Elders' Meeting 1-23-24

2 Timothy 4

Expectations for the future.

I often have misguided notions...

…that one day, in this life...

We’ll move beyond all difficulties

Life and Ministry will get easy

All will be right.

This text was a sobering reminder to me...

…that what God has called us to as pastors...

While extremely rewarding

Is probably not going to be easy.

(At least not if we’re faithful)

-The reason this chapter is so profound...

…is because it is the last recorded writing of Paul.

It shows us how his era of ministry...

Wrapped up

Came to an end

2 Timothy 4:1–18 (ESV)

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

Negative connotation of suffering

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

The Necessity of endurance implies struggle and hardship

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

.We may not receive much reward here

Our hope is to be heavenward

9 Do your best to come to me soon.

Even now, Paul is in need!

10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Even after a long, faithful ministry...

This kind of thing is going to happen.

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

Our perspectives are going to change

And/Or people really do repent

12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.

Paul is active and working until the very end

We must not give up!

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

Even in the end, we’ll face betrayal and hostility

15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

The need to protect others is constant!

16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

Again...

Abandonment

Loneliness

Rejection

Despair...

But also longsuffering and forgiveness!

17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

The Lord will remain faithful to the end!

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

This is not our home.

This is not the home of those we shepherd

We are emissaries serving in a foreign land...

Our King is faithful to call us home...

And to give us eternal satisfaction and rest!

That Comforts my soul.

That gives me strength to press on in His service.

I hope it will for you all as well.