Download Faithful in Tough Times 3-4 - Palma Sola Community Church

December 4. 2016
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Back To The Basics
Being Faithful In The Faith In Tough Times
Intro: Before we go on, I want to back up for an observation. This is intentional.
Where is the Apostle Paul when he pens this letter to Timothy? Can we agree that he is in a
hard place not of his own making? -- II Timothy 1: 8.
I. But notice Paul’s attitude. -- II Timothy 1: 11-12.
Amplified: II Timothy 1:11-12.
“For (the proclaiming of) this (Gospel) I was appointed a herald (preacher) and an apostle
(special messenger) and a teacher of the Gentiles. And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I
am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom
I have believed (agreed to and trusted in and relied on), and I am (positively) persuaded that He
is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed (to
Him) until that day.”
II. Now Timothy is told that it’s absolutely necessary that he hold on to something, that if he
doesn’t, he can lose it. He is to “hold fast with the intention of keeping the
form of sound
words, “which thou hast heard of me”. -- II Timothy 1:13-14.
“form” -- hupotuposis (hoop-ot-oop-o-sis). A compound word beginning with “hupo”,
meaning “under” and “tupos”, meaning a die as struck to make a pattern. So
“hupotuposis” means the pattern that has been formed and placed before Timothy, and
he is to hold it fast so it can be copied or modeled.
“sound” -- hugiaino (hoog-ee-ah-ee-no). To be true and healthy, uncorrupted,
wholesome, “sound”. -- II Timothy 4:1-3.
Amplified: II Timothy 1:13-14.
“Hold fast and follow the pattern of wholesome and sound teaching which you have heard
from me, in (all) the faith and love which are (for us) in Christ Jesus. Guard and keep (with the
greatest care) the precious and excellently adapted (Truth) which has been entrusted (to you),
by the (help of the) Holy Spirit Who makes His home in us.”
“Hold fast” --katecho (kat-ech-o). The two words together mean “to hold firmly” with
the purpose of keeping, to keep firm possession of, to retain in your mind.
Romans 1:28.
“keep” -- phulasso (foo-las-o). It means “to watch, to guard, to keep” so as to preserve.
December 4. 2016
Page 4
Back To The Basics
Being Faithful In The Faith In Tough Times
III. Why were these strong imperatives so necessary? Because Timothy was very aware of the
difficulties that the Apostle had gone through, and was going through, and it was going to
happen to him. -- II Timothy 1:7-9 ; 3:10-12.
IV. The place of ministry to which Timothy was assigned was a spiritually dangerous place.
Acts 19:23-29a ; 32 ; 20:17-32.
The Bottom Line: If in fact these are the last days in which perilous times shall come, and I
believe they are, what should each of us be doing in order to stand faithful in the faith? Do you
need to make some changes in your thinking (that’s repentance), and in your life style?