Our Lord’s Invitation
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Have you ever heard the expression “in perpetuity”? This phrase was very familiar between 1700 and 1800 in America, but not so much these days. Synonyms for this expression include words like continuous, endless, permanent, forever. Here’s an example using this expression: A government decided to protect a wildlife reserve for endangered animals in perpetuity -- in other words, it will be permanent. No one and nothing can ever shut it down or use it for alternate purposes. Future generations will enjoy it because guardians living today preserved it. Have you ever visited protected parks or reserves? I love the gift of being able to walk or drive through thriving habitats. Animals roam freely; we can listen to the sounds of nature. It’s a small paradise.
In today’s Scripture the Apostle Paul is thinking about something precious being protected and passed down to younger generations: it’s faith in God. He begins by saying that he worships God, just as his Jewish ancestors did, because they passed their faith down to him. He then mentions Timothy, a young adult he’s mentoring to be a teacher of the faith. He says that Timothy’s remarkably strong faith has been passed down to him through his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. Paul was making the point that both he and Timothy are who they are because of the intentional, godly instruction and example of older generations.
In today’s passage Paul tells Timothy to “keep a strong grip on the sound teaching you learned from me”. But who taught Paul? How did he become a respected teacher? He’d thoroughly studied what we call the Old Testament, because he’d been trained to be a Pharisee, a teacher of the law. But it was new Christians who told Paul the astounding truths about God shared by Jesus’ disciples.
He never knew Jesus, but the letters he wrote to early churches have been preserved and are part of our accepted canon of Scripture. His correspondence with churches in numerous cities and nations, as a missionary and evangelist, are ours to read today. They are Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians, First and Second Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These were highly circulated when he wrote them between 50 A.D. and his martyrdom in 67 A.D. He addressed many themes and topics, but his overarching message was that we are saved by faith in Jesus. We cannot earn salvation; it is a gift from God through faith in His son.
His writings encouraged Christians to live holy lives, persevere in the faith, and reject heresies. He wrote about discipleship, suffering, forgiveness, grace, and joy. He addressed unity in the body of Christ, dying to self and the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, on World Communion Sunday, Christians around the world have been taught and strengthened by Paul’s God-breathed letters. One man who lived generations before us passed on to us holy foundational texts that the early church and the apostles accepted as words from God. His letters, or epistles, make up about a quarter of our New Testament.
When I was recently on vacation, Mark and I took a bus tour of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. It was an unforgettable experience. As we passed the tight security to enter the school’s grounds, I found myself in another world. I learned that over 12,000 applications were considered in 2022 but only 3,000 met their high standards. Out of that group around 700 were accepted into the 47-month long program. The number of those who graduate will likely be between 250 and 300 cadets.
Duty, Honor, and Country is their motto; it’s reverently taught and followed. All cadets are trained to “understand what they ought to be, what they can be and what they will be”. West Point expects cadets to become leaders of character through academic rigor, physical fitness, and military training. There is also moral and ethical training. Part of that involves living by this honor code: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.”
Learning about this from our tour guide, who was a past graduate, drove home for me the high ideas and vigorous training required to achieve the rank of officer. First year cadets are called plebes, which is a reference to underprivileged commoners in ancient Rome. They have no leadership responsibilities, but do have a host of duties to perform; if successful, they earn the rank of Private. Second-year cadets are called yearlings; they are assigned one to three plebes to mentor, train, and inspire. If they capably lead their cadets, they achieve the rank of Corporal. Third-year cadets have increased responsibilities as leaders of teams. They are unofficially called “cows” and earn the rank of Sergeant. Fourth year seniors are called “firsties”; they have significant leadership responsibilities and far more privileges. They earn the rank of officer and at graduation commissioned as a Second Lieutenant; they are required to serve eight years. If they stay active 10 years, their salary earning potential is one million dollars.
Four things stood out for me as I learned about West Point’s cadets. Before I share what those are, I want to say that they remind me of the ways Christian leaders are developed. The disciples, Paul, and other teachers may not have gone through a formal, rigorous training process like West Point provides for future military leaders, but I think there are some striking similarities.
West Point’s applicants must show that they have outstanding potential to be future leaders. Very few are entrusted with the responsibility and privilege of joining what is called the Long Gray Line of military leadership. Jesus chose just 12 men among thousands who listened to him. They accepted his invitation and became part of a long line of godly leaders.
Leaders in training at West Point get comprehensive, master-level training in academics, physical fitness, and military training. However, to remain in the program, cadets must consistently score at the topmost level in each of the disciplines. Jesus also invested three years in the training of 12 men; he revealed great truths and teachings and entrusted them to carry on his message.
I did have a favorite part of the cadet training that stood out for me. It was the gradual advancement made year by year; each younger class of cadets was trained and supervised by those who recently mastered that level themselves. I think that’s one of the most effective ways that the church of Jesus Christ and Christians can use to develop passionate leaders, who are mature in the faith and equipped to minister in today’s world.
In today’s portion of Paul’s letter to Timothy, he emphasizes how important it is to “hold on to the sound teaching” he’s received. He had the rich resources of faith that his family passed down to him. He was also receiving mastery-level training through Paul. Now it was his time to be a passionate leader, mature in the faith, ready to minister effectively in his world.
Timothy didn’t leave a legacy identical to Paul’s; if he wrote faith-infused letters they weren’t included in the Bible. But I’m confident that his leadership, modeled after and supervised by Paul, was impactful among the Christians he taught and mentored.
Today Christ is counting on us to know and preserve the sound teachings He entrusted to his core followers. John, one of the 12 disciples, wrote about Jesus speaking to a group of Jews who believed in him. He said, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
My brothers and sisters in Christ, you and I are a bit like fellow cadets in training. At whatever stage of learning or leadership we may be in, Paul’s word to Timothy is important for us to hear today. He said: “Guard the good treasure entrusted to you.” Paul was a teacher, a herald of the Gospel; he worshipped with sincere faith as his ancestors did before him. He and Timothy were in the ranks of those who strengthened the church, by relying on the power of God and the support of fellow Christians.
This morning we who have a sincere and living faith are also commissioned. We’re assigned to this present age to pass on the gospel and teachings of Jesus. We are called to be on active duty, joining in the long line of other Christians who kept the faith and ran their race well, to the glory of God. May it be so for us… Amen.
In today’s Scripture the Apostle Paul is thinking about something precious being protected and passed down to younger generations: it’s faith in God. He begins by saying that he worships God, just as his Jewish ancestors did, because they passed their faith down to him. He then mentions Timothy, a young adult he’s mentoring to be a teacher of the faith. He says that Timothy’s remarkably strong faith has been passed down to him through his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. Paul was making the point that both he and Timothy are who they are because of the intentional, godly instruction and example of older generations.
In today’s passage Paul tells Timothy to “keep a strong grip on the sound teaching you learned from me”. But who taught Paul? How did he become a respected teacher? He’d thoroughly studied what we call the Old Testament, because he’d been trained to be a Pharisee, a teacher of the law. But it was new Christians who told Paul the astounding truths about God shared by Jesus’ disciples.
He never knew Jesus, but the letters he wrote to early churches have been preserved and are part of our accepted canon of Scripture. His correspondence with churches in numerous cities and nations, as a missionary and evangelist, are ours to read today. They are Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians, First and Second Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These were highly circulated when he wrote them between 50 A.D. and his martyrdom in 67 A.D. He addressed many themes and topics, but his overarching message was that we are saved by faith in Jesus. We cannot earn salvation; it is a gift from God through faith in His son.
His writings encouraged Christians to live holy lives, persevere in the faith, and reject heresies. He wrote about discipleship, suffering, forgiveness, grace, and joy. He addressed unity in the body of Christ, dying to self and the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, on World Communion Sunday, Christians around the world have been taught and strengthened by Paul’s God-breathed letters. One man who lived generations before us passed on to us holy foundational texts that the early church and the apostles accepted as words from God. His letters, or epistles, make up about a quarter of our New Testament.
When I was recently on vacation, Mark and I took a bus tour of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. It was an unforgettable experience. As we passed the tight security to enter the school’s grounds, I found myself in another world. I learned that over 12,000 applications were considered in 2022 but only 3,000 met their high standards. Out of that group around 700 were accepted into the 47-month long program. The number of those who graduate will likely be between 250 and 300 cadets.
Duty, Honor, and Country is their motto; it’s reverently taught and followed. All cadets are trained to “understand what they ought to be, what they can be and what they will be”. West Point expects cadets to become leaders of character through academic rigor, physical fitness, and military training. There is also moral and ethical training. Part of that involves living by this honor code: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.”
Learning about this from our tour guide, who was a past graduate, drove home for me the high ideas and vigorous training required to achieve the rank of officer. First year cadets are called plebes, which is a reference to underprivileged commoners in ancient Rome. They have no leadership responsibilities, but do have a host of duties to perform; if successful, they earn the rank of Private. Second-year cadets are called yearlings; they are assigned one to three plebes to mentor, train, and inspire. If they capably lead their cadets, they achieve the rank of Corporal. Third-year cadets have increased responsibilities as leaders of teams. They are unofficially called “cows” and earn the rank of Sergeant. Fourth year seniors are called “firsties”; they have significant leadership responsibilities and far more privileges. They earn the rank of officer and at graduation commissioned as a Second Lieutenant; they are required to serve eight years. If they stay active 10 years, their salary earning potential is one million dollars.
Four things stood out for me as I learned about West Point’s cadets. Before I share what those are, I want to say that they remind me of the ways Christian leaders are developed. The disciples, Paul, and other teachers may not have gone through a formal, rigorous training process like West Point provides for future military leaders, but I think there are some striking similarities.
West Point’s applicants must show that they have outstanding potential to be future leaders. Very few are entrusted with the responsibility and privilege of joining what is called the Long Gray Line of military leadership. Jesus chose just 12 men among thousands who listened to him. They accepted his invitation and became part of a long line of godly leaders.
Leaders in training at West Point get comprehensive, master-level training in academics, physical fitness, and military training. However, to remain in the program, cadets must consistently score at the topmost level in each of the disciplines. Jesus also invested three years in the training of 12 men; he revealed great truths and teachings and entrusted them to carry on his message.
I did have a favorite part of the cadet training that stood out for me. It was the gradual advancement made year by year; each younger class of cadets was trained and supervised by those who recently mastered that level themselves. I think that’s one of the most effective ways that the church of Jesus Christ and Christians can use to develop passionate leaders, who are mature in the faith and equipped to minister in today’s world.
In today’s portion of Paul’s letter to Timothy, he emphasizes how important it is to “hold on to the sound teaching” he’s received. He had the rich resources of faith that his family passed down to him. He was also receiving mastery-level training through Paul. Now it was his time to be a passionate leader, mature in the faith, ready to minister effectively in his world.
Timothy didn’t leave a legacy identical to Paul’s; if he wrote faith-infused letters they weren’t included in the Bible. But I’m confident that his leadership, modeled after and supervised by Paul, was impactful among the Christians he taught and mentored.
Today Christ is counting on us to know and preserve the sound teachings He entrusted to his core followers. John, one of the 12 disciples, wrote about Jesus speaking to a group of Jews who believed in him. He said, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
My brothers and sisters in Christ, you and I are a bit like fellow cadets in training. At whatever stage of learning or leadership we may be in, Paul’s word to Timothy is important for us to hear today. He said: “Guard the good treasure entrusted to you.” Paul was a teacher, a herald of the Gospel; he worshipped with sincere faith as his ancestors did before him. He and Timothy were in the ranks of those who strengthened the church, by relying on the power of God and the support of fellow Christians.
This morning we who have a sincere and living faith are also commissioned. We’re assigned to this present age to pass on the gospel and teachings of Jesus. We are called to be on active duty, joining in the long line of other Christians who kept the faith and ran their race well, to the glory of God. May it be so for us… Amen.