What’s in a Name? – A Sermon from 2nd Timothy - Part 4

The following is Part 4 of a series prepared for an ordination service in the life of the church based on selected texts from 2 Timothy. You can access the other parts here:


I. Introduction
II. Fan
III. Guard
IV. Entrust
V. Preach
VI. Flee and Pursue
VII. Conclusion


Entrust

2Tim 2  ¹ You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ² and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Timothy is not only called to fan his gift(s) into flame and to guard the deposit of the gospel, but he is also called to entrust these things to faithful men (and women) who are able to teach others also.  The gospel is not ours.  Yes, we are benefactors and recipients of gospel grace but we are not exclusive owners to it.  The gospel was given so that it would be freely given away.  And this is why the gospel ministry is a ministry of multiplication.  Timothy was charge to multiply those who follow Christ by sharing the gospel with others who would share the gospel with others who would…

Jesus, the author of our faith, modeled this for us first hand. Jesus called out twelve individuals who would spend three years with him in intense teaching and discipleship. Yes, one of them was the son of perdition and did not endure to the end. But the other eleven, after deserting Jesus in his hour of need were called back together after his resurrection. He said, “Go get my brothers!” Jesus committed these disciples to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit who would descend on them in power so that they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. And what happened? The Holy Spirit came in power and they became witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. And as the gospel message spread, individuals entrusted the message to individuals, who eventually entrusted the message to us as we have gathered here today at this very moment. We did not come here out of the blue. We have come here because the gospel was entrusted to faithful men and women who entrusted it to others and we are now called to continue the ministry of multiplication and entrust it to others as well.