P.S. Requested, Reconciled, And Rescued
2 Timothy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Paul goes into a post script of sorts with some requests, last minute thoughts, and final greetings, but there are 4 main things that stand out:
He requested Timothy to come and see him soon.
There’s an indirect story of Mark being reconciled to Paul.
Paul shows his confidence in the Lord to ultimately rescue and deliver him into safety.
And finally, we’ll see many parallels to Jesus through all this.
Read 2 Timothy 4:9-22
Requested (vs 9-13, 21)
Requested (vs 9-13, 21)
Paul Gets Real: The clash between theology and real life.
Make Every Effort To Come To Me Soon! (vs 9, 21)
Was Worried That He Might Not Be Alive Much Longer.
Come speedily, with diligence and earnestness.
Please do so before winter
Concerned with sailing conditions before winter.
The Mediterranean was closed Nov. to March
Why was he so worried that he might not live much longer?
Quite Probably In Ill Health
We believe he was in the dreaded Mamertine prison in Rome.
This was an underground chamber with only a single hole in the ceiling for light and air. He writes this letter as he is chained and sitting on a cold damp stone floor while awaiting his final sentencing.
That’s why Dr. Luke is there.
Possibly was the scribe who wrote down this letter to Timothy.
Also, with fall right around the corner and winter on its way, that’s why he was wanting his cloak. (vs 13)
Cloak - felt cloaks seen on shepherds out in the fields, which are impervious to wind and water.
Used as a coat or a sleeping bag during the winter.
He probably wouldn’t survive until the spring in the cold, damp dungeon without it.
Besides he knows his trial may be soon and with it the death sentence.
So, he calls upon Timothy to come quickly. Why?
Needing Some Encouragement And Companionship
Remember Paul considers Timothy his son.
He was feeling alone and lonely.
He needed and craved human fellowship and sympathy in his hour of need.
Jesus in the Garden taking Peter, James, and John with him. But they fall asleep.
His request for his books and parchments hints at his need for encouragement.
most likely these were portions of Scripture he had had on him, but had to leave behind when he got arrested.
they may have even included some of Paul’s letters and writings.
Paul Is Once Again Feeling The Desertion Of People
His loneliness is compounded by thoughts of those who deserted him.
The word means to forsake one who is in a set of circumstances that are against him.
Same word Christ uttered on the cross - my God, my God why have you forsaken me?
He had already mentioned desertion in an earlier part of his letter.
You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
The Primary Deserter (vs 10)
Demas to Thessalonica - Who is he?
Mark, Luke, and Demas are all mentioned together in Philemon and Colossians.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);
Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Called a fellow worker along with the others.
So, Demas was one of Paul’s dependable and trusted helpers.
We also believe Demas was from Thessalonica. So,
Quite possibly he was tired of traveling with Paul and he was burned out.
Possible he did not have the emotional fortitude to go through another grueling persecution with Paul.
So he bailed.
Whatever the reason...
He loved this present world.
nun - now; aion - age, time
As opposed to loving Christ’s appearing
He loved the now instead of the coming.
Chose the immediate over the eternal.
Not going to risk my flesh.
I’m done, I need to go home.
Now, before we get too hard on Demas in particular
The phraseology does not imply he deserted the faith, or that he opposed Paul, just that he left Paul in his time of need.
If what I described was true of Demas situation, can we blame him?
But look at at verse 16: he says that he doesn’t want their desertion to be counted against them.
In context, that would include Demas...
Paul understood...and he offers forgiveness - may it not be counted against them.
What did Jesus say on the cross?: Father forgive them for they know not what they do.
I think there’s a reason Paul carries this attitude towards Demas, but I’ll come back to that in a minute.
Although desertion carries a strong negative connotation.
Not all desertions were of the same type.
The term means to leave in a lurch as well.
Crescens - Galatia
Titus - Dalmatia
They seemingly had gone on to some other field of ministry, leaving Paul alone in Rome, and without helpers.
And then finally, not a desertion in the literal sense, because Paul sent him away, but falls into a similar emotional bucket of feeling deserted and alone.
Tychicus - Ephesus
Most likely to deliver this letter to Timothy and to fill in for Timothy so Timothy can come see Paul.
In other words, all of my traveling companions, helpers, co-ministers, and supporters are all gone.
Just like how Jesus would have felt when all fled in the Garden when He was arrested.
No One Came to Paul’s First Defense
Alexander (vs 14)
Did much harm to Paul
There is a possibility that he provided info that led to Paul’s arrest.
In addition to refuting Paul’s words and trying to trap him in what He said and opposing Paul’s message.
And he may have been in the area Timothy was coming through and so he warns Timothy, “Be on your guard.”
First defense - In the Roman court system of Paul’s day there was a preliminary investigation of the charges before the formal trial took place.
Apparently, in this legal procedure no one testified on Paul’s behalf.
No one stepped foot into the room to explain to the judge why this case should not go to trial.
This implies that it would have been possible that those he just mentioned could have, but didn’t.
Reminiscent of the Garden where Jesus was betrayed and the disciples fled.
We can’t know the exact reasons why no one stood up for Paul, but based upon the little information we have, what I have explained is a very reasonable explanation.
Reconciled (vs 11)
Reconciled (vs 11)
Now we have a great story of reconciliation.
Pick up Mark and bring him with you.
Remember Mark was mentioned along with Demas and Luke in those earlier passages.
This is significant as well.
Who is Mark?
Although we can’t know for sure, many believe that Mark, also known as John Mark, was the one in the Garden of Gethsemane, who along with the other 12 disciples, deserted Jesus when he got arrested as recorded in the Gospel of Mark.
He was the one wearing a linen bed garment and when seized pulled free and ran away naked.
We do know Mark was Barnabas’s cousin (Col 4:10)
We also know that Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas at an earlier date.
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work
And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
If he was in the Garden of Gethsemane, combined with what we just saw with Paul and Barnabas, it shows that he had a propensity for desertion.
He Is Useful To Me For Service.
But now Paul says, He is useful.
There was obviously a time in Paul’s mind when Mark was un-useful.
But, now, there had been a change in Mark and he and Paul clearly reconciled.
The word for service - diakonia
ministry and ministering in divine things.
forms of aid - money, materials to assist the needy.
to provide labor in the help and care of someone.
So Mark had become useful to Paul in providing spiritual encouragement, material and physical aid, and personal care to Paul, similar to Luke.
This is why I believe Paul’s attitude towards Demas was one of grace and forgiveness.
He had seen the change and turn around in Mark.
Maybe due to the influence of his uncle Barnabas who was known as an encourager.
Realized that in the same way, God could turn Demas around in the same way He did Mark.
Rescued (vs 14-18)
Rescued (vs 14-18)
From His Accuser And Opponent
The Lord will repay Alexander according to his deeds. (vs 14)
Flywheel - shady car dealership who sells a beater to the pastor and says it’s in good shape.
Pastor prays for him, “Lord, may you repay him according to the way he’s treated me.”
Pastor meant it in good will and in thanksgiving for helping him.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
From Depression Due To Desertion
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me (vs 17).
Alone but not alone. No one stepped forward to stand up for me, but...
He will will be with us, especially when we are doing His work.
“Father, I entrust my spirit into Your hands.”
It’s like Jesus says, “Paul, been there done that, felt that way.”
Now I’m here to encourage and strengthen you.
From Failing To Finish His Ministry.
So that through me the proclamation (kerygma) might be fully accomplished (persuaded and fully assured), so that all the nations might hear (vs 17)
God’s going to allow my life and my death to fully accomplish the purpose of getting the Good News to the whole world.
What the devil meant for evil, God turned to good.
From The Lion’s Mouth
I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth (vs 17)
Maybe he was thinking back to Daniel in the lion’s den?
When God’s angel was with Daniel.
But I think this is actually a spiritual statement.
There seems to be a close reference in Psalm 22 to what he was thinking.
But You, O Lord, be not far off; O You my help, hasten to my assistance. Deliver my soul from the sword, My only life from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth; From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.
This prophecy is about Jesus and it’s the one that starts with “My God, My God...”
Jesus was not praying to be saved from death, that is, saved from dying, but, to be saved out of death, that is, saved from the grip of death, namely, to be raised out from among the dead.
Jesus’ humiliation and now Paul’s in these circumstances would be the seeming defeat at the hands of Satan.
But we know Satan didn’t win, in fact, this “victory” of Satan’s was his ultimate defeat.
Christ’s death brought death to death and forgiveness of sins and restoration to the Father with promise of the future restoration of all things.
Paul’s death would bring about the furtherance of the Gospel to all nations and the compiling of his writings into Scripture so that all Gentiles might hear the Gospel.
It might be best to translate that term as: I was drawn to His side out of the lion’s mouth. In this case, then, the lion was Satan.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
From Every Evil Deed
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed (vs 18)
This may be in reference to being delivered from a possible evil deed of the apostle’s own doing.
The Lord will help me not fail or stumble in these final moments.
He will help me persevere to the end.
God had been faithful to help him preach the Gospel through persecution during the rest of his life and Jesus will see to it that he will finish that work even now.
From Satan, Sin, Self, And Society
And will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom (vs 18)
Assurance of his inheritance.
Entrance into HIS Kingdom.
In the end, God will get all the glory and Satan will get none.
Application:
Remember, you may feel alone, but you are never alone. God is there.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Is there someone you need to reconcile with, just like Paul needed to with Mark?
Be a Mark!
Be helpful and encouraging.
Be a servant to someone.
Remember, trust God to rescue you from any and every difficulty and trial in life.
Lean on and into Jesus.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Closing Song: The Way The Truth And The Life
