“The Views from the Valley”
2 Timothy 4:9-22
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Have you ever wondered how preachers select the topics or texts that they are going to preach from? Primarily for me they come from the Scripture reading during my devotional times but sometimes they come from my own experiences or that of others that I come in contact with. This past week a friend and I were talking and my friend shared a burden and the nature of the burden led my heart and mind to the text and topic that I want to share with you this morning the Lord being my helper.
When you try to describe the life of Paul you run out of superlatives. He was a great soul, a master teacher and preacher; author, mentor, evangelist, missionary, church planter and the list goes on and on. Paul had his mountaintops and but he also had his valleys. In 2 Corinthians 12:1 he speaks of a mountaintop experience; “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”He also suffered greatly as he sought to take the name of Jesus to the world. But then he also experienced valleys too; Listen to his own words as he describes some of his valleys…2 Corinthians 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
This morning I want to share some thoughts about Paul’s last valley. The Psalmist David described it as, “the valley of the shadow…” In our text Paul is in his final imprisonment in the Mamartine prison in Rome. It wouldn’t be long until he finds “a shallow place to cross” and he writes to Timothy and if we are willing, and will read this text carefully we can discern his state of heart and mind. First, I let’s examine:
I. Paul’s Outward View
In this last valley it is perfectly natural for us to think about the people who have been in our lives and Paul is no exception. He mentions:
a. His fellow-workers v. 10
He begins this section by mentioning the desertion of a member of the mission’s team by the name of Demas. What happens with Crecens and Titus we can only speculate but it must have been difficult for him. In v. 16 we learn that at his first hearing before Ceasar no one “stood with him…but all men forsook him.” There was obviously disappointment but no hint bitterness. Paul choose not to die a bitter man. You and I have the same choice; we can get bitter or we can get better!
b. His friends v. 11-12
Thankfully at the last some of his friends return to minister to him. Luke is mentioned specifically and we can probably assume that he stayed with Paul until the end. Luke is the second most important writer in the NT and two books were authored by him; the gospel that bears his name and the book of Acts. His narrative is the most complete beginning with the birth of John the Baptist and ending with the gospel being preached in Rome. He is also the only gentile author in the NT. He is a missionary, church planter, author, doctor and loyal friend to Paul.
c. His foes v. 14-15
Paul mentions the name of a man who had done him much harm, perhaps even testifying against him at his trial but his mention, again is not from the standpoint of bitterness but simply to warn Timothy. I suspect that Paul had forgiven Alexander because is trusting that, like all of us we will have to appear before the judgement seat of Christ.
II. Paul’s Inward View
After he looks out we find Paul looking inward. There are some hints about his state of mind as he is about to “depart…” this life.
a. His feelings v. 9, 21
We get a glimpse into Paul’s humanity in these final words. Twice he asks Timothy to “come soon” and to “come before winter…” V. 9 literally means to “make haste” The reason is that the time of his departure was “at hand.” He believed his death was eminent and that the end would come soon. Also, travel by boat in the winter was very nearly impossible and risky at best. He longed for the company of his young protégé but unfortunately we have no record in scripture or in church traditional that Timothy was able to make it in time.
b. His faith v. 6-8
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
When we come to Jesus He gives us a grace to live by but He also gives us “dying grace.” Paul was “ready” to die in the sense that he had given his all for Christ. Verse 6 is in the perfect tense and reads, “I am already being offered,” which refers to a drink offering that was poured out on the altar to the Lord. He has “kept” the faith, finished the race and was confident that he would receive the “stephanos” the victor’s crown! It is not a kingly crown like “diadema” but a crown given to the winner in the Olympic games. Both words are translated crown in the KJV but are given for different reasons.
c. His forgiveness v. 16
Just want to focus on one more thing before we move on to our final point. Let’s look at verse 16 again…
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Friend when you come to the end of life make sure that you hold no ill will, no hard feelings, no grudge, no bitterness and no unforgiveness against anyone; friend or foe. In order for this to be the case you must develop the capacity to forgive easily, to let go and let God take care of all things; including past hurts, and old wounds. Remember the words of our Lord who forgave all of us from the Cross…
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Make sure that when you lay your head down on the “dying pillow” that there is no unforgiveness in your heart. Finally, the last view from the valley…
III. Paul’s Upward View
Do you recall what David had to say about the “valley of the shadow?”
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
a. His presence v. 17a
There is a gospel song that goes something like this:
When I come to the river at ending of day
When the last winds of sorrow have blown
There'll be somebody waiting to show me the way
I won't have to cross Jordan alone.
Refrain
I won't have to cross Jordan alone
Jesus died all my sins to atone
In the darkness I see he'll be waiting for me
I won't have to cross Jordan alone.
When we come to the end of our days we may be surrounding by family but ultimately from a human standpoint we will have to cross Jordan by ourselves, but we don’t have to be alone. Jesus is waiting to welcome His children home. He said I go to prepare a place for you and we will be where He is!
b. His provision v. 17b
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Paul declares that the “Lord strengthened him!”
Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalms 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
c. His perspective v. 17c
We look through a microscope when we are young but as we age we should look through a telescope. We need to see a panorama, take the long view and look at the big picture. As we mature spiritually we begin to see the circumstances of life the way God sees them. For Paul it was the realization came in verse 17…
2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Do you remember God’s promise to Paul earlier in his ministry?
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Paul’s appearance before Nero was by providential arrangement and was a part of God’s purpose and plan for Paul’s life. By God’s grace the old apostle was able to see this. Finally, let’s look at…
d. His peace v. 18
17…and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
It is Paul who speaks of “the peace that passeth understanding…” in Philippians 4:7
Paul had been “delivered” at his first hearing by the grace of God. He has the confidence that God would yet deliver him. Adam Clarke’s Commentary: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work - None of the evil designs formed against me to make me unfaithful or unsteady, to cause me to save my life at the expense of faith and a good conscience, shall succeed; my life may go, but he will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. A continuance on earth the apostle expects not; but he has glory full in view, and therefore he gives God glory for what he had done, and for what he had promised to do.”
Review: Paul had an outward view, an inward view and an upward view.
Application:
1. Our Memories
2. Our Mortality
3. Our Master
