Pastorals: The Friend Everyone Needs

Pastorals: Message Twenty-Six

2 Timothy 1:15-18

ETS: Paul encouraged Timothy to remain loyal to The Gospel and those laboring for the Gospel.

ESS: We need to be a true friend to those suffering for the Gospel.

OSS: [MO: Ethical and Consecrative] {SO: I want the hearers to enlist themselves in the ministry of genuine friendship.

PQ: What observations can we make in this passage?

Introduction:

Notice that this passage is hinging on the backdrop of V. 8; it is also almost parenthetical providing a break between imperatives (1:8-14; 2:1). The idea being presented here is that Paul wanted Timothy to follow after the example of Onesiphorus rather than the example of the others who had deserted him because of shame.

TS: Let us examine together a few observations now:

The contrast: (vv. 15-17)

The contrast is between those who are not genuine and those who are genuine.

Those who are not genuine will desert you in times of need and trouble.

Those who are genuine will search for you in times of trouble.

The blessing: (vv. 16-18)

Genuine friends bless others:

They refresh you (16)

They are not ashamed of you (16)

They minister to you (18)

Application and Conclusion:

Amidst such a difficult situation, Paul encouraged Timothy to remain faithful to the Gospel through remaining faithful to his friends in the Gospel. We need to remain faithful to Christ through remaining faithful to our brothers and sisters in Christ, even when suffering because of their faith comes. Hebrews 13:3 instructs us to remember those in prison who are mistreated as though we ourselves are suffering with them. Furthermore, Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-40 that when we love others and minister to them, we are loving and ministering to Him. Thus, our aim ought to be to remain faithful to the Gospel, especially through being loyal to our friends in the Gospel. Paul provided examples both of those who were faithful and those who were not. Let us choose to be the one like Onesiphorus who remains loyal, refreshes others, searches for others, and ministers to others amidst their difficulty. That is being a genuine friend, the friend that everyone needs.