May 30, 2023 | Be On Mission
Faithful to the Word
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4(NIV)
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
Devotional
In his final chapter of the last existing letter Paul wrote, he acknowledges his impending execution and reflects on his life: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (v. 6-7). He knew that his life wasn’t lived in vain.
Still, he hoped that Timothy would visit him in Rome before he died (v. 9, 13, 21). This would be no quick trip, as it would mean sailing from what is now Turkey, around Greece, around Italy, and halfway up the boot to Rome. Paul knew this, but he longed to see his faithful son in the faith, especially since some had abandoned him in his time of need.
In the meantime, Paul instructed Timothy to stay focused on preaching the word, being prepared, refuting false doctrine, winning people to Christ, and discharging all the other duties of his ministry. When the news of Paul’s martyrdom in Rome made its way to Ephesus, it probably made Timothy want all the more to be a faithful minister of the gospel.
For the previous twenty years, Paul had mentored Timothy, equipping him to be the leader of the church in one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire. Now, Timothy would have to carry on without his teacher. But he knew that they would one day be reunited. As Paul said, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (v. 8).
Take time to praise God for His eternal salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord!
Poem
Always Be Ready
We’ve all been there
In gathering
With sisters and with brothers
“Would anyone like to pray?”
The heads go down
The eyes avoid
Jitters
Embarrassment
Not eloquent?
Not practiced?
Too personal?
Unworthy?
Judged?
Tongue-tied?
Always be ready
To come and bring others into the throne room
Of your Daddy
The call has been there
In ministering
To sisters and to brothers
“Would anyone be willing to go and speak?”
The room gets tense
The eyes avert
Discomfort
Anxiety
What to say?
What will others think?
Too pushy?
Unknowledgeable?
Disowned?
Tongue-tied?
Always be ready
To speak the wonderful words of life
Of your Daddy
