Untitled Sermon (7)
THE FINAL FAREWELL OF PAUL TO THE WORLD, 4:9–22
(4:9–22) Introduction—Paul, Writings: since Second Timothy is Paul’s last writing (so far as we know), this is his final message to the outside world.
1. A personal message: Paul needed help (vv. 9–18).
2. A personal greeting: Paul showed personal interest in others (vv. 19–22).
1 (4:9–18) Ministering—Paul: there are times when every believer needs help. Even the apostle Paul faced such times—times when he desperately needed the help of other believers. His present situation was one of those times. He was in prison waiting to face his final trial on the charges of being an insurrectionist and trouble-maker for Rome. He was to appear before the emperor Nero, and he was expecting to be executed. Whatever weight and pressure hangs over a man’s head—whatever needs are created by being imprisoned and facing execution—all this and much more pressed ever so heavily upon Paul. The present passage gives a glimpse into the heart of Paul as he faced such a terrible trial. It shows what kind of help he needed and how his needs were to be met. The lesson for us to note is this: there are times when we all need help. When those times come, we should not hesitate to ask for help, nor should we hesitate to reach out and help a person who cries for our help.
1. There are some special times when believers need help. Note that Paul asks Timothy to do everything he can to come and visit him. Paul needed Timothy’s presence and encouragement in his final hours. Of all the people on earth, Timothy was the dearest to Paul’s heart. Facing his final days upon earth, Paul needed and wanted the company of his dear friend. However, there were some very specific reasons why Paul needed Timothy. Only one person was still with Paul—that person was Luke. Looking at why everyone had left Paul gives us a picture into what it is that creates some of the needs in our lives as believers.
a. Help is needed when a loved one has forsaken us (v. 10). Note the name Demas. Demas had been a faithful believer and a fellow laborer to Paul (Phm. 24). He had even been in Rome with Paul for some time. Imagine! He had even served with Paul in some of Paul’s most trying moments—while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. What happened? He began to love this present world. What does this mean?
⇒ Does it mean that he began to love the life of this world more than the promise of life in heaven? That he began to fear that he might be persecuted because he, too, professed Christ? That he might be arrested and imprisoned because of his association with Paul?
⇒ Does it mean that he began to love the pleasures and comfort, possessions and things of this world more than the sacrifice demanded by Christ?