Faithful to the End: Proper Perspective
2 Timothy • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 10 viewsNotes
Transcript
Intro:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
In January of 2017, I sat in my office attempting to prepare for Wednesday night. I had a few ideas, but nothing concrete. Finally, I felt I needed to teach on Paul’s conversion in .
After two weeks of in-depth study, I decided I wanted to know more about Paul. I read on in Acts and decided to go through the life of Paul, teaching through every chapter that dealt with him.
When that was over, I thought it would be nice to study some of his letters to the churches. I started in Philippians, from there:
Ephesians
Romans
Galatians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
1 Timothy
Titus
2 Corinthians
Colossians
and last week we studied Philemon.
Through this line-by-line study of Paul’s writings, we have covered 102 of the 260 chapters of the New Testament. For those doing the math, that is 39%!
Over the past three years, I have thoroughly enjoyed studying Paul’s life and writings. Tonight we come to the last book we know for sure he wrote.
The reason it is the last book is because he wrote it just before his death.
I’ve titled this theme of this book, [Faithful to the End]. The subject of my message this evening is [Proper Perspective].
I come from a family of glasses-wearers. All of us have a some sort of seeing problem. For some reason those who can see are somewhat jealous of those who cannot see.
To prove my point, let me tell about my youngest cousin. When she was in elementary school kept telling her mom she needed glasses. My aunt assumed she was not serious.
I few years ago I learned I was not alone in this odd family desire. My youngest cousin kept telling her mom she needed glasses. My aunt assumed she was not serious.
However, I have a cousin
After months of pestering her mom, my aunt finally took her to the eye doctor. After seeing the optometrist, they gave her prescription to the glasses store.
The workers there thought the doctor made a mistake. They had never seen a prescription so terrible for someone who never needed glasses before.
The doctor insisted he was correct. By now my aunt is starting to feel bad. The lady selling the glasses told her not be hard on herself, it is hard to know what to do.
BUT, the saleswoman followed up with, but I can’t wait to see your little girls face light up when she can finally see. My shift will end before they glasses are done, but I am going to stay around late to watch.
The moment came, the glasses were really thick. Cassandra put them on, and her eyes crossed. They explained it may take her time.
She walked around acting like she couldn’t see. Eventually she stopped wearing them claiming they gave her a headache. By now my grandma is getting concerned. She takes her to a specialist who works with children’s vision.
Her problem? She lied on the first test. She wanted glasses so bad, she made everything up, assuming she was missing out on something really great!
As someone who has to wear glasses, I never lie on my exam. I want to have a proper perspective on whats taking place around me.
When we come to Christ, we get a new perspective on life. As the songwriter penned, “Was blind, but now I see.” We do not view our surroundings the same way as the world.
Instead, we look through the lens of scripture, the lens of the Spirit, and the lens of faith. Possessing a proper perspective, one that comes from God, helps us in everything we face!
This proper perspective changes the way we look at our marriage, our family, our finances, and our world. Without it, we discouragement would overwhelm us.
In Paul’s final letter to Timothy, we understand how to have a proper perspective on what we face. Who wants to see things from God’s point of view?
If so, let’s look at chapter one. I divided into three parts, [Our Past], [Our Present], and [Our Partnerships].
Let’s begin
1. Our Past
1. Our Past
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Before we discuss where Paul was when he wrote this letter, notice a few words, apostle, grace, mercy, and peace. When I think of Paul, I think of the great apostle. The one who started much of the New Testament church.
I wonder how Paul felt when he wrote the word “apostle.” He did not write it out of arrogance. Instead, he wrote it for the benefit of the reader.
People can trust the words within the letter, for God will not let just anyone become an apostle. Paul knew this better than most. His past was filled with envy, arrogance, and religious pride.
On paper, Paul did too much to become a Christian, let alone an apostle. However, as he neared the end of his life, he wanted Timothy, who also knew Paul’s past, to have grace, mercy, and peace.
As Paul neared the end of his life, he knew the significance of grace, mercy, and peace. Therefore, they provided the lens for how he viewed the world.
He had a proper perspective on his past. Did he make mistakes? Sure. But for God, all of that was erased from memory.
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
6-7
After establishing who he was in Christ, Paul remembered Timothy’s past. Though Paul never had biological children, he had spiritual sons.
Paul remembered the close relationship he shared with Timothy. Timothy joined Paul when he was young. He heard him preach many messages. He helped him when he was sick or beaten. Their friendship was long-lasting.
However, Paul wanted Timothy to have a proper perspective on his past. Timothy was fortunate to have a Godly grandmother and mother. They passed their faith onto him.
Why did he wanted Timothy to remember his past? Because God was faithful to him. He led him to that point in his life and He would continue to help him.
Timothy knew Paul’s life was coming to a close. Paul wanted him to remember, you have what it takes. You are filled with the Holy Spirit. He wanted Timothy to remember when Paul laid his hands on him.
From that moment to now you possess the power of God. Therefore, you do not have to walk in fear. You have had it in you for a long time. Stay faithful to the end and have a proper perspective.
You have had it in you since you were a child. Stay faithful to the end and have a proper perspective.
2. Our Present
2. Our Present
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
I have read Paul’s words in verses 5-7 many times. It has encouraged me and helped me keep the proper perspective. But verses 8-12 provide insight to where Paul was when he wrote these words.
The first time Paul was arrested and went to Rome, he was under house arrest. He had freedom to receive visitors and write letters. After his first release, he returned to prison.
By this point, the Emperor Nero, went from persecuting Christians to killing them. Therefore, his second imprisonment was nothing like the first.
SHOW PICTURE
This is called a mamertine prison. It consisted of two levels, or chambers. The first chamber had a small hole that opened into the lower chamber.
The guards took prisoners and placed them through the small whole into the lower level, where they prisoner awaited their death.
This is the setting for Paul as he writes to Timothy. Timothy knew Paul was in trouble. Therefore his letter encouraged him to know he was alive.
However, it was also saddening. As Paul languished in prison, Timothy worked in Ephesus as a free man. It is possible he started to feel upset for Paul.
But Paul brought it into perspective. Do not be ashamed for me. Remember, you have power, love, and a sound mind. Therefore, tell others about Jesus with pride.
Maybe Timothy worried he might end up in prison with Paul. Paul’s point is, don’t worry about the future. Instead, trust God and do all you can to tell others about him.
Paul knew why he suffered. His suffering was not a sign of God’s anger with him. Instead, it was a byproduct of preaching, teaching, and walking in his calling.
Paul knew his past. He understood following Jesus could cost him his life. However, sitting in this dungeon, in chains, was much better than walking free as a sinner.
I absolutely love verse twelve. I am in prison, but I am not ashamed, because I know in whom I trust. I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him until that day.
And I am persuaded that He is abl
How did Paul have such confidence?
Because he had a personal relationship with Jesus. I have said this many times, and I will say it again, not because I like it, but because it is true:
Satan’s attacks come AFTER we start to follow Jesus. And the deeper we go in Him, the more he comes after us. Why would he attack us if we are a lazy Christian? That is what he wants.
But when we go deeper in prayer, fasting, study of the word, or worship, he wants to stop us. The only problem, the deeper we go in God, the more confidence we have that we can get through whatever we face!
Was Satan happy Paul was in prison? Absolutely. But his scheme of crushing Paul’s spirit did not work. Even in his present circumstances, he had the proper perspective, I will not be ashamed because I know God will come through for me!
We need the proper perspective on our past, our present, and...
3. Our Partnerships
3. Our Partnerships
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
14
Paul now encourages Timothy to stay faithful to preach and live the truth. He is not the young kid who followed Paul in Acts. He is in his forties, pastoring the large church in Ephesus.
He partnered with Paul for nearly two decades. He heard Paul preach and knew the truth. But Paul was about to die, how could Timothy continue?
He needed the proper perspective. His hope was not in Paul, but in the Holy Spirit.
I remember when I first started preaching, I leaned on Pastor Tucker for everything. I called him after I wrote every message. I wanted to talk to him about everything.
Eventually that stopped. Not because I didn’t need him. But because the same Holy Spirit who spoke to him started speaking to me. I started putting into practice the things he taught me.
But always encouraged me, Daniel, depend on the Holy Spirit and pray for the anointing, and you will make it through anything.
In other words, partner with God. When we commit to draw closer to God, the Holy Spirit will help us in everything we do. We partner with God, but what about with each other?
15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
Paul uses three names that are only written in this letter. We know nothing of their story except they describe the two different types of partnerships.
The first two, Fy-gel-us (Phygellus) and Her-mow-jean-eez (Hermogenes) were at one time close to Paul. However, they deserted him.
Why? We do not know, but at some point they stopped focusing on God and they withdrew from their partnership with Paul.
However, Oh-ni-sif-or-us (Onesiphorus), was not ashamed of Paul’s chains. So much he went to Rome when it was dangerous for Christians to do so.
Their mutual partnership with God helped them in the work they did for the Kingdom. No doubt Paul prayed for Timothy to have such spiritual partnerships.
He wanted Timothy to have the proper perspective on how to partner with someone in the ministry. Timothy needed people who were not ashamed of the gospel, even if it included suffering.
Furthermore, he needed people who would hold fast to God’s word and fully depend on the Holy Spirit. Not someone who was back and forth in their spiritual stability.
Close:
As we study through this book, we will see Paul’s determination to be [Faithful to the End]. How did he do this? He had the proper perspective!
Before I look at how these points apply to our lives, I want us to first see how to have the proper perspective.
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
When we really understand the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, we will determine to become fully reliant on Him. It is through the lens of the Spirit, we have proper perspective.
The God on the universe dwells in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have nothing to fear!
What about our past?
The beauty of our past is simply that, it is the past. Too often we will beat ourselves up for what we did wrong. However, the proper perspective says, thank God I am forgiven and I learned from those mistakes.
When we look back at our past and see the good, sometimes we wish we could go back. But the proper perspective says God if you were good to me then, how much better can it be now?
What about our present?
Not matter what we face in the hear and now, God wants us to have the proper perspective. When we suffer, God is still good. When everything is wonderful, remember it is all because of God and nothing to do with us!
What about our partnerships?
We need to determine if the people in our lives draw us closer to God or farther from Him.
If they do not encourage us to be more like Jesus, proper perspective says, it is worth the momentary pain of a lost relationship than to lose my soul.
If they help us in our walk with God, proper perspective says, God don’t let me take advantage of them. Instead, I will pray for them, and help them when I can!
If we are to be faithful to the end, we have to have the proper perspective. Who is the proper perspective? Jesus. Let’s look to Him!