Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

There are several different ways to be motivated as humans.

One of those ways is through fear: (i) the fear of loss (ii) the fear of shame…etc When our identity is so attached to something or someone, fear can be a tremendous motivation, but it can also be a tremendous emotional drain.

But what could possibly motivate someone to endure when he really doesn’t have to?

What could possibly cause someone who has finished to endure difficulty?

Specifically, what in the world could possibly cause a man like Paul, in Paul’s imprisoned situation, to end on what seems to be a highly motivational and encouraging note - and yet to be quite honest about the trials that he is enduring?

Illustration: A child playing with the box instead of the gift in the box

How could someone like Paul, in Paul’s predicament, ever hope to encourage a young man like Timothy to endure?

There is only one thing that could accomplish this.

Paul is motivated by and understands the motivational power behind this one truth: it is the truth of the appearing of Jesus Christ (v.

8).

It is this brilliant, nugget of truth that gets cluttered by our man-centered interpretation of Paul’s final, inspired words.

[Illustration: like a child playing with the box instead of what’s in the box].

It is the longing for the appearing of Jesus Christ, it is the love and desire to see Jesus that continually moved Paul forward in his calling.

It is this that Paul was manifesting and calling upon as the motivating truth for Timothy.

Notice how Paul spoke of this to

Other passages: , ,

Proposition:

Because the truth of Christ's appearing is certain, it must be the longing and motivating desire of our hearts!

Notice what this longing motivates:...

1.

The longing for Christ's appearing leads us to complete consecration for Christ (v. 6)

(a) “For” - "For" ties it to the exhortation to Timothy in the prior passage, that he needs to watch, do, and make..." -

(b) "departure" - when Paul spoke of departure, he knew it would be to be with Christ.

See

(c) "offered" - drink offering; see

"departure" - when Paul spoke of departure, he knew it would be to be with Christ.

See

What was the purpose of the drink offering?

Libation A drink offering of water or wine poured out as a ritualistic act of worship (e.g., ; ; ; ).

Libations often accompanied other types of offerings.

Libations involving blood were associated with pagan practices ().

Major Contributors and Editors.

(2016).

Libation.

In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.),

The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Apply it:

This is different than just saying, “I am ready to die.”

Paul is saying that I am ready to be sacrificed for Christ.

This longing allows us to be loosely attached to the things of this world.

This longing allows us to be unafraid of committing for Christ-centered causes.

Illustration:

3231 Mr. Luke Warm

Recently I talked to a man I will call Mr. Luke Warm, for he is “neither cold not hot.”

He says he is a Christian but seldom attends church.

“I am under a great deal of tension where I work,” he explained, “and often go fishing on weekends for relaxation.

Church is all right, but a person can’t do everything, you know.”

Mr. Luke Warm also had an uneasy conscience about his giving, for he continued, “I put a dollar or two in the offering plate whenever I go, and I think that’s all God can expect of me.

If I gave a tenth of my income, it would amount to more than $2000.

You just don’t know how expensive it is for me to maintain my cabin at the lake and pay dues to keep my membership at the country club and the bowling league.

Anyway, churches put too much emphasis on money.

Sometimes I get so disgusted with this talk about sacrificing for Christ that I feel like quitting altogether.”

—Our Daily Bread

2. The longing for Christ's appearing leads us to conclude what is good for Christ (v.

7 - 8)

(a) Athletic terms (although some see them as three separate metaphors)

(b) Not about how good Paul is - the fight is good

I cannot imagine that Paul is telling Timothy how good Paul was in fighting, finishing, and keeping; but rather that the fight is the good one, the race is worthy of running, and the faith is worthy of keeping.

(c) “henceforth” - in the future

(d) “righteousness” - character or quality of being upright or just

- Only those whom the Righteous Judge declares to be righteous are righteous

- Only those who believe in Jesus are righteous and declared so by God

It is a wrong conclusion to think that God gives you this crown because you behave morally faithful.

It is a crown that is reserved for those who’s heart desires are for the appearing of Jesus Christ.

It is this heart desire that leads us to finish what is good for Christ.

Apply it:

If you will finish what you have started for the Lord, it will not be because you fight so well but because the fight is good.

The fight is good because which would be non-existent and impossible without Christ.

Illustration:

We are Coming!

During the American Civil War, General William T. Sherman was driving his troops on his decisive march to the sea.

He had left behind in a fort on Kennesaw Mountain a small contingent of men to guard the rations.

General John Bell Hood of the Confederate Army attacked the fort, and a fierce battle followed.

One-third of the men were killed or wounded, and J. M. Corse, the general in command, was severely injured in the fighting.

Just as he was about to hoist up the white flag and surrender, a message came through the signal corps set up on a chain of mountains.

General Sherman was within 15 miles of the fort and had sent the message: “Hold fast.

We are coming.”

Those few words so encouraged the defenders that they held on and kept the fort from falling into the hands of their attackers.

Our Heavenly Commander has also sent us the assurance that He is coming.

The Lord Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2, 3).

The fact that our Savior is coming again gives us a special incentive in our service for Christ.

It makes us want to stand our ground.

It encourages us to continue fighting the good fight of faith.

It assures us of victory.

Fierce as the battle may rage and difficult as the conflict may be as we serve Him, let’s never give up!

Christ is coming again—perhaps today.

Let’s hold the fort! - R.W.D.

Our Daily Bread, January 24

3.

The longing for Christ's appearing leads us to continual practical ministry for Christ (v. 9 - 15)

(a) It was practical in the plea for four things from Timothy:

Come (v. 9 - 10)

Bring Mark (v. 11 - 12)

Bring cloke, books, parchments (v.

13)

Beware (v. 14 - 15)

Apply it:

4. The longing for Christ's appearing leads us to current faith in Christ (v.

16 - 18)

(a) It was a faith in spite of being forsaken by all (v.

16) - ,

(b) It was a faith that found strength in the presence of the Lord (v.

17)

(c) It was a faith that believed in the eternal preservation of God (v.

18)

Illustration:

ILLUSTRATION 347