The Message Of II Timothy
“Fight, Finish and Guard!” • 6.9.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #24
Intro.
- It’s assumed by most scholars that I Timothy and Titus were written during Paul’s relative freedom. Between that time and the writing of II Timothy, it’s believed that he was re-arrested.
- This time he was to face the Roman Emperor Nero. It was under Nero’s rule that a great fire broke out in Rome. Several historians blamed Nero, who turned and blamed the fire on Christians.
- Soon, according to one historian, the setting of the fire became a smokescreen for an agenda against those of the faith.
˚ “Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.”
- This was the political climate and Paul knew that this time, God was calling him home.
• II Timothy 4:6 : “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
- The word here used for “poured” is figuratively employed for someone whose blood is violently spilt for a cause, in this case, Christianity. Paul was about to become a martyr for the faith.
- He uses the word “departure,” which is again a metaphor for loosing up the moorings and preparing to get out to sea. Paul knew that death was simply another part of his journey.
- Paul is comfortable at the sight of death because of the life that he lived. He does not shudder or flinch. How he lived and yes, how we should live is represented in this next verse.
• II Timothy 4:7 : “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
- A simple message with three verbs. Easy to recite. Simple to acquiesce to in our minds, but difficult to live. I assert to you that if you are going to say these words at the end of your life, you must begin to learn to live them and say them at the end of every day!
Text
- Some may believe or perhaps you have been taught, that the Christian life is one of ease, resulting in continuous harmony and excitement for life. Paul would disagree.
- When Paul wants to be accurate about the nature of the struggle, he chooses one of his favorite words: He has agonized.
- This word brings us into the sports arena, something that Paul often does in his letters.
- When Timothy read this, he saw in his mind an athlete competing in the games, expending all of his energy for the sake of a victory.
- The metaphor is of course related not to a physical struggle, but mostly the spiritual struggle.
- Take a look at Ephesians 6. Seeking to define the type of war that we wage, Paul says this:
• Ephesians 6:12 : "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
- Spiritual warfare is a reality that cannot be ignored by the Christian. Paul had spent his entire career fighting against opponents that we will all recognize.
- Discouragement, opposition, fear, confusion were all companions along the way. Add to these things the physical problems that Paul had, which likely led to at least some depression.
- It's believed that Paul struggled with repeated bouts of malaria, which is hinted at in several places in his letters.
- Paul asks the Lord three times, a euphemism which expressed constant prayer, to remove the thorn in his flesh. God tells him that His grace will be sufficient for Paul, but he will not be healed.
- What will not be removed in our lives, must be fought through with our lives. Looking back on the passage in Ephesians, we understand that these are spiritual in nature. As such, we must fight spiritually.
- Turn with me to II Corinthians 10. Paul is coming to Corinth and is needing to confront the congregation. How will he do that?
• II Corinthians 10:4,5 : "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,"
- In commenting on this verse, David Guzik writes this about the enemies that Paul faced. See if these weapons are familiar to you.
˚ "Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation. Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success. Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words. Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power. Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority. Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs."
• II Timothy 4:7 : “…I have finished the race…” : Christianity attracts so many who begin with great fervor and emotion. They start out very promising, but do not all continue.
- They are the ones that Jesus speaks of in the parable of the sower, who received the seed with gladness, sprouted overnight, but failed under the scorching sun of trials.
- Paul was not a man in such a position. Paul finished. Literally, he fulfilled, completed, accomplished the race.
- Those are cherished words for men. Think about the last thing that you fulfilled or accomplished? That degree. That work out routine.
- Paul, at this final stage of his life, can say that He had finished his course. It's not important how you run today. It is important that you are running in order to finish.
- Turn with me to I Corinthians 9. This passage is very similar to what Paul says here.
• I Corinthians 9:24-27 : "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."
- Paul runs with certainty, competing, thinking about the end all the way through.
- Paul was the man that fought for the crown at the end. He was not just happy to be in the playoffs. He wanted the championship.
- Not all who run, run well. And not all finish. Think about Lot's wife, who was delivered from a doomed city but looked back and was turned into salt.
- We can think about Judas, who walked, talked and lived with Jesus Christ. For thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, he turned Jesus Christ in.
- Turn a few pages over to I Timothy 1. At the end of Paul's life, many had turned back.
• I Timothy 1:15 : "This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes."
- These were people that Paul invested in, whom he suffered for. However, even worse to Paul was a man that was much closer.
- There was also a man that had been a partner in the ministry. He is mentioned in Colossians and Philemon as a "fellow laborer." In 6 years, Demas went from a fellow laborer to a deserter.
• II Timothy 4:9,10 : "Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia."
- We must take it as a warning, that if we are to finish tomorrow, we must be committed to Christ alone today.
- I remember a time about 20 years ago in Lake Arrowhead. The occasion was a church leadership conference, the speaker, a former Pastor at our church.
- He got up and held up an old church directory. He noted that just a few years earlier, the names in that directory were present at a previous conference, but had now walked away.
- He broke down and began to cry, right in front of us all. He said, "They did not finish well."
- I pray that that would not be said of any one here.
• II Timothy 4:7 : “…I have kept the faith.” As usual, words in their original language have such a strong meaning that are always worth investigating. Ironically, the Spanish Bible gets the closest on the word "kept."
- The word "kept" means to preserve or to guard. The implication in the word is that it, the faith, is constantly under attack. Paul has been given the faith as a steward.
- God has turned it over to him and now he is protecting it from all sorts of evil, as if he had to deliver it back to the Lord.
- Turn with me back to I Timothy. This is a large part of Paul's message to Timothy.
• I Timothy 6:20,21 : "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge--by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen."
- Notice again in II Timothy 1.
• II Timothy 1:13,14 : "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."
- I hope that you are understanding, as I am, that walking with the Lord takes more than physical commitment. It's more than showing up and being accounted for.
- It's more than being the family man that you are supposed to be. It is guarding the faith in a society that is trained to disarm it.
- It's a mental commitment to continue to refresh our faith, to continue to build it, to insulate it, in order to guard it in our hearts.
- Today, it is happening as you sit and listen to the word taught. Your faith is being built up. If I do my job correctly, you should walk away encouraged.
- But the mistake is when men take their faith for granted. The mistake is when men put more stock in their past than in their present.
- For men it is true that we must keep fighting, we must keep growing. If we are not, we are prone to falling back. Turn with me to II Samuel 11.
- All of us know the story of King David and his sexual affair with Bath-Sheba. What is often forgotten is how the story began.
• II Samuel 11:1 : "It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem."
- It was time for war! It was time to fight! But David remained. He rested. He decided he had done enough for the time being.
- As a result, like you and I, David gave the enemy of his soul, a tactical advantage.
- This is how we must guard our faith: By practicing it! God has called us to be warriors, then let's go to war! God has called you to defend your mind, then do so by keeping it engaged.
- God has called you to defend your family, so be involved and bring your Bible as your sidearm! God has called you to serve Him, so do it joyfully, regularly and excellently!
Conclusion
- Friends, the Christian life is a fight to the finish. Starting is not the goal. Doing well is not the goal. Finishing is the goal.
- If that's the goal, guard with all vigilence the faith. Build it up. Be men that can say these things with a clear conscience.
“Fight, Finish and Guard!” • 6.9.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #24
Intro.
- It’s assumed by most scholars that I Timothy and Titus were written during Paul’s relative freedom. Between that time and the writing of II Timothy, it’s believed that he was re-arrested.
- This time he was to face the Roman Emperor Nero. It was under Nero’s rule that a great fire broke out in Rome. Several historians blamed Nero, who turned and blamed the fire on Christians.
- Soon, according to one historian, the setting of the fire became a smokescreen for an agenda against those of the faith.
˚ “Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.”
Tacitus
- This was the political climate and Paul knew that this time, God was calling him home.
• II Timothy 4:6 : “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
- The word here used for “poured” is figuratively employed for someone whose blood is violently spilt for a cause, in this case, Christianity. Paul was about to become a martyr for the faith.
- He uses the word “departure,” which is again a metaphor for loosing up the moorings and preparing to get out to sea. Paul knew that death was simply another part of his journey.
- Paul is comfortable at the sight of death because of the life that he lived. He does not shudder or flinch. How he lived and yes, how we should live is represented in this next verse.
• II Timothy 4:7 : “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
- A simple message with three verbs. Easy to recite. Simple to acquiesce to in our minds, but difficult to live. I assert to you that if you are going to say these words at the end of your life, you must begin to learn to live them and say them at the end of every day!
I. “I Have Fought”
II. “I Have Finished”
III. “I Have Kept”
II. “I Have Finished”
III. “I Have Kept”
Text
I. “I Have Fought”
• II Timothy 4:7 : “I have fought the good fight…” The Christian life is one of struggle, Paul reminds us.- Some may believe or perhaps you have been taught, that the Christian life is one of ease, resulting in continuous harmony and excitement for life. Paul would disagree.
- When Paul wants to be accurate about the nature of the struggle, he chooses one of his favorite words: He has agonized.
- This word brings us into the sports arena, something that Paul often does in his letters.
- When Timothy read this, he saw in his mind an athlete competing in the games, expending all of his energy for the sake of a victory.
- The metaphor is of course related not to a physical struggle, but mostly the spiritual struggle.
- Take a look at Ephesians 6. Seeking to define the type of war that we wage, Paul says this:
• Ephesians 6:12 : "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
- Spiritual warfare is a reality that cannot be ignored by the Christian. Paul had spent his entire career fighting against opponents that we will all recognize.
- Discouragement, opposition, fear, confusion were all companions along the way. Add to these things the physical problems that Paul had, which likely led to at least some depression.
- It's believed that Paul struggled with repeated bouts of malaria, which is hinted at in several places in his letters.
- Paul asks the Lord three times, a euphemism which expressed constant prayer, to remove the thorn in his flesh. God tells him that His grace will be sufficient for Paul, but he will not be healed.
- What will not be removed in our lives, must be fought through with our lives. Looking back on the passage in Ephesians, we understand that these are spiritual in nature. As such, we must fight spiritually.
- Turn with me to II Corinthians 10. Paul is coming to Corinth and is needing to confront the congregation. How will he do that?
• II Corinthians 10:4,5 : "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,"
- In commenting on this verse, David Guzik writes this about the enemies that Paul faced. See if these weapons are familiar to you.
˚ "Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation. Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success. Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words. Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power. Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority. Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs."
David Guzik
- When we are attacked with words, often we want to fight back with more words. It’s then that we need to pray. When we are accused of wrongdoing, it’s then that we need to run to the Lord.
- This is how we are to fight: Spiritually, calling on the Lord to work on our behalf.
-But please also notice that we are to fight a specific fight. Paul specifies that Timothy was to fight, “the good fight.”
- There are many fights to be had in this world. For example, we can fight politically and change our world temporarily. We can fight about religion and change people externally. We can fight injustice and poverty and change people materially.
- But that is not the whole fight! If we fight spiritually, seeking the spiritual well-being of a person by introducing him to Christ, we fight everything at once.
- All of a sudden, with a life transformed, committed to Christ, subservient to His will, there is a man who will see change for eternity!
- This is how we are to fight: Spiritually, calling on the Lord to work on our behalf.
-But please also notice that we are to fight a specific fight. Paul specifies that Timothy was to fight, “the good fight.”
- There are many fights to be had in this world. For example, we can fight politically and change our world temporarily. We can fight about religion and change people externally. We can fight injustice and poverty and change people materially.
- But that is not the whole fight! If we fight spiritually, seeking the spiritual well-being of a person by introducing him to Christ, we fight everything at once.
- All of a sudden, with a life transformed, committed to Christ, subservient to His will, there is a man who will see change for eternity!
II. “I Have Finished”
• II Timothy 4:7 : “…I have finished the race…” : Christianity attracts so many who begin with great fervor and emotion. They start out very promising, but do not all continue.
- They are the ones that Jesus speaks of in the parable of the sower, who received the seed with gladness, sprouted overnight, but failed under the scorching sun of trials.
- Paul was not a man in such a position. Paul finished. Literally, he fulfilled, completed, accomplished the race.
- Those are cherished words for men. Think about the last thing that you fulfilled or accomplished? That degree. That work out routine.
- Paul, at this final stage of his life, can say that He had finished his course. It's not important how you run today. It is important that you are running in order to finish.
- Turn with me to I Corinthians 9. This passage is very similar to what Paul says here.
• I Corinthians 9:24-27 : "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."
- Paul runs with certainty, competing, thinking about the end all the way through.
- Paul was the man that fought for the crown at the end. He was not just happy to be in the playoffs. He wanted the championship.
- Not all who run, run well. And not all finish. Think about Lot's wife, who was delivered from a doomed city but looked back and was turned into salt.
- We can think about Judas, who walked, talked and lived with Jesus Christ. For thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, he turned Jesus Christ in.
- Turn a few pages over to I Timothy 1. At the end of Paul's life, many had turned back.
• I Timothy 1:15 : "This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes."
- These were people that Paul invested in, whom he suffered for. However, even worse to Paul was a man that was much closer.
- There was also a man that had been a partner in the ministry. He is mentioned in Colossians and Philemon as a "fellow laborer." In 6 years, Demas went from a fellow laborer to a deserter.
• II Timothy 4:9,10 : "Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia."
- We must take it as a warning, that if we are to finish tomorrow, we must be committed to Christ alone today.
- I remember a time about 20 years ago in Lake Arrowhead. The occasion was a church leadership conference, the speaker, a former Pastor at our church.
- He got up and held up an old church directory. He noted that just a few years earlier, the names in that directory were present at a previous conference, but had now walked away.
- He broke down and began to cry, right in front of us all. He said, "They did not finish well."
- I pray that that would not be said of any one here.
III. “I Have Kept”
• II Timothy 4:7 : “…I have kept the faith.” As usual, words in their original language have such a strong meaning that are always worth investigating. Ironically, the Spanish Bible gets the closest on the word "kept."
- The word "kept" means to preserve or to guard. The implication in the word is that it, the faith, is constantly under attack. Paul has been given the faith as a steward.
- God has turned it over to him and now he is protecting it from all sorts of evil, as if he had to deliver it back to the Lord.
- Turn with me back to I Timothy. This is a large part of Paul's message to Timothy.
• I Timothy 6:20,21 : "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge--by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen."
- Notice again in II Timothy 1.
• II Timothy 1:13,14 : "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."
- I hope that you are understanding, as I am, that walking with the Lord takes more than physical commitment. It's more than showing up and being accounted for.
- It's more than being the family man that you are supposed to be. It is guarding the faith in a society that is trained to disarm it.
- It's a mental commitment to continue to refresh our faith, to continue to build it, to insulate it, in order to guard it in our hearts.
- Today, it is happening as you sit and listen to the word taught. Your faith is being built up. If I do my job correctly, you should walk away encouraged.
- But the mistake is when men take their faith for granted. The mistake is when men put more stock in their past than in their present.
- For men it is true that we must keep fighting, we must keep growing. If we are not, we are prone to falling back. Turn with me to II Samuel 11.
- All of us know the story of King David and his sexual affair with Bath-Sheba. What is often forgotten is how the story began.
• II Samuel 11:1 : "It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem."
- It was time for war! It was time to fight! But David remained. He rested. He decided he had done enough for the time being.
- As a result, like you and I, David gave the enemy of his soul, a tactical advantage.
- This is how we must guard our faith: By practicing it! God has called us to be warriors, then let's go to war! God has called you to defend your mind, then do so by keeping it engaged.
- God has called you to defend your family, so be involved and bring your Bible as your sidearm! God has called you to serve Him, so do it joyfully, regularly and excellently!
Conclusion
- Friends, the Christian life is a fight to the finish. Starting is not the goal. Doing well is not the goal. Finishing is the goal.
- If that's the goal, guard with all vigilence the faith. Build it up. Be men that can say these things with a clear conscience.
1 comment:
1 Paul said that he had fought the good fight. In your mind, as we have studied Paul's life, what are the keys to Paul's success in this? On a personal level, what will be the keys to your success? What is the greatest threat to you in fighting the good fight?
2 Paul said that he finished the race. In your experience, what is the greatest threat that you have observed in men's lives that has kept them from finishing the race?
3 Paul said that he had kept, literally "guarded" the faith. In what ways have you been guilty of letting your guard down? On the flip side, what do you need to begin to practice that might help you in guarding the faith that has been given to you?
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