Title: Fulfill Your Ministry

Text: II Timothy 4:5-8

FCF: We struggle ministering to one another.

Prop: Because dying words of a great mentor weigh heavy on the hearers, we must fulfill our ministry.

Scripture Intro: CSB

[Slide 1] Turn in your bible to II Timothy chapter 4. As I watched the service from home last week, I was left with two very strong impressions. The first is how difficult it is to attend a worship service online. If you are joining us now online, and you are able to attend in person – attend in person. I can confidently tell you that whatever you think you gain sitting on your couch in your PJ’s, it is nothing in comparison to what you gain being here among us.

The second strong impression I was left with was the remarkable stories of God’s provision, sustenance, and our church’s love toward each other. Almost the entire time I was saying – hey, that is what my sermon was going to be on this week! Had I not been sick, I would have never known.

And so, this week, the sermon will be a hearty Amen to all that you gave testimony to last week. I want to thank the deacons for stepping up and in to make the service happen. I really appreciate Justin for basically telling me to put down the reins and let him take it. But most of all, I want to thank the Lord for His provision to us. You know most of the time when something like this happens, the lay leaders in a church kinda fight to see who has to share something. But not only did each one have something from scripture ready to share – ultimately most didn’t have to because you filled the time and then some.

Today’s sermon gives us all the reason we need to continue to do ministry toward one another. So let me properly introduce the text this morning.

First, we are coming close to the end now. We have been in the pastoral epistles for well over a year. We began our intro to the pastoral epistles and I Timothy in early July last year. If the next section of scripture pans out like I think it will, we will conclude this book next week with our 46th sermon on the pastoral epistles. Again, continue to pray for me as I seek the Lord’s will on where to go next.

Last time, Paul gave Timothy a solemn charge. A command of the utmost importance. A command Timothy must obey, no matter what. It was to preach the word. He is to be ready to patiently give deep doctrine through the proclaimed word in order to rebuke, correct, and encourage in righteousness, all God’s dear children.

He must do this because the time has now come when people no longer wish to hear it. False teachers abound because people who have abandoned the truth want them to come and instruct them in what they want to hear. They’d rather have myths that confirm what they desire than the truth that rebukes, corrects, and encourages righteousness.

So, Timothy was called to preach – so that God’s true children would be rescued from these lies.

Today, Paul will conclude his exhortation to Timothy with 4 final commands. Commands he must keep. Why? Because Paul is about to die… and he wants Timothy to live as he has lived, so he too can finish the race as Paul is.

I am in II Timothy chapter 4. I’ll read verses 1-8. I’m reading from the CSB. You can follow along on page 1344 in the pew bible or in whatever version you have in front of you.

Transition:

Today will be a lighter sermon for you. Perhaps even quite short. But the lesson of it should be heeded. This ministry we all have before us, must be fulfilled. Let me show you what I mean.

I.) Because the final wish of dying believers weighs much, we must fulfill our ministry. (5-6)

a. [Slide 2] 5 – But as for you exercise self-control in everything

i. Here we begin the second set of commands given in this short 8 verse paragraph.

ii. Paul sets these next four commands directly counter to all the people he has been speaking about since verse 3.

iii. Paul commands Timothy to be self-controlled, temperate or sober.

iv. This word can be used to talk about sobriety to substances but in all likelihood, Paul is probably referring more to Timothy not being ruled by his passions.

v. That unlike the people in the previous few verses who are ruled by their desires, that he would be self-controlled.

vi. That his emotions and passions would not override what he is to be as a faithful minster of the gospel of Christ.

b. [Slide 3] Endure hardship

i. Going back to chapter 3, Paul stated that all people who wanted to live a godly life in Christ would be persecuted. Primarily because opposition to the gospel will only increase.

ii. Paul commands Timothy not to buckle under the pressure of that assured persecution.

iii. Endure. Keep going. Stand strong.

iv. Again, this is set in direct contrast to the previous group, who desired to hear what they wanted to hear and escape this persecution.

c. [Slide 4] Do the work of an evangelist

i. There are a couple layers here that make this command a little cloudy for us.

1. We have a position in full time ministry today called an evangelist. Typically, these men come in and do a tent meeting, or a revival week and focus on preaching the gospel. They are there primarily to seek conversions or even to get people to re-dedicate or recommit themselves to the Lord.

2. Second, there is a gift in Ephesians and Acts called an evangelist. Probably what would most likely fit into our concept of a missionary.

ii. So, to which, if either of these, is Paul referring and what does it mean to do his work?

iii. Although I don’t wish to disparage anyone’s ministry, the concept of a person going from church to church doing revival meetings is not someone we can readily find in any New Testament text.

iv. And if I could go back and change the name missionary to evangelists I would, because that seems to be what is more in line with that title in scripture.

v. That being said, Paul is most certainly referring to the latter.

vi. To do the work of an evangelist is to what? Well, what is the work of a missionary?

vii. It is to preach or proclaim the gospel.

viii. Paul is not telling Timothy to assume some role between an apostle and a pastor, nor is he necessarily telling Timothy to be a traveling preacher in Ephesus. Really, all he is doing is reminding Timothy that the gospel ought to be His teaching focus.

ix. Again, this is in direct contrast to the previous group – who abandoned the truth for myths and sought teachers to teach them what they wanted to hear rather than the gospel.

d. [Slide 5] Fulfill your ministry

i. This command encompasses all the rest mentioned in this passage, and even probably, in this entire book.

ii. If Timothy is always ready to patiently give deep theology in preaching the word to rebuke, correct, and encourage God’s people, while keeping his life in order, enduring persecution, and making much of the gospel of Christ – He will have fulfilled his ministry.

iii. To fall short in any of these will mean he has failed his ministry.

iv. What is the ministry of an Elder or pastor/teacher? He is to equip the saints for the work of ministry so they can grow up into the full stature of Christ. He is to preach the word. He is to disciple his flock. He is to preach the gospel.

v. There are a great number of pastors with many strengths and weaknesses. They have different passions and giftings.

vi. But my friends, if a pastor or Elder does not do this…he is failing his ministry.

e. [Slide 6] 6 – For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for my departure is close.

i. To be poured out as an offering has references rooted in drink offerings unto God in the Old Testament.

ii. Paul makes a similar statement in Philippians, where he suffered his first Roman imprisonment.

iii. In that context he supposes that he may soon be poured out as a drink offering for their faith.

iv. Here Paul says that he is already being poured out. Meaning that his ministry, his life, is coming to a close. He has nearly finished his assignment.

v. Then he uses a sailing term noting that it is almost time for him to depart or set sail.

vi. Timothy must fulfill his ministry, first because Paul will not be alive for much longer.

vii. It is clear that Paul did not know when he would die, but he did know that he was about to leave Timothy. So, his words are meant to spur Timothy on.

f. [Slide 7] Passage Truth: So, Paul, being short for this life and almost spent in ministry, turns to Timothy with words of exhortation.

g. Passage Application: Timothy must fulfill his ministry by keeping himself in control, preaching the gospel, and enduring through suffering.

h. [Slide 8] Broader Biblical Truth: We often see throughout the scriptures the wishes of a dying man given great importance. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, and many more, have said on their death beds what needed to be said to push the living forward. And even in our lives, sometimes, the words of men and women not long for this world, have had great impact on us. So, what must we do with the last will and testament of Paul the apostle?

i. Broader Biblical Application: We too must fulfill our ministry. We should live self-controlled, enduring hardship and persecution, and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. In doing so, we join a lineage of mere men and women, stretching from creation to the coming of Christ.

Transition:

[Slide 9(blank)] And so one reason Timothy must fulfill his ministry is because Paul is about to die. But why else must Timothy do this?

II.) Because good examples of those who have gone before us are worthy to follow, we must fulfill our ministry. (7-8)

a. [Slide 10] 7 – I have fought the good fight;

i. In chapter 2 Paul likened the Christian life to that of an athlete.

ii. It seems that Paul revisits this athlete metaphor here in verse 7 to reinforce all the concepts he mentioned there in chapter 2.

iii. Paul mentioned in chapter 2 a farmer who by his diligence enjoyed the first fruit of his labor.

iv. Here Paul invasions himself a boxer who has diligently trained and trained hard to get to a fight worthy of fighting. A title bout. A championship match.

v. His diligence has paid off.

b. [Slide 11] I have finished the race;

i. In chapter 2 Paul likened the focus and endurance needed in the Christian life to that of a soldier undistracted from the world and obeying his commander.

ii. Here Paul communicates the same focus and endurance in light of an athlete who runs a race for the prize.

iii. Paul has remained focused and made it to the end.

c. [Slide 12] I have kept the faith!

i. The metaphor could potentially break down here.

ii. There is no overt reference to an athlete in a game.

iii. But perhaps the word kept is our only clue.

iv. Paul said in chapter 2 that all runners compete by the rules to win the prize.

v. And here Paul says that he has kept the faith. He has kept the rules of this spiritual race. He has remained faithful, meaning he has obeyed His Lord’s instruction in this spiritual life.

vi. Later in chapter 2, Paul stated this little poem.

1. If we died with him, we will also live with him.

2. If we endure, we will also reign with him

3. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

4. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful

vii. Of the last two, Paul did not transgress. He did not deny His Lord and He remained faithful to keep the commands of Christ, proving his faith to be a living faith that obeys His Lord.

d. [Slide 13] 8 – Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous judge, will awarded it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.

i. Because he has reached the end and his faith has been proven alive – now the crown of righteousness is reserved for him.

ii. But what is the crown of righteousness?

iii. The bible actually mentions 5 crowns awarded to God’s people at the judgement. These 5 crowns include:

1. The imperishable crown, given to those who endure in their faith.

2. The crown of rejoicing, given to those who gather joyously in the presence of Jesus Christ at his coming.

3. The crown of righteousness, mentioned here for those who set their affection on Christ’s appearing.

4. The crown of glory, given to Elders, and really any believer who lives faithfully as an example to others.

5. The crown of life, given to those who endure trial, tribulation, suffering and persecution.

iv. But here is the interesting thing. Does Paul not have a right to claim all 5 crowns here? Hasn’t he endured? Does he not expect to joyously enter the presence of God? Is he not a leader who set an example for others? Did he not endure trials? So why specifically the crown of righteousness?

v. Here is my thought. All 5 crowns mentioned in scripture are actually 1 crown known by several names. They are different aspects of the gift of the Kingdom to God’s people.

vi. Is it any wonder then, that we will throw our crown back at the feet of Jesus?

vii. In saying all this, Paul gives the second reason that Timothy must fulfill his ministry… because that is what his mentor has done.

viii. Paul will soon finish his race and Timothy must, even now, aim to do likewise.

ix. Timothy is being beckoned here to take up Paul’s mantle and mimic him as Paul mimicked Christ.

e. [Slide 14] Passage Truth: Not only is he about to die, but also, Paul has set the course. He has carved the path. Paul has set the example, and Timothy must do likewise.

f. Passage Application: So, Timothy must fulfill his ministry. He must endure, he must be obedient, he must be diligent.

g. [Slide 15] Broader Biblical Truth: In many ways throughout the scriptures this example is both absent and present. Absent in the sense that so many fathers fail to pass on their calling, their ministries, their faith to their sons and daughters. But it is also present in unlikely places where mentors come alongside their students and pass the mantle. Moses to Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Jehoiada to Zechariah, Jesus to His disciples, and in that list includes Paul to Timothy.

h. Broader Biblical Application: So, for us, we must follow in the steps of Christ our savior. We must follow in the steps of the apostles. We must follow in the footsteps of all who have gone before us. Not in their sin, but in their faith. We must fight the good fight. We must finish our race. We must keep the faith.

Conclusion:

[Slide 16] ]So how do we apply this to ourselves here at CBC? There is a ready application to those who may be our future Elders here. But what about you all in the pew? What about all the other dear children of God?

[Slide 17 9end)] A text that helps us is Ephesians 4:11-16. It is on the screen behind me.

You see it is an Elder or Pastor’s responsibility to equip all of God’s people. To equip them for what?

The work of the ministry, which is to build up the body of Christ.

That ministry, in order to be fulfilled, continues until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.

Well what does that mean?

That we are mature people, grown up to the same stature of Christ. This will enable us not to be rocked by doctrines of false teachers seeking to undo us – instead we will practice the truth, loving one another, following Christ who is the head of the church.

After all, it is from him that we grow, stay united, and do our part – together.

When Paul commands Timothy to fulfill his ministry – it applies to all of us. We all have a part to play in building up the body of Christ. We all have a role to play in growing one another into maturity. We all have a role to fulfill in making this body function the way it is supposed to.

So as Paul fought the fight – we must diligently continue to fight.

As Paul finished his race – we must continue to endure to the end of our own.

As Paul kept the faith – we too must continue to be faithful in word and deed to our Lord’s commands.

This is the ministry we are to fulfill. And we must continue it – no matter what happens.