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| 2 Timothy 4 Memory Verses: Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 4:12 Good Morning Brothers and Sisters, Remember, the next book will be Titus, Philemon, then the Gospel of Mark. Keep plugging away! In this chapter, we have Paul wrapping up his exhortation to Timothy, and then giving final instructions. Isn't it uncanny how much this applies today, just as in the last chapter, it seems to be coming right out of the newspaper. 2 Tim 4:1-4 Preach the Word. In vs. 1-2, Paul charges Timothy with the responsibility to preach. Realizing that we do not work for ourselves but for Jesus Christ. As believers, we are responsible for what we know. In the parable regarding the sensible steward, Luke 12:48, it is regarding what we are entrusted with, the more that God entrust us with the Word, the more that will be required of us. Also, one day Jesus will test what we have done with our lives, see 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. Paul urges Timothy to preach the word, regardless of how he feels, regardless of the circumstances that may be surrounding him. I almost get the impression in v. 2 that Timothy is dealing with little children. He is encouraged to guide the believers, with "great" patience, it could also be translated "all" or "every" patience. The idea is that this will not be easy, it will be frustrating. People are notorious for deviating from the straight path, it is up to the minister to be patient with these deviations, and to correct the path with reproof, rebuke, exhortation and instruction as Timothy is instructed here. Look at this note: "Preaching must be marked by three elements: conviction, warning, and appeal (“reprove, rebuke, exhort”). To quote an old rule of preachers, “He should afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.” If there is conviction but no remedy, we add to people’s burdens. And if we encourage those who ought to be rebuked, we are assisting them to sin. Biblical preaching must be balanced. God’s speaker must be patient as he preaches the Word. He will not always see immediate results. He must be patient with those who oppose his preaching. Above all else, he must preach doctrine. He must not simply tell Bible stories, relate interesting illustrations, or read a verse and then forget it. True preaching is the explanation and application of Bible doctrine. Anything else is just religious speechmaking." Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt., 2 Ti 4:1. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989. v. 3-4 Paul warns Timothy that times will get worse regarding people deviating from the truth. This was not a new concept, Look in Jeremiah 23:16-40 this is a very powerful passage, it leaves no doubt as to the attitude of false prophets, teachers who want to spread their own words. Have you ever gone into a church, and came out feeling that your ears were tickled? They preach a social gospel, it is very similar to a horoscope. The idea behind a horoscope is to make the statements so general that regardless of the circumstances a person is going through, you can't go wrong with the prediction. With a social gospel, it is so generic, that you won't offend anyone, and you will give a good speech, something which will sound good, look good, but it is like cotton candy, totally useless in nutritional value. As a direct result of this, we develop a country club mentality, people come to church do their time, pay the dues, thereby appeasing God, then go home for another week. They return the next Sunday, pay their dues, listen to the useless message, and do their duty. They hold to a form of godliness, but deny it's power, 2 Tim 3:5. Have you ever listened to a preacher preach, and never once open the Bible? Interesting. 2 Tim 4:5 Do the work. "be sober" could also be translated "be clear headed" In other words, don't dabble in illusions, look at your ministry for what it is. This is where a can of elbow grease would come in handy. It is simply time to put in the effort. The word for "ministry" is the word "diakonia" where we get the word deacon, the idea is that his ministry is one of service to believers. In reality, aren't we all merely servants of Jesus? If this is true, then by fulfilling what we are called to do, we become servants as Timothy is encouraged to be. 2 Tim 4:6-8 Paul set the example. Paul compares his life to being a drink offering, to the best of my understanding, this drink offering was offered in relation to a lamb that was slain. Paul may have been referring to his life as a complete sacrifice as in he was approaching his death. It may also indicate that his life had been a small offering which was offered because of the offering that Jesus made as the Lamb of God. Either way, his life was one of constant sacrifice. In v. 7, he alludes to the idea of the athlete who had finished the competition. and in v. 8, he refers to the promise of the crown of righteousness. Tremendous verses, tremendous promises. 2 Tim 4:9-22 Paul urges Timothy to visit him. In a nutshell, everyone had deserted Paul with the exception of Luke. This may be because the time-frame for this book was A.D. 59-60 where Nero was making it a point to torture and kill Christians. If I understand it correctly, this was the period where Christians became food for lions and such. It may have been in the best interest of the brothers to desert Paul, Luke could hang on since he was Paul's attending physician. In light of this, the deliverance from the lions mouth could actually have happened, or it could be figurative, referring to Daniel 6:22. (This is all speculation.) Look at his attitude toward Alexander in vs. 14-15, although this man put Paul through a lot of harm, he left the retribution up to the Lord, but warned Timothy to beware. God will deliver judgment on those who mess with His kids, but we are to be wise and aware. Romans 12:19 We are not to put our heads in the sand. Lord, as we complete the book of 2 Timothy, I ask that each one of us will pick up the exhortation to Timothy and make it our own. That we will build quality into our lives, and total commitment. In Him, Joe Turner |
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