2 Timothy 1:6-14

In the Apostle Paul’s final letter before his execution, knowing that “the time of [his] departure has come” (4:6), he exhorts his protégé Timothy to “guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (1:14). Paul is not ashamed to suffer for the gospel by which he was eternally saved because his confidence is in Christ, who defeated death by rising from the grave. We honor Christ with our lives by not being ashamed to identify with Him or to share the good news about Him with others.

We also honor Christ by genuinely following Him. This goes beyond trusting in Him for salvation and even beyond trying to “do the right thing” or to perform good deeds in His name. Following Jesus requires that we listen to and seek to obey all that He has spoken to us through His prophets and apostles, hence Paul’s exhortation to “follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1:13). May we faithfully guard the good deposit entrusted to us by unashamedly striving to follow our King in all things.

(Special thanks to our guest preacher, Will Beckham, for faithfully unpacking God's Word for us on Sunday.)

Sermon outline:

1. Honor the King (vv.6-12a)
   
2. Follow the King (vv.12b-14)