The Loyalty of Believers

1. The Loyalty of Paul (1:1-4)

• He was loyal in preaching, ministering, and teaching (1:1, 11)

Paul had gone around the whole known world preaching the gospel of life to every creature he could in three separate missionary journeys. He had already stood before Caesar and was delivered (II Tim. 4:16-18; 4:6-8). No matter what evil works, God will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom (4:18).

• He was loyal in praying (1:3, 6)
• He was loyal in service (1:3)
• He was loyal in desire (1:4)

2. The Loyalty of Timothy (1:5)

- His early days of faith (1:5) - He was dearly beloved because of his faithfulness and willingness to learn (3:14; 1:2) - Paul always remembered Timothy (1:3, 5) - He was desired by Paul (1:4, 4:9, 13, 21)

3. The Loyalty of Servants (1:6-18)

Servants must be loyal in spite of all the persecution they will suffer.

• Rekindle the flame (1:6)
  • Burning and shining with high intensity
  • A living epistle
  • Like lightening
  • Fiery fire
• God has given us His spirit (1:7)
  • Spirit of faith (II Cor. 4:13)
  • Spirit of power
  • Spirit of love
  • Spirit of a sound mind
• Partake of the afflictions (1:8)
  • A cause worth suffering for (1:12)
  • A friend worth associating with (1:16; 2:8-12)
  • The afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God (1:8; 3:5, 11, 12)
  • Endure afflictions (4:5, 10-18; 2:3)

4. Loyalty in Service for the Lord (2:1-3:17)

• Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1)
• Commit the truth to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also (2:2)
• As a good soldier (2:3)
• As a runner in a race (2:5)
• As a farmer (2:6)
• Not an evil doer but suffering trouble as an evil doer (2:9)
• As a workman (2:15)
• A vessel unto honor (2:21)
• Calling on the Lord our of a pure heart As a gentle servant (2:22)
• The source of victory in perilous times (3:1-17)

5. Loyalty in certain members of the church (4:1-22)

• Paul's last recorded exhortation to Timothy (4:1-18)

To whom be glory forever and ever Amen (4:18)

• Paul's last greetings to some he will not see until in heaven (4:19)
• A report on Erastus and Trophimus (4:20)
• Closing greetings and benediction (4:21, 22)