Passing the Baton 2Timothy 2:1-2

Opening Quote

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”- Corrie Ten Boom

Introduction/ Illustration

Grab their Attention:

Let’s go back a few years to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Do you remember any of the big stories from those games? If so, it would likely be one of two guys:

The first is Michael Phelps completely dominating by winning 8 Swimming Gold Medals. Do you remember that 4x200 relay where one of his teammates came from behind to win? Or how about the .01 (one one-hundredth) second win in the 100 Butterfly?

The second is Usain Bolt running away with the track and field headlines by shattering the 100 and 200 Meter world records. It was crazy watching him. It almost looked like he was jogging to the win.

However, there is a third crazy story connected to this Olympics we may not all remember: the Men’s and Women’s 4x100 Relay. The US has dominated this event through the years. Both teams were favored to bring home the Gold again, but for the first time in the history of the modern Olympics, both teams did not even make the finals.

The reason: they dropped the baton on exchanges in the preliminary heats.

Today, I want to talk to you about good baton passes in our spiritual lives. As a youth pastor thinking through this idea, my mind immediately jumps to high school graduation. It marks a major transition moment. In a lot of ways, it marks the end of one leg of the race and the beginning of another. It also marks a significant moment of empowerment. Reaching the age of 18 and graduations both mark major moves into adulthood. In the months to follow graduation, the move to college or the workforce are a transitional moment marked by independence. To put it another way, we are in the season of passing the baton to our kids saying, “Go for it!” (Derry Prenkert)

Connect

A little Background

English Standard Version Introduction

Paul wrote this letter as he awaited execution. Despite all that Paul was facing—death, the end of his ministry, abandonment by most of his friends for fear of persecution—he faithfully directed his spiritual son Timothy to the hope that is in Christ.

Direct them to God’s Word: 2 Tim. 2:1-2 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Ti 2:1–2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

I. The Race- What is it?

A Relay race usually consists of four segments called “legs”; It has a start and a finish with certain rules and guidelines during the race. With today’s verses we can see how Paul’s discipleship of Timothy is the continuation of the race Paul talks about close to the end of his life and ministry.

A. Leg 1- Paul is running his race/ looking to pass the baton- v. 2:2a

Now, as we look to these verses as a race, we can see some specific rules that qualify the team as seen in the USTF (United States Track and Field) . I will point our a few of them as they pertain to our race we run. The first of these rules are

Rule #25- The baton shall be a smooth hollow circular tube made of wood, metal or other rigid material in one piece. Its length shall be between 28 and 30cm. Its circumference shall be 12-13cm and it shall weigh not less than 50g. No material or substance may be applied to the baton.

1. Carrying the right baton- Know the Gospel yourself

It has to be the right baton. The baton is fixed, rigid, has no grey area, and does not change.

What is our baton? It’s the Gospel… the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

When it comes to investing in others, we can get focused on a lot of things that may be good things, but they aren’t the right things. For our kids its things like good behavior, strong grades, athletic success, and scholarships. Into adulthood it’s things like good behavior, job promotions, financial gain, and good standing in the community.

Sometimes, we get so focused on the good things that we lose site of the God things. Can we be a church who is committed to investing the truth of Jesus Christ’s saving grace through his death and resurrection; the freedom and power that comes from walking a life surrendered to the Spirit; and the call to invite others into that journey?(Derry Prenkert)

So the question becomes, ‘what are you carrying to others?’

2. Where are you taking it? (Have a goal)

The goal in a relay is for each leg to pass the baton off to reach the finish line. That can even be broken down even more for each leg’s goal to reach their teammate. Paul’s goal was exactly that. He was looking ahead at this point, encouraging Timothy with everything that he had been taught about the Gospel.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

B. Leg 2- Timothy receives the baton, running and is looking to pass it on- v. 2:2a

You’re wanting them to get in the race.

1. Be discipled

Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we should want to know more about Him who saved us. I accept that He did this for me, but now I want to know why did He, how did He, and for who. Paul himself even did this. He was not ashamed to tell the Gospel immediately after his conversion, as we see in Acts, but he did see the value in learning more about this Jesus as we see here in Galatians.

Galatians 1:15–18 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.

2. Find a need (ministry)

Every relay race has a certain amount team members to fill the team (Usually 4). But a team can’t compete if there are not enough people to complete the race. Someone needs to carry the baton. And there is always a place to fill in on this team. Find a place where you are needed.

English Standard Version Chapter 15

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

English Standard Version Chapter 16

1 Corinthians 16:10

10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Colossians 1:10

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

II. The Exchange- Pass it on

RULE #2. Each take-over zone shall be 20m long of which the scratch line is the center. The zones shall start and finish at the edges of the zone lines nearest the start line in the running direction.

The space to pass the baton is limited.

In case you’re confused what this rule is saying, there are lines in each lane that are marked as “the take-over zone.” This area marks the spot where the incoming runner has to get the baton into the hands of the next runner. If you fail to do so, the race is over for you and your team.

Parents, can I talk to you about time management and priorities? As I interact with parents during graduation season, I will regularly hear the statement, “They grow up so fast.” There is a date coming where they are going to head out on their own. Make the most of the time you have with them. Can I challenge you? There may be nothing more spiritually valuable to your kids’ lives than your presence while they are present. I want to be clear, I am not saying the window for your kids (or anyone in our lives for that matter) responding to Jesus has an age limit. Never forget that the thief next to Jesus on the cross found eternity with or near his last breath. What I am saying is that there is a window where you have the most time, opportunity and influence to have impact on your kids.

At the same time, let’s not just limit this to kids. It includes most any opportunity to invest in others. God regularly brings people across our path for a season where we can, as Paul says in Ephesians, “make the most of every opportunity.” (Derry Prenkert)

A. Leg 3- Find trust worthy teammates to pass it on to- v. 2:2b

Spend your time with leaders who will teach the Gospel on to others as well. Disciple them. This is not only a charge to Timothy to establish leadership in churches but can be a direction for us as well in whatever area of life we are in to teach and invest in someone so that they can receive the Gospel themselves.

1. Teach them the Gospel

English Standard Version Chapter 28

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2. Teach them how to run well (live a Godly life)

Romans 12:1-2

English Standard Version Chapter 12

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

Galatians 5:22

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

B. Leg 4- Trustworthy teammates pass on the baton- v. 2:2c

1. Teach them how to disciple- Keep it going

Acts 1:8

English Standard Version Chapter 1

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2. Finish the Race

Hebrews 12

English Standard Version Chapter 12

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

As you can tell, this cycle continues on the same way and continues spreading. Just like a relay does.

III. The Challenges- When everything doesn’t go as planned

Rule #12. The baton shall be carried by hand throughout the race. If dropped, it shall be recovered by the athlete who dropped it. He/she may leave the assigned lane to retrieve the baton, provided no other runner is impeded and provided that by doing so, the distance to be covered is not lessened.

A dropped baton is not the end of the race.

This rule was fascinating to me. I always thought a dropped baton meant disqualification. This rule makes it clear that the race is not over.

As long as…

a) The one who initially dropped the baton picks it back up.

b) The runner doesn’t obstruct the race of other runners.

c) They don’t cut the distance of the race short as they grab the baton.

What does this have to do with Spiritual transitions? (so glad I asked myself). A LOT! There is a lot of research, books and blog posts out there telling us that faith is being abandoned by youth group kids during their college years.

A Few Examples:

o Statistics: According to Gallup/Barna, anywhere between 40-60% of graduates who were involved in their youth group will fail to stick to their faith during their college years.

o Books: You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church...and Rethinking Faith

o Blog Posts: “Millennials Leaving the Church in Droves, Study Says.” (reference: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/theologyintheraw/2015/09/why-are-millennials-leaving-the-church-in-droves-part-1/)

It’s a legitimate concern and it’s a very personal concern for me. Students are either dropping the baton in their post-graduate years or something is going wrong with the baton pass.

A lot of the response to the research is focusing on “the blame game”:

o “It’s the youth group’s fault. All they are doing is playing games and eating pizza.”

o “It’s the parent’s fault. They are failing in their responsibility to be the spiritual leaders of their kids.”

o “It’s the older church’s fault. They are irrelevant and hypocritical to the point the younger generation wants nothing to do with it.”

I get this mental picture of a group of people staring at dropped baton and discussing how it happened and whose fault it is while the race continues. With the USTF rules, there is no issue with who is at fault with the dropped baton. The key is that the baton simply gets picked up and the race continues. With spiritual transference, it is the same. What if we were to stop TALKING about a dropped baton and start WALKING toward the baton? (Derry Prenkert)

The important part of this is to “get back into the race!” Press on toward the goal! Get to the finish line!

IV. The Finish- Ending well

2 Tim. 4:7

English Standard Version Chapter 4

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Closing Thoughts

As you look around your life, ask yourself ‘what kind of race am I running?’ What am I passing on to the people closest to me? Can you confidently say you have kept the faith?

Everybody breathe…that is breath in your lungs, and a beat in your chest, the race is not over, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Continue on, pick up the baton, and get to the finish line for the Glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ.