Better than our grand charge, a glorious end!
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Our Lord Jesus said he would come like a thief in the night in his second coming, and we were to be found ready! Bob Dylan picking up on this imagery, says Satan the joker - has deceived this world into thinking that this is all there is and “they feel that life is but a joke.”
He has Jesus respond in his song, even as the two riders of the Apocalypse are coming the anti-Christ. The hour is getting late. “But you and I we’ve been through that, and this is not our fat. So let us stop talking falsely no, the hour is getting late!”
Well congregation, the Apostle Paul knwos his hour is growing late. He also know that Timothy and the Church in this time of Nero’s persecution tempted to fall into the deception of just living for this world with no eye on the Coming of the LORD and His Kingdom. And so while as someone pointed out last week - we’ve come to the climax of the letter, when Paul pulls out all the organ stops in the last two passages to show us why His last urgent charge to us to proclaim the word of God, to herald the gospel of Jesus to each other and to the world is so important. And so the question came are you done the Pastoral Epistles now?
And my answer is no. It is not enough for us to hear the charge how to church, leadership, member to member care, counseling the word, protecting the gospel - as if we could each just do that on our own. These are called Pastoral Epistles, not just because of the pastoral work they describe us charged to do , but because of the pastoral manner, relationship we are called to do them in. And this is better than the noble charge itself, heralding the word is to be done in fellowship with each other, and most of all in a real fellowship with the Living Lord Jesus Christ, as he works through us together until He comes again.
KEY TRUTH: Your fellowship with other believers and with the Living Christ, are what empower our main task of gospel-heralding!
We consider first then the importance of our fellowship with other believers. And Paul teaches this through way of contrasts
A. Gospel Team-Players stick with each other in service.
While the main message of the letter has been delivered, and the main instruction of the Pastoral Epistle is all in place. The particular reason for this letter from Paul to Timothy, whom he left in Ephesus, the particular reason is only now finally given. He had begun the letter saying
2 Tim 1:4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
And now he ends the letter with this urgent plea: twice repeated - Come to me. Do your best to come to me, Do your best to come before winter. Have you ever gotten on the phone, and said, just please come and sit with me. maybe after some bad news, after a death, I remember after our fourth born - felt cold, heart problem tubes - made a phone call to friends explaining - Tim and Joy just came -prayed in that hospital lobby then sat with us. 4 months later sat in Sick kids for a couple days as surgery happened. Paul sounds desperate like that doesn’t he?
Paul is often pictured as a lone-ranger apostle - but this is furthest from the truth. And though he was strong personality, called to blaze really different trail - his life tells us that in doing the main calling, we must do it together as a team. This whole section pictures a man even on his death bed, coordinating friends and fellow ser ants of the LORD, keeping track, dispatching Tychchus with this letter to Ephesus and he’d take over there. Titus Dalmatia, Crescens Galatia. And so his last words exude relationship and fellowship. And he makes what some have said were a selfish request. Timothy take 4-6 months, land and sea from Turkey to Greece to Rome, leave this faltering church, and get to my prison cell and spend some time with me. Why was that so important?
Well, consider how Paul while in Macedonia with his body failing and ministry times being tough, consider what value he placed on Titus coming to see Him. Consider how he considered even his Christian friends sending greeting through a message by a Christian friend.
2 Cor 7:6-7 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
My neighbour Warren commented how many people fly from Toronto to what used to be the business capital o fCanada Montreal. He said that was all supposed to die when fax machines came out, But still same volume. Just last week with COVID still surprised how many business meetings, Every hour flights. Why? Because person to person conversation at critical times are irreplaceable.
Perhaps, the greatest leadership transition in the history of God’s people in terms of the organization of the church - and long distance communication doesn’t cut it. Business man doing an interview business deal get on a plane - vital issues. Do we have any such issues to be in person to person conversation?
So Paul wants that time with Timothy, but look who else he asks to take along.
2 Tim 4:11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
Now here is the mystery and puzzle of our text. Paul said everyone else deserted him, but he is not depressed or defeated, he’s abandoned and about to be condemned to death, no one defended or witnessed with him, the whole world is misunderstanding him. the cause of Christ slandered. He is in this dank prison, but he is triumphant. Why? And he wants Timothy and Mark to come to him there, to be with who Luke Why? Now of course, quite a back story, in John Mark who abandon the 2nd missionary journey and later Paul wouldn’t take him so he went with Peter to Jersualem, Later with Peter in Rome. The Peter was martyred, and Mark came to minister with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment. But what’s the point of them all getting together now? It’s more than a deep craving for companionship. He is USEFUL for ministry!
What’s the point? Would they be better off each working away in their small corner of the church elsewhere?
The clue comes with what he asks Timothy to bring with him when they cut through Troas which is probably were his re-arrest happened. 2 Timothy 4:13
When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
Calvin draws a great application, that even with no more ministry for him to do, Paul didn’t just learn the ABC’s faith, and then keep learning to pass those on. He himself constant student of Scripture and time of confinement of suffering, even of death, love to keep learning the Scriptures. But while most certainly those parchments, more expensive longer-lasting carefully prepared vellum, a leather; scrolls contained OT Scriptures. And this is a model for us to our dying day, like Spurgeon, scratch and bleed, bleed Bibline. Still the books of these days coming to be wooden tablets pressed into wax that could be easily wiped away. Possible that these books were indeed “note-books”. And Paul’s own writing, or likely the earliest collection of the saying of Jesus. Epistles written during this time, but now the gospel also emerging. And who is the writer of the Gospel of Luke - Mark? Why does Paul want Luke, these parchments, and notebooks, and Mark all together in one spot. Can you imagine the rich conversation and the apostolic teaching written during this time with the three of them together! It is is possible that Luke’s research for the gospel's included consulting Mark now who wrote his gospel first, and the Apostle Paul.
But regardless, Mark with Luke now and Timothy - useful for ministry. Hundreds leaving Rome because too dangerous, all but Luke of the Asian Christians have deserted, and these can now minster to the Roman Christian who stayed true , who also send their greetings. Mark who already knew them, Luke who there for a while, they are able to continue to lead these faithful Roman Christians in dangerous times.
You get this sense that when p[people are devoted to the LORD together, when they are serving in what ever capacity they can - they are in love with something greater than any of the circumstances of this world!
And that leads to the big lesson in the first contrast Paul painfully paints:
B. Gospel team players don’t fall in love with the world.
What a warning this should be to all of us. Demas like Luke was a probably a Gentile. He had a good start in serving beside Paul. He was even there in Paul’s first Roman imprisonment. But that was when Nero hadn’t gone mad and Christianity wasn’t yet persecuted. Now all that has changed. Past performance and spiritual health is no guarantee of future. Story of Solomon illustrates this in the OT, especially Ecclesiastes. We don’t know if Demas recovered. It doesn’t seem that he is condemned here as apostasy. But it is possible that he never really had the faith. Whatever the case Paul is drawing a direct comparison of what gospel team players and deserters love.
The verse preceding this section says: 2 Tim 4:8
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.
But instead of being a lover of the appearing of Jesus and kingdom, what had Demas fallen head over heals in love with?
2 Tim 4:10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
That’s the world system, the world as the present age that is transitory and passing away, in spite of all its pleasures and treasures that enthrall, Paul had said 1 Tim 6:17
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Even if not apostate Paul is saying he prefers his own private convenience, his safety, more than serving as a gospel team player in Rome. He would rather live in luxury at home in Thessolonica than suffer hardships; and in the early church under persecution, no one could continue in leadership long without risks, trouble, loss bodily injury, and ultimately death. Demas lacked one essential quality to followers - the ability to suffer hardship for Christ, to remain steady under stress! We are to be people who live in this world, with all the values of kingdom beyond this world, breaking in!
But Paul doesn’t just contrast suspect defectors like Demas, but also the abandonment he felt because others had died, his dear friends had to be redeployed to different parts of the church.
And Paul uses a very specific word that draws a comparison between his trial and earth with the Lord jesus. He is referring to the very word Jesus quoted several times about his pending death and even from the Cross.
Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
Why have you forsaken me. Jesus had said they all would fall away from him. They would leave him in a lurch. But this Psalm speaks of Jesus dying alone and surrounded by the lion, just like Paul does. Paul also mentions the force of a man like Alexander who possibly was responsible for Paul’s rearrest around Troas, and he warns Timothy, he and opponents of the gospel will attack you and it too. , but Psalm 22 doesn’t end there,, not for Jesus, and Paul referring to it two more times is also quick to point out that even more than the good of gospel team fellowship with each other, is the gospel team partnership with the Living Christ. which will be Paul’s second main point.
C. YOU NEED JESUS TO STAND BY YOU
After pleading like Christ that defectors who are still believing but weak - be forgiven, just like Christ. And after committing the judgment of people like Alexander to God and not personal vengeance and bitterness. Look how Paul views his trail, suffering even loneliness. It is all through the lens of Jesus suffering, explained by Psalm 22. In these two verses at the end of the letter it is the LORD who is the principle actor!
Here is the triumphant point of this letter and indeed of Paul’s whole life.
2 Tim 4:17 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.
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.
Wow, my worst suffering is an opportunity for the living Jesus who promised never to forsake me, to do what I also look to my closest Christian friends for. He will strengthen me, he will stand by me. Didn’t Jesus promise that in Mark 13:11? Appear before kings and Gentiles authorities don’t worry, Spirit with you… give you what you need. Didn’t he do that as he had to testify in Jerusalem but would suffer for it? Note the promise of the Lord Jesus in Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
WOW - as surely as their will be false teachers and even people of this world that stand against Christ and the Church, Christ will stand with you. Lord stands beside his people. This is the same word when Moses on the mountain receives the second copy of the 10 commandments, but even more importantly the merciful Covenant name of the name of the LORD: Exod 34:5
The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.
Paul received real strengthening from the companionship of his brothers and sisters, but now he receives a divine strengthening that is available to us too: It is the same word Ps 109:31 Why Paul lived life saying Phil 4:13. What in your life do you need the LORD to stand by you with, to strengthen you for!
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Have you ever felt this - in your great need is when Jesus is nearest ministering strength. No trial, imprisonment, no dark prison of suffering can have Satan’s purpose of evil accomplished, Jesus re-purposes even the suffering for our good… listen to JC Ryle even on sickness:....
…believe that God allows pain, sickness, and disease, not because he loves to trouble us, but because he desires to benefit our heart, and mind and conscience, and soul, to all eternity. —J.C. Ryle
There ‘s the lion, its not Nero, it’s not the Devil, It’s death. Look at it as Jesus faces it in Psalm 22:13-15
they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
And God will rescue you from death time and time again to - so in your trail suffering, achieve God’s plan for that time.
Listen to William Tyndale from a prison cell of suffering “Above all, I beg and entreat your clemency earnestly to intercede with the lord commissary, that he would deign to allow me the use of my Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Grammar, and Hebrew Lexicon, and that I may employ my time with that study.” Without diminishing in the least their very real sufferings it can be observed that for Paul, William Tyndale, John Bunyan, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and others, prison was not a place of languishing and despair as much as a new venue and platform for their work
What was Paul’s purpose in life - go before all the Gentiles - the leader of the world. Do you know where that Mamertine prison was. Right below the Roman Forum. And now we here that in his preliminary trial, he just like with Agrippa and Festus, summoned to speak in his defense. And you can imagine in those crazed times, whether before Caesar or representative judge.he has become public enemy #1, something like OJ Simpson - celebrity on run then the trial. Packed Forum and Paul stands up and doesn't try to point out loop wholes in arrest. But captures everyone - here is the good news the gospel I proclaim, here is the LORD< the CAESAR Of the universe, risen form the dead, forgiving , ministering grace this world, and empire in turmoil needs - Here is Jesus the Christ.
And we’ve sung it but you remember how
Psalm 22:27 ends: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
And now the Gentiles have heard it, now from the centre of the empire it will echo to the whole world. And Paul has said when we suffer with Christ for the gospel this end is achieved. But first comes then cross and then what?
2 Timothy 4:18 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.
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.
Those are the words of our LORD for the prayer we are to live daily and to the end. He will deliver me from the Evil One and his most evil plans. And Jesus showing up in Paul sufferings, surrounded by fellow-workers, ready to let go - for His is the kingdom and glry forever and ever. Amen. He is not expecting deliverance from death but through it!
And her takes one last glance to those of us who must continue with the gospel team work and fellowship on this side of the world that’s passing away. Priscilla and Aquila, the household of Onesphorius who showed up and looked for Paul in Rome cell, Erastus in Corinth, dear Trophimus ill at Miletus - my greetings , And from all these Roman Christians -
He turns to Timothy personally the LORD be with your spirit, and he turns to all of us Grace be with you Amen.!
That’s the point. When the LORD is with you, and you with His people the LORD is strengthening you to fulfill your calling.
Oh dear servants of Jesus Christ, citizen’s of his heavenly kingdom. There are those who think life is but a joke, but we are not of those number. What other song would mark who we are, Do you remember that song Stand By Me? When the night has come
And the land is dark, And the moon is the only light we'll see, No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid, Just as long as you stand, stand by me … If the sky that we look upon / Should tumble and fall/ Or the mountains should crumble to the sea / I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear / Just as long as you stand, stand by me
Oh indeed this is more glorious than the noble charge we receive to proclaim, as we do it Christ is standing with us by His Spirit and he will deliver us through it all, He will see to it that the gospel message even through suffering will triumph. Nero is no more, Rome is no more, those FALSE TEACHERS AND THEIR TEACHING COME AND GO. But Paul is still there in glory. The message He declared and the King he announced He is still here. His church is here. Their LORD is still on his throne. And Paul tells us carry on - until the kingdom come with Jesus standing by you , even as He stood by me.