2Tim 1:8-14
Shame & Suffering
Our text is 2 Tim 1:8-14. It is a very
personal section of a personal letter. Its main relevancy is to teach us how to
pray for the leaders given to us by God and to be aware of what they may be
allowed to go through, by the grace of God--so that they and the churches might
learn important lessons of the Christian life.
I am not going
to go through all of this material word-by-word, but by observations. There are
a number of them that are worth addressing because of their relevance for
modern hearers of the Word.
There is a
temptation to think of Paul as being aware of greater suffering than
experiences of God's glory. I like to think of is as the Apostle having become
more realistic about life and the ministry after his experiences in many places
and diverse people. Not everyone who professed to believe in Jesus, really did.
They wanted the blessings without counting the cost of following the Lord
according to all that Jesus revealed. As false believer, they did a lot of harm,
humanly speaking, to Paul and to the gospel in many places. Is has to be admitted that this is true today
as is has throughout this final age.
Throughout the
years we rejoice when someone professes faith in the Lord Jesus and then really
perseveres--we see them change before our eyes--it is a glorious thing to
witness. But then, there are the others who link themselves to believes without
the perseverance to show they are men and women of true faith.
At the end of
his life, and this book is a bit of Paul's swansong, he is preparing Timothy to
take over parts of his ministry to common friends and beloved churches. Behind
this letter is Paul's love and concern for Timothy and the churches made up of
people that will be touched by the ministry.
Let's read the
text for today:
2 Tim 1:8-14
2 Tim 1:8-14 8 Therefore do not be ashamed
of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner,
but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who
saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our
works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ
Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now
has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ
Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a
preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as
I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am
convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted
to me.
13 Follow the pattern of the
sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that
are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit.
Let's
look at some observations from the text:
2 Tim 1:8-14 8 Therefore do not be ashamed
of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner,
1. There is always a temptation to be ashamed of true ministry
either your own or that of others.
There are plenty of times I have been ashamed of people or practises
that parade themselves as genuine Christianity. My personal prestige among
unbelievers has suffered because of goofy things other leaders in the church,
even within Evangelicalism, have said or done. There is a lot of silliness that
has been used to attract people to meetings--people barking like dogs or making
other animal noises. When people grew tired of speaking in tongues, they moved
on to speaking like animals. That is what happened. Is started a little over 20
years ago among what's called, The Toronto Blessing and it's many offspring. Is
may sound silly to you. But, I have met people who think it is the greatest
Christian experience they have ever had. Some, I went to seminary with went to
Gainesville, FL to experience what was going on. There was a man who was a
possible elder for us who experienced these things in his own prayer life. Due
to the extra-biblical and revelatory use of these pseudo-gifts, he was not
asked to return to preach any further. It was nothing we would have discerned
by our contact with him, but an important part of how he viewed the Christian
life. During lunch one day, he wanted to lay hands on me in order to pray that
I would receive the gift. I am glad
nobody heard our conversation.
There have been other times when I have been involved in
theological discussions only to be asked about them by someone who heard--there
was nothing shameful about it. Is happened once on a train in Ireland. Matthew
started asking Larry Vincent and I questions about the gospel. I did not know
why. But, Matthew did. There was an old priest sitting near him. It was
Matthew's way of witnessing to him without really witnessing to him. The old
man finally asked Matthew a question. A wonderful discussion about the gospel
ensued. It was a privilege to be a part of is even unknowingly at first.
When the truth is at stake, there should be no shame about
believing, living or proclaiming the life-saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. By gospel, I mean the good news that Jesus has made salvation possible
if humans only believe. They will only believe when God is at work in them by
the Holy Spirit. That is how this section ends--14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit.
2. There are times ministers of various
capacities are called to suffer for the gospel. Paul, writes "but share in suffering
for the gospel by the power of God,"
We did not know how that man on the train would react. I have
had people get vehemently upset by presenting the gospel to them. This is
especially true with people who think they have all of life figured out. Out of
love for them se seek to find an opening to have conversations about the good
news of God's salvation in found only by faith in Christ Jesus. People are
sometimes provoked to anger, a friend may depart because of another's newfound
faith, spouses may see the other as being a different person and their
interaction might change, a boss may not like that someone has been
converted--they can no longer count on them to shade the truth in covering up, Any
and all, if not most relationships can or should change bringing various
degrees of suffering into the believers life.
When testifying about the Lord, we need not be ashamed, nor even
tempted to that end, we should expect is and rejoice that God has considered us
worthy to be treated like the godly prophets of old.
Listen to these beatitudes, some of the
pointed motivational instruction given by Jesus to the Twelve right after them
made the final cut and were about to be send out to preach the gospel:
Matt 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute
you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.
The Parable of the Sower
teaches us, among other important truths, that sometimes, the seed seems to
take root only to be swallowed up by the thorns of the world.
Is sometimes takes discernment to distinguish true and false
believers. Is has been reported that one of the presidential candidates, who
has been courting the Evangelical vote in Iowa, and had been carrying a Bible
around with him, was asked if he knew the Lord's pray. His response, if is were
a joke would be funny, but is has been reported as his response--Now I lay me
down to sleep, I pray thee Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake,
I ask thee Lord my soul to take." The reported is said to have replied,
" I didn't think he would know the whole thing." If true, such is the
state of popular Evangelicalism in our country. And, if the Lord's pray how
shameful is the state of the content of the good news? I have heard bizarre
presentations of the false gospel spoken to me by well-meaning students who
know not my background.
Of their words, I was ashamed--is only brings scorn on the true
gospel. But, when the gospel that shows forth the good news of God's grace
bring salvation has appeared to all kinds, is spoken, I am glad and do what I
can to promote and protect the truth.
That is what I am called to do as a teacher and a preacher, but
I could show you where we are all called to give a reason for the hope within
us--you, see, that hope should be evident--if is is, there is no reason for
shame. It is only when we might be exposed as a hypocrite that we have need to
fear what others will think of us--and that is only because it may be
true.
That brings us to our calling as believers and some who have an
additional calling to work for God in Christ: remember:
9 who saved us
and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but
because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ
Jesus before the ages began,
Observation 3: This Gospel enterprise is not a haphazard
experience that comes and goes. Is started in eternity past for the good of all
who would believe.
It is an awesome thought that ought to make us stop and consider
the weightiness of the gospel enterprise in this age that was purposed before
the world was made--that is how long God has loved the People he purposed to
give to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an eternal love story that brought
salvation from heaven down to the earth. And, my ordination along with your
salvation and sanctification was a part of is. And, God assures is will all
come to pass, in his timing. He will use everything to conform us into the
image of his own dear Son.
Such glorious thought in this personal letter sent to someone
else. No wonder is has been preserved and read to the churches for 2,000 years.
The text continues:
10 and which now
has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ
Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a
preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as
I do.
This is why Paul could write in Chapter 3, Verse 12 Yes,
and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Is this
your experience from any direction? From any source? It ought to be our
experience to some degree or another if we live in the way that Godly is
defined--it is to live in a way that shows forth the character of God in mere
humans who are only made in His image.
We already read is once, but it is worth being reminded of
the simplicity of Jesus's words. He said is much better than I ever could--10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute
you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.
The special blessing of God accompanies our suffering for his
cause.
Matt 6:33 tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and his
righteousness… It is the first and primary thing that ought to define us all.
Is should be at the top of our list--whether you are a minister or an ordinary
disciple. Seeking the influence of God upon us and his standard of
righteousness is the main thing we should be about as we seek to glorify God in
all that we do--even the most mudane of tasks.
People ask, "What is God's will for me?" We can teach
them those two general and all-encompassing points as the great starting point
for the Christian life. Then go on to some specifics that tell us what the will
of God is. And then on to the more implied commands. In all these things, God
gives us the power we need to live for him in accord with his Word by the Holy
Spirit. He does is for his glory and by his grace for us as he works in us and
through us. To you regularly experience these graces?
Paul, considering all of his contrary experiences for Jesus and
the gospel can cpnfess:
But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed,
and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been
entrusted to me.
This is where the great hymn, I know who I have believed"
comes from." It is a wonderful gospel song to commit to memory and remind
yourself of--sing is to yourself often.
"For I know whom I have believed
And am persuaded, that He is able,
To keep that which I've committed
Unto him against that day.
Back to some personal instruction. Timothy, like all who seek to
minister God's grace to his people, even though they will probably suffer for
the gospel at some point:
13 Follow the pattern of the
sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that
are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit.
The
Spirit taught Paul while he was in Arabia after his conversion. Paul collected
workers like Epaphrus and Timothy. Timothy was to teach others who would be
able to teach others. All of these men were obligated by calling to follow the
pattern of the truth, follow the path that has been set out before you. Teach
those things that promote faith and love in Christ Jesus by virtue of the Holy
Spirit who works in a special way in those called and commissioned into the
holy army of Christian ministry. Pray the Lord will strengthen those who we know
and send others to help where needed. Amen.
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