Paul Challenges Timothy – 2 Timothy 4

Joy:  You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #200.  Today we’ll read 2 Timothy chapter 4 together:  Paul challenges Timothy to fulfil his ministry; gives some final instructions; and delivers one of his final benedictions.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

Wow…the 200th episode.  We have met together every day for 200 days.  We’ve talked about spiritual things and secular things and scratched our heads together and been thrilled at new discoveries.  But most astonishing, you’ve read 200 chapters in the New Testament.  We know Jesus better, we know ourselves and our priorities better through the lens of Christ’s love for us, and we are probably better able to articulate why we believe. 

Think of the daily rhythms and to-dos of our lives.  We brush our teeth, we eat at least a meal or two.  We exercise and shower, and pay the bills, and go to work.  Most of us don’t even think consciously about these things.  We are autonotoms, not questioning whether to do them, but thinking only that they need to be done.  As a matter of course.  Because it’s the responsible thing to do.  Routine. 

It’s hard to integrate new habits into our regimes.  But now you have.  You have added systematically reading the Bible every day.  What a wonderful new habit!  In Matthew 4:4, Jesus tells us that we don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.  This daily picking up of the Bible is as needful as eating.  You have acknowledged that and integrated it into your day-to-day.  

On this 200th day you have also finished another book.  Congratulations!  Well done.  I would love to hear from you at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

2 Timothy Chapter 4

Fulfill Your Ministry

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.

Final Instructions

Make every effort to come to me soon, because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Benediction

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

Closing Thoughts

Will multiply teachers for themselves.  Ouch!  We see that all over today, don’t we?  An itch to hear what they want to hear.  I pray we are not those who set aside the word of God in favor of the personified likeness of God.  You know, the smaller god, the one we can figure out, the one we can manipulate.  

You know there is no such thing and so did Paul.  But we as humans certainly try to create this.  The true God is too scary sometimes.  So, we go to church with the pastor that spoon feeds us.  Or we get our feelings hurt and we leave to find another church family.  I pray this is not us either.  I pray that we desire sound doctrine.  I pray that we don’t melt at God’s chastisement but that we praise Him that He loves us as sons and daughters.

Paul is saying goodbye in this chapter.  He is handing the baton to Timothy.  He challenges him, he warns him, and he encourages him.  He’s trying to think of everything that Timothy might need to know after Paul is gone.  Like a good father.  Let’s pray.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I’ve said it many times before, but I feel compelled to thank You again for Paul.  Thank You, Father, that You breathed out Your word on Paul.  We have benefitted.  He was such a mix of frailty and superhuman strength.  So relatable and yet mind bogglingly distant.  We don’t really know what heaven will be like, but I humbly hope that I get to meet him someday.  If only to thank him for his steadfastness to the calling.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.