December 8, 2019
Evening Service

This morning the message included warnings from Paul to be aware of the false teachers that are among us.  They are teaching people only the things their “itching ears” want to hear as they proclaim fables rather than truth.  He called us to be ready and expecting the challenges and afflictions that lie ahead and to “keep our head in the fight.”  We are to stay on task fulfilling the ministry God has called us to sharing the gospel message and proclaiming the truth.  We ended with this wonderful analogy Paul used describing his own life.

2Ti 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7)  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8)  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

        I tried to convey this morning that this analogy paints for us a picture of what living life abundantly truly looks like for us.  “presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice which is our act of worship.”  It is a life of suffering, sacrifice, and even persecution but it is also a life filled with love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).  It is not a life free from difficulty, but it is a life lived with a purpose.  Paul “fought the good fight finished his race and kept the faith.”  Oh what joy it would be to be able to make the same statement at the end of our lives as well.

            Tonight as we finish the second letter from Paul to Timothy, we are blessed to be exposed to some personal issues Paul was facing as he awaited his fate in the Roman prison.

 

 2Ti 4:9-13 Be diligent to come to me quickly; (10) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.  (11)  Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.  (12)  And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.  (13)  Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

        Paul, though he had endured much suffering and persecution during his years of ministry, was not exempt from feeling something we all feel from time to time and that was loneliness.  There are times that all of us feel this way in our walk with the Lord.  God has designed us to be a support for one another and if we lack that for a period of time it is easy to caught up in feeling alone.  Pray that God gives your eyes clear vision to see those who are suffering with this and encourage them to know they are never alone.

  He mentions here that his coworker Demas (also mentioned in the Colossian letter and Philemon) had not only forsaken him, but had walked away from the Lord.  He chose to pursue the things of the world rather than the things of God.  This no doubt hurt Paul not only from his loneliness aspect, but the drifting of a brother from the truth is always hard to accept.  The others had all simply gone on to do their work in other areas of ministry that needed attention.  Luke was the only one with him at the time of the writing of this letter.  This of course is the same Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

            He asks Timothy to come quickly and bring with him Mark, who had earlier also deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13) causing such contention that they went their separate ways when a second journey was planned (Acts 15).  He had apparently worked his way back into Paul’s good graces and was “useful to me for ministry;” showing that we all should be given a second chance. Paul also requested his cloak, because he was cold and the parchments to keep his mind focused in and strong.  He now continues with some more personal thoughts.

 

2Ti 4:14-18 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.  (15)  You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.  (16)  At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.  (17)  But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

        Alexander may have been someone who testified against Paul in his trial, but it was evident that whatever he had done it had caused Paul harm.  He held no personal vendetta against him, but simply turned it over to the Lord to repay.  He was forsaken by everyone at his trial, but again held no remorse towards them.  He testifies that his strength came from the Lord who is always faithful delivering him so far from the harm that they intended for him.  We to need to realize that men will fail you and don’t let that be a reason you to abandon your faith.  God is always faithful, as Paul did look to Him for strength and faithfulness.

  The reference to “delivered from the mouth of the lion” is believed to just be a symbolism not an actual event.  He spoke with all confidence that the Lord would deliver him in the end.  He knew that in the end we win and gave the glory for it.  He completes this letter with list of greetings with some familiar names.

 

  2Ti 4:19-22 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.  (20)  Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.  (21)  Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.  (22)  The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

            Paul’s final words are words of affirmation to those who have walked the journey he has been on alongside him.  Aquila and Priscilla were fellow Christian leaders that had their paths cross with Paul many times.  Onesiphorus had been one of the few who had visited Paul and encouraged him.  The others are all some of his closest and trusted companions. 

            This letter is one of the most powerful that Paul through the Holy Spirit has written.  It is vital for our church’s health that we listen to his charges and encourage each member to stay in the fight for the faith.  We must endure to the end and finish our race, keeping the faith.  May we all have the endurance of a soldier, the discipline of an athlete and the patience and work ethic of a farmer.  There is no place to quit or even slow down, keep your head in the fight.

 

Heavenly Father thank You for being faithful and strong.  Call us to a deeper, closer walk with You and use as a tools in Your hand to build the kingdom.