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Pastor Gbenga Aluko
Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-5
- We will discuss the great topic with the following sub-headings:
- Background
- Unfeigned faith, Personal application/choices
- Becoming a Godly model
Background
The second epistle of Paul to Timothy was written when Paul was counting down both his life and ministry and needed to pass down information and burden to one of his proteges, Timothy.
He was writing from a prison in the then Roman empire, In Lystra (modern day Turkey) yet he managed to write deep things as inspired by the Holy Spirit, about the last days 3:1-9. He gave some apostolic counsels and encouragement 3:13-15, and he also gave a summary of his life/sufferings. Paul in prison was more useful to heaven than most people in the palace then, as he was tuned enough to pick up the frequencies of the Holy Spirit regarding the end of the age. How tuned are we to God and His Spirit?
What kind of epistle is our life writing? God is watching and will reward us all. Gal. 6:9
Unfeigned faith, Personal application/choices
Unfeigned faith 2 Tim 1:5 the ἀνυπόκριτος (anypókritos) faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.”
Here it means:
- real faith
- not religious acting
- faith that is inwardly true.
In contrast we sadly live in an era of make-belief, deceit and deception, with untamed inputs from social media, public image/perception, unbridled ambitions for popularity and gains, rooted more in just perception than personality. The spirit of this age. 2 Cor. 4:4, Eph 2:2,2 Tim. 3:1ff.
Timothy met at home, what do our children see us do? Not only what they hear us say.
Personal application/choices: unfeigned faith in thee.
Timothy was born in an atmosphere of great faith but he also chose a life of unfeigned faith, are we reflecting the great values of Godliness, uprightness, hard work (industry) amongst others that we were privileged to meet at home?
Becoming a Godly model
· Being born again: There is no gain in this world in its entirety, you can’t influence a system if you are like it, God made us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Matt 5:14-16.
· A life of prayer: Susanah Wesley (world famous mother of John and Charles Wesley (referred to as the mother of Modernism, had 10 children surviving out of 19, known for her deep devotion, she faced immense poverty and hardship, including her husband being in debtors' prison. To find privacy for prayer, she would sit in her chair and lift her apron over her head to pray. Her children knew this was a "tent of meeting" and would not interrupt her.) Never preached a sermon in church nor wrote a book but her role can never be erased in the annals of history.
· Love for God’s Word 2 Tim.3:15
· Full and consistent obedience to God and His word
· Skill, Re-skill, upskill & Hard work Prov. 31 woman
C.A.C.G.H.B HYMN VARIOUS 13
stanzas 3&4
3. God give us Christians homes
Homes where the mother in queenly quest
Strives to show others thy way is best
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes
4. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so
Homes where the alter fire burn and glow
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes.
Amen.