2 Timothy 1:1-14, “Fighting Insecurity”

INTRO:

In this message on insecurity and its debilitating consequences, we examine Paul's exhortation to a young, timid and fearful man in 2 Timothy 1:1-14. From this passage we learn that the cure for timidity and insecurity is not confidence in self or our works, but rather in God's purpose and grace in Christ.

2 Timothy 1:1-14

TIMOTHY’S INSECURITIES

1. Heritage

• He was the biracial / bicultural product of Greek father and Jewish mother
• All sorts of implications: father wound, discrimination, lack of acceptance and identity

2. Comparison with other people

3. His own sin

4. Fear of Rejection & Failure

Insecurity: It is really the other side of the coin of self-centeredness and selfishness. We tend to think of the overly confident, boastful and proud person as being self-centered, but that is just another defense mechanism.

CONSEQUENCES OF INSECURITY

 1. Shrinks the space around us intended in our salvation.

• John 10:9

2. Puts us in bondage to perception and performance.

• We are always wondering what other people are thinking or how they are perceiving us.
• Constantly second-guessing conversations and actions.

3. Kills us slowly by stealing joy.

PAUL’S ANSWER TO TIMOTHY’S INSECURITY

1. You can be confident because God saved you—not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace.

• 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

TIMOTHY’S RESPONSIBILITY

1. Fan into flame the gift of God.

2. Follow the pattern of the sound words that he heard from Paul.

3. Guard the good deposit—by the Holy Spirit.

• Proverbs 4:23

QUESTIONS:

1. What’s causing your world to shrink? What’s your insecurity?

2. Do you realize just how destructive it has become in your life?

3. What are you going to do about?