Mission Faithwalk

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: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction . (II Timothy 4:1-2)   Excuse me, Paul, could you be any more emphatic? Is there something more important that Timothy could be doing? Apparently not. Preach. P reach when…. It’s convenient, It’s not convenient, It’s raining It’s snowing It’s hot It’s cold It’s a holiday You’re among friends You’re among family You’re among enemies You’re among strangers During the school year During the summer During your vacation You’re employed You’re unemployed You’re retired And if you can think of any time that is not covered by those, preach then, too.            And when you preach, there’s more to it than “God loves you.” Yes, that’s there, but correct those who are w

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:14-17)             Paul described two sources for Timothy to use in making wise decisions. First, people Timothy knew to be wise, and Scripture. Scripture, Paul maintained, is inspired by God and was therefore useful for generating righteousness in people’s lives. The righteousness generated by Scripture was what men of God need to accomplish every good work.            Do you know where your philosophical positions came from? Do you know what worldview it grew out of? Is your life based on the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke an

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived . (II Timothy 3:10-13)           Remember the story of Frankenstein’s monster? At least in the popular versions (as seen on TV) the doctor stitched together pieces of a variety of corpses and brought the creature back to life. The doctor had it easy because he was working with physical bodies. If he had tried to put a hand on the monster that was still attached to the original body, he would have noticed it didn’t fit, that there was something in the way, or that the hand suddenly had two arms. When you Frankenstein philosophically, it’s not alwa

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 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. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. (II Timothy 3:1-8)               As we grow closer to the Day of the Lord, things are going to get darker. That’s a generally accepted understanding among at least a good portion o

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (II Timothy 2:22-26)              Uh oh. Some people would say that I’m treading on thin ice this morning. No quarreling? Let’s start with a definition: a quarrel is an angry argument or disagreement, typically between people who are usually on good terms. Most people describe arguments in the same way. Quarrels seem to be all about attitude or about the people. Arguments, technicall

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (II Timothy 2:20-21)   Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9:21-24)   The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker a

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (II Timothy 2:19)                In college, I had a friend who introduced me to several things that touched my romantic heart: letter openers, sealing wax and calligraphy pens. The only one I don’t use now is the sealing wax, because I don’t write physical letters and somehow, sealing a utility bill envelope doesn’t seem quite right. There was a time when each of these gestures were popular. Before that, the sealing of documents wasn’t a flourish, it was a batter of good business. Anyone could sign a name, and I suspect there were times when any of several officials might sign a document with the name of their employers. A seal, however, was the sign that the contents were official.             The seal on God’s teaching to man has two inscriptions. One is God’s part. He knows those

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. (II Timothy 2:16-18)              The Greek word translated “godless” above ( bebhvlou" ) can also be translated worldly, profane, irreligious. I believe it’s related to the word Babylon, and to the Greek word from which we get barbarian, a word that came from the notion of their language sounding like the bleating of sheep. The example Paul provides is a pair of men who claimed the resurrection had already taken place. According to the notes in my study Bible, this was apparently an early Gnostic teaching that made the resurrection merely a spiritual thing.           One of the problems of Gnostic thinking is an underlying belief that the spirit was good and the body bad. It d

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)               I think the first time I realized how badly people mangle Scripture was in high school, when a classmate told me his father was a pastor and that the Red Sea in Exodus was angry people. Far more recently, a group of scholars came together and carefully went through at least part of the Bible to determine what in the gospels was certainly said by Jesus, probably was said by Jesus, might have been said by Jesus, probably wasn’t said by Jesus, and was almost certainly not said by Jesus. Apparently, it was determined by the experts that the only thing Jesus definitely said in what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer was “Father.”              Another recent problem is Post-modern philosophy, which rejects the concept of intended meanings. What something means is solely what the reader takes it to mean. Of cou

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. (II Timothy 2:14)              Not quarrel about words? Paul, you and I need to have words…. The first key to any profitable discussion is to agree on the definitions of the words used. If you don’t, you get such verbal and philosophical garbage as “Love is love.” [1] Paul very likely knew this idea of defining terms in discussions because the Greek philosophers taught it, so I don’t think he meant that. In one of his letters to the Corinthian church, he advised them not to get into the Paul versus Apollos versus Jesus debates. I think this is closer to the mark.             I suspect that what Paul had more in mind is more along the lines of arguments about words like “baptism.” Years ago, when we were attending a Baptist church, my mother told me that she could not become a member of that church, even though she was attending, because to b

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.   (II Timothy 2:11-13)  My study Bible says may have been an early hymn. If you want a fascinating study, read John 14:1-17:26 and notice the parallels. There are a lot of great truths in this passage, things that we should turn to when we’re suffering. If we die, we gain. If we endure, we gain. Even if we are faithless, He’s faithful. This morning, my focus is on “If we disown him, he will also disown us.”             People on social media seem to like to quote this as a means of forcing others to share or like their post. If you don’t share or like it, they say, you are disowning Jesus and (ominous sounding music) He’ll disown us. It’s emotional blackmail.            If you call someone on it, they’ll say they were just giving people a

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (II Timothy 2:8-10)               The theme in Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning   is “if you know your why you can survive any how.” He was a psychiatrist who spent part of World War II in a prison camp. Today’s passage reminds me of that idea. Paul knew his whys. Reason number one why he suffered? For Jesus Christ.  [1] Because of Jesus Christ. How did he suffer? Through Jesus Christ. By Jesus Christ. Elsewhere, he says that to live is Christ, but to die is gain.            Then he moves on to reason number two. Why did he suffer? For the sake of the elect. That covers the people for whom Timothy was responsible. I believe that Paul suffere

The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.   Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (II Timothy 2:6-7)             Getting from what this says to what it really means is just a little tricky in a day when people are protesting for fifteen dollars per hour minimum wages. Paul isn’t setting forth a societal rule. In fact, the commentary in my study Bible suggests that it’s an entirely spiritual rule. Pastors are like farmers. Hardworking farmers plant lots of seeds, tend their crops diligently and reap the reward. Hardworking pastors will, too, entirely in the spiritual realm.             It seems to me that Paul raises a similar issue in II Corinthians 11:7-12. He points out that he received money from other churches so that he would not burden the Corinthian church by asking them to support him. He also worked as a tent-maker while doing his work as an apostle. In other words, he didn’t receive a share of

Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. (II Timothy 2:5)           Ouch! A direct hit to the heart!          Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.  Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. (Proverbs 24:17-20)            "B ut I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:44-45)            Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied a

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer (II Timothy 2:3-4)             After a friend’s grandson joined the military, she told me her daughter had been advised to never write about any problems going on at home. Letters should all be positive. I have some issues with the notion that families are to lie to their soldiers and I don’t think the soldiers are so foolish as to always believe everything’s fine. It seems to me the question of “What’s really going on?” would eat at their minds. At the same time, I understand completely. Lives depend on a soldier having his mind on his job, not on his family.           Similarly, if one joins the military, one leaves home for basic training or boot camp, or whatever the branch of the military calls it. These training times are designed not only to physically prepare the soldier, but to break the soldier down as a p

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (II Timothy 2:2)             Back in the 80s, there was an ad for Faberge shampoo in which the spokesperson suggested that once you tried the product, that you’d tell two friends, who would tell two friends, who would tell two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on. I remembered the ad vaguely as I looked at today’s passage, and did a search to find out what the it was selling. One of the websites I happened to check turned out to be using the ad as an example of a marketing technique that has become integral to our society since social media got started: Viral Marketing. With the click of a button, you can share your love of Brand X not with two who will share with two, but with several hundred, who may share with several hundred.           It’s not really a new technique. It’s as old as the hills. Viral marketing is simply “word of mo

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 2:1) The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14)              Strong . The word is the English translation of a Greek term from which we also get dynamic, dynamo and dynamite. It’s also related to the word from which we get dinosaur.           Grace. It’s the English translation of a Greek term from which we also get gift , charismatic, charisma. It’s related to the word from which we get charity and love. It describes a state of kindness and favor toward someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object; by extension, gift, benefit, words of kindness and benefit, thanks, blessing.            What does “strong in the grace” mean? How does one go about being strong in grace? I have been pondering this idea since I went to my workout, where my goal is to become strong. It was a leg day and usu

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. (II Timothy 1:15-18)             This isn’t recorded in the book of Acts. There is no explanation of why everyone abandoned Paul or who Phygelius and Hermogenes were. From this passage, we know that Onesiphorus was a helpful friend who was there for Paul more than once. We all want friends like Onesiphorus, but people are human, and often are more like Paul’s everyone. Every now and again, someone posts something on social media asking if they called or showed up at midnight in tears and in trouble, would we help. The whole point is that if we don’t immed

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (II Timothy 1:13-14)             Have you ever had to keep watch over something? I have yet to find it exciting or even interesting for long. Oh, sometimes there are moments, but most of guarding involves w…a…i…t…i…n…g…. Waiting for something to happen that threatens what is being guarded. It also involves discipline. You must keep yourself prepared.            For military folks, that discipline means physical preparation. One must be able to fight. I’m told that for Treasury agents, that discipline involves studying real money, so that when they encounter a forgery, they can recognize it. If you’ve seen pictures of the soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, discipline involves all sorts of conditions. Something else about guards is that they rarely work alone.