Text: 2 Timothy
Looking at 2 Timothy, we can see that Paul is seems like summarising the things that he is expecting Timothy to do in his absence. This is by the way the last letter Paul wrote. This letter is quite intense and at the same time very personal on the account of Timothy which Paul considers as his “beloved son” in the faith.
Before digging in all about passing on what we have learned, let’s first answer the why question. Why is it important to pass on what we have learned? The letter itself gave us some clues:
To continue the spread of the gospel (2 Tim.1:6-14) “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.” (v.6-8)
Here we can Paul is in prison and perhaps his imprisonment is giving a lot of pressures among the Christians who knows him. I can only imagine myself if I am of the same situation like that of Timothy, I will probably afraid and perhaps be in a constant pressure from authorities and even myself.
However, should the spread of the gospel be stopped just because our leaders is in prison? Not at all. Just as Paul said, “fan into flame” the gift of God. If for some reason the flame is running out, we need to fan it so that it will gain some momentum.
Remember these two things. First, with or without the current leaders, the gospel should be able to move forward. This is the mandate of every Christian. This is why Paul reiterated to Timothy “Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel.” (v.8)
Secondly, where ever we go, we proclaim the gospel. There is nothing to be ashamed of (v.8) even to the point of imprisonment. After all, God called us for his purpose and grace (v.9). We do not need to be ashamed for we have confidence in the faith because we know that Jesus who died on the cross has risen, destroying death and bringing life and immortality to light through the gospel (v.10). And that my friend is the reason why there will always be people who will persecute you because of the gospel.
People just hate the gospel of truth because every wickedness will be exposed, every evil desires will be put to light. And people just hate that. People only wants to hear what will tickle their ears, but not the truth that will cleansed them from these wickedness.
And for that very reason, we need to pass on what we have been learning in the Church. From generation to generation, we will be the catalysts of great commission.
To develop more leaders (2 Tim.2) “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (v.1-3)
Before anything else, we have to note that Paul seems to have his own disappointments because he himself suffered from abandonment of some people whom he have been training. It is a fact that sometimes leaders do fall away (2 Tim.1:15-18).
In v.15, Paul mentioned that everyone in the province of Asia abandoned him including Phygelus and Hermogenes (probably close friends of Paul in Asia). However, even if there are desertions, there are also consolations because there will be some who will be people who will be loyal like Onesiphorus.
But even if there are falling away, there is still a chance to go back. Let’s jump a bit to 2Tim. 4:11 “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” By this time, Paul must have reconciled with Mark. Remember in Acts 15:37-39, Mark deserted them during the first missionary journey. This has caused the split of partnership between Barnabas and Paul. Paul doesn’t want to bring John Mark on the second missionary journey. So Barnabas went to another way bringing John Mark, while Paul took Silas with him.
Despite of that, here in this letter, it seems that John Mark has already redeemed himself from that incident and he proves to be helpful to Paul. So Paul now is wanting to see John Mark.
Going back to the passage, Paul is exhorting Timothy to entrust to reliable me who are able to teach others. There is a need to continuously develop leaders. The pressure from the world is so great.
To withstand the end times (2 Tim.3:1-17) “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.”
Times are becoming more evil. As Paul describes it in verses 2-5 “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
So in verse 10, Paul now starts to admonish Timothy to live a life according to what he has learned and witnessed from Paul. He has been there for quite a while with Paul knowing the ministry, his teachings, his life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions and even sufferings.
The end of times is inevitable. Wether we like it or not, it will come. And when it comes, sufferings and agony. Even if we talk about persecution, persecution is always there because since the beginning of Christianity where our Lord and his 12 disciples and the disciples after them suffered persecutions as well. And Paul recognises this in verse 12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”
Temptation to fall away is also there. With all the influences that surrounds you, it is almost impossible not to be tempted. However, if one focuses on the Lord and his Word, and always join his community, one is able to withstand these temptations.
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season…” (2 Tim.4:2) This should be the goal of every Christian. To be prepared in season and out of season is to be ready all the time. Whenever there is a chance to preach or share God’s word, we can do it.
There will be more false teachers. In fact in our time, false teachers are becoming more common confusing a lot of people. The sad thing is, there are lots of people who neglected the word and therefore find it hard to identify the false teaching from the truth.
Challenge:
1. Are we teaching the younger generation to be committed to Christ, committed to his word, committed to the Church, and committed to mission? Are we passing to them what we have learned from our predecessors?
2. Why do you think it is important to guard the faith which is the sound doctrine? How are we going to guard the sound doctrine as we pass on what we have learned?
