get to when we reach chapter four.

Even though he is facing opposition, Paul desires communion and fellowship with other brothers and sisters. This leads to point number four: the community of the saints increases our joy. I have witnessed many times coming into a situation where a family is experiencing loss—the loss of a brother or sister, the loss of a spouse, or the loss of a child, which may be the most difficult one. In those situations, the only thing that seems to increase their joy is the gathering together of the body of Christ.

This is why I made the point last week, and I will emphasize it again: it is so important to be part of our connect groups here at this church. You should plug in and connect with others within the body of Christ. Jesus came to give life and that more abundantly, as I said last week, and that abundance of life is not lived independently of the body of Christ. You need the body of Christ, that union and communion we experience. God created us to live life in connection with Him and with one another. Without that connection, we are not fully experiencing this abundance of life.

Paul continues in verse three, saying, "I thank God." He continues that thought in verse five: "I thank God when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, Timothy, which dwelt at first in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, and I am persuaded that it is in you also."

Paul rejoiced in and was grateful for the genuine faith that was in Timothy. I find it interesting that there is at least some kind of tip of the hat, if you will, to the humility of Paul. Not in an overt way, but it's implied that he doesn't chalk up Timothy's genuineness of faith to his influence, though you can be certain he had a great impact on Timothy's life. He says to Timothy, "I rejoice in, I'm thankful for your genuineness of faith that was found first in your grandmother and your mother."

This is a very important truth for all of us—parents, grandparents, and those who may someday think about becoming parents. It is crucial to hold on to this truth: the faith that you have is contagious. It must be handed down. Point number five is that genuine faith must be passed on to others. I am so grateful for the genuine faith of my parents, who, when I was younger, forced me to go to church—not always something I wanted to do.

In that commitment to Christ and attending church, I saw in my dad integrity and honesty, which comes from the Lord. I also saw in my mom an exuberance of faith, which, at times as a child, was quite embarrassing. However, it was a genuineness of faith. I would say, hands down, the greatest gift you could give to your kids or your grandchildren is a genuineness of faith.

A genuineness of faith is different from just faith. In a marked way, a genuineness of faith not only knows what you believe but also understands why you believe it and how to make that faith a reality in your life. We can hand down to others a lot of things to believe or provide a sense of knowing what to believe, including when to say "aha" at the right places in the questions. But the important aspect is understanding why we believe those things and how we live them out in our daily lives.

Paul says, "I thank God for the genuineness of faith that is in you." As I mentioned a few minutes ago, it's one thing to say, "I believe in Jesus." It's quite another to entrust yourself to Him and to act with full assurance according to that faith.

To the trust that you have in Christ, why would someone entrust themselves to Christ in this way, in this manner? I suggest that when a person begins to comprehend what it is that Christ has done for them on their behalf, it compels them to entrust themselves to Christ in this way. Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, says, "The love of Christ compels us." The greatest demonstration of that love is His body broken for us and His blood shed for us.

Every seventh week here at Cross Connection, we partake of communion, which is what we're going to do today. Our worship leaders are going to come up, and our ushers are going to come forward as well. We will distribute the bread, which represents the body of Jesus that was broken for us, and the cup that represents His blood that was shed for us. By doing this regularly, as we are encouraged to in the Scriptures, we are reminded of what He has done for us. In that reminder, may it compel us to once again affirm our trust in Him.

Father, we thank You for Your grace. We thank You for the goodness of Your mercy. We thank You for the joy that Your peace gives to us. We thank You for the rejoicing that the body of Christ brings to us. All of this is possible because Your body was broken for us and Your blood was shed for us.

As we worship You now in song and as we take and hold these elements, would You remind us, even in the physical act of holding these things and seeing these things, of Your great grace towards us? When we partake of them together in a moment, would You remind us again of the greatness of the love that You've shed abroad in our hearts? In Jesus' name, Amen.