Unfeigned Faith by Brother Duke Hansen

         Good morning. For the message this morning, we are going to the letter of 2 Timothy. For those who may not have a good idea of Timothy, I will give you a quick synopsis. Timothy encountered Paul on one of his missionary journeys. He would later serve as a representative for Paul when he was imprisoned and later lead the church in Ephesus. We are going to read the 1st chapter of 2 Timothy beginning with verse 1.

        Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

        2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son, Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

        3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

        4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

        5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded in thee also.

        During his missionary journey, Paul came across Timothy's family with his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Jesus can forgive you, but man won't. As you get older and those childish things pass away, you should have a hunger for the truth. When you choose Jesus, it matters to him. There's an allowance in every phase of growth for mistakes. The elders are present to help a person navigate through their mistakes and back onto the path.

        Forgiveness is hard for us because it's hard for us to understand and apply in the carnal sense. You need to be able to adapt to the image of God in your life.

        Paul is writing to Timothy his love and joy for him. He considered him his spiritual son. He also wrote praise as to how Timothy's mother and grandmother passed down his faith. Let's read verse 6.

        6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

        We can put our trust in our own seemingly capable hands, or we can give it to God to handle. Working hard and pushing through things only works so much. If something isn't working you put your trust in, try something else. Unfeigned faith is receiving things given by God that may prick your flesh and hurt.

        Fake faith can speak good tidings or blessings to people, but it is void of substance. Absent of the holy ghost, it is nothing but a waterless cloud.

        7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

        We aren't supposed to keep the spirit of fear. You can apply that spirit as a motivator for your life. You have to have this word in you for everyday use. Carry with you love and a sound mind.

        If you have power through the holy ghost and of love and a sound mind, you will remain unchanged despite the world changed around you.

        8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

        Look at what Paul was capable of when he was in prison. There's a price to the power you obtain. Afflictions are sickness and illnesses you are given while you are on your walk. Without afflictions there is no power.

        9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

      10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light throughout the gospel;

        Before the world started, these things were in Jesus. If I afflict my own soul and flesh, God won't have to. Through the gospel has the light been shown to immortality.

      11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

      12 For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have committed unto him against that day.

        The day referenced in verse 12 is the day of judgement.

        13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

        14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

        15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

        16 The Lord gave mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

        17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

        The prosperity written in scripture us not monetary but spiritually. We are tasked to judge ourselves and let God judge those around you.