How to Deal With Opposition
II Timothy 4:5
Purpose: To describe the hard realities of sharing the Gospel.
Aim: I want the listener to renew (or start) a commitment to sacrifice in order to serve Christ.
REVIEW:
1:1-2:13 I. How Should a Christian React to Stress?
2:14-26 II. How Should a Christian Relate to Fellow Believers?
3:1-17 III. How Can a Christian Reside in a Hostile Culture?
4:1-22 IV. How Can a Christian Remain Faithful to Christ?
Vs.1-5 A. Put First Things First
Vs.1 1. Believe the seriousness of the commands “solemnly charge you”
Vs.2 2. Know the importance of the Word “preach the word”
Vs.3-4 3. Accept the urgency of the commands “the time will come...they will not endure”
LESSON:
Vs.5 4. Learn how to carry out the commands “But you...”
Paul gives us another contrast here. After he talked about impostors in chapter 3 he turned to Timothy and said, “Now you . . . ” in verse 10 and then he said “You, however . . . ” in verse 14. Now he makes this contrast one last time and says, “But you . . .”
There needs to be a big difference between what is false and what is true, and between those who turn away from the Gospel and those who spread the Gospel.
Paul now gives Timothy four final instructions on how to remain faithful to Christ.
a. Be level headed “be sober”
BE SOBER means to be self-controlled. While many around us may rush to the things of this world and to false religious teaching, we must steadfastly stick to the clear teaching of Scripture.
“Getting a following, becoming well liked, being admired can be downright intoxicating. We need to have all of our faculties at full command lest we sell our souls for the pottage of being adored by folks with itching ears.” [Demarest, G. W., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1984). Vol. 32: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 32 : 1, 2 Thessalonians / 1, 2 Timothy / Titus. Formerly The Communicator’s Commentary. The Preacher’s Commentary series (294). Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc.]
When other people are consumed with the new and the exciting, the sensational – be level headed. Don’t get carried away. Change slowly and thoughtfully. Keep first things first. For example, the best run church in the world is worthless if it isn’t built on prayer. The best sounding sermons in the world are worthless if they are true to God’s Word.
✔ Effective servants for Christ have a serious side to them. 1 Timothy 3:8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, (NAU) 1 Timothy 3:11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. (NAU)
b. Serve Christ when it’s hard “endure hardship”
This is the third time that Paul has given this word of advice. Look back at: 2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, (NAU)2 Timothy 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (NAU)
Paul was working hard to prepare Timothy for what was ahead of him. 2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (NAU) 2 Timothy 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. (NAU)
✔ While others around you cannot endure listening to the Gospel, made sure you endure the difficulties of giving out the Gospel.
This is one reason why Paul taught that proclaiming Christ was such serious business. 2 Timothy 4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom (NAU) You could lose your freedom, and maybe even your life over it.
✔ G. Campbell Morgan said, “The world hates Christian people, that is, if it sees Christ in them.”
Paul understood that proclaiming the Gospel is a battle that must be fought. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; (NAU)
Timothy needed to hear all of this. In the book of Hebrews, which Bible scholars believe was written shortly after the book of II Timothy, we learn that Timothy had been in prison. Hebrews 13:23 Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. (NAU)
The good news is that suffering for Christ proves that we belong to Him. Matthew 10:24-25 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25 “It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! (NAU)
✔ Christian: you can’t keep your body and you can’t lose your soul.
c. Reach out to the lost “do the work of an evangelist”
The word EVANGELIST means “to proclaim good news.” It means to declare the Gospel.
I believe that the Great Commission will cure most church problems. When we are busy proclaiming Christ to others, we won’t be as inclined to criticize others, we won’t be as attracted by material things, we won’t be distracted by worthless activities. When we are fighting for eternal things, temporary things won’t be very important.
✔ If we are not fishing, we will be fighting.
The “work of an evangelist” is much more than just talking about Christ. George Gallup, in a poll taken on spiritual life in America, found that even though a majority of Americans believe that Christ rose from the dead and is living today, very few live out that truth. Gallup remarks “There is little difference in ethical behavior between the churched and the unchurched. There’s as much cheating, stealing and dishonesty among the churched as the unchurched.”
One of the best ways we can prove our love for Christ is our willingness to suffer cheerfully as we proclaim the Gospel.
John Newton was a good example of a Christian who was always sharing the Gospel to those around him. But before he was a Christian he was a rough, dirty sailor with a foul mouth and an appetite for rotten living. He hated life and life hated him. He was captain of a slaveship.
Then someone placed in his hands a copy of Thomas a Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ. He also had the gift of a good mother who told him about the Saviour when he was young. And then he was saved. He went all over England sharing his faith. Well past his “retirement” age, he had to have an assistant stand in the pulpit with him on Sundays. He was nearly blind and spoke in whispers, but nothing could keep him from preaching while he still had breath.
One Sunday, while delivering his message he repeated the sentence: “Jesus Christ is precious.” His helper whispered to him: “But you have already said that twice.”
Newton turned to his helper and summoned up all of his strength and said loudly, “Yes, I’ve said it twice, and I’m going to say it again.”
The stones in that ancient building echoed back his words as the grand old preacher said again: “Jesus Christ is precious!”[Source unknown. 10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Dallas: Biblical Studies Press.]
John Newton loved Christ so much that he shared the Gospel with others until he could share it no more.
d. Never give up serving Christ “fulfill your ministry”
FULFILL means “to accomplish” and it refers to doing something wholeheartedly. Paul had a passion to serve the One who loving paid for all of his sins.
✔ Don’t give up as long as God gives you breath.
Paul talked often about finishing what God has called us to do. Colossians 4:17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (NAU)
That brings us an interesting question: What is our ministry? Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (NAU)
☛ Colossians 1:24-29 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (NAU)
Elizabeth Prentiss, the wife of a Presbyterian minister, spent most of her adult life as an invalid, seldom knowing a day without constant pain throughout her body. Yet she was described by her friends as a bright-eyed, cheery woman with a keen sense of humor.
Elizabeth was always strong in faith and encouraging to others, until tragedy struck the Prentiss family beyond what even she could bear. The loss of two of their children brought great sorrow to Elizabeth’s life. For weeks no one could console her. In her diary she wrote of “empty hands, a worn-out, exhausted body, and unutterable longings to flee from a world that has so many sharp experiences.”
During this period of grief, Elizabeth cried out to God, asking Him to minister to her broken spirit. It was at this time that Elizabeth’s story became a living testimony! For over 100 years the Body of Christ has been encouraged as they sing the words penned by Elizabeth Prentiss in her deepest sorrow:
More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee;
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee...
Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek – Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee...
Let sorrow do its work, send grief and pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me,
More love, O Christ, to Thee...
Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee.
[White, “Living Testimonies,” The Voice of the Martyrs, July, 1998, p. 2. 10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Dallas: Biblical Studies Press.]
CONCLUSION: If you stop coming to church or serving the Lord in some way because your feelings get hurt, or you don’t feel appreciated, ask yourself, “Whom am I really serving?” Could it be that you are living as if following Christ is something you do only when you feel good about it?
If you are serving Christ because you love Him, then you will keep serving Him even if your feelings are hurt or something doesn’t go your way.
✔ How can you claim to love Christ if you are not faithfully showing your love for Christ?
