May 4, 2008
Evening Service

IITim. 4

Review:

1. This morning Paul told us of the coming apostasy.  We must realize looking back that we have been in this apostasy for some time.  He warned us of people professing, but not possessing.  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. 
2. Many have been denying the power thereof for quite some time.  Paul said in Romans 1:16; “for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the Power of God unto salvation.  The true gospel of Christ is what many churches have been denying for sometime.  So they can teach their own doctrine.  They have their own manuals, and by laws, not the Word of God.  They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.
3. Paul finished chapter 3 by telling us that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine , for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

Let’s finish II Tim.

 

2Ti 4:1-22  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

• The charge is to preach the Word, not denominational by laws.  Preach the Word.  Thus saith the Lord.
• The time will come that they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears:  You think it doesn’t happen?   Do you know how long the pure doctrine of Christ could be preached in some congregations?  Churches ordaining homosexuals to preach and teach in their pulpits!!!   That is not the pure doctrine of Christ.   
• Does this not describe most professing Christians today?  Of course it does.  Most churches are closed tonight, when the admonition from the scriptures is to assemble more often when you see the day approaching, not less.

(5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 

• Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
• Evangelist:  A “publisher of glad tidings;” a missionary preacher of the gospel.  Philip was said to be an Evangelist, and the writers of the four gospels are said to be Evangelists.

(6)  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7)  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  (8)  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

• This is one sad portion of Scripture. 
• He had just mentioned earlier in this letter how that God had delivered him out of the hands of ungodly men in different places.   Now he knows that his time is over. 
• But listen, and feel the confidence he has with God, at this point.
• Are we going to be able to say this?

1. Have I fought a good fight?  Or have I failed at every little battle that came my way?
2. What is your course?  Do you know?  Are you in God’s will for your life?
3. Will you be able to say, “ I have kept the faith?” 
4. If you can, you will be able to say, “God has a crown laid up for me in heaven.”

 

Then the Apostle says:

(9)  Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:  (10)  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;

• Oh how sad.  Oh Demas, what have you found in this world that can replace a close walk with the Master?  
• Rom 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  (37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  (38)  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.  (11)  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 

• Here is an encouraging statement from Paul concerning Mark.  He is profitable to me for the ministry.  At one point in his life the Apostle split company with a good friend, and brother, Barnabas over Mark.   Tell the story. 
• Doesn’t this speak highly of what Barnabas did?  He carefully took Mark, and nourished him to a full stature in Christ, when even the Apostle Paul wasn’t willing to do it.

(12)  And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.  (13)  The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 

• The parchments no doubt being some of the old testament Scriptures.

(14)  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:  (15)  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 

• In Acts 19 the Jews called on Alexander to tell the council that they didn’t agree with this man as well as did not the Ephesians, concerning the goddess Diana.
• This is said of Alexander ;   1Ti 1:20  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

(16)  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 

• Do you see the proper Spirit?  “ Father forgive them they know not what they do.”

(17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

• These words are not from a man of doubt, or think so, but one of confidence.

(19)  Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.  (20)  Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.  (21)  Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.  (22)  The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

 

I BELIEVE TIMOTHY WEEPED WHEN READING THIS LETTER.  REMEMBERING ALL THE GOOD TIMES THEY HAD HAD TOGETHER IN THE GOSPEL.

 

I FEEL LIKE WEEPING MANY TIMES WHEN I THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE I KNOW THAT HAVE QUIT GOING TO CHURCH, PEOPLE THAT PROFESSED A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, OH SO SAD.   “LORD TO WHOM SHALL WE GO, THOU HAST THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE.”

 

I PRAY THAT NOTHING WILL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, IN CHRIST JESUS.   AMEN.