Daily Bread

Guard the Good Deposit

Date: Jul. 27, 2021

Passage

2 Timothy 1:1-18

2 Timothy

Greeting

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:14

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY
Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome for a second time when he wrote this letter to Timothy. Paul’s circumstances were bleak and he was cold and lonely. Many of his coworkers had deserted him while others were off in the mission field. Paul knew that the end of his life was near. He was not ashamed of his chains, though, for his suffering had been for the sake of the gospel. He had faithfully served the gospel of Jesus Christ with all of his heart and soul. Paul could honestly say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul’s thoughts and prayers were not focused on his own situation, but on Timothy. Paul referred to him as “my dear son” and urged him to come as quickly as he could so Paul could see him one last time. Soon, Timothy would lead the ministry and Paul wished to encourage him in person.
Given this context, we are not surprised to find that this wonderful and personal letter is filled with love, encouragement, and important charges for Timothy. Paul’s commands range from “Guard the good deposit” to “Preach the word”. He appeals to Timothy to be strong in grace and join him in his sufferings in Christ. Paul sought to give him the strength to overcome the challenges brought by false teachers and other godless people.
The bold appeals Paul made to Timothy are for our benefit as well. May God bless you as you meditate on this book! May your gifts for the ministry be fanned to flame like Timothy’s as you guard the good deposit the Lord has placed in you.
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A wealth of wonderful, godly treasures had been entrusted to Timothy. He possessed a sincere faith like his mother and grandmother. His relationship with Paul was deep and tender as Paul referred to him as his dear son and prayed for him night and day. Timothy possessed gifts for ministry and was indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He was saved and called by God himself and received life and immortality through faith Christ Jesus. In fact, his salvation and ministry had been ordained by God before the beginning of creation. These are samples of how the gospel had been deposited in his life and entrusted to him. We have been entrusted with this wonderful deposit as well.

Fear and shame rob the gospel of its power in our lives and hinder our ministry. This shouldn’t be the case with us. The Holy Spirit gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline that overcomes our fear and gives us the strength to suffer for the gospel. Many had deserted Paul, and Timothy could have been ashamed over his mentor being in chains. However, there was no reason to be ashamed of the gospel or God’s servant. Paul had obeyed God’s calling to be a herald, apostle, and teacher. Timothy was to guard the good deposit by obeying the Lord’s calling in his own life.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, grant us your Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel without any fear or shame.

One Word: One Word: Guard the deposit God has given you

We Are Your Sheep, Lord

Psalm 79:1-13

Key Verse: 79:13

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Today's Question

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IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT