The Dynamic Church
10
We’ve arrived now at Chapter 4 of 2 Timothy. Here’s a question for you: What is it that motivated Paul? Remember he is in a dark dismal prison. He was in chains and breathing stale air. How was he able to keep his spirit up, and write words of encouragement to Timothy? He says in verse 2, “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction”. The answer is that he had Christian optimism. His optimism was founded on the fact that God was with him, and that God would have the final say in world history. We read in verse 1, “In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word”. Paul knew Gods presence. He experienced God’s grace and strength. This helped him in this dark hour. God will come as judge. Christ will appear, and all the ungodly kings and nations will stand before him. Better to be a Paul in the dungeon with Christ, than a Nero on the throne without him! The thought of God’s promised presence, and the certainty of the second coming of Christ, kept Paul strong. Those who fall away do so because they have taken their eyes of the finishing line.
Timothy had a great responsibility. He needed to teach sound doctrine. Many false teachers were around. We read in verse 3, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear”. The mark of a false teacher is that he will tell people what they want to hear not what they need to hear. They pander to people’s felt needs not their real needs. They don’t faithfully preach the word, and they’re selective in the scripture passages they use. Make sure that you know the Bible and that you teach the whole counsel of God’s word. Paul further encourages Timothy in verse 5. He says, “Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry”. Every now and then we have a Christian fad. Some new novel experience or teaching appears. They come, then eventually die out. We need to be level headed.
There’s a great need for Christian discernment. Not all that is said and done in the name of Christ is biblically based. Test all things by the word of God. Hardship will come to you as you are faithful to God and his word. It’s part of the package. An evangelist is one who preaches good news of the gospel. We are not all called to work as an evangelist. We are all called to tell people the good news of the gospel. Have you told someone the good news today that they can know Jesus and have their sins forgiven? Church leaders should make sure that alongside their teaching ministry for believers, there’s the challenge to the unsaved to repent and believe the gospel. This is doing the work of an evangelist. No part of the ministry should be left undone.
Paul’s optimism extends to his view on his own death. He says in verse 6, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure”. Paul’s view on dying wasn’t that it was a defeat, but an act of worship. The drink offering is connected to the burnt offering. It was poured out over it. It was the final part of the offering. The burnt offering typifies the believers total giving of himself to Christ. Paul had done this. His death was the final part of the offering. The total offering was an act of worship. Soon he would give his life for the gospel. His time drew near. Tradition tells us that Paul was beheaded. If we are called to lay down our physical lives for the Lord count it a privilege. He laid down his life for you. It’s your final and complete last act of worship and dedication to the Lord. Paul refers to his death as “departure”. This word translates an original word that was used for unyoking an animal from the plough so it could rest; of loosing the bonds of a prisoner to set him free; for a soldier who takes down his tent ready to move elsewhere. Death for the believer is leaving this world and entering into the eternal rest in glory. It’s being set free from the bondage of this world and the presence of sin. Death is moving locations from this world to be with Christ which is much better. Are you fearful about dying? You can face death in peace when you know Jesus as you saviour and Lord. You can have the same outlook as Paul.
Paul was optimistic because beyond death he would receive a reward. We read in verse 8, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”. Keep investing in heaven. Don’t give up your efforts for God’s kingdom. A crown of righteousness awaits you!
Paul lists the qualifications of those who will get this crown. We read in verse 7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. The original word translated “fought” means to “wrestle”. You will be faithful even though living for Jesus is a struggle. You will run with energy and focus until you reach the finishing line. You will not deviate from sound doctrine.
The dynamic church sees the need for fellowship and mutual support. In verses 9 to 22 Paul lists his friends. We see Paul the human being with all the same physical and emotional needs that we have. He longs for Timothy’s company and his Christian fellowship. He says in verse 9, “Do your best to come to me quickly”. He mentions various believers. Demas had forsaken him attracted by the world. Even dedicated believers who are involved in Christian work can be distracted by the allurement of the world. We need to be watchful at all times over our souls. Luke was there supporting him, and others, like Crescens, Titus and Tychicus had gone to other places to preach the word. Many had deserted him, but he testifies to the fact that the Lord stood by him. You maybe let down by another believer, but the Lord will never fail you. Paul requested his cloak and books. Winter was getting close and the prison would be cold. The books would help in his studies. The parchments he mentions may well be legal documents he needed in readiness for his defence before Nero. Although we believe God is with us, we need to make normal preparations for whatever lies ahead of us.
Be optimistic as you serve the Lord, you’re on the winning side. The world will see it one day when our saviour appears. Keep longing for his appearing. In the light of it keep fighting the good fight, running the race set before you, and preaching the word entrusted to you.