2 Tim 2:1-13 - Ambassadors of Honor

Last Spring when our Baseball Bulldogs were playing in the postseason, I had opportunity to listen in on a debate between some students and Brendan about the athleticism of Basketball players, Wrestlers, and Football players. As a band nerd myself I had to add in marching band where carrying instruments, and controlled breathing are added to constant movement and cardiac demands. Even though one of the debating students won a state medal in track, I'm kind of surprised that distance runners were not in the discussion about most athletic (am I right Amy & Bryson?).

The scrimmage, huddle, play again cycle of football (especially if a player only play offense or defense) provides breaks in the exertion, the 2:00 clock in wrestling, the limited 10 minute halftime show; these all require intensity, but distance running reveals endurance! The winner of the Dallas Marathon in 2017 shows what it looks like when one's endurance requires strength from another.

Play - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbXy2vkJxSk

Over my years of following Christ, there are times when my light shone brighter than others. I have personally witness others who began to season the world around them like salt, then over time they lose their effectiveness.

In the Baptist world that I grew up where we believed (and I still personally believe) in eternal security (or once saved always saved) we didn't say the individual had fallen away or apostatized, just that he was in a season of backsliding.

Many scholars believe this letter in front of us is the last writing from the biography of Paul. When we get to chapter 4 we will see that Paul says he is already being poured out and that he views his future as including being brought safely into the heavenly kingdom.

TRANSITION: If indeed this is end of life advice from one who finished well, let's listen in on some clues as to how WE can finish well.

Honorable Faithfulness (2 Tim 2:1-3)

Be Strengthened (v.1)

Be strengthened – this is a passive command. You have a choice. You can let it happen to you, or you can refuse to let it take place.

I saw another video from this year's Boston Marathon (that had unusually hot weather) with scores of volunteers helping runners across the finish line and directly into the medical tent.

2. The strength that enabled Christ and Paul to finish their course was the Grace of God. This same grace strengthens us!

3. By the grace – Salvation grace is available to all who call, but each must call. Sanctifying/Strengthening grace is available to all believers, but each must choose to use it.

Enlist Community (v.2)

Paul knew that neither he nor Timothy had a monopoly on this grace to be saved, to grow, to serve, and to finish well.

In every relay the ineffective passing of a baton can undo all of the advantage that a runner had accomplished in the event.

Share the Suffering (v.3)

There are good soldiers and there are poor soldiers.

All I have to do is mention the name Benedict Arnold, or Judas, or the famous Shakespeare line et tu Brute for us to recall those who gave in to their suffering rather than proving to be a good soldier.

2. Paul makes no promises that enlisting in Christ Jesus' kingdom will be free from suffering, but this suffering invites believers to share in the experience of endurance.

TRANSITION: Paul quickly progresses into 3 examples of what this suffering looks like.

Honorable Personnel (2 Tim 2:4-6)

Soldier (v.4)

1. the IVPBBC states that Romans required a 20 year enlistment but nearly half were killed before retirement.

2. Being a good soldier meant there were no side jobs. There was no National Guard or Reserve service, it was an exclusive commitment until death or retirement after 20.

3. However, at this very time in History the Roman Empire was in upheaval because of dishonorable soldiers. ZIBBC states:

"The year and a half from June of 68 to December of 69 was soon to witness the passing of the imperial crown from Nero to Galba to Otho to Vitellius and finally to Vespasian—all because of the loyalty or the treachery of the Roman troops under each man’s command. Paul was speaking in general and theoretically about the dedication of a soldier to his commanding officer, but current events were witnessing just how important loyalty of soldiers toward their leaders could be[i]

4. Paul specifies that the type of soldier Timothy was to be was a good soldier.

Athlete (v.5)

1. Unlike student athletes who balance school and sports or weekend warriors who struggle to make time for fish, game or golf, The athlete who is crowned, speaks of the Greek games where a competitor had to sign a pledge to train for a minimum of 10 months before being allowed to compete. The rules of training meant a person had to "eat, drink, and sleep" his event until competing before a judge who held the athletes to the rules of the competition.

2. If the soldier speaks to the length of service (til death or retirement), then the athlete speaks to the depth that was required.

Farmer (v.6)

1. It is not all farmers who are held as the example, but the hard-working farmers.

2. Contrary to the Old Testament when most farmland was reaped and gleaned by owners, by the Greco-Roman era most land surrounding the cities (up to 30 miles out) was owned by wealthy landowners who rented out their land for crops. At harvest time the rent would come due and if the farmer had been lazy, it could be that the entire harvest would go to the land owner or debt would be added to the tenant. But the hard-working farmer would garner a reward for his hard work so that he could treat himself to the first share of the crops, knowing that the rest would be sufficient to pay the rent.

Before the days of crop insurance many of our corn and bean farmers know exactly what it looks like to just hope that yearly expenses are covered and the hope of replacing the F350 is going to have to wait.

Honorable Memories (2 Tim 2:7-10)

Reflect on your Training (v.7)

· Paul (as most philosophers would do) tells his apprentice to consider the 3 examples and evaluate himself against the standard of a good soldier, a crowned athlete, and a hard-working farmer.

· Are you, am I, a good soldier? An athlete committed to earn a crown? A worker who is industrious in order to gain reward?

Remember Jesus (v.8)

Of course there is no better example of someone who modeled discipline, hard work and single-mindedness to the end like Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV:2016

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

2. He endured through the end until the resurrection (risen from the dead).

3. Jesus endured to the tomb, Paul is enduring suffering through his final imprisonment—bound with chains as a criminal.

4. But…

Read God's Word (v.9b)

Tomb clothes could not bind the word of God, Chains cannot bind the word of God, nothing can bind God's word – the word of God is not bound!

When your eyes are drawn to the suffering, read the book! When your emotions want to give up, read the book! When circumstances look dreary, read the book!

Because the book tells us we can endure everything.

Rejoice in Election (v.9a & 10)

1. God has chosen (elect) a people to save unto eternal joy.

2. Because God is working a plan, Jesus endured. Because God is working a plan, Paul was enduring. Because God is working a plan, Paul commands his readers to be strengthened and obtain salvation (deliverance) either by rescue or by death.

Ministry Partner Brad Sullard told us just over a month ago that nothing can stop the plan God has put in place.

The Honorable Finish (2 Tim 2:11-13)

A (confessional) baptismal hymn

I usually conclude a baptism with the blessing from Acts 8:39 – he went on his way rejoicing. But throughout Church History, various elements have been part of this ordinance. Some have requested a statement of confession. Some have required a statement of belief (such as the Apostles Creed). Some provide words of warning and/or encouragement like these 3 verses.

Die to Self (v.11b)

The act of immersion when a believer professes his or her faith in Christ portrays being laid into a tomb as one who has died to selfish goals and aspirations and is raised into a new life identified as being in Christ.

The next 3 clauses help us to clarify what can happen as we walk in that new life.

Endure to the End (v.12a)

First we have the intended and preferred outcome of a new believer who intentionally follows and becomes like Christ until final breath.

Those who do not endure fall into 1 of two categories.

Avoid (Active) Abandonment (v.12b)

1. Deny – is a volitional choice to betray the reality that a believer is in Christ.

It is like the spouse who breaks the marriage covenant by acting with another as if that covenant is no longer in effect.

2. Peter denied and then broke

Mark 14:72 ESV:2016

72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

3. Some of us, when surrounded by those who believe differently, sadly behave as if we are not in covenant with Christ.

4. But there is a path that does not involve the decision to deny, but is just as dangerous to our fellowship with Christ.

Beware of (Passive) Inactivity (v.13a)

Some become lukewarm. Some of us weaken our devotion. Some of us refuse to kindle the fires that once burned bright.

Some of us begin to treat the privilege of being in Christ as ordinary or optional.

Conclusion:

Even if we fall into either active (like Peter) denial or passive abandonment (like the believers in Revelation 2:4 who abandoned their first love), we have the promise that Christ remains faithful because that is who He is, and He cannot be any different.

Chandler Self demonstrates what it looks like to be strengthened by another because of a commitment to finish well in a running marathon.

Toward the end of his own life, Paul knows he is being strengthened by Christ's faithfulness, so he commands Timothy (and each of us) to permit Christ to strengthen us in order to finish with honor.

In our response song I invite you to recall the confession you made about 45 minutes ago and renew your first love for Christ above all else. Christ deserves no less, our neighbors need no less.

Response Song #358................. “I Am Thine, O Lord”

[i] Arnold, Clinton E. 2002. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon. Vol. 3. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.