A Heritage of Faith – 2 Timothy 1:1-7

2 Timothy wasn’t originally written as a book of the Bible, but as a letter from Paul to a young mentee in the faith, Timothy, as God inspired him to write it.

Paul wrote this letter from prison, and as far as he knew, he was facing execution this time and was about to be with Jesus in person.  He wrote to Timothy as kind of a mentoring “father figure” in the faith.  From Acts 16 we know that Paul had already invested heavily into Timothy’s life and ministry by:

Discovering Timothy as a disciple during his second visit to Lystra (in modern day Turkey) –Acts 16:1Discipling Timothy (Acts 16:3) while he took him along on his second missionary journey.And now in this morning’s passage we see Paul praying for and believing in Timothy.

God desires to encourage you thru “mentors” in your life.  Q: Do you have such people speaking life into your life?  If you don’t, you should seek one!  Ask God to send you people!

While we often emphasize to young people that “you should believe in God”, are we careful to mention that “God believes in you!“  God did not make trash when He made you!  Youth, and you, need to hear that, because the world is telling you that you are not good enough.  Every ad on TV is telling you that you need something else in order to be complete, whole, or where you need to be – basically that you are not good enough as you are!  And especially that you are not good enough to be acceptable by others.  Where is that message being countered?  The Church should be actively engaged in confronting that lie with so much truth in so much love that the lie just can’t exist anymore in your life!  God made all of us on purpose with a purpose.  God is shouting, “I believe in you!”  But is the Church voicing this truth on God’s behalf?

In any case, we are part of that voice, too, now.  The Gospel is transactional between us and God, but not between us and anyone else.  Salvation is by God’s provision and His condition.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “8 For it is by grace [God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense] you have been saved, through faith [trust plus action] and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Our role is to love and point people to Jesus!

Q: Who is someone who actively believed in you before you believed in yourself…and told you so?  What did that person do to encourage you to reach your fullest potential?

Q: Who passed on the faith to you?  Who has invested in your spiritual life?  Maybe there was no father figure, and maybe not even a supportive family rooting you on.  But, some of you were blessed in our children and youth ministries to have leaders who have held up the faith and who have passed it along to you!  Maybe people who have invited you here encouraged your walk with Jesus.  Adults, peers who were at least a little further along in their faith.

1. We all need mentors in the faith, including the people around you.

Here’s the very real question “What are you going to do about passing on the faith to the next generation?”  It’s your turn from the moment you trusted Jesus!  To someone else, here or not here yet, youare that!

2 Timothy 1:1-5 – “1 Paul, an apostle [“someone sent”] of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of [that is, sent on purpose by Jesus to declare openly His promise of] life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 [He’s writing] To Timothy, my dear son: [and he’s letting Timothy know he’s praying for a greater release of] Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did [his heritage], with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears [most probably from when they parted], I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith [trust plus action], which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your