God’s Priorities 2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:6
Edmund Burke, an eighteenth century writer and thinker, said,
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
How true this is of Christian people. Our inaction has opened the doors for so much wrong. John Wesley, the eighteenth century preacher was concerned about his own life. He wrote in his diaries that he used to pray,
“Lord, cure me of my intermittent piety (occasional holiness) and make me thoroughly Christian.”
What does it mean to be ‘thoroughly Christian’ today? What is a successful Christian?
Imagine an old man with failing health who is very poor. He is separated from his family. He doesn’t even have a coat to wear. He changed his career in mid life and now has no benefits. The new organisation he joined has its ups and downs. Now he is in prison on capital charges. It very much appears that his life expectancy is very short. Is he successful?
When Paul wrote to Timothy, a young Church leader in the first century AD, he encouraged him not to be intermittently pious but to continually ‘fulfil his ministry’ – to be a model Christian. If you look up the word model in a dictionary you will see that it can either mean “an ideal example” or “a small imitation of the real thing”. In Paul’s day, in Wesley’s day and in our day, too many settle to be a “small imitation of the real thing” rather than determining to be “an ideal example”.
In this article we shall be looking at being “thoroughly Christian” or “an ideal example” should mean for Timothy and then apply this to ourselves.
Timothy’s World
Paul foresees what the world would be like in the ‘last days’. This is an official term and refers to all the years between Jesus’ ascension into heaven and his second coming – from 29 AD when the Acts of the Apostles began till the end of time. It does not mean just the short time immediately before Jesus returns in glory.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Paul foresees that society and even the church will descend into frank selfishness. People will neither be lovers of good nor lovers of God. Instead they will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive. There will be little love for other people. We can surely see many of these characteristics in our society today.
Even more startling is the final phrase in this paragraph – “. . . having a form of godliness”. Many would still keep up with religious activities even though they would not be followers of the one true God. They will follow worldly religions that focus on pleasing themselves and which do not result in the key features of godliness, which is god-likeness or Christ-likeness.
We may expect this in non Christian faiths but today many so-called Christian groups have lost their focus. It is not difficult to pack a church if you offer what people want, with popular music and self-affirming sermons. Willow Creek has been one of the most successful churches at drawing outsiders in and they are to be applauded for many of their initiatives. But it has been this very desire to be successful that has sometimes restricted what they teach. Recently Bill Hybels, their minister, has apologised for this,
"We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have ... taught people, how to read their Bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."
This is clearly a step in the right direction. There is however a distinction between knowing the Word of God and living by its teaching. In many Bible teaching churches there is still much godlessness. One example is the immorality in many Bible believing churches, The evangelical magazine, ‘Christianity Today’ tends to be read by college educated church leaders. They surveyed one thousand subscribers and asked anonymously about their personal lives. Twenty three per cent said they had had extra-marital sex and forty five percent said they had been involved in something ‘sexually inappropriate’. We in our churches do have a major problem with godlessness!
Today many Christians misunderstand the word ‘believe’. It comes from old English word ‘leiben’ which is till found in German. It means ‘to love’. When the Bible talks about ‘believe’, it does not mean ‘to accept an idea or doctrine’. It is a personal word, it means to be committed to a person, to love somebody. No-one is saved by accepting christian doctrines or even going through baptism or confirmation, if they are not committed to following Jesus, God who entered this world in the flesh.
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy when he was suffering in prison. He was shortly to be executed. He was lonely, cold and bored. Towards the end of his letter he asked Timothy to bring his cloak and reading material (2 Timothy 4:13). Whilst Paul languishes in prison because of his work for the Lord Jesus the young church is becoming increasingly worldly.
What is striking however is Paul’s deepest concern. The thought of his imminent execution is not a major feature in this letter. It is thought that, shortly after writing this letter, he was beheaded on the Ostian way just outside Rome but in this letter he appears to be well adjusted to this idea. Nor are his physical problems stressed. It was still his ministry for Christ that mattered most to Paul. He writes,
“Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11
Gospel ministry is what mattered above everything else to Paul, just as it was the overwhelming priority of the Lord Jesus himself. In this letter Paul comments about the many people in the early church who had deserted him, saying,
“ . . everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me.” 2 Timothy 1:15
“. . at my trial everyone deserted me.” 2 Timothy 4:16
In spite of this feeling of rejection Paul presses on with his gospel ministry,
“. . that through me the gospel might be fully proclaimed.” 2 Timothy 4:16
It is clear that Paul’s prime concern was not that they were deserting him as an individual, but that they were deserting the apostolic teaching and lifestyle that had been ordained by the Lord Jesus himself. They wanted the easy life. They were happy to do little in spite of what the Lord Jesus himself had taught,
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
What Paul foresaw would happening in his day,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3
This is just as true today. Modern Church leaders are deserting Paul and apostolic teaching in their droves. They may deny this but look at what they teach. Are people being warned about the coming judgement of our godlessness? Are people warned that they will live for eternity in either heaven or hell? Are people being told that there is only one person who can save them – Jesus Christ? Is it clearly explained that only the true followers of Jesus Christ will be saved?
A selection board of the Church of England was interviewing people to decide their suitability for appointment as Lay Readers. The twelve candidates were each asked,
“Do you think Jesus is the best way to God or the only way to God?”
Each candidate replied that they thought Jesus to be the best way. Clearly they thought there might be other routes to God in spite of what the Bible teaches.
In many ways modern churches are also abandoning Paul.
Be faithful by following Paul’s Example
The world Paul lived in was losing its way and God’s church, which was meant to be a light for that world, was also getting lost. So Paul informs Timothy of what needs to be done by reminding him of the apostolic example he had set.
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” 2 Timothy 3:10-12
This list could be summarised under two headings,
Paul’s teaching
Paul’s way of life
Paul’s Teaching
Paul’s teaching was the same as that of Jesus and the other apostles. Like Jesus he emphasised the reality of the Kingdom of God and admission to it through repentance and faith in Jesus himself. This would result in a radically different lifestyle which focused on pleasing the Lord. This ‘gospel truth’ was built on and completed the teaching of the Old Testament. The Old and the New Covenants are consistent – their messages are very similar. Some people have thought that in Old Testament times people were saved by behaving well both religiously and socially areas – a works religion. In contrast it is felt that in the New Testament people are saved by faith in Jesus – a faith religion. However this is wrong. The whole Bible teaches the same gospel – the good news that selfish sinful people who turn to God asking for his mercy can receive it. He lovingly provides the remedy for their sin or rebellion. Man has always been saved by accepting the relationship God freely offers. They do this by turning to him in repentance. As a response God’s people then live for the God who has saved them. In the Old Testament this remedy for sin was the sacrifice of an animal. Clearly the death of an animal could not actually atone for peoples’ sin, it was a picture looking forwards to the great sacrifice that God himself was to provide, the sacrifice of his Son on the cross. It is no coincidence that John the Baptist introduced Jesus by saying,
“Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
Paul longed that everyone should understand the Bible’s message. His life’s business was therefore to teach the Word of God. He didn’t just teach it verbally however – he also lived it.
Paul’s Way of Life
Timothy is asked to remember how Paul’s own life had been purpose driven. Paul was determined that his life should be one that Jesus approved of. Like his master he also was passionate that people should understand and respond to the gospel. Timothy clearly knew of this determination. He knew that Paul was no hypocrite. Paul’s activities when he was previously under house arrest in Rome would be well known. Paul made sure that even his Roman guards understood the gospel. He had invited local Jewish leaders to meet him in his house and made sure that they understood the great news of salvation. Luke tells us how straight Paul was with these Jewish leaders.
“They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.” Acts 28:23-25
Knowing the Bible to be the very words of God (Romans 3:2), Paul’s preferred method of persuading others was to explain the Bible’s message. Clearly Paul was committed to living with heaven in view.
George Whitefield, a seventeenth century preacher who made a great impact on English and American society, used to pray,
“Oh that I might work for eternity, pray for eternity, and preach for eternity. I want only God.”
Inevitably such a committed life will inevitably provoke opposition and persecution. Paul reminds Timothy that this will be the result but still feels the investment is well worth making,
“In fact everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12
Jesus himself taught this.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. that is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:18-20
Why do many Christians not face persecution today? There are two possibilities,
1. They are not involved in the world, but live separate lives away from the world in their Christian ghettos.
2. They are so involved with the world that they have compromised and look little different.
Christians need to be in the world but certainly not like it! The problem is that evil, self-serving, money grabbing hypocrites do enter the church. Paul urges Timothy, as he urges us, not to be seduced by the world, not to have an outward religiosity, a form of godliness (3:5) that is weak and insipid, but to be faithful Christians, following his example.
Be faithful by basing your life on Scripture
Paul reminds Timothy that the basis of his teaching should also be to expound Scripture.
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
How we need to relearn this lesson today and ensure that Christian people know the Scriptures and pass on its message. Some may not like the message that they need God’s forgiveness and that it is only in Christ that forgiveness must be found. Christian leaders must make it their life’s work to read learn and meditate on God’s word so they can teach it effectively. John Stott wrote,
“Do we hope, either in our lives or in our teaching ministry, to overcome error and grow in truth, to overcome evil and grow in holiness, then it is to Scripture we must primarily turn, for Scripture is profitable for these things.”
This is so important. Scripture really is central to the Christian life. we all need to know it, study it, meditate on it, learn it and include it in our conversations. We must be careful never to divorce knowledge from what we do - God hates hypocrisy.
Be faithful in heading Christ’s Charge
Paul now gives an awesome challenge to Timothy, which begins with the words,
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge . . .” 2 Timothy 4:1
This command comes from God. What an important reminder this is. Our lives must reflect the fact that God is present with us all the time. It is a shallow person who lives largely to impress others in our society or even church. It is the Lord’s opinion of us that matters. God knows what our real motives are. He knows our prayer life, he knows if we have a passion to glorify Jesus. God cannot be fooled.
So, in the presence of the Lord who will be our judge, who will be returning to earth, Paul hands on the charge that he himself had been given,
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season . . .” 2 Timothy 4:2
The Greek word used here can also be translated ‘proclaim’. So this injunction is not restricted to giving sermons in church - proclamation can also mean one to one discussions or sharing in a home group. It includes any means where the gospel is taught. People must somehow hear the message of forgiveness through Christ and they must repent.
The New English Bible (NEB) translation of this passage is very clear,
“Proclaim the message, press it home on all occasions, convenient or inconvenient.”
This is urgent business. Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones was a medical doctor before he became one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century. One day he was due to preach in a church but was running late. The police flagged him down for speeding. He stopped but when the policeman approached he hurriedly declared,
“I am Dr Lloyd Jones. You mustn’t stop me. I’m in a hurry. It’s a matter of life and death!”
This message matters so much – an apparently good life is not good enough for God; people must be informed that there is no person in the world, other than Jesus, who can save us. We must convince them in the best way we can.
The NEB goes on,
“ . . . use argument, reproof and appeal, with all the patience that the work of teaching requires.”
All good teachers know that there are several ways to get the message across and what Paul is saying here is that we should use any of these three approaches as applicable. Use intellectual argument to help those with real doubts. Use reproof when it appears that moral problems are a hindrance. God willingly tweaks people’s consciences to draw them to himself as guilt is something he wants to help us with. Appeal to the emotions is just as valid. People do long for peace, security and purpose and the Lord Jesus does meet these needs. The use of all three together, argument, reproof and appeal is what Jesus did.
Paul gives three reasons why Christians must obey Christ in this. We have already seen in verse one that the greatest incentive should be the return of Jesus to be our judge. It is His eternal kingdom that really matters. Secondly, there are the needs of the church that should be taken into consideration.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5
There was a great need for good leaders who would teach the Bible, God’s word, faithfully. The desertion of some leaders from Paul and apostolic teaching was serious. There were many Demas’ around.
“Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.” 2 Timothy 4:10
The third argument is one that Paul has used before – the example of his own life. He is saying that his life on earth is nearly finished and the baton must be passed on to others who will continue the apostolic task. He affirms that he has lived as Christ wants and that he has nothing to fear at the coming judgement. He knows that the Lord Jesus himself will give him a crown, a crown of righteousness.
There can be no doubt why this letter was written. Paul is saying to Timothy and through him to us,
Don’t be timid about living for Jesus Christ
Live with Christ’s priorities
Be Godly by passing on my teaching and following my example.
George Whitfield, the eighteenth century English church leader once asked Thomas Betterton, the famous actor the following question,
“Why is it that the clergy speak of real things and affect people so little, and the actors, who speak of imaginary things, affect them so much?’
“My Lord, I can but assign one reason. We actors speak of things imaginary as though they are real, and too many of the clergy think of things real as though they are imaginary.”
So many evangelical churches retreat into becoming evangelical ghettos. Our only friends are church people. The passion to meet others so that we can share the gospel with the lost has so often atrophied. A patient came to see me who was churchwarden of her local village church. After the medical consultation I asked her how the church was going.
“It is not easy,” she replied, “We are getting older and fewer come now.”
“Please tell me, do people in the church talk about the Lord Jesus with others in the village?” I queried.
“Oh, good gracious no, we don’t even talk about him amongst ourselves.”
“If that is so then the church must die.” I couldn’t think of anything more helpful to say.
These Scriptures urge us to share the gospel with others. We must learn again to be hospitable (see 1 Timothy 3:12). Let us invite neighbours, work colleagues and family to our homes for meals or enjoy other activities together. Then it is much easier to say,
“Would you like to come with me to . . .” or
“Have you read this . . ?”
We are facing a desperate crisis in our churches. We were not called to believe in Jesus just in order to believe in him. We were called to be the light of the world just as Jesus is the light of the world. People need to know the message of salvation. Paul wrote about what drove him to get the message out -
“Christ’s love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Charlie Peace was being taken from his prison cell to his public execution by hanging on 4th July 1854. Crowds assembled to witness his death as he had been one of London’s most notorious criminals. As was the tradition, an Anglican clergyman accompanied him on his final journey. The clergyman read to him from the Prayer Book.
“Those who die without Christ experience hell, which is the pain of forever dying without the release which death itself can bring.”
When Charlie heard these horrific words, he turned round and shouted in the clergyman’s face,
“Do you believe that? Do you really believe that?”
His surprised victim stuttered and stammered,
“Well, I, I, I . . . suppose I do.”
“Well I don’t!” said Charlie, “but if I did, I would get down on my hands and knees and crawl all over Britain, even if it were paved with pieces of broken glass if I could rescue one person from what you have just told me.”
Be faithful for there is a great reward ahead
Jesus remained faithful for us, he has given all Christians his motivating and powerful Spirit. Paul remained faithful and was not seduced by the world, although tempted to be so.. Paul had fought the good fight, he had finished the race and he looked forward to the crown of righteousness that the Lord would award him. However, please note the last phrase of this paragraph,
“. . . and not to me only, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the words of verses 4:7-8 said about us as we reach the end of our lives. These were the last words I said to my mother, just before she died, except I changed the ‘I’ and ‘me’ to ‘You’.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Christian belief is nothing less than a love the Lord Jesus and to a commitment to follow what he teaches in his word, for all our life. May I ask you,
‘Have you made that commitment? Are you a true Christian?”
Was Paul successful? From the world’s perspective he had a wretched end but he has a glorious future. How did Timothy respond? Tradition has it that Timothy stayed on in Ephesus as its pastor. However in 97AD there was a public celebration, or orgy, in honour of the god Dionysius. Timothy went out and rebuked the crowd for their immoral frenzy.. The mob was enraged and attacked Timothy with clubs and stones until he died. Was Timothy successful in God’s eyes?
There is another later letter in the New Testament about the church at Ephesus. Doctrinally they remained true to Scripture, but in every day life they had deserted the Lord Jesus;
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come and remove your lamp stand from its place.” Revelation 2:4
Surely this message is for us. If we, in our western churches do not change direction and return to teaching and living by Scripture, as demonstrated by Jesus and Paul, then our churches will also die.
When Paul concludes this letter he makes it clear that though he had written to Timothy, he did intend that it should be read by a wider audience. He wrote,
“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” 2 Timothy 4:22
The ‘your spirit’ is in the singular in the original Greek and is a personal encouragement for Timothy. The ‘grace be with you’ is in the plural. This letter is for all Christians.
BVP
