TIMELY SUPPORT for MINISTRY-II—2Timothy 4:9-22
A man is at Grand Central Station waiting for his train that is leaving soon. He notices a guy carrying two suitcases & sporting this fabulous hi-tech watch, so he approaches him & says...
"Wow! That’s a pretty cool watch you’ve got there."
"Yeah, This is an i-Watch. Its a satellite-computer-phone with bluetooth. It has GPS, fax, e-mail, internet—You can even swipe your debit-card to order things online. It has 4 tetrabytes of memory, you can download movies & can even receive Satellite television & display either one on its miniature or its expandable LCD HDTVscreen with surround sound, or plug it into any desktop TV or monitor." Its very handy because you can’t lose it like a regular mobile phone or computer.
"Boy, that’s incredible. I wish I had an i-watch like that one. Where can I get one?"
Well, its experimental & not available to the public because they can’t get the price under $1000. But I’ll sell you this one if you’re interested, because, well, actually the novelty has worn off for me, so for $2500, if you want it, it’s yours."
The traveler can hardly whip out his debit-card fast enough to the tune of $2500.
The seller takes off the watch & gives it to him. "Congratulations, here is you new i-Watch."
Then, handing the two suitcases over as well, he says, "And here are the batteries & support units."
TIMELY SUPPORT
TIMELY SUPPORT for MINISTRY-II—2Timothy 4:9-22
Attention:
Need:
Every ministry is vital/important...because it is ordained of God.
But no ministry functions in a vacuum or on an island, or separate from at least two things. Every ministry requires something to perfect it...People & Commitment
This section highlights some personal concerns of Paul the apostle in his last recorded letter.
They entail concerns regarding certain named people both good & bad.
Paul makes sure that Timothy is aware of their background so he is better able to aid the churches in preaching the message fully(:17).
Paul urgently needed Timothy’s support.
Effective ministry requires timely support.
What is required for timely support in ministry?
5 Sacrifices made for timely support in ministry.
Previously we found that....
Timely support for ministry requires a Sacrifice to...
1—AID ANOTHER(:9, 11b, 13, 21a)
2—COMMITMENT(:10-18)
3—Timely support for ministry requires a Sacrifice to
MANY(:10, 12, 19-21)
Explanation:(:10, 12, 19-21)
:10—“....--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.”
:11—“Only Luke is with me. Get Mark & bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”
“Only Luke is with me.”
Col. 4:11, 14—“& Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”....“Luke the beloved physician & Demas greet you.”
Phm. 23-24—“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.”
“Get Mark & bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”
*Regardless of Mark’s former failings, at the end of Paul’s effective ministry, he knows that Mark will be faithful to the work of which Paul sees him capable. Mark has some particular giftedness which was “useful” to the ministry for which Paul has need.
:12—“And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.”
Another minister, Tychicus, has been specially commissioned by Paul’s hand to Ephesus. Again the reasons are not stated. Timothy obviously knows the situation & needs no further information. Tychicus was from Asia(Acts 20:4). Ephesus was located in Asia.
Tychicus had possibly delivered Paul’s letters to Ephesus(Eph. 6:21) & Colosse(Col. 4:7), & possibly to Titus in Crete(Tit. 3:12), as he was charged with personally relating any news about Paul & his ministry.
:19—“Greet Prisca & Aquila, & the household of Onesiphorus.”
Prisca & Aquila as well as Onesiphorus were readily available to Timothy as he was instructed to “greet” the couple & Onesiphorus’ “household.”
Paul had met Prisca(Priscilla) & Aquila in Corinth on his 2nd missionary journey. Aquila was originally from Pontus, on the Black Sea. Both were Jews who hailed from Rome, Italy but were in Corinth because political pressure, from Emperor Claudius, forced the Jews to leave Rome(AD 49-50).
They made their living as tent-makers, just as did Paul.
Priscilla & Aquila left with Paul for Syria. In Ephesus they led Apollos to Christ & provided references for his entrance into the churches of Achaia.
The church met in their house while they were in Asia(Ephesus?) as well as later in Rome.
Paul considered them both as “fellow workers in Christ Jesus.”
:20—“Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.”
It appears that Erastus was one who, having passed thru Corinth with Paul previously, had remained there for unstated reasons. No doubt it was for the sake of the ministry of the Gospel.
There are 2 other references to an Erastus in Rom. 16:23 & Acts 19:22. Only conjecture, but Erastus ‘the treasurer’ is probably not the same as the Erastus who accompanied Timothy to Macedonia at Paul’s insistence.
Rom. 16:23—“Gaius, my host & the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, & Quartus, a brother.”
Acts 19:21-22—“When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia & Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy & Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.”
This Erastus & the nature of his work, would have been well known to Timothy & thus seems more in line with the Erastus mentioned here who remained at Corinth.
:21—“Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, & all the brethren.”
As Timothy was to bring the cloak, & books(:13), he is encouraged to reach Paul before winter. Paul was probably most desperately in need of the cloak as he was incarcerated. Traveling would also become more difficult in winter, further delaying the arrival of the books.
Our ministry is dependent upon many people with many gifts. Part of fulfilling the job is to be aware of these & not to get big-headed. It is to realize our giftedness has definite limitations by themselves, yet holds great power when complemented by & complimentary with others.i
Argumentation:
1Cor. 12:4-7—“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”
1Cor. 12:24-26—“....But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
Acts 2:44-47—“Now all who believed were together, & had all things in common, & sold their possessions & goods, & divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, & breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness & simplicity of heart, praising God & having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Illustration:
Consider the MANY people you have depended upon in the past & those upon whom you currently depend for your ministry.
I tried to make a list...Our church....Other Churches....Members from other churches...Neighbors
Yours may be shorter, or longer, it will definitely be different, but the people are just as vital!
Jesus’ ministry depended upon 12 disciples, apostles, etc.
Billy Graham/Charles Stanley—Assistants, Administrators, Promotion people
Application:
?You provided timely support for ministry thru a Sacrifice to MANY?
?You supplied/provided Timely Support for ministry of the Gospel?
4—Timely support for ministry requires a Sacrifice to
SURRENDER(:22)
Explanation:(:22)
:22—“The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.”
“The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
This is more than just a traditional nicety in which to end a letter. This is a final desire on the part of a Christian sender on behalf of a Christian receiver/addressee.
To finish his letter, Paul encourages Timothy with a desire on his part, that the Lord Jesus Christ continually remain with Timothy’s human spirit. This would be so that his human spirit would be satisfactorily surrendered & his whole being renewed in the likeness of Christ.
‘To counsel & advise in every difficult matter; to comfort under every distress; to supply with all grace in every time of need; & to strengthen & fit for every part & branch of duty.’—J.D. Gill
Paul then ends with an “Amen,” meaning that what has been said is of an expression of absolute truth & faithfulness. He is expressing to Timothy his earnest desire & prayer regarding what he has just written him.
The urgency of support is hindered/strengthened thru one’s perceived ability to SURRENDER to God thru the Lord Jesus.
“Grace be with you.”
“You” is plural(Ya’ll) meaning the entire church is to be considered.
Likewise, Paul also sees the need not only for Timothy, but the whole church, to have God’s grace present with him at all times.
“Amen.”
What I’ve said herein, I declare as faithful & that if may be fulfilled in all the power of Christ Jesus.
“Amen”—amhn—1) Firm—1a) metaph. Faithful; 2) Verily, amen—2a) at the beginning of a discourse - Surely, truly, of a truth, 2b) At the end - So it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, & thus made the substance of what was uttered their own. From Hebrew—Nma ’amen—Verily, truly, amen, so be it. The word is directly related -- in fact, almost identical -- to the Hebrew word for "believe" (amam), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean "sure" or "truly", an expression of absolute trust & confidence.
Argumentation:
Mat. 28:19-20—““Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; & lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
2Cor. 13:14—“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, & the love of God, & the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”
Ps. 37:5—“Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.”
Php. 4:6-7—“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus.”
1Pe 5:5-7—“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, & be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Illustration:
Illegals entering the US/They are able to do certain things without citizenship/But their actions are always suspect/They can even do some good though their actions are less than honorable/If they would make the Sacrifice of SURRENDER to actual citizenship, they would become accepted & empowered citizens instead of dogs, who take what they can get/SURRENDER
Application:
?You provided timely support for ministry thru a Sacrifice to SURRENDER?
?You supplied/provided Timely Support for ministry of the Gospel?
CONCLUSION:
Action:
Timely support for ministry requires a Sacrifice to...
3—MANY(:10, 12,19-21)
4—SURRENDER(:22)
1—AID ANOTHER(:9, 11b, 13, 21a)
2—COMMITMENT(:10-18)
Presented 08/15/2010pm to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
