FAREWELL FRIENDS (7 OF 7)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-22
This content is part of a series.
Farewell Friends (7 of 7)
Series: Transferring Truth to the next Generation
Keith Krell
2 Timothy 4:9-22
What is the greatest joy in ministry? People! What is the greatest pain in ministry? People! People are the source of the greatest delight; however, they are also the greatest source of disappointment. It's been said that ministry would be bliss if it wasn't for people. Yet, in the end, people are the ministry. It is our relationships in the body of Christ that makes us or breaks us.
So what was on the apostle Paul's mind at the end of his life? His last recorded words are mostly about people. Yes, that's right, the greatest theologian, scholar, evangelist, missionary, church planter, and apostle deeply cared about people. Thus, I hope by the time we're doing studying this passage we will have a greater love for people than ever before. In 2 Tim 4:9-22 Paul reveals that we need tough friends for tough times. In his final written words, Paul shares three certainties related to last day's ministry.
1. We need help from friends (4:9-15). Paul begins by urging Timothy to ''Make every effort to come to me soon'' (4:9). The verb translated ''Make every effort'' (spoudason) is the same word rendered ''Be diligent'' in 2:15. The echo is probably not coincidental. Just as Timothy is to do everything in his power to provide a ''straight path'' for the Word of truth in people's lives, so he is to make it an overriding priority to come to Paul quickly. This begs the question: If Paul is such a godly man in ministry practitioner, why does he need Timothy so badly? Isn't Jesus more than enough? While Paul didn't depend on others to meet his needs (Phil 4:11-13), he did desire the companionship and encouragement of other like-minded believers. Paul's longing for Timothy's fellowship reveals that God often ministers His grace to us in our most desperate circumstances through people.
Thus, we must recognize that it is not a sign of strength to be a ''loner.' ...
Series: Transferring Truth to the next Generation
Keith Krell
2 Timothy 4:9-22
What is the greatest joy in ministry? People! What is the greatest pain in ministry? People! People are the source of the greatest delight; however, they are also the greatest source of disappointment. It's been said that ministry would be bliss if it wasn't for people. Yet, in the end, people are the ministry. It is our relationships in the body of Christ that makes us or breaks us.
So what was on the apostle Paul's mind at the end of his life? His last recorded words are mostly about people. Yes, that's right, the greatest theologian, scholar, evangelist, missionary, church planter, and apostle deeply cared about people. Thus, I hope by the time we're doing studying this passage we will have a greater love for people than ever before. In 2 Tim 4:9-22 Paul reveals that we need tough friends for tough times. In his final written words, Paul shares three certainties related to last day's ministry.
1. We need help from friends (4:9-15). Paul begins by urging Timothy to ''Make every effort to come to me soon'' (4:9). The verb translated ''Make every effort'' (spoudason) is the same word rendered ''Be diligent'' in 2:15. The echo is probably not coincidental. Just as Timothy is to do everything in his power to provide a ''straight path'' for the Word of truth in people's lives, so he is to make it an overriding priority to come to Paul quickly. This begs the question: If Paul is such a godly man in ministry practitioner, why does he need Timothy so badly? Isn't Jesus more than enough? While Paul didn't depend on others to meet his needs (Phil 4:11-13), he did desire the companionship and encouragement of other like-minded believers. Paul's longing for Timothy's fellowship reveals that God often ministers His grace to us in our most desperate circumstances through people.
Thus, we must recognize that it is not a sign of strength to be a ''loner.' ...
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