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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (12-1-1997 Guisborough Evangelical Church)
This is the last letter Paul ever wrote. Clearly the
Pauline epistles in the New Testament are not arranged in chronological order.
The arrangement dates from 300AD, and the 9 letters to the churches come first,
in order of length, followed by the 4 personal letters, in order of length.
Paul was writing from Rome, very
close to his death. The Acts of the Apostles closes with Paul in Rome,
imprisoned but in the freedom and comfort of his own hired house. There is
evidence to suggest that he was set free from house arrest, and went on further
personal journeys. Maybe he fulfilled his personal ambition to visit Spain. But
then he was rearrested and put back in prison. There was no escape from the
dismal underground dungeon with a hole in the ceiling for light and air. He was
in chains, suffering from loneliness, boredom and cold. The preliminary hearing
of his case had already taken place, and he was awaiting the full trial, but
death seemed inevitable. Full-scale persecution was taking place by Nero.
Tradition says Paul was most likely condemned to death, and beheaded as he was a
Roman citizen, and that Peter was martyred on the same occasion by crucifixion,
head downwards.
While under the shadow of his
execution, Paul sends his second personal message to Timothy. This is also his
last will and testament to the church. It is a very moving document. Bishop
Henry Moule said he could not read this epistle without finding “a mist
gathering in the eyes”. On the last occasion Paul and Timothy had said
goodbye, Timothy had wept: I remember your tears (2 Timothy 1:4). Paul
wanted to see him once more and hold his hand. But he must come soon, before
winter, or else it would be too late.
2 Timothy is a remarkable little book, divided into 4 chapters in our English Bible, with 83 verses. We are on holy ground. This is the farewell message of a mighty man of God.
Paul, an apostle of Christ
Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ
Jesus (2 Timothy 1:1). This is very interesting and typical description. The
Lord chose 12 Apostles to represent Him and teach in His name. They were unique
for three reasons – they were personally appointed by Jesus, they were
eye-witness of the Resurrection, and they received the special inspiration of
the Holy Spirit to guide them in all truth, to remember His teaching and learn
about the things to come. And to their number Paul was added as a result of his
experience on the Damascus road. His was a unique qualification. There have been
no apostles since. There were no successors to the Apostles.
The truth they learned and
taught is recorded in our New Testament. The Gospel records tell of Christ’s
life and ministry. The Epistles give us an interpretation of Christ. Revelation
tells us of things to come. The Apostles’ writings give authoritative guidance
for belief and practice. For evangelical Christians, our foundation point is the
supreme authority and sufficiency of Scripture.
Then Paul points out that he is
in this position, not because he chose it or because the church appointed him,
but because God appointed him and equipped him. In 9 out of Paul’s 13 letters
he says he is an apostle “by the will of God” or “the call of God”. He
had a sustained conviction that divine purpose was being carried out through his
life.
How important that we have firm
and unmistakeable conviction about being in the will of God – whether our
career, Christian service, marriage, or place where we live. Such a conviction
is an enormous strength and rock for us, especially when trouble or difficulties
come.
In this post, it was Paul’s responsibility to point men to eternal life, that they might know life and know it more abundantly. He was to witness to it. His own life was in Christ, and a fuller life awaited him beyond death.
To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord (2
Timothy 1:2). Paul had been
responsible for leading Timothy to the Lord. He was the last link in a long
chain of events. This had happened over 15 years earlier, when Timothy lived in
Lystra. Then Timothy had travelled with Paul on most of his second and third
missionary journeys. Paul had sent Timothy on several special missions to
various towns (1 Thessalonians 3:1ff; 1 Corinthians 4:17). Timothy had been with
Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment. Timothy’s name was included when
he wrote his three prison epistles (Philemon, Philippians, Colossians). Now
Timothy was at Ephesus leading the church, but Paul longed to see him one more
time.
Paul clearly had a strong
affection for the young man, describing him as Beloved and faithful child in
the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:17), a fellow-worker (Romans 16:21), a brother and
God’s servant in the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 3:2), a man of sincere faith (2
Timothy 1:5). He was very special to Paul: I have no one like him (Philippians
2:2). Timothy was unique as far as Paul was concerned.
The greeting he sends to Timothy
is the customary one, and is by no means an empty one – Grace, Mercy and
Peace. Grace to the worthless, mercy to the helpless, and peace to the restless.
Then he gives a most interesting picture of Timothy’s home life. His father
was Greek and not a Christian as far as we know. But his mother Eunice was
Jewish, and she and her mother Lois were believers. So this sincere faith ran
through three generations. Undoubtedly mother and grandmother were links in the
chain of Timothy’s conversion. He had been brought up to know the Scriptures
(2 Timothy 3:15). “He had been reared in infancy in such a way that he could
suck in godliness along with his mother’s milk” (Calvin).
How important are the early
beginnings for children. The most powerful influence is parents and home. Hence
most good biographies begin, not with the subject, but with the parents or
grandparents. Their influence is critical in what follows. An experienced
minister in the city of London recently wrote, “I want to encourage parents
who have teenagers or older renegade children. Time and again during my ministry
I have met young people who have renegade against Christ and against their
parents for years, and have then come back to the faith. Part of the reason is
the anchor of faith that had been built in the early years.”
Augustine, the greatest of the
early fathers, a great theologian and leader, in his younger days sowed his wild
oats and had his mother distracted. She prayed for him so much that it was said,
“It was impossible that a child of such tears and prayers should perish”.
It is such a blessing to be born
and live in a Christian home – though sadly many do not appreciate it while
they are young. It is a wonderful beginning, and the best way to launch into
life. Young people, thank God for the privilege of a Christian home. Four pieces
of advice for you – (1) Come to Christ, (2) Seek God’s guidance for every
step of your life, (3) Marry a believer, and (4) Establish a Christian home of
your own.
Homes have the strongest
influence, and the next strongest if friendships. How fortunate Timothy was to
have Paul for a friend. Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father, and would never
forget him or abandon him. Night and day I constantly remember you in my
prayers (2 Timothy 1:3). He wrote him letters of wise counsel and
encouragement, and no doubt this all had a powerful moulding effect on Timothy,
strengthening him and sustaining him in his Christian life and service.
One of England’s greatest
preachers speaks of the man who led him to Christ, and who then went on to write
to him every week for seven years, and to pray for him every day for a lifetime.
What a prayer list Paul must have had – so many churches and individual he
remembered!
Thank God for all those who nurtured you, and were extraordinarily patient, and who prayed and who wrote – and who still do! And remember your own responsibility for those who you have helped in their Christian walk, and have promised to pray for. Wise pastoral care must long continue.
Why was the letter written? Paul’s career was almost
over. For 30 years he had been preaching the word, establishing and planting
churches, writing letters and travelling. Soon he would become a martyr. What
would happen next? The Emperor Nero was bent on destroying the Christian Church.
Heretical teaching was on the increase. Humanly speaking, the Christian faith
was on the verge of annihilation.
Timothy did not have very good
prospects for his future leadership. He was comparatively young, and vulnerable
to youthful passions (2 Timothy 2:22), he was prone to sickness, timid by
temperament, not a strong personality, an introvert, who shrank from difficult
tasks that involved suffering and controversy. Perhaps he lacked commitment. He
found it easier to lean than to lead, and like Moses and Jeremiah was reluctant
to accept responsibility. (“Some are born great, others achieve greatness, and
others have greatness thrust upon them”) The future did not look hopeful.
Therefore Paul wrote to
encourage Timothy. He reminded him of the resources that were his in Christ
Jesus, a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2
Timothy 1:7), so he need not fear. Paul reminded him to fan into flame the
gift of God (2 Timothy 1:6), to use his gifts to the full, and to be strong,
be a good worker, and handle God’s Word with boldness. He was to share the
work with reliable men (2 Timothy 2:2), and seek to be a real man of God –
which was more important than all the techniques and skills.
Paul gives Timothy four charges
regarding the Gospel itself: in chapter 1, to guard the Gospel against its many
enemies; in chapter 2, to suffer for the Gospel as Paul had done; in chapter 3,
to continue in the Gospel even though things were getting worse; in chapter 4,
to preach the Gospel at every opportunity.
These charges are so relevant today to all Christians and all churches. Too many Christians are not clear about what they believe and where they stand. They are compromised, and weak when under attack. Those who ought to be preaching and defending the Gospel are falling down on the job. There is a need for a new generation of Timothys who will preserve the Gospel interest, preach it even if they suffer for it, and pass it on without watering it down to the following generation.
