Defining Moment

2 Timothy 4:1-8

 

 

Frank Gifford died this past week. He was 84 years old. He played in the NFL for 12 years and later was one of the original announcers on ABC when Monday Night Football debuted. One of the current ABC news announcers said that “he was a good man and a good person”. That was his eulogy; his defining moment.

 

According to my NIV Study Bible, Paul wrote 2 Timothy after his fourth missionary trip. At the time he was in prison. This was nothing like the rented house he lived in the first time he was a prisoner. This was a cold hard dungeon where Paul was chained like a common criminal.

 

He seemed to believe that he was near the end of his life, and with that in mind gave his own eulogy when he wrote, “⁶For 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.”

 

You get the sense that Paul is looking back on his life and remembering his friends at all the churches where he ministered: Ephesus, Corinth, Galatia, Philippi, and others. He is remembering how God has used him in the lives of so many people for his Lord and Savior.

 

With that in mind, he gave Timothy some final instructions. “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.”

 

Previous to this in chapter 3 he also wrote, ^“16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

Paul seems to be preparing Timothy so that when he reaches the end of his life, he too can say like Paul, “I have fought the good fight”. Indirectly, Paul is preparing you and me for the same defining moment.

 

If we follow Paul’s instructions, then we too can say with him, “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.”

 

In the meantime, let us live life, one day at a time, with faith in Christ so when we

arrive at that defining moment, we too can say like Paul, “I fought the good fight”.

 

 

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20timothy%204%3A1-8&version=NIV;TLB

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Tim.4.1-2Tim.4.8

Ready, Get Ready...Pray

Acts 21:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. ”When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

Mission work can be dangerous if you're not ready. Paul's word indicate he is ready, even ready to die if necessary. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21). As for us, at the very least, we will be called to 'die to self'. 

There is preparation to be done prior to any mission endeavor.  It doesn't matter if you are traveling overseas, working in a homeless shelter, or helping feed hungry children; there is an element of preparation in order to be ready.

I know it is unwise to tackle any situation which Satan does not want improved without being 'prayed up.' We need to be on guard against the enemy who prowls the earth.  We must put on the full armor of God every day in order to stand against the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Those flaming arrows can take on the shape of illness, injury, fear and pain. Any of these arrows can stop us in our tracks and can make us ineffective. Paul was ready, he was prayed up and all set to face the enemy head on.

Our desire to please God must overshadow our desire to avoid hardship and suffering. When we really want to do God's will, we must accept all that comes with it—even the pain. Then we can say with Paul's companions, "The Lord's will be done." 

Acts 21:7-16

The Positives to Preparation

My husband and I complement each other pretty well. My strengths tend to be areas he is lacking and vice versa. Preparation is one area where I need his help. I am the impatient, "let's jump right in and get started," type of person.  He is the "let's research, plan, cover all our bases," type.  While my way can be fun and spontaneous, his way has fewer headaches.

Our passage today shows Jesus preparing for his ministry. I believe Jesus, being fully God could have jumped right into the miracles, healings, and preaching but instead he waited and prepared. I think he did this for our benefit. He was preparing us for him more than himself for us.

First, John started getting the world ready by opening eyes to the need for repentance. The Hebrews knew a Messiah was coming but they didn't fully understand it was because of their sin that he was so badly needed.

Next Jesus was baptized, setting the example for us and showing everyone present who Jesus was. When the heavens opened and a dove descended on Jesus there was no doubt God was working.

We finally see, in our passage today, how Satan tempted Jesus. We read how the human Jesus resisted Satan through the word. We have a Messiah who understands what it is to be tempted and can empathize with us when we are, but who was strong enough to stand against the devil and his own human desires.

God is a God of order. Preparation is a part of that order. I am grateful that Jesus’ preparation helps us to know him even today.

Read today passage at Biblegateway Matthew 3:1-4:11