A CHALLENGE TO THE MEMBERS

I commenced this message with a charge to the elders, and now I want to conclude with a challenge to the members.  

First stand faithful with your leaders (v.9-15). 

“Make every effort to come to me soon, because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:9-15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Paul’s words are heartbreaking. There were many who abandoned him and others who abused him. I have been glad to watch people join the church, but I have grieved over those who have deserted the church.  Each is a small cut, and a pastor bleeds a slow torture each time. Other members, like Alexander the coppersmith, do great harm—and oppose the Lord’s word. Don’t be one of those!  

Stand faithful and stay focused on your Lord (v.16-18). 

“At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The ultimate focus of Paul was not the men who deserted him, but the Lord who stood with him.  He lived for another world—a pilgrim on a journey to the heavenly kingdom. His focus was on the glory of God.  Look up!

Then, seek fellowship in Christian love (v.19-22). 

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:19-22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Having a focus on Christ does not negate having fellowship with Christians. The church is His body. That fellowship is essential! There is urgency, the Apostle expresses, “come before winter.”  He wanted his cloak and his Scriptures (4:13)—the cloak to warm his skin and Word to warm his soul!  

What are you doing as a member of the fellowship to show love to your pastors and the people?  Are you connected to a fellowship now, where you can receive ministry from the Body?

COMMITMENT TO THE END

The Apostle’s commitment will be to the end, sealed in his own blood.  Here is his swan song—Paul’s last will and testament.

There are reflections on the past (v.7). 3 times, he reflects, “I have.”  Paul speaks as the soldier when he says, “I have fought the good fight.”  The old Gospel general has taken many a wound in his war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.  He has faithfully worn the whole armor of God and wielded the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. Now, he will lay his armor aside and head for home.  The battle is over and victory has been won!  Paul speaks as a sportsman when he claims, “I have finished the race.”  It has been a marathon—a grueling race of endurance with many hurdles to clear, but now the finish line is in sight and he is sprinting to the tape.  The race is over and victory has been won!  Paul speaks as a steward when he asserts, “I have kept the faith.”  In his time, a steward was a household slave entrusted with his master’s possessions.  He was to manage them and invest them wisely, caring for the household. Paul had been entrusted with the faith—the body of Christian truth (ref. 2 Tim.1:11-14). The work is over and the reward has been won!  God help us to have this testimony in the end.  

Also, we hear a readiness in the present (v.6). Paul’s mind runs to his Jewish roots for an illustration—the pouring out of a drink offering on the altar as an act of worship.  His entire ministry had been a pouring out of his life for Jesus, the church, and lost humanity. The time for his departure from this world is close and he is not dreading it, but delighted in it!  Departure is a nautical term for boarding the ship, raising the anchor, and setting sail. Paul was boarding the Old Ship of Zion for a voyage to golden shores!

Thus, there was rejoicing in the prospects (v.😎. If we bear the cross, we will gain the crown!  Notice the reward is reserved for “that day”—the appearing of Jesus the second time. You don’t get the reward when you die, or you will get short-changed. Our influence lives on!  Only when time is no more will the final results be in and full reward be given. Not just for Paul, not just for preachers,  but “to all those who have loved his appearing.”  Do you love His appearing?  Are you looking up? Looking for Jesus? Living with expectancy and urgency?  Those who are most heavenly minded do the most earthly good.  Look up!  Live for eternity!

A CHARGE TO THE ELDERS

John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”  It is true in all dimensions of life—including the church and the elders who lead it. 

Elders are to exalt the Master (v.1). While they have a duty to the members, their ultimate reckoning is to God. It is a charge that is solemn and sobering for which they will answer to God, and stand before Christ Jesus in judgment. The work is of eternal significance. Therefore, church elders face stricter scrutiny at the Judgment Seat.  They must realize , it is about God’s kingdom and not building their own!  How is it built?

Elders are charged to expound the message (v.2-4). There are many tasks for the elders, but the high calling is to preach the Word.  Elders cannot let church activity crowd out spiritual preparation. To speak for God, first you must hear from Him.  Then, elders can stand with a Bible in their hand and speak with the authority of heaven at their back.  We live in a day, when congregations increasingly demand for preachers to tickle their ears by telling them what they want to hear.  Never let that happen in your church!

  Elders must also exhibit the ministry (v.5). Beyond what your lips say is what your life shows. The character of the elder is to be one of moral purity as they exercise self-control. The commitment of the elder is to be one of endurance and effort. He is to have a heart for souls.  His ministry is Gospel-driven and his message is Gospel-centered.  The elders are not the exclusive soul-winners, but are to set the example as soul-winners. Blessed is the church that has such leaders!

LOOK UP!

The dungeon was dark and damp.  Rodents raced across the floor and fleas gnawed at the flesh. The smell of sweat and urine hung heavy in the air.  The sound of men cursing and crying reverberated off the stone walls. Soon, there would be other sounds—iron soled boots echoing as soldiers marched down the corridor, the clanging of a key turning a lock, the squealing of a heavy iron door swinging on rusty hinges, and the brusk command, “Come with me.”  The old preacher would have his head laid on the chopping block, the sharp sword of the executioner would fall—head one way, body another, soul another—and Paul, the Apostle would be set free from this sinful world and be welcomed into glory.  Knowing his time was short, he penned these final words.  

By no means, do I count myself worthy to be named in the same sentence as that champion of faith, but I can share his words that are so fitting in the times we live. God wiling, that is our planned course of study for the week—Paul’s final days in these final days of 2020.  My call to you is to “Look up!”

CONFIDENCE IN THE WORD OF GOD

We can be confident in the perfection of the Word, “All  Scripture is inspired by God,” (2 Timothy 3:16a). Literally, it is “God breathed.”  As God breathed into Adam and made Him a living soul, He breathed into His prophets during the Old Testament era and His apostles in the New Testament age, so that what they wrote is a supernatural Book, filled with miraculous power. 

We can be confident in the perfection of the Word, and in the profit of the Word, “and is profitable” (v.16b).  It is profitable for doctrine, “teaching.”  Our beliefs are based on the Bible. It is profitable for discipline, “rebuking.”  Our rebellious nature must be broken—and Scripture chastens us. It is profitable for direction, “correcting.”  It gives light for our path to correct our wandering tendency and direct us from the path of sin and onto the path of sanctification. It is profitable for dedication, “for training in righteousness.”  D.L. Moody put it, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”  

We can be confident in the perfection, profit, and purpose of the Word, “so that the man of God may be” (v.17). The purpose of the Word is to make us “complete,”—that is, spiritually mature; capable, “equipped,”—trained for the task; committed, “for every good work”—and this is real success as God sees it.

THE WEAPON WE MUST WIELD

The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.  This is how Jesus conquered Satan, and so must we with, “It is written!”  

This mighty weapon must be wielded with endurance.  Paul stresses endurance in 2 Timothy 3:10-11, and the need to “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed” (v.14). This is my call to you—“Keep true!”  

It is a fight to the finish.  In those days of soldiers engaged in hand to hand combat, endurance was demanded. This is true spiritually. How many have we seen who wearied of the fight, wounded in the battle, and finally have thrown down the sword in surrender to the enemy! 

This world is not a playground, it is a battleground!  The enemy is strong and on the march. Persecution is likely to become an increasing reality.  Paul mentions it in verse 11 twice and again in verse 12. We have known a period of protection in America and the church has become flabby and soft.  I heard a preacher, Stuart Briscoe, talking about the difference between our churches and other churches in places across the ocean that suffer persecution. I paraphrase, “In the west, we face problems and cry, ‘O God, take these burdens off my back.’ And in the east they pray, “O God, make my back strong to bear these burdens.”  The period of protection eventually yields to a period of persecution. The world is not going to get better (v.13). Those of us who are saved will endure. The seed of Scripture has brought us faith in Jesus—and that is eternal life (v.14-15).

THE SUBTLETY OF THE WAYWARD

 

The devil is a roaring lion seeking to strike fear into his prey, but is also a sneaky snake that crawls in and waits in the darkness before injecting its fangs of false doctrine into the victim. This is how the serpent attacked Eve—first to doubt the accuracy of the Word of God with a question, “Did God really say?” and then to deny the authority of the Word of God with a contradiction, “No!  You will not die...” (Gen.3:1,4). 

In the prior letter, Paul set the order for the church—that men were responsible to be elders and teach doctrine in the church (1 Tim.2:11-15). The culture is increasingly feminized—masculinity is under attack—and this spirit is growing in the church in the name of equality. 

Of course, there is equality of dignity among men and women.  Neither sex is to be valued above the other. Yet, while there is no difference in dignity and worth, there is a difference in duty and work. We have different roles. The elders of the church are to be men who are the gatekeepers of sound doctrine while the women are to be the homemakers of young disciples. Women have a different role in the church and men have a different role in the home—neither less essential, but not identical.  

The warning here is to beware counterfeits like Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses with their fake miracles (Ex.7:10-13).  Such frauds exist in Christendom today—offering the promise of miracles—bait that is wrapped around the poison of heresy.  We ignore this uncomfortable teaching to our own peril.

THE FOES WE MUST FACE

In 2 Timothy 3:1-9,  the Apostle Paul warns that hard times are coming. I believe that for us they are right around the corner. I pray I am wrong, but I am persuaded that I am right. 

We face a foe that is mostly overt and one that is more covert. One foe we face is the more obvious: the hostility of the world. Watch the news on TV.  Go out into public. What Paul describes in verses 1-5, might as well be America in the 21st century. 

Rather than loving people and using money, we will love money and use people as lovers of self and lovers of money. Arrogance will be apparent as we are boastful, proud, demeaning—which marks the attitude of our elite that seek to dominate us today. There is disrespect of authority, beginning in the home, “disobedient to parents,” and such defiance at home breeds disregard of heaven, “ungrateful, unholy...”—rejecting our earthly fathers, translating into rejection of the Eternal Father. There follows despising His rule and throwing off moral restraint (v.3-5). Religion will be present, but an empty shell—mere ritual with deadening effect. 

This leads from the hostility of the world, which is overt to that which is covert—the subtlety of the wayward—and that will be our topic for tomorrow, God willing.

KEEP TRUE

 

This week we celebrate Christmas—the coming of Christ into our world. But, He was not welcome. He entered the world in a stable and was executed with three spikes.  John says, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”(John 1:11). In judging Him unworthy to be their King, Israel brought judgment upon themselves. That is the course our country is following. 

America is in a perilous position. The nation has faced many assaults in the past. Two weeks ago, on December 7, we were reminded of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor that launched us into World War 2. Now, another attack has come again from Asia—an unseen enemy.  

As physically deadly as COVID-19 can be to some, what has happened in our response is to jeopardize, “the land of the free and home of the brave.”  Growing government tyranny and the attack on cherished freedoms such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to bear arms, along with the decline of our economy through lockdowns, while embracing the butchering of babies in the womb and parading of perversion in the streets is more frightening.  I don’t take this virus lightly. I could die from it. But, the virus of sin is worse!  Jesus said, “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

How will the church respond to living in a hostile world?  The encouragement is that the church in its infancy grew and flourished in a pagan culture where they were hated and hurt.  So, may we.  Jesus promised that His church would march to victory and the gates of hell would not be able to withstand her. Paul was in bonds, but the Gospel was not bound (2:9). He was leading prison guards and prisoners to faith, and some of those soldiers would wind up as Imperial guards and witness to those of Caesar’s household!  He was penning powerful words that are still changing lives today. May God help us keep true!

BE STRONG IN SUFFERING

 

Paul underscores suffering here (v.9).  At the center of the Christian faith stands a cross. Jesus summons us to come and die.  Yet, the great paradox is that in dying, we live (v.11)!

Weigh, the standard of suffering (v.8-9). “Remember Jesus Christ” as the supreme standard of suffering. He never asks us to go where He has not been. Paul was following in His Master’s steps up the Calvary Road. Even as Christ by His death conquered the power of death, Paul’s chains did not bind the Gospel, but liberated it. No grave could confine Christ and no prison can shackle the Gospel!  

So, we are called to the sharing of suffering (v.10-13).  Our vital union with Christ is underscored by the thrice repeated phrase, “with him.”  It is in union with Christ that we have His might to enable us.  So, here is the sequence: first, the cross and then the crown; first, pain and then the prize; first travail and then triumph!  The faithfulness of Christ within you, will keep you faithful.

THE REAL DEAL

I would assume that virtually all people who read these words profess a belief in God, and even claim to be Christians. But, I may claim to be Superman.  I might even be sincere in that conviction. Yet, If I try to fly off a skyscraper or stop a speeding train by standing in front of it, the reality will be much different. 

The results of such mistaken identity would bring my physical demise, yet pale in comparison to the horror of thinking oneself heaven bound and ending up in hell!  That thought is not meant to raise doubt and fear in a tender heart that is sometimes prone to insecurity about salvation. There are those who worry needlessly.  It is an area where the Devil, who is a liar, periodically attacks those who have cast themselves upon Jesus for salvation.

Timothy had done that. Paul speaks of his utter assurance that the young man had a sincere faith—the real deal. Yet, the fact the Apostle brings it up, and almost in the next breathe underscores, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear,” would suggest Timothy struggled here. 

Still, Satan lies to another group whom he assures that they are saved when they are not. They may have had some experience—even an emotional one—in the past, but there is no evidence of genuine faith in the present. 

A misunderstood doctrine comes into play here—the perseverance of the saints. Some mischaracterize it with a sneer and point to those who have departed their prior belief as evidence one may be born again and then unborn.  At the opposite end of the spectrum there are those who rest in a prior “decision” who demonstrate no reality now. The doctrine is that if one is truly converted, then God gives them grace not only to save them, but sustain them and secure them. They may waver, wobble, wander, wonder, but God’s grace will keep them, even if He must discipline them. In the end they do not fall away, but stay faithful.

Phygelus and Hermogenes, as well as a number of others, had departed from Christ and the church. A promising beginning apparently brought a disappointing ending (2 Tim.1:15). Yet, in contrast here is a man, Onesiphorus, that sought Paul, stuck with him, and manifested he was the real deal (v.16-18). Paul prays (with every expectation) that he and his family will persevere and experience God’s mercy at the Day of Judgment. 

We hold on to God for He holds on to us. “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day” (v.12b). 

Are you the real deal?

HOLD ON: BY GRIPPING THE TRUTH

 

Paul is saying to this young preacher boy to get an unbreakable grip on the truth—sound doctrine and systematic theology.  

Greek scholar, Kenneth Wuest said of this, “Particular words are to be retained and used so that the doctrinal statements of the truth may remain accurate and a norm for future teachers and preachers.”  

Do you have a grip on the meaning of words like, “justification, reconciliation, sanctification, glorification,” and what do you believe about the nature of God, the work of Christ, the person of the Spirit, the authority of Scripture, the mission of the church, and so forth?  

Paul names two among many who had broken his heart by failing to grip the truth and departing the faith: “Phygelus and Hermogenes” (v.15). Yet, there was another named who retained his grip on the truth and blessed Paul’s heart, “Onesiphorus” (v.16-18). Nothing so refreshes a preacher as to see those who serve diligently!  To look on the fruit of our labor and see them flourishing is a refreshing reward.  The former is to be condemned and the latter commended.

Will you be one that lets go and slips away or one who holds on and stays true?

HOLD ON BY GROUNDING IN FAITH

 

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the sake of the promise of life in Christ Jesus: To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”  (2 Timothy‬ ‭1:1-7‬ ‭CSB‬‬, emphasis added)

Paul mentions the “sincere faith”—the genuine faith in Christ that Timothy had received in his home—that flowed from his grandmother Lois, to his mother Eunice, and now to him (v.5). This is the ground upon which a life, a home, a church must be built—the solid Rock of Jesus Christ, whom we have received by a sincere faith. 

Is yours a “sincere faith” that fits you for heaven?  Paul’s fellow Apostle, Peter, enjoined, “Make every effort to confirm your calling and election” (2 Pet.1:10). 

Having your name on a church membership roll won’t matter, if it isn’t written in heaven in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  

Hear the words of Jesus in Matt.7:21-27:

“‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who  does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?” Then I will announce to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers! “ ‘Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.’”

I am haunted by the fact that some people who have sat in pews under my preaching will hear those awful words, “Depart from me.”  If the foundation is not stable, then nothing else you do will stand.

HOLD ON!

If you knew that today would be your last day on earth, what would you want to say to those you love?  

What I would say to those who are the church family I have served for the last quarter century is contained in an envelope. I wrote it and had it on my desk since 2014. 

None of us are promised tomorrow. I thought, “If I died suddenly, what would I want Pole Creek Baptist Church to know?”  

Well, I am leaving, but hopefully in my Camry and not a casket. I have resigned effective December 31st. 

So, this series of devotional messages for the month of December is called, “Before I Go: Some Final Instructions.” These will be taken from Paul’s last letter in 2 Timothy. Paul was on death row, and wanted to give his young protege some final instructions for the church.  

His first call is to “Hold on.” (1:13). How can we hold on?  That is what we plan to explore this week.

NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE

 

NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE

One of the worst plagues to strike our planet has been unleashed. The COVID-19 pandemic likely came from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. But, the plan for its deadly work, I believe, was actually designed in the pit of hell.

Consider how it has negatively impacted us physically, economically, politically, mentally, spiritually—and relationally.  There is not an area of our world that has not been assaulted by this microbial menace. Satan must be laughing with glee. 

Particularly, focus on how it has isolated us from God’s good intention of human interaction. We were created for relationships, and perhaps the worst part of this scourge has been how it has brought us to hiding behind a mask and “socially distancing” from each other.  The devil is a divider, and he has a tiny tool doing an immense work—global in scope.

God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”  Yet, we are surrendering to the bad of being alone. Family are in nursing homes and hospitals and we cannot visit them. They die apart from the touch of a loving hand and presence of their kin. Funerals are small gatherings at best, and where we once fell into each other’s arms and wept, mingling our tears as we memorialized those taken from us, now we are terrorized at the thought of getting too close with too many people.

The Lord has sent His church to reach people, but who wants a stranger coming to your door?

God has designed the church to be a place where we drop our masks, embrace one another, fellowship together, encourage each other, sing with enthusiasm and live by faith, yet we are increasingly divided in any number of ways.

Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. This novel coronavirus is not a joke. It is real, and is a threat to our health, and for some it will be deadly. If you are immune compromised or are elderly with underlying health issues, a mask may help and you may want to be cautious in a crowd. Those who are healthy, yet work with those who are not, might want to take extra measures so as not to contract the disease and spread it. 

Please, do not judge your neighbor, but consider them and support their decision. 

I am one of those who has those issues—older with auto-immune disease.  I must live with the daily possibility and so I wash my hands, am careful about hand-shaking, and so forth. Yet, there is something more deadly—a malignant cancer of the soul—being alone. God said that it is not good and He has not changed His mind about it. 

Without becoming overtly political, there is a move afoot to impose tyrannical lockdowns, where churches are restricted (but not casinos and strip clubs), where families are forbidden to gather for holiday celebrations, and all in the name of public health. Government says, “Let us control you and we will take care of you.”  Where is a modern day Patrick Henry to cry out, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

We are sacrificing liberty for imagined security. Maybe we will add a few more years to our life, but we are subtracting life from our years!  Is taking a deep breath of crisp, cool mountain air worth the risk?  Is the compassionate embrace of a loved one something we dare avoid?

The reality is—we are dying. It is life’s great inevitability. While we are forbidden in Scripture of putting God to the test, one cannot eliminate all risk from life and have any kind of life worth having. Use prudent precautions, but in the end set aside fear and embrace faith. Our days are numbered by a Sovereign God who will take us at His decreed time.  If you are ready to meet God, then eternity is a glorious destination.   Paul said, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil.1:21). 

Will we die of loneliness?  It is so subtle, so insidious, so gradual, like erosion eating away at the foundation of a house, little by little, until the structure collapses one day. Our family life, our churches, a civil society are eroding by the day. Will we inevitably collapse in anarchy, civil war, totalitarian take over or some combination of it all?

It is not good to be alone.

COMING AND GOING

 

It is bittersweet to consider this September 13th is my last Homecoming Day as Senior Pastor at Pole Creek.  When I came on staff as Minister of Education in June of 1995, I would never have imagined that first Homecoming would be followed by a quarter of century of ministry here.  Something else beyond my expectations was that a little kid named Adam Black would grow up in this ministry and answer the call to preach.  Adam is now the pastor of Westwood Baptist Church.  We are excited to have him bring the message on this Homecoming.  Adam’s family will be with him—wife Tabitha and two children, Nori and Lilly—along with Mom, Susie, and Dad, Kim.  Kim will belting out some great old Gospel music, as only he can. 

Things will be different.  We will start at 10 AM.  We plan to be outside.  There will not be the usual gut-stuffing that traditionally follows.  Coronavirus has changed many things.  The important things have not changed, however.  God hasn’t changed. Jesus is still the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The same Spirit that filled the church at Pentecost is with us today.  The Word of God hasn’t changed.  The Gospel hasn’t changed.  Man’s problem of sin and God’s provision of salvation has not changed.  Let us pray that we will be changed by these unchanging realities—changed for good.  Don’t forget, God willing, that if you need a former pastor to return and preach Homecoming in the future, that I would delight in the invite—especially if fried chicken and banana pudding are involved!

Invite some friends and former members to return.  Remind them to bring a lawn chair.  It’s going to be great!