This is a new sermon seires Called “Perseverance”, Replicate, 2 Timothy 4:1-8 You can watch more here.
This morning we are nearing the end of 2 Timothy. We are in chapter 4!
Hasn’t this been a great reminder to fight for the life we have been given in
Jesus?
This morning we are going to see God’s Word narrow our focus. Timothy is
surrounded by false teachers creating confusion and distraction. He’s under
pressure, and it’s easy to spin out under pressure, but God’s Word is going to
crystalize our focus.
Right now, we’re under pressure. We’re asking, “What’s going to happen?”
Maybe some of us are like, “I am barely hanging on myself!” I get it!
God’s Word is so timely, because God’s Word is going to take all that noise and
focus us this morning. Let’s look at verses 1-2:
2 Timothy 4:1-2, “1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living
and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
Look at this language, “I solemnly charge you…” This is courtroom language!
God the Father is present. Jesus is the judge. And Paul is conveying something
sacred!
Paul knows his life is coming to an end, so Paul’s final words aren’t about
some tips on leadership. His final words aren’t about parenting, how to have
great marriage, or how to navigate the politics in the Roman Empire. No,
Paul’s final words are, “I solemnly charge you – Preach the Word!”
This word “preach” in the original language isn’t about being on a stage. The
word “preach” in the original language is the word “herald.” It is someone
bringing good news. It isn’t wowing the crowds from a distance. It isn’t
talking like a pastor about to say something important!
The early church was under a great deal of persecution, so the majority of
“preaching the word” took place through 1-1 conversations with friends and
family where they lived, worked, and played. Amen?
2 Timothy 4:1-2, “1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living
and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
I solemnly charge you to preach the word, in season and out of season.
Remember Timothy is getting push back. Timothy is pastoring people who
are lovers of self, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure, lovers of gossip, and
God’s Word says, “Who cares!” Preach it anyways!
It doesn’t matter if God’s Word is popular. It doesn’t matter if our friends and
family are responsive. It doesn’t matter if we get mocked. It doesn’t matter if
it “feels” like the right time! The power of His Word is not in how people
respond. The power is in God’s Word! Preach it! Talk about it! Share it! And
don’t stop!
This language “in season and out of season” isn’t about waiting until someone
asks, then we will go do the research on how to respond.
This language is about doing the homework today, getting ready today,
thinking through the questions today, so that we are ready for people to ask.
Do you see the difference! In season, out of season!
I mean, we live in the city of Austin! People in Austin are typically educated.
People in Austin are typically affluent. People in Austin are coming from a
hodge-podge of beliefs.
People in Austin got a little new age, a little manifesting, a little goat yoga, and
then wrap it all up in some Jesus. That’s Austin! Are you ready to talk about
God’s Word today! We can’t wait to get ready! We have to get ready today!
Let me slow down a little, because sometimes we can confuse the method for
the message. There are seasons where the method might change but the
message doesn’t change.
There are some methods of walking through 6 th Street calling people to repent,
and it looks pretty bold but that doesn’t mean we all need to “hold up signs”
on 6 th street. It’s a method!
There are some times we need a method that is very direct, and there are
times we need a method that is very gentle. The method adapts to the person,
but the message never changes. You with me?
We see different methods in verse 2! Preach the Word. That’s the message!
But, sometimes we are going to correct, sometimes encourage, sometimes
with patience, sometimes with instruction, so that the method might change
but the message is always staying focused on Jesus and His Word.
This isn’t waiting till we are asked. This is getting ready today! One of the
weaknesses we have in our church and the local church in the United States is
as followers of Jesus we are waiting to be asked, and then getting ready. God’s
Word is describing someone who is trusting the Lord has determined the
times and places we live, so we are getting ready for those conversations
today!
And, I can tell you when that happens in a local church, it changes the spiritual
temperature of the local church in Austin. There is a spiritual sharpness.
There’s a confidence. There’re spiritual conversations taking place. There’re
seekers of truth coming because there are men and women who are ready.
Amen? Look at verses 3-4:
2 Timothy 4:3-4, “3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have
their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will
turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
Look at that phrase, “They will not endure sound doctrine?” It isn’t because
biblical teaching doesn’t exist. Even in the 1 st Century there was access to
biblical truth, but the men and women wanted to have their “ears tickled.”
Isn’t it fun to have our ears tickled? Haven’t you had those moments where
you wanted to do something, but you knew there was going to be pushback
from friends and family? It could be in our faith, work, or a relationship, so
instead of dealing with the pushback, we go find people who will agree with
what we want.
“Oh, you don’t get me! / You don’t understand? So, we move toward voices
that validate our decisions. We will chase after conversations until we find
the voice that brings us comfort! We will become best friends with the cashier
at HEB, because they agree with us! Right? 2,000 years later, and we still like
to get that ear tickle!
It’s because we prefer people, messages, ideas, beliefs that justify our decision,
excuse our decisions, validate our decision, instead of confront our decisions.
Have you noticed this?
When we go to the doctor and there are some changes that need to take place
in your physical health, the doctor never says, “You should probably eat more
ice cream.” Right? The answer is never, “You should sit on the couch more
often.” No, truth is always uncomfortable before it becomes comfortable.
Amen?
When our finances are out of control, the answer isn’t, “You should probably
keep spending!” When marriages are struggling, the answer isn’t, “Have you
tried using the silent treatment?”
It’s because truth is going to be uncomfortable before it becomes comfortable.
It’s going to be changing the diet. Making a budget. And taking ownership.
It’s because truth confronts us before it comforts us. (Write that down!)
In fact, this is a practical way for us to discern between truth and error in our
life, because if somethings starts off easy and comfortable, there’s a good
chance you’re talking to a demon! Let’s do this as a group:
Truth or a Lie
Error / Lie Truth
I just want to live my truth I prefer you to leave me alone
This is hard, I should quit I didn’t expect growth to be uncomfortable
I deserve to be happy I should always get what I want…
I want to avoid this conversation. I want relief more than resolution
Nobody tells me what to do I don’t want accountability
I am protecting my peace I avoid being uncomfortable
I will deal with it later I hope ignoring it will make it disappear
I am following my heart I am trusting my emotions
God’s Word is teaching us that real truth in life is going to feel disruptive
before it feels comforting. Amen? Real growth in our faith and in every area
of life is going to feel uncomfortable before it feels comfortable.
I was talking to someone in our non-denominational church in Austin one
time about one of my ankles being weak. They said, “Oh, you can do exercises
to strengthen your ankle.” I said, “Oh, that sounds difficult.” Oh, no, you can
do it while you’re brushing your teeth! I said, “Oh, I was just complaining
about my ankle. I don’t want to actually do anything!” I just wanted people to
tickle my ears!
That’s why the Apostle Paul writes, “Preach the Word!” In season and out of
season. Let’s not be surprised if people don’t listen. Let’s not be surprised if
they don’t show up on Sunday morning looking turn their whole life over to
Jesus!
Let’s not be surprised when we push back on God’s Word! God’s Word is
going to be uncomfortable before it becomes comfortable. Look at verse 5:
2 Timothy 4:5, “5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill
your ministry.”
Look at that phrase “be sober in all things.” It’s not talking about addictions.
It’s talking about our emotions. It’s talking about being level-headed. It’s
because hardships in life create pressure, and pressure makes us emotional!
And, when we’re emotional we make decisions quickly. We rush into things.
We operate out of fear. We get defensive, so that God’s Word is casting a
vision for the long game in “Staying focused on Jesus and His Word!”
In our culture, we elevate overnight success. But, God’s Word says, “Endure!”
Our culture says, “I want it today!” God’s Word says, “Put in the work!”
Doesn’t matter if people respond. Doesn’t matter if they fall away. God’s
Word says, “Be faithful and steady over time, till the end, staying focused on
Jesus and His Word!”
I remember when we started North Village Church we started with 15 adults
in our living room. There were 15 adults all committed to this idea of living
out our faith in Jesus where we live, work, and play. Doesn’t that sound
awesome! It was!
And, in the first 6-weeks of our new little church, one of our primary leaders,
one of the 15 has a sexual affair with his neighbor, so that it was a little too
much live, work, and play. That’s how we started! Do you remember Jessie?
I can tell you, in that moment, I wanted to quit. Everything in me wanted to
quit! Everything in me wanted to give up. Everything in me wanted do the
opposite of verse 5.
And today, we’re not some mountain of success, but in God’s grace, we’ve
preached the word, in season and out of season, staying focused on Jesus and
His Word for 16 years! Praise God!
Our goal has never been about reaching the masses. Our goal has always been
about seeing our faith lived out in the lives of everyday people, and over 16-
years we have had the pleasure of seeing the gospel kneaded in, like bread,
kneaded into people’s lives.
We’ve seen great moments. We’ve seen heart-breaking moments. But by
God’s grace, when we wanted to quit, the Lord gave us the perseverance to
continue! That’s the call of our passage!
I am not even talking about North Village Church. North Village Church is just
the context for this to take place. I am talking about our lives as a follower of
Jesus.
I get it, we might be tired, we might be discouraged, we might be walking
through heartache. It’s not that God doesn’t see it. He sees, and says, “It
doesn’t matter how people respond. It doesn’t matter what happened last
night. Confess, repent, turn to Jesus and stay focused on Him and His Word!”
This is the life we see in Jesus. He is the One who endured rejection, hardship,
and death! It wasn’t simply an example of love, but Jesus is love.
We didn’t make it easy. We didn’t fall on our knees and beg for Him to come.
No, He came while we were yet sinners, while we were getting our ears tickled
by this world, and He came to cast out darkness!
He came to raise the dead. He came to bring newness of life. He came to
rescue to a people, therefore, stay focused on Jesus and His Word by looking
to Him!
When we want to quit, look to Jesus. When we fail, look to Jesus. When we’re
exhausted, look to Jesus. When we’re fearful, look to Jesus. When we harden
our hearts, ask Him to help us turn to Him so that He might soften our hearts.
In those moments, Jesus doesn’t stand over us and point out our flaws. His
arms are open wide. He meets us with His grace. He reminds us He is faithful,
even when we are faithless, so that our hope isn’t us trying harder so God will
be happy with our decisions. Our hope is that Jesus is holding onto us, and He
won’t let go of us, so that we can stay focused on Him and His Word. Look at
verse 6:
2 Timothy 4:6, “6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”
This is end of life language. This is passing the baton language. Notice how
Paul sees the end of his life. He isn’t, “Look at my ministry numbers.” He isn’t,
“Look at my book deals.” Look at my great legacy. Look at how I made all the
right decisions so my life was easy and comfortable. No, in verse 6 we see
God’s Word completely reframing success in life. Look at verses 7-8:
2 Timothy 4:7-8, “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future
there is laid up 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 loved His appearing.”
The call isn’t perfection. It’s perseverance. The call isn’t record keeping. It’s
continuing. It’s keep showing up. It’s don’t quit. If I could tell you anything in
life about our faith in Jesus, marriage, hobbies, friendships; don’t quit. We
never know what the Lord might do!
Anyone can become emotionally moved toward Jesus for a season! Anyone
can talk a big game about the glory of God for a season! The call is persevering
in staying focused on Jesus and His Word till we are face to face with Jesus!
The reference to “crown of righteousness” was language of a reward so as to
point Timothy beyond the suffering to a future reward, so that God’s Word
isn’t saying, “Suck it up and don’t quit!” This is important!
God’s Word is saying, “Persevere, stay focused on Jesus and His word, because
look at what’s coming!” Today, we might hear those pastors online say things
like, “Jesus has come to bring us victory!” Victory at work. Victory in
marriage. Victory in parenting!
But God’s Word says, “Our victory isn’t now!” I am sorry. It’s not in there!
Paul’s in prison. Timothy’s frustrated. He gives Timothy this great charge, “I
solemnly charge you…and then finishes with the reward!”
Because one day our victory will come, and on that day it isn’t going to be a
medal, a paycheck, great kids, or a relationship that will rust, crumble, perish
and fade. Our victory is King Jesus, for now we see in a mirror dimly, but one
day, we will see Him face to face, and He will welcome us into His arms.
Therefore, God’s Word says, “Persevere, stay focused on Jesus and His Word,
because look what’s coming!” It’s not much longer. Our promised life in
Christ isn’t just surviving hardship. The finish line is really close.
Today, we might not look impressive sometimes. People might whisper this
and that about us from a distance. We might even go off into a ditch for a
season, but don’t stay there, because He calls you His. He’s waiting for you!
North Village Church
This sermon is brought to you by North Village Church, a non-denominational church in Austin. established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching.
Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who are wanting to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. If you are a family with children or teens, we can support you with either or both our Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like more information.
NVC Online
Unable to attend this Christian Church in Austin? Don’t worry, because, through God’s provision, we have created NVC online, an Online Church streaming a worship service every Sunday from 10:30am Central Time. You can also watch our short, powerful sermons on demand and follow us on Instagram for daily Christ centered content.