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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
August, 1935
the Christian can originate that peculiar ability or talent that we need to do the work of God. It is the “gift of God” in every case. And these spiritual gifts, varied as they are, are not bestowed upon us according to our choosing. The Spirit divides “to every man severally as He will” (1 Cor. 12:11). However, although we can neither originate nor choose the gift we aré to have, it is our responsibility to "stir" up our gift. The Greek verb means “to stir up into a flame.” The way to “stir up” your gift is to exercise it. Spiritual muscles, like the muscles of the body, atrophy through disuse. 3. “H old fast the form of sound wordA (v. 13)'. The Greek word rendered “form” means a “pattern." And the word trans lated “sound” means “healthful.” Timothy is counseled to “hold fast the.pattern of healthful words.” The words of God are not only life-giving, but after we have received life, the same “words” will main tain our spiritual health. The modern re ligionists are always advising us that in this “advanced age” we must change our theological terminology. Paul tells us to hold fast not merely the ideas, but the very words of Christian faith. They have a peculiar value because chosen by the Holy Spirit Himself (1 Cor. 2:13). Golden Text Illustration E. A. Abbey, R. A., in speaking of his great work, “The Quest of the Holy Grail,” says: “For this picture I visited remote countries and went over the whole of the south of France. It took me several years to study the dress, the colors, and the ar chitecture of the period—to obtain bits of old castles and buildings I made plaster casts of many things in France.” From beginning to end, this single paint ing of this great American artist repre sents years of unremitting labor and ten thousand miles of travel in search of material. Before Luke Fildes, R. A., put the first stroke on his canvas, “The Cotter,” he spent months traveling over England and Scotland, from Devonshire to Inverness, in order to familiarize himself with the cot tagers and their homes, and when once his ideal cottage was pictured in his brain, he had it built in his studio, correct to the smallest detail. If there be such energy and enthusiasm to put a picture on the canvas as it ought to be, with an equal energy, at least, and with an equal enthusiasm, ought we to undertake to paint a picture on life-canvas as it ought to be, thus to make one eternal and beautiful painting. — The Bottles of Heaven, by Revilo. The Boy Timothy 2 T imothy 1 :1-14 Memory Verse: “Even a child is known by his doings” (Prov. 20:11). Approach: When Paul started out on his missionary travels, he came to the towns of Lystra and Derbe. While he was
SEPTEMBER IS, 1935 TIMOTHY (A Christian Worker in Training) 2 T imothy 1
Lord would enable him to rise above all, and would help him to fulfill the purpose for which the gift was given. He was given added encouragement in the knowledge of what God had already done both for him and for Paul, as well as for all saints (vs. 9, 10). God had saved them, and had called them to the work of proclaiming the gospel ef grace. This com mission was not earned by their good works, but was according to God’s eter nal purpose and grace. The One whom Timothy was to preach had abolished death and had brought life and immortality to light by the gospel. To possess immortality is to possess that na ture which is deathless. Now the bodies of saints are mortal and subject to death and corruption; but because of the work of Christ, they soon will be immortal and in corruptible. With such an outlook, Timo thy needed to have no fear. III. T he E xample for T imothy (11-14). Paul, like Timothy, had been appointed a preacher and a teacher. In fulfilling his ministry and in stirring up his gifts, Paul had suffered distresses and persecutions, but he was not ashamed (vs. 11, 12). He possessed an assurance which he desired Timothy to have also. Paul had a certain knowledge :B l know him” (R. V.), the person of the Lord; he had a certain Con viction: “I . . . am persuaded,” concerning the power of the Lord; and he had a cer tain hope: “against that day,” concerning the presence of the Lord at His coming. Well might Timothy-—and all saints, our selves included—have such a spirit of fear lessness I In view of this confidence, Paul exhorted Timothy to “hold fast the form of sound words” (v. 13). Finally, Timothy was to guard the de posit (v. 14). This watchfulness could be accomplished only in the power of the Holy Spirit. But that Spirit dwells within each believer. Hence all that is needed is a whole-hearted yieldedness to Him. Points and Problems 1. "Grace, mercy, , and peace" (v. 2). Notice the perfect order in this beautiful threefold salutation. Grace is first, the divine source of all spiritual blessings. Mercy comes next, following grace, be cause it is the grace of God that extends mercy to sinners. Peace comes last, the result of grace and mercy. The difficulty today is that the world is striving to get peace without first receiving the grace of God in Christ. 2 . “Stir up the gift of God" (v. 6). There is no process of education by which BLACKBOARD LESSON THINE5 NEEDFUL FOR. THE NEW CHRISTIAN RAIN H^ | s e n t l e T £ e a t .
Lesson Text: 2 Tim. 1 :1-14. Golden Text: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need-j eth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Outline and Exposition I. T he A pproach to T imothy (1-5). T he book of Second Timothy is a pri vate letter bearing apostolic author ity (vs. 1, 2). Paul had met Timothy at Lystra, a pagan center (cf. Acts 14:8- 13; 16:1), and had led him to Christ. Hence, in this epistle, he addressed him as “my dearly beloved son.” By natural gen eration, Timothy’s father was a Greek, one who perhaps was a convert to Chris tianity or was at least sympathetic toward believers. Timothy’s mother was a Jew ess, as was his grandmother, and both of these women were Christians—earnest in their faith and Scriptural in their teach ing. From a child, Timothy had had the advantage of the training which such women had given him (2 Tim. 3:15J. Paul wrote to Timothy of “grace, mercy, and peace” (v. 2). Only to Timothy is “mercy” included in any of Paul’s saluta tions, The reference to mercy in Titus 1:4 is omitted in the Revised Version. Pgr- haps Timothy was of a retiring nature; perhaps he was fearful of the surrounding opposition, and needed the extra word concerning mercy from God. As we trace the story of Timothy’s life through va rious scriptures, we learn that he was well reported of among the brethren, that he was faithful in his work, and that he had surrendered fully to the Lord and was courageous in meeting difficulties. Timo thy had consideration for others; he un selfishly sought the profit of others; and he was uncompromising with the truth. Withal he was unassuming, tactful, and true to the trust reposed in him (cf. Acts 16:1-3; Phil. 2:19-22; 2 Tim. 3:14, 15). Timothy’s life and character were the basis for Paul’s thanksgiving to God (vs. 3-5). Paul was thankful that he could constantly hold Timothy before the Lord in prayer. It is a good thing to thank God for being reminded to pray for brethren. II. T he E xhortation to T imothy (6-10). Paul was about to be taken away from earth (cf. 4:6), and he would have Timo thy “stir up the gift of God” that was in him (v. 6). This expression means “to fan into a flame,” to make wide use of the gift —not to allow it to smolder. There are some Christians who have gifts from the Lord, but they never stir them into a flame, so that others may be warmed and cheered thereby. The gift was in Timothy both by prophecy and with the laying on of hands (cf. 1 Tim. 4:14). Timothy needed to be reminded that God whom he trusted would not allow him to be led astray. God had given Timothy a spirit of courage and of love and of a sound mind (v. 7). This spirit would be manifested as the gift was exercised. The need for such an exhortation is re vealed in the conditions which Timothy would be Called upon to face (v. 8). The prospect before him was anything but pleasing. Afflictions and persecutions would be his lot, but the gift given by the
in Lystra, Paul per formed a miracle. One of his listeners was a man who had been l ame f r om birth. Paul knew that God had touched this man’s heart, and that he was ready to be lieve. When he saw the man’s faith, Paul said: “Stand upright on thy feet.” And the
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