"Paul's Second Letter to Timothy — Fond Remembrances Foreshadow Future Triumph — and Tragedy”

Today we will begin a study in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, chapter 1. Here the apostle beings with several “remembrances” and concludes with several “commitments”.  The one leads directly to the other, thus our title today, “Fond Remembrances Foreshadow Future Triumph — and Tragedy”.  Central to the introduction is Paul’s reminder to Timothy of how he had come to faith in Christ and how he had been “ordained” by Paul into gospel ministry.  Paul points out that it was his own faithfulness in the gospel ministry that had brought him great persecution and how hat Timothy should expect the same.  But Paul’s persuasion was of the Lord that as verse 12 indicates, “I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”  Timothy was therefore exhorted to enter fully into this ministry, and, as we know, as he carries Paul’s own torch for Christ at his martyrdom under Emperor Nero, to never be ashamed of Paul, or, of the cross of Christ.