3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
St Timothy was caled by God to the Holy calling to preach the Word of God. St Paul shares this Holy calling as a preacher and apostle and teacher. They have both been filled with the Holy Spirit, and instructed in the true faith. They have been Baptized in the name of the Triune God. They both have suffered on account of the Gospel.
The example given to each of us in this text is that we can be like St Paul and St Timothy or we can be like Lois and Eunice and Onesiphorus. These are not preachers. These are not Public Ministers. These are Mothers and a Father(s), who have born witness to their Children. They have brought their Holden up in the true faith. They have taught their children to hear the word of God. They have even shown an example for others on how to support missions abroad as well as next door.
There are many examples in our own lives of people and times when we have not done these things. We do always like to take the time away from the Television, or sports, or personal hobbies to go to Church or do daily devotions. But these are ways that we can help to instruct our children and even potential future preachers and teachers in the church.
God amazing forgives us for our lack of devotion. God forgives you for your lack of instruction. God forgives our neighbor for his lacks of devotion. God set his Son to call people to faith. God sends his Holy Spirit to call people out of darkness into the Light. Jesus gives us his very blood shed for your forgiveness. He desires you and your children to hear and learn of all the gifts God has enstore for your life.
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