WORD From The Woods
2 Timothy 4:9-22
“Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 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. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.”
This is the last passage in 2 Timothy. I’ve pointed out before in our study through this letter from Paul to Timothy that this was written near the end of Paul’s life, so it’s really interesting to hear what was most important to him as he anticipated his death. What jumps out to me in the closing of this letter, is Paul’s love for the people who he’s been engaged in ministry with. He mentions numerous people from the different churches that he’s planted or been involved with over the years. You can really sense Paul’s care for these people and the value he has for fellowship with them. This really highlights the importance of being involved in a solid local church, where we can develop the same kinds of relationships with other people within the Christian community. God didn’t intend for us to walk this life alone. When we talk about being part of the body of Christ, we point to the reality that we are each just one of many members that make up the Church. We’re united together into one body when we share in the redemption found only in the shed blood of Christ. When we eat the Lord’s supper we proclaim His sacrificial death until He returns, and we’re united together as a covenant community when we partake of the bread and wine together. That’s why we often refer to the supper as “communion.” Community is essential for us as Christians and we will not be able to thrive spiritually on our own. One of the reasons people tend to neglect being part of a local church is because of past pain caused by conflict with others within the church. The reality is that conflict will happen when sinful people are in relationship together, but those conflicts can become great opportunities for spiritual growth through the process of reconciliation. Many times, the deepest friendships develop out of resolved conflict. Paul mentioned Mark, and how important he was in ministry. Back in Acts chapter 15, we read about Paul and Mark having such conflict that they had to go their separate ways. We don’t know exactly how or when they were reconciled, but it’s important to see that they were restored to fellowship and apparently become good friends again. If you’re not in a solid local Church feel free to reach out to us if you don’t know of a solid church in your area, we’d be happy to try and connect you with one!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
2 Timothy 4:9-22
“Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 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. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.”
This is the last passage in 2 Timothy. I’ve pointed out before in our study through this letter from Paul to Timothy that this was written near the end of Paul’s life, so it’s really interesting to hear what was most important to him as he anticipated his death. What jumps out to me in the closing of this letter, is Paul’s love for the people who he’s been engaged in ministry with. He mentions numerous people from the different churches that he’s planted or been involved with over the years. You can really sense Paul’s care for these people and the value he has for fellowship with them. This really highlights the importance of being involved in a solid local church, where we can develop the same kinds of relationships with other people within the Christian community. God didn’t intend for us to walk this life alone. When we talk about being part of the body of Christ, we point to the reality that we are each just one of many members that make up the Church. We’re united together into one body when we share in the redemption found only in the shed blood of Christ. When we eat the Lord’s supper we proclaim His sacrificial death until He returns, and we’re united together as a covenant community when we partake of the bread and wine together. That’s why we often refer to the supper as “communion.” Community is essential for us as Christians and we will not be able to thrive spiritually on our own. One of the reasons people tend to neglect being part of a local church is because of past pain caused by conflict with others within the church. The reality is that conflict will happen when sinful people are in relationship together, but those conflicts can become great opportunities for spiritual growth through the process of reconciliation. Many times, the deepest friendships develop out of resolved conflict. Paul mentioned Mark, and how important he was in ministry. Back in Acts chapter 15, we read about Paul and Mark having such conflict that they had to go their separate ways. We don’t know exactly how or when they were reconciled, but it’s important to see that they were restored to fellowship and apparently become good friends again. If you’re not in a solid local Church feel free to reach out to us if you don’t know of a solid church in your area, we’d be happy to try and connect you with one!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-