Pastoral Epistles Lesson 7 Part 2
Dr. John Cook / General
Introduction
2 Timothy 1:4 KJV 1900
Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
Paul’s Heart’s Desire
“Greatly desiring to see thee”
• Paul’s desire speaks to what should be our desire:
• Desire to be with God’s people
• Prayers very personal.
• What is missing today?
• Early Churches’ Love for One Another.
Romans 1:11 KJV 1900
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;
1 Thessalonians 2:17 KJV 1900
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
• Why the Loss?
“being mindful of thy tears”
• Tears such as found in:
Acts 20:37–38 KJV 1900
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Timothy’s tears perhaps:
• Tears for the Difficulties Faced Alone
How to Face:
1 Kings 3:7–9 KJV 1900
And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
• This we certainly need to stay in the ministry
• Tears of the Absence of Close Fellowship
“that I may be filled with joy;”
At the Presence of Timothy:
• Joy of seeing his son in the ministry!
• Joy of ministering to Timothy once more!
• Joy for seeing the faithfulness of Timothy in the ministry!
• Paul Needed Such Encouragement:
2 Timothy 4:9 KJV 1900
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
2 Timothy 4:21 KJV 1900
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
• So do we all!
2 Timothy 1:5 KJV 1900
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 that in thee also.
Remembering:
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee”
• Paul rejoiced at Timothy’s testimony of faith!
• Outward actions for the Savior shows our faith to others!
• Consider:
James 2:18 KJV 1900
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Important Because of Men
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV 1900
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Appearances Matter:
1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV 1900
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
“unfeigned faith…which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice”
• Christian Heritage Rejoiced In
Acts 16:1–3 KJV 1900
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
3 John 4 KJV 1900
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Rejoicing in the Fruit of Such Faith:
Philippians 2:19–20 KJV 1900
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
Conclusion: Paul reminds:
Serve God With a Pure Conscience.
Pray for Our Brothers in the Lord.
True Faith is Unfeigned and will Stand the Trials.
Christian Should and Do Desire Close Fellowship
All Need Encouragement in the Lord’s Service.