Psalm 65:1–13 • Joel 2:23–32 • 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 • Luke 18:9–14

This week’s theme is the Lord’s faithfulness to the end. In our call to worship psalm, the Lord is praised for his awesome deeds of deliverance and for being the hope of all the earth. The Old Testament reading presents Joel’s vision that highlights the Lord’s vindication and redemption of his people. Our reading from 2 Timothy reflects the Lord’s faithfulness in Paul’s final words and actions prior to his death. In the Gospel text in Luke, the theme of divine reversals is displayed in the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector. Those who trust in their own righteousness will not be exalted, but those who humble themselves before the Lord will.

Reminder: This introductory paragraph is intended to show how the four RCL selections for this week are connected and to assist the preacher prepare the sermon. It is not intended to be included in the sermon.

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Faith Under Fire

2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 ESV

2 Timothy is a letter written during a daunting and dark time in Paul’s life and ministry. In fact, he is writing from prison as he awaits a second trial that will assuredly sentence him to death. With winter soon approaching, Paul writes to Timothy, who he addresses as his “beloved child” (2 Tim. 1:2). He wants Timothy to come to his side, as everyone but Luke has deserted him (2 Tim. 4:9–11). And this falls on top of the widespread defection of followers in Asia (2 Tim. 1:15) along with the continuing influence of false teachers stirring discord among the churches (2 Tim 2:16–18, 3:13). But in this letter of summons, he also offers Timothy something like a last will and testimony. Paul, in a way, is passing the baton, a passing that will take place during a season of desertion, defection, deception, discord, and ultimately death.

However, as you read through Paul’s letter, you will not see any note of despair. Rather, for Paul, suffering and hardships are to be expected for a follower of Christ. Through it all, it is the triumph of Christ over death that dominates Paul’s letter to Timothy. Paul wants Timothy to remain loyal, not only to himself, but to the gospel Paul is devoted to. He is charging Timothy to remain faithful by embracing the hardship and suffering that he too will experience. Although the letter is addressed to Timothy, it also addresses all followers of Christ, especially during those dark and daunting times. As we take up this short section of the letter, we can take note of how faith in Christ shapes our response in the face of suffering, hardships, and even death.

 

Let’s look at the first section given to us in today’s reading:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth 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. 2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

Notice Paul is being realistic — he believes his death is near. His focus is on God, the righteous judge. Considering God’s faithfulness and love toward us, there is nothing lost that we know the Lord won’t redeem. Paul describes his situation in light of this reality. Paul might be afraid; death is scary! By the power of the Spirit and the faith of Jesus, he trusts God. Despite his circumstances, he encourages Timothy and others — this is what mentors attempt to do.

Paul does not speak in terms of his life being taken, but rather he sees his life as being offered as a sacrifice, given in service of the gospel. No one took Jesus’ life from him; he freely laid it down. Paul speaks of “being poured out as a drink offering” and his “time of departure has come;” both reflect, in some measure, Jesus’ words about his own death. Paul’s life is hidden in Christ, who enables Paul to live as an image-bearer of Jesus. As we follow Christ, how we face suffering and hardship, will also begin to reflect our Lord. In each struggle, we are being increasingly conformed to look like our Lord and Savior.

In this transformation, we become the Lord’s witnesses to others. The way Paul speaks of his impending death conveys to Timothy that the Roman government is not the ultimate authority. They do not have the final word. Paul’s manner of facing death bears witness to the reality that no matter what any human authority, government, or empire does to Paul, Timothy, or us, we still belong to God. Timothy is being mentored further by Paul’s demonstration of his loyalty to the true King of kings and Lord of lords in the face of his own execution at the hands of the Roman Empire.

Our faithful devotion to the Lord during our times of trial can serve as some of our most powerful moments of witness and discipleship to others, especially those we are closest to. Timothy would not soon forget Paul’s faithfulness during this turbulent time. It served as an encouragement when he faced his own times of trial. May we remember the witness of other believers we have known who have also displayed trust in the face of dire circumstances. May it give us courage and strength to do likewise. And as we do, we too then become an example of hope for those further down the line.

Next Paul uses three images to sum up his journey of faith. Paul is not bragging in these statements. Rather he gives an honest evaluation of his journey with the Lord, while holding out for Timothy an example to follow.

Paul has “fought the good fight.” The first image is that of a struggle. Life involves struggle. We have Jesus’ own words to this effect in John 16:33 ESV: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” However, as Paul points out, our fight is a “good fight.” The struggle is worth it; Jesus has overcome the world. It is the only conflict where we are guaranteed victory on account of Jesus’ victory on the cross. Evil has already been defeated. As believers, we are called to make witness of the one who has defeated evil and conquered death.

Notice that Paul did not say he “won the fight.” Fighting well means to participate in Jesus’ fight and victory. We are not waging a war on our own steam and power. It is a strength and courage given to us by the Spirit. We do not look back on our lives of faith and assess that we have now accomplished or achieved something on our own, apart from the Lord. It is only in trusting and receiving from the Lord that we can speak in terms of fighting “the good fight.” We must fight every day to trust the Lord again. Our battle is to receive from him, once again, the very life that only he can give. This is a constant struggle every believer will face.

The second image is that of running a race. Notice again that Paul does not say he has “won the race.” He has simply completed the race the Lord gave him to run. This also gives us a clue of how following Christ shapes our lives and our responses during difficult times. As a follower of Christ, we have direction. Our “race” is set before us. We do not have to go through life trying to figure out the course or direction to take. It’s a given. Our calling is simply to follow the course set before us. In short, Jesus is the “race” and “finish line” set before us. He is the direction we run regardless of any headwinds that may confront us. We know the finish line; therefore, we do not run aimlessly or in vain. This also means we know when we have strayed off course. The Christian race is a constant call to repentance. We must always change our direction back to the Lord when we find ourselves running down dead-end roads. Keep in mind these metaphors have everything to do with faith. The race we are called to finish is a course of trusting the Lord every step we take.

Again, like the fight, we are not called to “win” the race. That has already been done by Jesus. We are following in his “footsteps” by running the course he charted for us. In a way, our race is simply running the race that is now a victory lap. There is a finish line because Jesus has already declared that “It is finished” (John 19:30).

The third image Paul offers ties them all together. Paul says he has “kept the faith.” That’s the context of Paul’s journey with the Lord. This is the Christian’s true metric of success. Paul does not claim to have evangelized some preset numeric goal of converts. He is not saying that he has finally achieved some vision he had set forth for his ministry. In fact, numerically he is facing a major defection of many believers in Asia and I’m sure his vision was not to end up in prison awaiting execution. His goal has never changed. It is to remain faithful to the Lord. That is our calling as well. Jesus is not calling us to accomplish what he has already accomplished for us. He is calling us to follow him faithfully, trusting his lead no matter the course he gives us.

Let’s look at the three remaining verses:

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:16–18 ESV

As Paul makes the assertions that he has “fought the good fight,” “finished the race,” and “kept the faith,” he speaks in a way that reflects the goal of his calling. He is called to be faithful to the Lord who has proven to be faithful to him. He is called to be a follower of Christ, which will mean he is becoming more and more like his Savior. Notice how Paul relates the fact that no one came to his defense during his first trial; everyone deserted him. Does this not sound like the experience of Jesus during his own trial before the chief priests and scribes who sent him to Pontius Pilate to be sentenced to death? Paul travels the same road.  His response of “May it not be charged against them” is similar to Jesus’ own words of “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Paul reflects Jesus in all that he says and does as his life and ministry nears the end. That is his perspective as he says, “the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” He can face all desertions and defections knowing that the Lord is faithful to him. The Lord will see Paul to the finish line. Paul does not fear the loss of his life nor the end of his ministry. He knows both are in the Lord’s good hands. Reflecting on his first trial, he can say that he “was rescued from the lion’s mouth.” The lion metaphor is an allusion to the Emperor Nero and the empire. Now, facing a second trial that he seems assured will end with a death sentence, he is confident of the Lord’s rescue. He knows what really is at play is a rescue from “evil.” With this overall cosmic understanding of his situation, he can be at rest knowing that the Lord will “bring [him] safely into his heavenly kingdom.” There is no other kingdom worth dying for. Paul’s final words in this passage glorify God.

Paul’s last words not only encourage Timothy to remain faithful and continue his own fight and race of faith but serve to strengthen us as well during our times of intense challenges. We are reminded that evil has no final claim or standing. It is defeated and has no power over us that we don’t give it. Jesus is our finish line, and he is faithful to bring us into his kingdom. As we follow him daily, we trust that we will become more and more like Jesus in all we say and do.   We are witnesses to others of the Lord and Savior, the only one worth our worship. Whatever challenges you may face, I pray Paul’s words to Timothy will speak to you in a way that builds your faith. Keep fighting, keep running, keep the faith. Amen!

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