Please turn with me to 2 Timothy 1 - starting at verse 8.  This morning we are going on in our series looking at The Character of a Committed Christian.  When everything seems stacked against us - when we’re getting knocked around - blind sided - fighting up hill and expected to just give up and throw in the towel - as we’re struggling to be who God has called us to be - what does it takes to go the distance with Jesus.

How many of you did your homework last week?  The homework was - what?  to take a look at your life and consider where God has been at work.  Remember that?  “Count your blessings.  Name them one by one.  Count your blessings.  See what God has done.” (1)  We may have been raised in the most ungodly circumstances.  We may have grown up in an on fire Bible believing Jesus trusting home.  It really doesn’t matter.  .If we look we’ll see God at work.

2 Timothy 1 - verse 8 starts off with a Therefore… Paul is referring back to what we looked at last Sunday - verses 1 to 7:  “Timothy - if you’ll look at your life you’ll see that God is constant in His actions towards you - regardless of the circumstances.  He’s been preparing you and calling you to serve Him.  He’s blessed you with all that you need for that ministry.  So, don’t shrink back in fear.  Rekindle the fire.  Open yourself up to God - and watch what God will do.” 

Therefore - because of all that God has done and is able to do through you - do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.

There are two words here in verse 8 that we need to get a handle on.  That are crucial to understanding Paul’s teaching here in verse 8 to 18.  The first is where Paul writes, “do not be ashamed.”  Say that with me, “Do not be ashamed.”

There was a lady who was giving a dinner party and had prepared a pasta dish for the meal.  In her haste - as she was trying to get all the different parts of the meal together - she forgot to refrigerate the spaghetti sauce and it sat out on the kitchen counter all day.  When she discovered the sauce sitting on the counter she became worried that it might have spoiled.  But, she didn’t have enough time to cook up another batch.  She called the local Poison Control Center and asked them what to do.  They advised her to boil the spaghetti sauce again.

Later that night, the phone rang during dinner and one of the guests volunteered to answer it.  The guest’s face dropped as he called out, “It’s the Poison Control Center.  They want to know how the spaghetti sauce turned out.”

The word for ashamed - in the Greek - is “epaischunomai.”  It has the idea of being put into a situation where one is disgraced.  We’ve all been in situations where we’ve been embarrassed - maybe felt shame or guilt.  With “epaischunomai” its not really our fault.  But because of circumstances we’re put into we feel shame - we feel run over - run down.

Edwin Thomas Booth - at age fifteen debuted on the stage playing Tressel to his father’s Richard III.  Within a few short years he was playing the lead in Shakespearean tragedies throughout the United States and Europe.   He was a great actor of his time.

Edwin had a younger brother, John, who was also an actor.  John wasn’t as good an actor as his older brother.  But, in his own way, John was okay.  John’s last theater performance was on April 14, 1865, when he jumped from the box of a bloodied President Lincoln to the stage of Ford’s Theater. 

Something else about Edwin.  He carried a letter with him.  It was a letter from General Adams Budeau, Chief Secretary to General Ulysses S. Grant, thanking Edwin for a singular act of bravery.  It seems that while Edwin was waiting for a train on the platform at Jersey City, a coach he was about to board lurched forward.  He turned in time to see that a young boy had slipped from the edge of the pressing crowd into the path of the oncoming train.  Without thinking - Edwin raced to the edge of the platform - at great risk to himself - he grabbed the boy by the collar and pulled him to safety.

It wasn’t until later - when Edwin received the letter of thanks - that he learned that the boy was Robert Todd Lincoln - the son of his brother’s future victim.

In the minds of people - no matter how great an actor Edwin was - or how a great a hero - in the minds of the people Edwin’s life always had an invisible asterisk next to it.  He was always known as the brother of the assassin - John Wilkes Booth.  Edwin retired from the theater - painfully carrying that stigma of shame with him. (2)  Shame by association - undeserved.

Paul writes, “Do not be ashamed”  Do not think of yourself as disgraced because you witness of Jesus or because you’re associated with me - Paul - who’s writing from a prison cell in Rome.

The second word - here in verse 8 - that we need to get a handle on is where Paul writes, “join with me.”  Say that with me, “Join with me.”    

That phrase - in English - is really one Greek verb - “sugkakopatheo.”  Stick with me on this.  “sugkakopatheo” is made up of two words. 

First is the word “soun” - which has the idea of close association.  The kind of association that develops when people tear concrete out of a courtyard together - paint together - clean together - or spend hours praying together.  It comes to those who fight on battlefields together - getting shot at - but in a spiritual sense.  Soldiers of the cross standing up for Jesus together - moving the Kingdom of God forward together - regardless of the personal cost.

Its the bond of fellowship that God produces in our lives together through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Its what Jesus prayed for when He asked God that His disciples would be one, “that they all may be one even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You.” (John 17:21).  That’s close.  That’s deep.  “soun”

The second part of the verb is the word “kakopatheo” which has the idea of suffering evil - enduring affliction - going through really tough stuff - maybe even shameful stuff.

Do you see what Paul is getting at here?  Rather than being ashamed of the gospel or of being associated with Paul - Paul is instructing Timothy to join him in his sufferings.  And not just by sending Paul a “Praying for you while you’re in that stinking jail cell” greeting card.  God loves you.  Go in peace.  Be warmed.

Paul wants Timothy to suffer with him - in the depths of the core of who Timothy is - to feel the same burden - and care with the same depth of caring that Paul feels - regardless of the circumstances - to be his companion and colleague in suffering and hardship for the Gospel.

Going on - verse 9 - Paul in these next verses is going give himself as an example of what he means by “do not be ashamed” and “join with me.”  

Verse 9:  who - meaning God - who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.   But now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  For which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

Let’s stop there and make sure we’re together on what Paul’s saying about himself.

Paul writes that its God who saves us.  That its God who calls us.  God does that according to a holy calling.

Holiness isn’t walking around looking like someone who just drank pickle juice - looking down our noses at all the sinful people around us - because we’re so hoooly.  Holiness means being set apart by God - for God.  Holiness means we’re called - set apart to live for God - living out each day of our lives in a way that brings glory to Him - not us - but God.

Paul writes, that holy calling isn’t because of us but because of God’s purpose and His grace.  Who’s purpose and grace?  God’s.

Remember Ephesians 2:8-10.  Think through those verses with me.  For by what are we saved?  “for by grace” - not because of our works or because we deserve it.  Its by grace - the undeserved favor of God.  Because it suits God to do so - He saves us.

And we are God’s - what? “workmanship - He - created us in Christ Jesus for - what? good works - this holy life - of serving Him - of glorifying Him - of testifying of Him and His gospel - good works which God prepared beforehand - 2 Timothy 1:9 - granted - all this - to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity - before creation - before the cross - before we even knew the name of Jesus - before we were saved.  God prepared this holy life and calling for us to live useful to Him - according to His purposes - to His glory. 

All that - 2 Timothy 1:10 - is now revealed.  God’s tremendous undeserved plan and purpose for our lives - that component of what God is doing in history - and what He calls us to be a part of - the implications of all that for our lives - all that’s been revealed because of Jesus - His work on the cross and in resurrection.  Before the cross we couldn’t see it.  Didn’t understand it.  Had no clue what it meant to live it.  But now we do.

There was a man who was asked to attend a banquet - a real formal dinner with lots of silverware on the table - plates stacked on top of plates - huge center pieces.  You know what I mean?  The kind of place settings that I get lost in.  There’s like 20 forks and 10 spoons and all these different types of knives.  What are we suppose to do with all that stuff?  Anyway, it was a real formal deal.  And this man’s friend asked him to go to this banquet with him.

But the man said, “I wouldn’t feel comfortable.  Its kind of embarrassing.  But, I have dentures and I have trouble chewing.  They’ll probably serve some kind of meat and I won’t be able to eat it.”

This man’s friend said,  “You shouldn’t let that stop you.  It’ll be a great banquet and I’d appreciate your company.”  So the man agreed to go.  Sure enough they served meat and this man had a terrible time trying to chew it.

Part way through the meal the man next to him leaned over and said, “I don’t mean to pry.  But, I couldn’t help noticing your difficulty.  I have a  set of dentures here that might fit better.  Why don’t you try these.”

The man tried them.  They didn’t fit too well.  He still had trouble chewing.  But then they man sitting next to him leaned over again and  said, “Well, I have another set.  Try these.”  Which he did and they worked just fine.

The man said, “What luck that I came tonight and sat next to a dentist who had these dentures with him.”  The man next to him said, “Dentist.  Oh no, I’m a mortician.”

That’s really in bad taste.

Our mortality - makes people uncomfortable.  People make jokes about it.  Its an uneasy subject.  Without Jesus, death is hopeless - tragic - a huge uncertainty - an unknown to be feared.

But the uncertainty of death - the ultimate biggy of life - that uncertainty was clarified on the cross.  For the Christian - death - even approaching the end of our service here on earth - for us death is a time of peace and anticipation of the glory to come.  There’s a great hope.  There’s a huge difference - a great certainty - for those who know Jesus personally.  Amen?

We know, with certainty, what Paul writes in verse 10 - Jesus has “abolished death and brought life and immortality through the Gospel.”

What is revealed to us in Jesus Christ is an incredible reality.  In contrast to the self-destructiveness of this world and the hopelessness of what we see around us.  God desires to save us.  To give purpose to our lives.  To open up to us life and eternity with Him.

Paul writes in verse 11 - that God appointed him a preacher - a proclaimer - and an apostle - a missionary - and a teacher - of this good news - this incredible reality.  According to who’s purposes?  God’s.  Who gets the glory?  God.

Grab this:  God - from eternity past has had in His purpose - by His grace - to save us - just as He did Paul - to save us - to set us apart to serve Him - to proclaim this incredible revealed reality - His gospel - all to His glory - not ours.

Now - look with me at verse 12 and see where Paul goes with his personal  illustration.  Verse 12:  For this reason - when we see “for this reason” we have to ask,  “For what reason?” 

Because by God’s design I am part of God’s plan - For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him, until that day.

Saul was such a good little Jewish boy.  He came from such a nice Jewish family.  Went to all the right schools.  Showed so much promise.  Then he got mixed up with those Christians and brought such disgrace - such shame - to his parents.  What could they say?  They are so ashamed of him.  Saul had it all going for him and he gave it up for that delusional dead heretic Jesus. 

And all those horrible things that keep happening to Saul.  All the life threatening things he went through - the beatings - the stoning - the whippings - the blood thirsty mobs - being thrown in jails - 3 times he was shipwrecked - floating out in the sea - hungry - thirsty - cold - alone - suffering emotionally.  Now he’s rotting in that cold - stinking - jail cell in Rome - waiting for Nero to kill him.  All of that must be God’s punishment.  God’s judgment on Saul.

That’s a trap of thinking people fall into isn’t it?  Either God is judging someone by the bad things that happen to them or, bad things happen and people start questioning if God’s around - if God is impotent.  What a waste to serve Him.

Paul says, “I’m not ashamed.  The suffering is real.  All that physical stuff hurts.  Even the emotional stuff.  The feelings.  The rejection.  This is hard.  But, I’m not ashamed to be associated with Jesus and His gospel.”

Why?  Because “I know.”  Greek word “oida”  It means knowledge gained by experience.  I know the truth of what I’m living for because I know Jesus - His resurrection and His life.  I’m not following a philosophy or a philosopher - some unjust or impotent God.  I know personally the living Savior - God Himself.

Why am I not ashamed.  Because, “I’m convinced.”  Greek word - “pepeismai” - to be won over - persuaded.  “Jesus convinced me.  On the road to Damascus He won me over.  Through every experience of my life He’s been there for me.”

I know and I’m convinced that He is able to guard - to protect - to preserve - what I’ve entrusted to Him - literally deposited like we deposit valuables in a safe deposit box till its time to take them out.  The most precious thing we own? - our lives - today and forever.  I know and I’m convinced that my life in Jesus’ hands is secure until the day I enter eternity with Him.

Do you see what Paul’s getting at here?  Ultimately disgrace isn’t about what people think of us or because we’re associated with Jesus - or what comfort we have in our lives - or what we suffer - ultimately what matters is whether we lived glorifying God - lived according to the purpose for which He graciously saved us.  That we do nothing to disgrace Jesus and His Gospel.  Whatever we go through in life - good or bad - what matters is that God is glorified.

Paul - facing execution - says, “I’m suffering.  But I’m not ashamed.  Because I’ve lived as God - according to His holy calling - has called me to live.  I’m living trusting Him.”

Starting in verse 13 - Paul switches from himself to Timothy.  This is how I’m living - now this is how you - Timothy - are to live.

Verse 13: Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

The Revised Standard Version does much clearer job of translating this   verse.  “Follow the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Morals and ethics are a matter of perspective.  There is no absolute truth.  Sex outside of marriage - its what everyone’s doing.  Homosexuality - is a lifestyle choice.  Cheat on your taxes - just don’t get caught.  Compromise is okay - just be careful - don’t get burned.  Maybe the standards of the world aren’t really so bad after all - what we wear - the words that come out of our hearts - the standards we live by.  Think about all you’re giving up to follow Christ.

Timothy - you heard God’s word from me.  You saw it lived out in front of you - my faith in Jesus - my love for Him.  God’s words are sound words.  Their the pattern.  The one true example of how life is to be lived.  Retain them.  Hang on to them.

Verse 14:  Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

The treasure is the life God gives us in Jesus Christ - His salvation - His calling - His purpose. (2 Corinthians 4:7)  It’s the truth of how life is to be lived before God.  The ability to guard that treasure doesn’t come from us.  It comes from the activity of the Holy Spirit working within us.

The word of God - which is how we’re to live - verse 13 - and the means of how we live - verse 14 - isn’t some dead set of regulations and some, higher plane of thinking, religious ideals.  Its God’s word - inspired - breathed through the original authors - without error.  It’s the Holy Spirit who brings God’s word to life within us - piercing our hearts - penetrating to the core of who we are - bringing change - giving insight and wisdom and knowledge.

To guard the treasure within requires constant vigilance - constant attention - to our relationship with God - a continual openness to God at work within us and through us.

Paul’s point:  Timothy - regardless of the circumstances - when you may be tempted to be ashamed - join me in retaining  - guarding - keep going forward in what you know to be true about God - all to God’s glory.

What does that look like - retaining and guarding?  Some personal examples.

Verse 15:  You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermongenes.

Asia was the Roman province that covered what’s now western Turkey.  It was about the size of California.  Ephesus - where Timothy is pasturing - at one time was the capital of Asia.  During Paul’s third missionary journey he spent a little over 2 years in Ephesus - longer than he spent an any other place.  God performed miracles through him - cured illnesses.  He taught daily in the school of Tyrannus.  Through that ministry everyone who lived in Asia - Jews and Greeks - they all heard about Jesus.  There were a number of people who were saved during that time.  (Acts 19:1-20:1)

Point being that these people knew Paul.  Served with him - even saved Paul from a angry mob.

These words must have hurt to write, “all who are in Asia turned away from me.”  They’re ashamed of me - here in this prison cell.  One of the hardest parts of serving God is when people you pour your life out for turn against you.  It happens.  Phygelus and Hermongenes - we have no idea who these people were.  But Paul knew them - was hurt by them.  Some have not retained.  Some have not guarded.  They’ve been ashamed.  They’ve not joined with me.  They compromised with the world - the treasure was plundered.

Verse 16:  The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me - the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day - and  you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

Rome - at the time Paul is writing - Rome was not a safe place for a Christian.  Nero’s on the throne.  He’s fanning the flames of persecution against Christians.  Christians are being used as living torches to light Nero’s parties.  In the Coliseum they were being thrown to lions - killed by gladiators.

Onesiphorus was probably a businessman from Ephesus - who came to Rome - at great risk to himself - not only found out where Paul was being held - but visited him.  Probably had his name written down on a list.  Probably was being watched.  By his association with Paul, Onesiphorus was leaving himself wide open to be picked up and used as lion bait.

Paul also reminds Timothy that of those with Timothy in Ephesus - Onesiphorus was a faithful servant in the Ephesian church.

Onesiphorus - unlike the others in Asia - Onesiphorus wasn’t ashamed.  He wasn’t fearful - thinking about his circumstances - what the cost might be to him.  He’s not thinking about what others would think.  He was willing to join with Paul - even bringing him much needed refreshment  All that God would be glorified.

One thought of application.  Here it is:  What God calls us to is immense.   Try that with me, “What God calls us to is immense.”

How many of you have seen the movie Facing The Giants? (3)  Grant Taylor is the football coach of who?  the Shiloh Christian Academy Eagles.  In the movie Coach Taylor is drowning in a deepening series of insurmountable professional and personal crisis.  The team has lost their first three games.  His job is in jeopardy.  The parents are conspiring against him.  His staff is not behind him.  The team is totally apathetic.  His house is falling a part.  His car is a piece of junk.  He just found out that he can’t have children.  He is fearful.  Feels like a failure.  Feels crushed.  He is ready to throw in the towel.

About that time Mr. Bridges walks into Coach Taylor’s office and tells him, “Coach Taylor, the Lord is not through with you yet.”  Its all about God.

Taylor asks the question.  With all that’s going wrong - what possible purpose could God have for me here?

Remember the answer?  Taylor’s talking to the team.  “Winning football games is too small a thing to live for… even championship trophies will one day collect dust and be forgotten… so far all this has been about us.  How we can look good.  How we can get the glory.  Life’s not about us.  We’re not here just to get along, make money, and die.  The Bible says that God put us here for Him.  To honor Him…  Football is just one of the tools we use to honor God…  We’ve got to honor Him in our relationships, in our respect for authority, in the classroom, and when you’re at home alone surfing the internet… It means we’ve got to give Him our best in every area.  And, if we win, we praise Him.  And, if we loose, we praise Him.  Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes...  I resolve to give God everything I’ve got then I’ll leave the results up to Him.”

Our lives are not about the suffering - or the blessing.  Life is not about the people who desert us or hurt us or who hang with us.  Its not about success or failure by the world’s inconsistent standards.  Life isn’t about us.  God - has chosen each of us - before the creation of the world - to glorify Him.  That’s immense.  That’s a whole lot bigger than the day-to-day stuff we get so focused on.

Do not be ashamed.  Join with me.  Live glorifying God.

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1.“Count Your Blessings” Edwin O. Excell & Johnson Oatman, Jr.
2. Tim Kimmel, Little House On The Freeway
3. Facing The Giants, © 2006 Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany Georgia

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.