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"Ministry
That Matters" • 7.24.16 • Calvary
Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- Timothy is living between personal freedom
and Christian faithfulness. The Roman government is no longer tolerant of Christian
theology.
- The Apostles Peter and Paul have both been
arrested and both will surrender their lives for their practice of the faith.
- Paul's purpose in writing this second letter
is bound up in his encouragement to Timothy to face his day with the full
exercise of his ministry.
- When the heat of persecution rose, what did
ministry look like? Were there bells and whistles and cute calls to be relevant
to the culture?
- Let's have a look as we examine these final
verses of chapter 1
Text
• 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." : This marks Paul's third command to Timothy in this chapter.
- Timothy was to "stir up" the gift
in verse 6 and choose not to
"be ashamed" of the testimony of our Lord, the gospel, in verse 8.
- Here, he commands Timothy to "hold fast
the pattern of sound words." Each of these commands necessitates
maintaining a posture that would make Timothy a target!
- "Take possession." There is a
forcefulness to the word, which reveals the need to be aggressive, rather than
passive in his administration. This was to be a matter of concentrated effort.
- Timothy to adhere himself to the pattern of
sound words. That tells us something. It's natural for us to let go or to hold
onto these things loosely.
- There is temptation and Timothy is avoid it
by committing himself to the example, the pattern that had been set for him. The
"pattern" refers to a sketch or an outline that Timothy had received.
- One commentator mentioned that the word could
be used to describe architechtural designs. "Timothy, commit yourself to
the singular blueprint outline of clean, healthy, hygienic words!"
- These are the words, the teachings that
Timothy had learned from Paul's own lips! This is the doctrine that we find in
the scripture, pertaining to how a Christian is to live their life!
- If you want to live according to God's will,
have a spiritually healthy heart, have a clean life, then study and obey the
word of God! That is the whole recipe! Notice what Paul doesn't say,
- "Hold fast to the pattern of sound words
AND to a few other spiritually enlightening works!" There is not a need
for anything more! We have it all in the Bible!
- This isn't to say that we aren't willing to
read or open ourselves to other sources of inspiration. However, those sources
are to be critiqued and weighed out in light of God's Word.
- It remains a telling issue that much of the
church today is looking for anything but the wholesome words of scripture.
Consider that against what Paul is saying here.
- Holding to these words, taking God at His
Word and acting accordingly, will mean that you forfeit your life. He is clear
in saying, "Timothy, don't let go. Hold them until you die!"
- Timothy wasn't simply to believe these words.
He was to demonstrate the faith and love that were in Christ Jesus for others
to observe!
- Show your faith. Don't hide it! Love Christ,
even if loving Christ means that you surrender your life for Him. This is that
good thing which was "committed" to them.
- This is the same word that Paul used in verse
12. It refers to a banking deposit.
- God had faithfully deposited the truth of His
word into Timothy's heart through Paul's ministry. Today, His Word through Paul
is being deposited into your hearts.
- These "sound words" are bringing
spiritual health to your spirits. Your minds are being renewed and your
thoughts are being captivated by these same ancient words!
- Timothy was to keep, guard or keep watch over
this deposit by the Holy Spirit. The NET uses the word "Protect." Protect
it by the Holy Spirit.
- I like the NASB and the HCSB on the end of verse
14, which both suggest that we "Guard, through the Holy Spirit." This
is an important concept for us to chew on together.
- This means that the Holy Spirit must be
active in our minds, as we process information and seemingly godly wisdom from
even well intentioned sources.
- I have to ask the Holy Spirit to help me
discern between what sounds good and what actually is good, as it pertains to
my instruction in the Word.
- "Make Your Word, Your commands, clear to
me Lord! Let me know when it's You." Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is not a
visitor in your heart. He dwells in you!
- The Holy Spirit makes His home in the
Christian's heart and mind. He settles into your spirit and guides you,
correcting, instructing and moving you toward that which the Father desires for
you!
- All of this begs the question: Why does Paul
have to concern himself with Timothy's faith exercise? Listen to Paul run down
the current events of his day. Verse 15.
• II
Timothy 1:15 : "This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me,
among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes." : A
free translation of verse 15 might
be, "Timothy, you are seeing first hand what's been going on!"
- All the believers in Asia, the modern day
region of Turkey, home of the church of Ephesus where he had Pastored, had
turned away from him. We'll find it wasn't all, but it was the majority.
- When the pressure was turned up, when trouble
hit the Apostles, the sheep went running!
- Perhaps you have experienced it yourself.
When things are good, your friends are plentiful. When things go bad, there
isn't a friend to be found. Nobody would stand with him.
- Paul knows, and we as believers know, that the
Lord never leaves or forsakes us. While this is true, everyone can relate to what
it feels like to be deserted.
- Paul specifically names two of the defectors,
as if to say, "even these guys!"
- Phygellus, whose name ironically means
"escape" and Hermogenes, were certainly personal friends but were
more than likely leadership personnel.
- Beside this mention in scripture, we know
nothing else of them. Be clear about the fact that Paul doesn't say that they
had abandoned the faith. They had abandoned him.
- What a sad testimony to have! Phygellus and Hermogenes
are not the only ones but their legacy is synonymous with desertion and a lack
of faithfulness toward their friend!
- I pray that our names are never synonymous
with such a breach in friendship.
- Paul had expected more from them and they had
not met those expectations. Thankfully, there was another man that Paul was
incredibly grateful for. Verse 16.
• II
Timothy 1:16,17 : "The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he
often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he
sought me out very zealously and found me." : In
light of all the faithlessness of Phygellus and Hermogenes, Onesiphorus stands
out much more brightly!
- His name sort of says it all: "Bringing
Profit!" He was a profit bearer! He didn't bring Paul anything monetarily,
but he was a spiritual tycoon to Paul!
- Paul asks God to grant mercy to the household
of Onesiphorus. The NLT translates this, "May the Lord show special kindness."
- Paul has no way to repay Onesiphorus, but he
can call upon God to do it on his behalf!
- Paul prays that the mercy of God would extend
to his family. Some have suggested that Onesiphorus had died while serving
Paul.
- His prayer may signal that, though the
language here and again in 4:19 lacks
any words of consolation, which would especially be appropriate as he sends his
personal greeting to them.
- It's more likely that Onesiphorus served Paul
as the representative of his own household. His family served Paul through
Onesiphorus!
- They might have gathered supplies and
encouraged Onesiphorus to bring aid to Paul. In a sense, they would have
released Onesiphorus to the task, which would require a great deal of faith.
- We'll see that his coming was not a simple or
benign task. There was great personal risk involved. Paul may intend their blessing
because they assessed that risk and sent him anyway!
- Paul's blessing of them reminds me of David's
decree to his men after they had reclaimed all of their possessions from the
Amalekites. Some of the group couldn't go on because of exhaustion.
- David's tired crew waited at the Brook Besor,
while the rest of the men went ahead to the Amalekite rout. A few of David's
more unsavory fellows suggested that they not share in the spoil.
- After all, they hadn't gone to the battle
themselves. David didn't bat an eye when he decreed that the ones who stayed
with the stuff would share equally in the spoil! (I Samuel 30:24,25)
- If this were the case, Onesiphorus' family
received a blessing from the Lord, even though they had stayed behind with the
stuff!
- There are blessings for those that go and for
those that send! The point is that anyone can be involved. The family had
blessed Paul and Onesiphorus was the physical representative.
- He is an amazing example to us. What made his
ministry so touching to Paul? Did he do something extraordinary? I don't think
so.
- Let's see what is presented to us in order.
First, make note of the word "often."
- Onesiphorus was committed to his task,
repeatedly providing service to the Apostle. He was committed and persistent in
his ministry to Paul. "He often refreshed me."
- This is something to really grab onto. When a
person is suffering, it's a blessing to them to know that they aren't
forgotten.
- If the Lord's puts a person on your heart to
minister to, be there as often as you can and as often as they will have you!
- Obviously, there are times when people simply
need their space and want to be alone. However, they should know that they
don't have to be if they don't want to be!
- He was persistent and his ministry was one of
simplicity. "He often refreshed me." The Greek word is constructed of
being in the midst or present with a cool breeze!
- Onesiphorus was like a cool breeze on a hot
day for Paul. He was a breath of fresh air to the Apostle! What did he do? I'm
convinced that he just came and talked with Paul.
- He was somebody who cared when others had not
had the guts to do the same!
- Onesiphorus didn't care about the
circumstance Paul was in! He wasn't ashamed of Paul and I imagine that alone
was worth it's weight in gold!
- Had he been ashamed, he would not have found
him. He had to work hard to find Paul. He was repeatedly seeking him out with
all diligence.
- He came from Rome, likely originating from
Ephesus, and whatever red tape he had to endure, he did so, not only at a
personal level of frustration, but in a dangerous pursuit.
- He was trying to see a man that was on death
row for seditious activity against the government! Paul was a certified enemy
of the state! "That's the friend that you want to see!?"
- The sense of the phrase is that he sought out
Paul and kept seeking him until he found him! He wouldn't quit! Can you imagine
Paul's heart as he recounted this to Timothy?
- What an amazing encouragement that
Onesiphorus was! One truly committed and thankful disciple could almost make
you forget the two who had quit on him!
- Never underestimate your simple faithfulness
to bring encouragement to others!
• II
Timothy 1:18 : "The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in
that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at
Ephesus." : Paul prayed that Onesiphorus would
be given mercy on the Day that he appeared before God! This is Paul asking God
to credit it to his account. "Lord, remember him for this!"
- Often times, we are quick to ask the Lord to
remember when someone has wronged us and we have little hesitation in praying
for their payback.
- How much more should we pray blessings upon
those that have been God's emissaries to us in times of need? Paul wanted
Onesiphorus to have every blessing from God for what he did!
- When would he receive this? On that Day! We
talked about the "Day" last week, but this may give us a clue as to
what sort of activities yield spiritual rewards on that day.
- Onesiphorus had simply shown a consistent
kindness toward Paul in his darkest hours. Paul wanted to see that added to the
treasure that he received from the Bema seat!
- This isn't a foreign idea. I believe that
Paul may even be thinking about the Lord's words in Matthew 25, a chapter which speaks very clearly to the assessment
of the Kingdom's values.
- Turn over to Matthew 25:31. I had mentioned last week that God would separate
the wicked from the righteous in judgment. Listen to this teaching from the
lips of Jesus Himself.
•
Matthew 25:31-40 : " When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne
of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him,
and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep
from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand,
but the goats on the left. Then the
King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was
thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I
was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see
You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and
take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say
to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least
of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’" :
Paul could see Onesiphorus being rewarded because he did what he did for Paul
unto Jesus Christ! What a simple and powerful lesson!
-
Someday, we'll be hearing the name of Onesiphorus being called and we'll
celebrate that God saw fit to give him a generous reward.
-
Even better, there will be people we've never heard of who will have greater
reward than those with a name that we have known!
-
There will be people who went at the risk of their own lives because that is
what their Lord required of them. There will be those who prayed for those that
were sent that will be there as well.
-
The point is that God knows how to reward and He knows who He will reward!
-
Every reward will be based upon that person's response to their Lord! When God
is the Lord of your service, there isn't a small job! Do what you do with all
your might for Him!
-
On a final note, see that Onesiphorus was not merely a newly minted servant.
This had been his pattern ever since Paul was in Ephesus.
-
He had actually served Paul in many ways back when Paul was serving in Ephesus!
Coming to Rome may been his most difficult assignment, but it hadn't been his
first!
-
Why do you think Paul mentions this? I can't say for sure, but here's what I
know: You will never travel to Rome unless you have first served in Ephesus!
-
Don't think that you will one day do something magnificent for the Lord if you
are not in the practice of doing the mundane for Him now! Onesiphorus was a
practiced servant!
-
This had been a way of life for him. When the need arose, it seems that it was
natural for him to seek to fill it!
- Now, recall that Paul has already said that
he desired to see Timothy in verse 4.
He distinctly asks him to come to him in 4:9,
with supplies, 4:13 and before
winter, 4:21.
- He had given Timothy two examples. He could
be one or the other. Would he be the next Phygellus and Hermogenes or the next
Onesiphorus!
- The first crew broke Paul's heart.
Onesiphorus, in spite of the danger and cost to himself, came to Paul and
refreshed his heart. Timothy could do the same!
Conclusion
- Let's pray!
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