UNCHAINED-Breaking Free from Disappointments.

Here in this passage Paul appears to be warning Timothy against the dangers of discouragement and disappointments. Paul is battling with the same thoughts and is no doubt very familiar with the narrative and emotions that come with failures and let downs.

The church at Asia would have been made up of a large portion of Turkey and the largest city was Ephesus.

Paul had written the book of Ephesians about 3-5 years prior.

In his letter to Ephesians Paul had encouraged them to hold fast to the faith. Paul was concerned that the church at Ephesus might become discouraged into thinking that Christianity was primarily for the Jews. Paul seems intent to confirm in their hearts the effectiveness of Christianity for the Gentiles.

However, just a few short years later Paul seems to think that the church at Ephesus is almost to the point of being lost.

This is evident by his comment in verse 15, when although hyperbole Paul states, “All they which are in Asia be turned away.”

It seems that the leaders of the church were doubting God and were stirring up trouble. They were leading many away from the faith and were turning against Paul.

Revelation 2 Deals with the church at Ephesus as one of the seven churches. God commends the church for many strong characteristics but says the he is displeased with them because they had lost their first love.

Many scholars will debate what it was that they lost their love for. Some will say it was for the brethren, others will say for God himself.

The text itself gives some insight into God’s displeasure. In verse 5 God calls upon them to repent and to do the first works. That is God is asking them to return to their love for the ministry of service.

The church at Ephesus had not closed like Paul had feared. However, because of the falling away of leaders, the deaths of Onesiphorus, and Paul. They had become discouraged with serving God.

In 2 Timothy, Paul was viewing the situation and warned Timothy against trivializing the ministry and neglecting the gospel “Hold fast the form of sound doctrine”.

Paul is reaffirming the doctrines that he had taught. He wanted Timothy to know that although there were many teaching a false doctrine and rejecting the teachings of Paul. He (Paul), had not changed his message.

We would do well to reaffirm the authority of the Word of God and our dependance upon it.

In stark contrast to Phygellus and Hermogenes we have Onesiphorus. Unlike the turning away and rejection of others Onesiphorus sought out Paul and ministered to him in-spite of the great personal cost.

Verse 18 seems to point to the fact that he was facing death. This is somewhat reaffirmed in chapter 4:19.

History seems to point to the fact that Onesiphorus was killed for his involvement with Paul.

Onesiphorus was faithful too Paul and the gospel regardless of the personal cost and outcome.

In-light of all this, Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him to stay faithful.

As we look at Paul’s teachings and the life of Onesiphorus we can see several lessons that will set us free from the chains of discouragement.

Inspired by Mr. Cellophane from the Broadway Musical Chicago

My wife of seven years has not noticed I exist I give her whatever I can but it is never enough She is looking for something better Someone else Someone more I am invisible Inconsequential Unlovable, unappreciated Replaceable, obliterated, Interchangeable, not even derange-able Mr. Cellophane should be my name People do not see me I am not felt or respected or acknowledged I am not even an I am or even an I Others get smiles, waves and hugs Strangers exchange appreciative glances I get nothing No one meets my eye today No one smiles No one has seen me at all I am Mr. Cellophane Invisible and expendable If I disappeared no one would notice or care Mr. Cellophane Mr. Cellophane If I was good enough to have a name This would be too good for me So maybe I will just refer myself as Mr. but Mr. is too pretentious for a nothing like me. I will call myself C. Caren Krutsinger

How do we have victory over Discouragement? Paul said we must do so by the power of the Holy Spirit.