“Challenges for the Church”
Imagine an airplane leaving from Los Angeles flying directly to Rome, Italy. The flight will take about 12 hours if the plane goes travels in a straight line.
But, if the nose of the airplane is pointed just 1 degree off course to the south, after 12 hours the plane will land somewhere in Tunisia, Africa! If there is a one-degree difference to the north the plane might land in Slovenia or Austria!
In order for God’s people need to be protected, we need to be precise!
4 Challenges:
I. Hold Tight to the Truth
II. Protect the Gospel
III. Never Turn Away
IV. Seek to Encourage Others
I. Hold Tight to the Truth
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Hold fast, hold tight to the truth, Timothy!
Hold fast, hold tight to the truth, Church! This is a word specifically to pastors but at the same time it’s applicable to all of God’s people.
The world will try to rip it out of your hands, your head, and you heart…but don’t let them.
Don’t just have a nice grip, have a vise grip! Paul says, “Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me…”
This is God’s revelation, and this is God’s interpretation.
Never let it go!
I thought it was interesting, that the Greek word translated “pattern,” is the root of our English word, hygiene.
This is a verse about Spiritual hygiene.
So, Paul charges Timothy to keep the doctrine germ free, to keep it clean and untainted, so that the church remains holy and healthy.
Sound doctrine will protect the church from debilitating and even deadly disease.
This is s important – it’s critical, which is why we read this type of exhortation frequently in the Bible.
Paul wrote something similar in Titus 1:9 (NKJV) {a pastor is to be} holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
*2 Timothy 3:14
Titus 2:1 (NKJV) But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.
Paul later in this letter will issue a heavy warning – that definitely applies to the days we live in!
2 Timothy 4:3 (NKJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.
Faith (2 Timothy 4:7)
Love (We speak the truth in love – Ephesians 4:15)
II. Protect the Gospel
14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
As Paul is passing the baton on to Timothy, he speaks of this good thing that has not been committed to him.
There are few things that might be that “good thing.”
1. It might be a reference to the Ministry as a whole.
2. It might be a reference to the Truth as a whole…as we’ve covered in v. 13, holding Tight to the Truth.
3. But that good thing, is most likely in reference to the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
David Guzik held the same view, he wrote in his commentary on 2 Timothy that, “Paul called it that good thing, no doubt meaning the gospel and the truth of God.”
We are called to PREACH the Gospel. Declare it.
We are called to PROTECT the Gospel. Defend it to your generation.
We are called to PRESERVE the Gospel. Define it for the next generation.
The Gospel is clearly articulated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
How can anyone possibly do this?
By the Personal Power of the Holy Spirit.
He dwells in us! (1 Corinthians 6:19)
III. Never Turn Away
15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
Generally speaking – there was still a remnant.
Galatians 1:6–7 (NKJV) “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.”
Got Questions, “Phygellus and Hermogenes weren’t just distant standbys in the church community. Paul uses a form of the Greek word apostrephō in referencing their action. The word means to “to desert” in the sense of deliberately withdrawing or turning back from someone. Paul had formed a bond with these two, and he thought their connection to Jesus was similar to his own. But they forsook him in his distress, along with many others in Asia Minor.”
IV. Seek to Encourage Others
16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 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.
David Guzik, “We don’t know much about Onesiphorus, other than the fact that he lived near Timothy, because at the end of the letter Paul asked Timothy to greet Onesiphorus’ household.”
David Guzik, “Onesiphorus lived up to the meaning of his name, which means ‘help-bringer.’”
Refreshed – literally “to make cool.”
Discovery Bible, “404 anapsýxō (from 303/aná, “up/completing a process” which intensifies 5594/psýxō, “cool by blowing”) – properly, bring cooling (reviving, with fresh air); (figuratively) bring much-needed (much-welcomed) relief, “causing someone to recover a state of cheer or encouragement after a time of anxiety and trouble – ‘to encourage, to cheer up'” (L & N, 1, 25.149).”
Applicable to all – but considering Paul’s situation…brought to remembrance the time when Moses was tired and needed to be refreshed as a leader. (Exodus 17:8-16).
A true friend will be there in the good times AND the bad times. You can tell a true friend because it’s in those tough times when the others walk out – a true friend walks in.
Bible Knowledge Commentary, “The many in Asia (v. 15) portray the very things Paul had been warning Timothy against—cowardice, shame, self-indulgence, infidelity. Onesiphorus, on the other hand, demonstrated the characteristics Paul had been recommending to Timothy—courage, love, self-discipline, boldness, and faithfulness. Clearly the negative and the positive examples were designed to strengthen Timothy’s resolve to be counted among those who were willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the apostle.”