This morning I was able to join Dustin for Chapel at Southern. We were excited to hear John Piper in person! His message was from 2 Timothy 4:9-22, and entitled "The Sadness and Beauty of Paul's Final Words". When I first read the title of the message, I admit that I was a little skeptical, especially since I feel the "melancholy" traits of my personality have been predominant in my thoughts and attitudes over the past year or two. I get tired of thinking and hearing about sadness much of the time. But God knew this message was just what I needed to hear today. Piper's message reminded me that our hope and strength is Christ who will never leave us as we labor in ministry. It reminded me that Christ is our perfect friend, who never lets us down, and we can run to him when our imperfect human relationships fail; and it is only through Christ that we can forgive or be forgiven by others when we fail.
The Text from Paul in Scripture
9. Do your best to come to me soon. 10. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17. 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. 18. 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.
22. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
(2 Timothy 4:19-22 ESV)
The Application from Piper
Point 1: Christian ministry is relationally hard (consider v. 18)
Point 2: Friends in ministry can let you down and never return again (consider Demas in v. 10)
In the Christian's quest to share the good news of Christ, and be relevant in the culture around us, let us not forget that there is a love for the world that is incompatible with Christ.
Point 3: Good friends in ministry can let you down, and still be good friends (consider v. 12, 16)
Even when all deserted him at his defense, Paul was with and longed for his Christian friends now (Listen to the list! Luke, Mark, Timothy, Prisca, Aquila, Erastus, Trophimus, Claudia, Linus, Pudens, Eubulus--Paul must have reconciled with them after being deserted by those who were with him now)
Christian, when a brother fails you, you must forgive...or kill yourself holding onto bitterness and not forgiving.
Point 4: Jesus Christ is the center of your Christian friendships, and deepens the sweetness of your friendships (consider V 9, 21)
Human friendships are fickle, and yet, Paul longs for them.
Christ does not intend our friendship with him to replace Christian friendships or the Church.
Point 5: Jesus Christ is the only flawless friend (verse 17,18)
The Lord stood by Paul when all deserted him. Only on friend can rescue you, and bring you safely home. And when your human friendships fail, don't turn on your One Friend, Jesus, who will always be there.
Point 6: Closeness to God at the end of your life does not negate the need or desire to read and be nourished (verse 13).
Paul requests scrolls and parchments, presumably to study, meditate upon as the end of his life is approaching. I liked how Piper put it "bring the books! They will help me die well!"
Point 7: People with great influence and authority don't need great possessions (consider verse 13)
Paul asks for a cloak and stuff to read. Point 7 is always a timely reminder for me, as I feel that the sin of my love for money bears down upon me relentlessly.
Piper ended encouraging those pursuing Ministry to walk toward it, and to walk toward it with our eyes wide open, to help us to know what to expect in this life.
