Salem Church
Finishing Well
Stewards of the Gospel
Locations & Times
Clove Lakes Campus
634 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:45 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
February 16, 2025
Lead Pastors
Finishing Well
Stewards of the Gospel
2 Timothy 1:1-12
Remember, our theme verse for the year is:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”2 Corinthians 5:17
2025 Theme: Letting Go to be Made New in Christ
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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." 2 Timothy 1:1-12
Main Idea: We have been entrusted with the gospel.
Stewards of the Gospel have Four Realities in 2 Timothy 1:1-12
I. Gospel Received (v. 1-7)
Timothy’s genealogy of faith.
“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.” 2 Timothy 1:5
“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…”2 Timothy 1:6
What if you don’t have a story like that? If you know Jesus today, then you have received and been changed by the message of the gospel, and that legacy of faith gets to start with you!
“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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Fan it into flame: Connect - Grow - Serve - Go
II. Gospel Empowered (v. 8)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...” Ephesians 1:3a
“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“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…”2 Timothy 1:8
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”2 Corinthians 12:9
Being a steward of the gospel will bring times of incredible joy.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7
But it will also come with times of opposition and even suffering for the gospel.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” 2 Corinthians 4:17
III. Gospel Defined (v. 9-10)
“...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, 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…”2 Timothy 1:9-10
• He “saved us” - we were headed to destruction. While we were enemies of God, He loved us and traded places with us!
• “and called us to a holy calling,” - We are rescued and made new in Christ. We’re a new creation! Our life and purpose is in Christ Jesus.
• “not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace,” - It’s not dependent on us but on who He is. The gift is offered freely.
• “which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,” - It all comes back to Jesus. The message is about Him. Being God in the flesh, He was the only one who could claim this victory on our behalf!
• “who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…” - This is what was bought for you and me. Death is dead. Life and immortality is given to all who turn from sin and place their faith in Jesus’ work at the cross and by the empty tomb.
In Christ, we are defined by the gospel!
Internalize it so that you can:
- Stand on a firm foundation. (Not swayed by other teaching!)
- Share it clearly and accurately. (It’s not our message!)
- Share it passionately. (Because we have been changed by it!)
IV. Gospel Confident (11-12)
“for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 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.” 2 Timothy 1:11-12
As stewards of the gospel, we walk in confidence. Why?
— “Because I know whom I have believed” —
This confidence looks strange to others, but we know who we have believed.
Confident in generosity and trusting God.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Confident in Christ’s ongoing work in us.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”Philippians 1:6
Confident in God’s promise for eternity.
“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”2 Corinthians 1:21-22
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
Main Idea: We have been entrusted with the gospel.
What will we do with it?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”Romans 1:16
Are you living for the resume? For the eulogy? Or for the throne room?
Will we live today with the end in mind, so that we can finish well?
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
ESV Study Bible – Crossway (2008)
Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus - Platt, Akin, Merida (2013)
Get Married – Brad Wilcox (2024)
The Message of 2 Timothy – John Stott (1973)
Holman Concise Bible Commentary – David S. Dockery (1998)
New Bible Commentary – D.A. Carson (1994)
Lead Pastors
Finishing Well
Stewards of the Gospel
2 Timothy 1:1-12
Remember, our theme verse for the year is:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”2 Corinthians 5:17
2025 Theme: Letting Go to be Made New in Christ
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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." 2 Timothy 1:1-12
Main Idea: We have been entrusted with the gospel.
Stewards of the Gospel have Four Realities in 2 Timothy 1:1-12
I. Gospel Received (v. 1-7)
Timothy’s genealogy of faith.
“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.” 2 Timothy 1:5
“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…”2 Timothy 1:6
What if you don’t have a story like that? If you know Jesus today, then you have received and been changed by the message of the gospel, and that legacy of faith gets to start with you!
“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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Fan it into flame: Connect - Grow - Serve - Go
II. Gospel Empowered (v. 8)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...” Ephesians 1:3a
“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“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…”2 Timothy 1:8
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”2 Corinthians 12:9
Being a steward of the gospel will bring times of incredible joy.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7
But it will also come with times of opposition and even suffering for the gospel.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” 2 Corinthians 4:17
III. Gospel Defined (v. 9-10)
“...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, 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…”2 Timothy 1:9-10
• He “saved us” - we were headed to destruction. While we were enemies of God, He loved us and traded places with us!
• “and called us to a holy calling,” - We are rescued and made new in Christ. We’re a new creation! Our life and purpose is in Christ Jesus.
• “not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace,” - It’s not dependent on us but on who He is. The gift is offered freely.
• “which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,” - It all comes back to Jesus. The message is about Him. Being God in the flesh, He was the only one who could claim this victory on our behalf!
• “who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…” - This is what was bought for you and me. Death is dead. Life and immortality is given to all who turn from sin and place their faith in Jesus’ work at the cross and by the empty tomb.
In Christ, we are defined by the gospel!
Internalize it so that you can:
- Stand on a firm foundation. (Not swayed by other teaching!)
- Share it clearly and accurately. (It’s not our message!)
- Share it passionately. (Because we have been changed by it!)
IV. Gospel Confident (11-12)
“for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 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.” 2 Timothy 1:11-12
As stewards of the gospel, we walk in confidence. Why?
— “Because I know whom I have believed” —
This confidence looks strange to others, but we know who we have believed.
Confident in generosity and trusting God.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Confident in Christ’s ongoing work in us.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”Philippians 1:6
Confident in God’s promise for eternity.
“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”2 Corinthians 1:21-22
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
Main Idea: We have been entrusted with the gospel.
What will we do with it?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”Romans 1:16
Are you living for the resume? For the eulogy? Or for the throne room?
Will we live today with the end in mind, so that we can finish well?
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
ESV Study Bible – Crossway (2008)
Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus - Platt, Akin, Merida (2013)
Get Married – Brad Wilcox (2024)
The Message of 2 Timothy – John Stott (1973)
Holman Concise Bible Commentary – David S. Dockery (1998)
New Bible Commentary – D.A. Carson (1994)
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