S214 A Job Well Done (2 Timothy 4.1-18)

INTRODUCTION

A. “Thank you...”

1. How do you start a sermon like this?

A sermon everyone in the room already has a slight knowledge of what is going on.

Everyone, except the person for whom the sermon was written (not in the negative way, “I am preaching at you...”).

2. A sermon to thank someone for their service…for their hard work and dedication.

3. It is a challenge to get started when there is so much to contemplate and revere in the lives of those who have done so much for us.

B. Today, we honor Bob and Martha Lewis for the work they have done with and for the Estes Park Church of Christ

1. For over 65 years, Bob has been involved in preaching God’s word…and Martha who has been by his side, serving and ministering in her own right for these past 50+ years.

2. These past 8 years, he has been involved in preaching and ministering to the congregation and community of Estes Park, Colorado

3. September 1, 2020, marked the official, full-time retirement of Bob…but it certainly does not mark the end of his service to the kingdom

C. The idea of retirement is not prominent in scripture

1. There is one specific situation about retirement mentioned…and interestingly, it is about the Levites

The Levites whose job it was to minister between God and His people.

The Levites whose job it was to be close to God and draw others with them.

The Levites whose job it was to teach others about God.

2. I think you will see some interesting parallels between the retirement of a Levite and the retirement of a preacher.

Numbers 8:24–26 NASB95

“This is what applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. “But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work any more. “They may, however, assist their brothers in the tent of meeting, to keep an obligation, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall deal with the Levites concerning their obligations.”

3. Even after retirement, the work is changed, it is not done

A Levite might be done with the official service in the tabernacle…but they are not done with their work in supporting the Lord.

A Levite continues to assist their brothers in the tent of meeting…they help mentor, guide, encourage, fill in, perhaps. Their obligations are over, but they continue to help and work with those who are still ministering.

4. I see this in the lives of Bob and Martha

They might be retired from ministry in the formal sense, but they are not finished in their assistance and work with others still in the thick of it.

I see these two continuing in their encouragement, their help, their mentorship, their guidance.

Just as a retired Levite continues to be an asset to his brethren, so, too, do these two continue to be an asset to us, in Estes Park.

D. How do you honor a couple like Bob and Martha for their work as a part of this congregation?

1. We certainly cannot tell all the things they have done

Not only the service we know about (there is too much to name), but there is much service Bob has done and continues to do in the backgrounds we don’t even know.

He offers helping advice, and encouraging word, a few dollars to help someone financially, some effort to get someone moved out of their apartment.

Martha is the silent, but encouraging presence who is always there, always has a kind word, a word of encouragement, a gentle spirit, and an insightful thought.

2. Not only are we inadequate in capturing a summary of all the hard work they have done, but we would fall short trying to give the accolades and honor such diligent service deserves.

E. There are many jobs and careers worthy of honor

1. Those who help and care for others in the medical field

2. Those who serve and protect us as police, firefighters, and military

3. Those who raise families, diligently keeping their homes in godly order

4. Those who teach and educate

5. Many, many others

F. You will be hard pressed to find an occupation quite like the work Bob has engaged himself in these past decades

1. Less of a career, and more of a calling

Paul felt he was appointed a preacher…and a teacher (2 Timothy 1:11)

2 Timothy 1:11 NASB95

for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

2. Less of an occupation, and more of a burden

Paul saw his call to preach as a compulsion, for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16)

1 Corinthians 9:16 NASB95

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.

3. Less of a job, and more of a lifestyle

Paul’s efforts to imitate Christ was his own goal, as well as a part of his instruction (1 Corinthians 11.1)

1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB95

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

G. As we honor Bob’s service to the Lord, both in general, and specifically in Estes Park, we can be encouraged by an example in scripture of one brother nearing the end of his ministry encouraging another in the thick of his

1. Paul, nearing the end of his ministry, encourages Timothy to continue his work

2. As he nears the end of ministry, Paul describes this calling, this work, this effort and we see clearly the efforts and focus of Bob these past years and decades

BODY

I. An Important Job (2 Timothy 4.1-5)

A. The charge (2Ti 4.1-2)

1. The severity (2Ti 4.1)

A solem charge.

Notice who takes witness: …in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead

It reveals the authority (God, Himself), the stakes (judgment of the living and the dead)

2. The charge itself (2Ti 4.2)

…preach the word This means to “announce, make known” [BDAG] God’s word

But not just when it is convenient: be ready in season and out of season… There will be times you won’t feel like it, or it doesn’t seem like the right timing

All sorts of preaching, too:

…reprove… to convict people of truth

…rebuke… to correct people from error

…exhort… to encourage people toward action

With the right mindset and heart:

…with great patience… It can be a challenge to work with people who don’t understand or seem to never learn, so a preacher must have the patience to instruct, to visit, to revisit God’s word

…and instruction… A desire to teach and help others understand

3. The mantle picked up

Bob accepted this charge from a very young age.

The odds are, he probably didn’t fully understand this charge when he first began. Not to say he was ignorant of the importance of teaching God’s word to people. However, few of us truly understand the depth and intensity of our spiritual responsibilities when we eagerly begin at a young age.

B. The challenge (2Ti 4.3-4)

1. Not everyone is going to appreciate a good preacher

2. They don’t want truth (2Ti 4.3a)

They decide they don’t want what God is teaching.

They prefer to have something nice told to them.

3. They will find others (2Ti 4.3b-4)

They will find people who will teach what they want to hear. Other churches, other congregations, the world.

They will ignore and walk away from someone who teaches truth.

4. Undoubtedly, Bob encountered these situations

C. The constant (2Ti 4.5)

1. In the midst of these oppositions, there is only one thing a preacher can do: constance to God’s word

2. Be sober...

To have self-control and think clearly about the situation.

3. Endure hardship...

There will be difficult days and frustrations.

4. Do the work...

There is effort that needs to be done. I think of the times you could guarantee two cars would always be in the McDonald’s parking lot: the manager and Bob’s. The only reason the manager showed up was to make sure Bob could get in. ☺

5. Fulfill your ministry...

To fully accomplish, to bring it to fruition.

II. An Accomplished Job (2 Timothy 4.6-8)

A. There is an end (2Ti 4.6)

1. For Paul, it was nearing the end of his life

He worked hard for decades.

There were several times he thought he was at his end (stoned, shipwrecked, pending trial with Caesar).

Now, it seems he feels his end is nearing. He has a sense that the time of [his] departure has come. Maybe he knows, as there has been a verdict given and he awaits execution (tradition suggests he was executed by Nero).

2. It is a sense of being poured out

This is a reference to a drink offering, or a libation offering used to honor God or idols.

3. Through to the end, Paul continues his work

Every other time he wasn’t sure if he had come to the end, he continued to write, to encourage, to preach, to influence.

As long as God gave him time on this earth, Paul gave God his service.

B. There is a goal (2Ti 4.7)

1. The work of a minister is the good fight

There are many worthy and important causes toward which Christians apply themselves. Paul worked in the “fight” of “ministry.”

It is a fight, for several reasons:

The enemy works against ministers, as he works against all Christians

The world works against ministers, because they teach God’s convicting word

Even the church can feel like a fight, as you battle sin, addiction, pettiness, worldliness, fleshliness

Paul has fought this fight.

2. Like a fight, the minister runs a course

3. During this race, Paul never waivers, he kept the faith

Kept his faithfulness toward...

God...

toward teaching truth...

his fellow Christians....

He did not give up when times were tough and he felt like it.

C. There is a reward (2Ti 4.8)

1. The greatest reward: the crown of righteousness

The prize crown for the victorious olympian…but these olympics are the olympics of life.

On that day…the great day of Judgment. The day, from Paul’s perspective, is not far away (though it has not happened, yet, he awaits it eagerly, in Paradise).

2. The greatest awarder: the Lord, the righteous Judge

The award is commiserate with the one who gives the award (highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, awarded by the highest commander, the President).

The Lord, Jesus, whom Paul has served, will see the truth of Paul’s service (righteous Judge) and will be the awarder of this privilege.

3. An award for all who have loved His appearing

While the nuance of the meaning of loved His appearing is complicated, the meaning is not. All of God’s people, those who, in their lives and service to God, loved Christ’s first appearing, and those who love the idea of His second coming.

All of us who serve the Lord faithfully will receive this reward.

D. This is the work accomplished and encouraged by Bob

1. He has worked within this charge for many years

2. He has encouraged others, just as Paul does Timothy, to continue in this work

III. An Appreciated Job (2 Timothy 4.9-18)

A. Some have not appreciated the work

1. Even Paul had some detractors

2. Some just left Paul, having served before, and then deciding to leave

Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me...

Paul was working with Demas, but Demas got distracted or interested in things that were not spiritual, and left the work of the Lord and abandoned Paul.

3. Some worked against Paul, trying to undermine him

There seemed to be some who were so actively against Paul and his ministry, he had to warn others about them. We see Alexander the coppersmith did [Paul] much harm

4. But even in their opposition, the Lord stood with Paul

B. Some have appreciated the work

1. Some are working from the efforts of Paul, himself

Titus was sent out by Paul.

Timothy was sent out by Paul.

Tychicus is carrying letters and encouraging others

2. Some are working and can help Paul in the ministry and life he continues

Luke is resiliently there.

Mark has some value to bring to Paul.

C. The work still continues to the very end

1. Paul asks for the books, especially the parchments

These are likely the scriptures and letters he has for study and work. Perhaps, they are also the parchments needed for continuing the letters to the churches.

2. He continues to work as best as he is able while he has energy and effort

D. Bob is appreciated for his work with us

1. Undoubtedly, Bob has had some opposition and difficulties

2. But as we reflect upon Bob’s time, here, we appreciate him

His consistent efforts making inroads into the community.

His teachings, encouraging us to develop relationships and bring people to the Lord.

His dedication, as an example and encouragement to us in how he wants to be with and involved around the congregation.

CONCLUSION

A. Paul wanted Timothy to stick with this important work

1. As Paul nears the end of his ministry, he knows others must continue

2. The way for others to continue is for them to understand the significance of what they are undertaking

3. Timothy needs to be ready to stand up for truth and help God’s people understand God’s will

B. Paul saw he had something he could be proud to reflect upon

1. He had been putting in the effort and work

2. He was faithful and diligent in his efforts for the Lord

3. Despite the setbacks, he could reflect upon the positive and be pleased he had served God and ministered to others

C. Bob and Martha have been engaged in this work for many years

1. It would be hard to quantify the good things done and the people they have impacted

2. It would be hard to express the challenges and setbacks they have endured

3. But I can say, both Bob and Martha continue to instruct, inspire, and encourage

4. Even though the mantle is “officially” laid aside, the work and impact continue for these two

D. The only thing we might be able to do is say, “Thank You...”

1. “Thank you for the many long hours, sleepless nights, and anxiety filled days as you served the needs of the congregation...”

2. “Thank you for the insightful comments, detailed lessons, thoughtful articles, and important teachings as you drew our hearts and minds closer to God...”

3. “Thank you for the patience, the understanding, the temperance, the gentleness, and kindness as you helped our congregation mature in our faith, as individuals and as a group...”

4. “Thank you for the mentorship, encouragement, and education as you prepared me to enter ministry...”

5. “Martha, thank you for the kind words, hugs, the listening ear, the insightful comments as you helped my family, and many other families, work through trials, difficulties, and better understand the spiritual journey upon which we travel...”

6. “Thank you for the godly example you are as a couple, the steadfastness and dedication you show in your service toward this congregation and the work of the Lord...”

7. “Thank you...”

E. While we recognize and honor you in your retirement, we also acknowledge that the work is not yet done and the effort is not yet ended

1. Just as Paul worked until the very end, so will you two work while God gives you life and strength

2. You might be retired, but you are still an encouragement to us in this congregation and we will continue to be blessed by you two for as long as you live in Estes Park

3. It is okay to sleep in a bit more from time to time