Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20121111.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
2 Timothy: God's Directives For Church Leaders Amid Hardships
Part VIII: Paul's Example Of Positive Adjustments To Personal Ministry Hardships
(2 Timothy 4:9-22)
  1. Introduction
    1. If facing great trials as a discipler, one can loose his composure, becoming negative and unproductive.
    2. However, Paul remained positive and productive as exemplified in 2 Timothy 4:9-22 (as follows):
  2. Paul's Example Of Positive Adjustments To Personal Ministry Hardships, 2 Timothy 4:9-22.
    1. Paul's "climactic testimony" of having fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith in light of his imminent martyrdom for the faith (2 Timothy 4:6-8), is followed by his return "to treat worrisome, immediate personnel affairs," Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, ftn. to 2 Timothy 4:9-22.
    2. Yet, the way Paul handled these issues exemplify affirmative adjustments to hardships, 2 Tim. 4:9-22:
      1. Paul positively ministered to his own personal needs to finish his life and ministry well:
        1. He sought to edify his own heart with good Christian fellowship, 2 Timothy 4:9-11: (1) he asked Timothy to do his best to come quickly (2 Tim. 4:9), and (2) to bring Mark who was profitable to him in the ministry, 2 Tim. 4:11b. Mark had deserted Paul and Barnabas on the mission field (Acts 15:38), leading Paul to refuse to take him with him on his second missionary journey, Acts 15:36-40. Mark had since overcome his faithlessness to become a minister profitable to Paul!
        2. Paul sought to address his physical needs, 2 Timothy 4:13a, 21a: (1) he asked Timothy to bring the "cloak" (KJV), an outer coat used for warmth, Moulton & Milligan, The Vocab. of the N. T. , 1972, 665-666. (2) We know it was late autumn via Paul's urging Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:21 to do his best to come to him before winter, so, Paul was cold in the Maritime dungeon in the late autumn time of the year, and wanted a cloak to keep himself warm, ministering to his physical needs.
        3. Paul sought to address his Bible study needs, 2 Timothy 4:13b: (1) Along with the cloak, Paul asked Timothy to bring the biblia (U. B. S. Grk. N. T., 1966, p. 737 ), the "books" (KJV) that were "papyrus rolls" (Ibid., Ryrie, ftn. to 2 Tim. 4:13) upon which had been written New Testament writings already being circulated (cf. 2 Peter 3:16), but especially the membranas (Ibid., U. B. S. Grk. N. T.), the "parchments, skins of vellum . . . probably Paul's personal copies of portions of the O. T.," Ibid., Ryrie. (2) "This missionary-prisoner still wanted to study" Scripture (Ibid.) even close to his martyrdom, for he noted the need to edify his heart and soul throughout his earthly life!
      2. Paul positively instructed disciple, Timothy that he might live and minister well after Paul's death:
        1. Paul explained the spiritual defeat and spiritual victory in the lives of believers Timothy knew as a further clarification on what to avoid and what to do in his life and ministry, 2 Timothy 4:10a, 11b.
        2. Paul warned Timothy to guard himself from a difficult foe in Alexander the coppersmith, 4:14-15.
        3. Paul testified to Timothy of his exemplary spiritual victory in facing his martyrdom, 2 Tim. 4:16-18.
        4. Paul sent Timothy greetings from four believers for his edification, 2 Timothy 4:21b.
      3. Paul positively ministered to the Church at large, doing his best to help it after his martyrdom:
        1. Paul had sent Tychicus to the church at Ephesus to minister for its edification, 2 Timothy 4:12.
        2. Paul informed Timothy on the movements of other servants of the Lord to various local churches so Timothy might adjust to them for furthering God's work after Paul's death, 2 Timothy 4:10b, 20a.
        3. Paul asked Timothy to greet his dear friends Priscilla and Aquilla and Onesiphorus's household that they might be edified in view of the likelihood that it might be Paul's last word to them, 2 Tim. 4:19. Onesiphorus had risked his life to minister Paul in prison (2 Tim . 1:16-18), and Priscilla and Aquilla had been fellow tentmakers with Paul (Acts 18:2-3) who also discipled Apollos, Acts 18:26.
        4. Paul notified Timothy of the health needs of believer, Trophimus whom he had left ill at Miletus so that Timothy might either himself or by means of others minister to Trophimus, 2 Timothy 4:20.
Lesson: Though suffering hardship for the faith near martyrdom in a cold prison, Paul positively sought to address his own physical, spiritual and fellowship needs, the discipling needs of his son in the faith, Timothy, the needs of other believers and the needs of the Church at large.

Application: Even if facing great trials, may we positively address our needs and the needs of others.