From the Charge to the Crown
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: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when THEY will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have THEIR ears tickled, THEY will accumulate for THEMSELVES teachers in accordance to THEIR own desires; 4 and will turn away THEIR ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.
5 But YOU, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill YOUR ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of MY departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for ME the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to ME on that day; and not only to ME, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
9 Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.
16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
The final chapter of 2 Timothy may have been the last lines to come from the pen of Paul. What do you say when you know the end of your life is near and so much hangs in the balance for those you love? Paul speaks with parental persuasion as he presents his final charge to Timothy. Listen to his passion… This is it! This is what you must do! This is what you can expect. This is where your duty lies. Let my confidence spill over into your heart!
Even a casual look at verses 1-8 reveals a list of personal pronouns that are grouped in such a way as to lead to victory with the risen Christ. Note the progression from the first verse where Paul, Timothy and Christ are featured and Timothy is given his charge in verse two (read), to the “They” references in verses 3-4 (read), to the “You” references in verse 5 (read), and finally the “I/me” references in verses 6-8 (read). What do you see? Where is he leading Timothy? From the charge to the crown!
Verses 9-22 are intensely personal. He starts naming names! Seventeen to be exact. Each is noted for some point of reference in Paul’s life. Some are noted for courage and commitment, others for faith failure or outright opposition. How’d you like to have your name written in the Bible?
There is a book of memory where your name is written. May God bless you to have your name in the Lamb’s book of life!
Let’s go back and just focus on verses 3-8 for a few minutes and the lesson will be yours.
3 For the time will come when THEY will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have THEIR ears tickled, THEY will accumulate for THEMSELVES teachers in accordance to THEIR own desires; 4 and will turn away THEIR ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.
Timothy, you preach the Word of God! But here’s what you can expect from some. These are the doomed. They reject the will of God for their lives and will pay the penalty of eternal destruction!
Why would you preach to such as these? Why waste your time? Do you remember Judas? Why did Jesus ever choose him?
What do these people do? 1. They do not endure sound teaching. This comes from a word used 16 times in the New Testament. Jesus once used it in reference to enduring unbelieving people, “how long must I put up with you!” Matt. 17:17
These people do not put up with God’s word and ultimately God does not put up with them! 2. They gather teachers who tell them what they want to hear. Does this happen today? When I was a kid I remember that if Mom said, “No.” I would sometimes run to Dad to see if I could get a more acceptable answer. Any of your kids ever do that?
What is the hardest teaching of the scripture that confronts your life with a convicting call for an uncomfortable change? Do you find yourself looking for verses, or explanations of the Bible that will excuse your behavior?
3. They turn away their ears from truth and turn aside to myths.
Can’t you just see that? These people don’t want to hear it! They protect their ears from the message that they don’t like. Lord, talk to the hand cause the ears aren’t listening!
What if I opened the Bible and discussed with you what God says about the things you watch on TV or hear on the radio or see at the movies that you choose to entertain yourself with? What if I open the Bible and discuss what God says about the kind of clothing you wear or the language you use? What if we discuss the attitudes that you have with your parents or children or neighbors? What about what God says about obeying the laws of the land when you drive? Or about your attitude toward other drivers who may not be driving the way that pleases you? What if we look at what God says to us as men and our thoughts toward attractive, but immodestly dressed women?
Can you endure this teaching? Can you open your heart and mind to what the Word of God says to you about these things? Will you keep your ears tuned in to God’s word when your desires to do things contrary to that word fill your heart?
It’s one thing to listen to the Word of God here at church where we expect to hear it. It is quite another thing to hear it out of season, when we are at home or at work or away from the four walls of this place.
Let me give you some myths that can kill you spiritually.
1. God’s grace will cover my sins as long as I keep going to church.
2. God doesn’t expect me to live a perfect life, everyone else does this, so it’s ok for me too.
3. God expects too much! I would have to be a fanatic to do everything he says!
4. I know that verse says that, but _______________.
5. God loves me and would want me to be happy.
6. God understands that I need to do this so it’s ok.
There are countless excuses to turn your ears away from truth. But not a one will save you. Don’t be among the crowd in verses 3-4.
Look at verse 5: But YOU, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill YOUR ministry.
Do these 4 things:
1. Be sober in all things. Let me just give you 3 verses from Peter’s pen that explain this word “sober” well…
1 Pet 1:13 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
1 Pet 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Imagine yourself about to do something that you know God’s word has at least indicated is not what God wants. At that moment you make a choice whether to please yourself or God. You can’t do both. Be sober! Pray! Be alert to the roar of the enemy! Fix your hope on Jesus coming!
2. Endure hardship. Did you listen to that one? Let me say it again. Endure hardship! This is not just about persecution, although that is included! Endure hardship is about doing what you don’t want to do in order to please God instead of yourself. That’s what will happen to you if you obey the first one. Be sober, then endure the hardship of obeying God’s will above your own! Is it tough to make yourself do what God wants when you don’t want to? Sure it is! Jesus fully understands that difficulty. Remember his prayer in the garden? Not my will, but what??? He’s been there and endured the hardship for all of us! Now it’s our turn! Prove your faith by passing the test of hardship! Buck up little Christian! God will give you strength if you will trust him!
3. Now to Timothy specifically: do the work of an evangelist! That’s what God had given Timothy as a job in his church. What’s your job in God’s kingdom? Do it! Get busy doing what God wants you to do and get your mind off of what your flesh is tempting you to do! Fulfill your ministry! In other words, act like the person God called you to be.
This is one of the most helpful defenses against falling away. Here’s where so many Christians today fall into the devil’s trap. Do you see people who seem to be listening to God here in church, but when you see them during the week they have turned into something else. There’s this demonic idea that we can divide our lives into spiritual and secular categories. We can try to live in two worlds. Jesus denounced this idea, saying that no one can serve two masters. But there are still folks who try.
Paul is telling Timothy to be constantly in tune with his master. To be sober, endure hardship, and get busy doing the job God has given you to do!
Finally, notice Paul’s testimony:
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of MY departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for ME the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to ME on that day; and not only to ME, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Also:
16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1. Fight the good fight.
2. Finish the course.
3. Keep the faith.
4. Receive the crown.
Is it worth it? As for me and my house… How about you?
