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“I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy”
2 Timothy 1:3-14
Mari Ikeda
A. God has brought us together (3-5)
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
B. Each in our own place (5-8, 12-14)
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 the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. …12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
1. Loving Jesus
2. Relying on the Holy Spirit
14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
C. “I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy”
Summary
In his mysterious way, God has brought us together in this church. Even though the coronavirus has taken away our ability to gather freely this year, we remain connected in our love for Jesus. Even in the loneliness of not being able to see one another face to face, let us turn our sorrow into joy as we hold on to our shared faith. As we rely on the Holy Spirit, let us continue to love Jesus wherever we are and love those around us. And let us remember to pray for one another and to remember that we are in each other’s prayers.
For Discussion
- How has your idea of “church” changed this year? What does church mean to you right now?
- Do you have a relationship with someone like that of Paul and Timothy? Everyone starts out in Timothy’s position. How, specifically, can you become like Paul in the relationship?