Musical Prelude and Service

2 Timothy 1:1-14
Today’s scripture comes from what is considered Paul’s second letter to his beloved student
and follower Timothy. It is viewed as Paul’s final letter just prior to his death and the contents
of the letter is Paul’s encouragement for Timothy to carry on his legacy of living and teaching
the Good News of Jesus.
There is some debate as to whether the letter was truly written by Paul or was written in his
name as a way of honouring and adding to the Apostle’s impressive legacy.
Within this context it is seen as coming from someone who is facing his death; most likely from
execution. He sits in a prison, condemned to be killed by the state. He is addressing concerns
about how we live on in Christ’s grace and love. How what we do here matters. That despite
our physical weakness and the powerlessness of the community, we still find honour and
promise and strength in our faith to God.
And Paul speaks of the gift of the Gospel. Of our faith in Christ’s Good News. What does the
writer of Timothy mean when he speaks of the Gospel?
Are they referring to the first four books of the New Testament? What we call the Gospels:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? No. Depending upon when Second Timothy was written,
some of the gospels had yet to be written; or at the least, the various writings that became the
New Testament were still being gathered and selected as canon.
No, the Gospel being referred to here is not those writings, but the overarching message of
the life and teaching and the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. It is the message of
God’s all encompassing and never-ending love. It is the message of God’s promise of new life,
of new opportunities.
And it is the faith we have in the Good News; that Gospel that we are told here is a treasure.
Our faith in God’s love. Our faith in the grace of God and the promise of never ending life; that
through Christ, God has defeated death is a treasure.
How is this a treasure? Especially when who we presume was Paul, wrote these words from
prison. How is this a treasure when so many of the early followers were persecuted by the
authorities; in particular the Empire? Where is the treasure in all of this?
I think it is the hope that comes with the assurance of God’s love and the promise of
something new.
It is hope. Hope of a new life; of new opportunities. The hope of a new world that provides
justice and peace for those who have rarely and possibly never have experienced those things.
It is the hope that God is with us and stands with us in the face of violence and betrayal.
And it is the hope that no matter what we have done; who we have been, the choices we have
made; we can change, and we will be loved by a God of mercy and justice.
God promises us that we are not trapped by our choices. We are not held to who we once
were. We can be someone new and we will be forgiven and received by this loving God. We
are free to be transformed into the people God envisions for us.
You see, faith is not merely a verbal or intellectual acknowledgment or statement of what we
believe. It is more than declaring our love of or trust in God. Faith is an active thing. Through
our trust in or loyalty to God, we are moved to take action. We are inspired to live out that
faith. How are we inspired to live in relationship with the world around us? How does our faith
in God influence our choices and our decisions on how to live in God’s world?
Paul seems to know that Timothy is struggling with his ministry. That he is experiencing fear
and uncertainty of how to stand up and be heard in the face of other voices that seem louder
and more forceful. And yet, Paul encourages Timothy to make his voice heard. To be confident
in his words and actions. Ours is not a faith of timidity.
Let our hope of what this world can be; what we can be a part of building, move us. Let us not
be ashamed of our faith and how we are called to love one another. God calls us to make a
difference in the world and to move into the world without shame and overcoming our fear
and by doing so we will be seen and heard and honoured.

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789