Be Strong, Timothy

Introduction

1. Don't we all feel weak and defenseless at times?
   1. Jesus did - My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, let this cup pass from me (Matt. 26)
   2. Paul did - I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling (I Cor. 2:3)
   3. Timothy did - Paul said he was mindful of Timothy's tears (II Tim. 1:4)
2. We have "a little strength," and we need to learn to face fears and be strong

1. There is a very real danger of falling short

   1. Gal. 5:4 - Fallen from grace
   2. Heb. 12:15 - Beware lest a root of bitterness spring up and trouble you
   3. Luke 8 - 2 of the 4 hearts in the parable believed the word, then fell away
      1. Thorns choked the word
      2. Hard ground keep the other from growing roots, fell away in time of trial

2. Timothy had difficulties surrounding him

   1. I Tim. 1:3-4 - False doctrine, Judaizers, disputers
   2. I Tim. 1:18 - Wage a good warfare
   3. I Tim. 4:1 - Departures from the faith
   4. I Tim. 5:11 - Refuse unruly widows
   5. I Tim. 5:20 - Rebuke sinning elders
   6. I Tim. 4:11-12 - Command and teach, and let no one despise his youth
   7. II Tim. 1:3-4 - Mindful of your tears
   8. II Tim. 1:7-8 - God has not given the spirit of fear
   9. II Tim. 2:3,9-13 - Endure hardness, as Paul endured
   10. II Tim. 3:1,13 - In those last days evil became worse and worse
   11. II Tim. 4:2,5 - Do your work in season and out of season

3. How was he to overcome those fears and the danger of falling away?

   1. II Tim. 1:6 - Stirring up the gift
      1. Timothy had a miraculous spiritual gift
      2. We have abilities and opportunities given by God
   2. II Tim. 1:8 - Not being ashamed
      1. Timothy could have easily been embarrassed by enemies and given up
      2. We have enemies of the Lord to deal with today
   3. II Tim. 1:13 - Holding the form of sound words
      1. Timothy knew the doctrine that would save souls
      2. We must continue to hold to sound words, not compromising truth
   4. II Tim. 2:1-2 - Teaching others
      1. Timothy had the job of training others to teach
      2. We do a great deal of good for someone (and our own selves) by teaching
   5. II Tim. 2:15 - Being diligent in his own study
      1. Despite his spiritual gifts, Timothy still had to study
         1. I Tim. 4:13,15 - Give attention to reading... meditate on these things
         2. II Tim. 4:13 - Bring the books, especially the parchments
      2. All of us could improve our study habits
   6. II Tim. 2:22 - Fleeing from lusts and pursuing righteousness
      1. Even the preacher Timothy would face lusts
         1. Not to relish in them, but he was to flee from them
         2. Gen. 39:12 - As Joseph fled from Potipher's wife
      2. Christians are human and face lusts
         1. Must fight and overcome them
         2. I Cor. 10:13 - No excuse for them, there is always an escape route
   7. II Tim. 3:14 - Continue in the truth
      1. Timothy was a part of a system of faith
      2. There is one faith today, of which we must be a part
   8. II Tim. 4:5 - Do the work
      1. Timothy had work to do
      2. Work helps us to overcome fears and failures
         1. II Thess. 3:10 - Work or no food
         2. An idle mind is the devils playground
   9. II Tim. 4:9 - Come to me (coming to the aid of others)
      1. Timothy was called on to be of service to Paul
      2. Are we allowing ourselves to be of service to others?

4. We can be saved eternally

   1. II Tim. 1:9,12 - Not dependent on our perfect works, but on Christ's
   2. Jude 24 - God is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

Conclusion

1. Timothy was a great gospel preacher, but he was man like all the rest of us
2. He had the power to overcome fears, trials and temptations through faith
3. We can overcome, too.