The Disappointing Church (2 Timothy 4:6-18)

Church disappointment. We can think about it at a personal level. We may think that we can find acceptance, community, intimacy. We come, thinking that we can experience something of God’s grace lived out among God’s people, and people living out the truth that we are justified by faith alone, not works. But, then, what about works? Are we free to live in any way we want? 

There is a problem with our works. If God is not going to hold us responsible for our works, what if our works are poor, or that we hurt one another? What if our works are self-righteous?

If our religion was built on moral progress — that we are more saved the more we do — people will be striving for works and maybe, they will perform better. But this is not our religion. Christianity says that even if you are Barrabas, you could be received, not on virtue of your works, but by virtue of Christ’s works. 

Therefore, the church is full of sinners, full of people that are very likely that will not use words well, have mixed motives, be incredibly selfish, and you are one of them. 

The disappointing church is a reflection of our sin.  

If we look at 2 Timothy 4, we will see something of the discouragements of Paul’s own life and ministry, things that tugged at his heart and he might have been disappointed by. As we read it, we hope that you will give yourself permission to feel the same disappointment with the church but not to stay there and also see how he deals with it. 

(A) Paul’s faced great church discouragement (2 Tim 4:9-16)

In 2 Timothy 4:9, Paul asks Timothy to do his best to come to him soon. He did not command Timothy to come to him. He knows that Timothy has his own commitments, limitations and his own life. Timothy cannot be there for Paul just because he needs him. Paul knew that he can ask for him, but that he may take some time too. 

Thus, we see that Paul misses Timothy. The great apostle Paul who knew all sorts of things also misses his friend. 

2 Timothy 1:2-5 helps us to understand the relationship that they have. Timothy is called “my beloved child” (2 Tim 1:2), speaking of their close relationship. Perhaps, Paul even adopted Timothy. Paul remembers Timothy in his prayers daily, night and day (2 Tim 1:3). Timothy is constantly on Paul’s mind as Paul thinks about his daily needs and struggles. Paul remembers Timothy’s tears (2 Tim 1:4). It is a sweet thing for a man to have the friendship of another brother that he can cry in front of. This is a longstanding relationship! 

The Christian life is often one of need, where we often say to another brother or sister “I need ____”. But we are not always honest about our needs. Paul models for us what healthy, emotional expression looks like.

Do you have friendships like this? Men, do you have guys that you can say that you are spiritually bound up with? 

2 Timothy 4:10-16 also contains some of the discouragements that Paul faced. Firstly, he faced desertion & isolation in 2 Timothy 4:10-12. We read of Demas , who is also mentioned in Philemon 1 and Colossians 4. In Colossians 4, he is mentioned with Luke and commended. In 2 Timothy 4:9, we are told that Demas was in love with this present world and has left Paul to head to Thessalonica. Ministry is hard. Serving God is not easy. But for Paul, he was clear that something had shifted in Demas’ heart. He no longer wanted to continue the work with Paul and the team. It was not just a matter of differences in opinion. It was a change of heart. Demas did not finish well. 

How do you think Paul felt? Here was one who had served with Paul and ministered with him, yet now, he has gone away, in love with this [resent world. It is not hard to hear Paul’s heartbreak. 

Paul also mentions Crescens, Titus and Tychicus. These are men that have been dispatched. Paul constantly speaks of being alone. Paul sent men out to do work but there is a cost to it — people are going to leave you for a good cause.  And being left behind is never pleasant. 

How do we know this bothered Paul? He asked for Timothy to come and also for Mark! Mark was the one that Paul and Barnabas disagreed on. But here, Paul desired to meet Mark for he is useful. 

It can be discouraging to serve alone and trying to be faithful in ministry. Paul shows us that he never ministered alone. In all of Paul’s epistles, he always includes greetings and words from the other saints. Paul was not a solo Christian and did not do ministry alone. Yet in 2 Timothy 4, we get a deep sense of his loneliness.

Despite that, Paul also focuses on the ministry. Paul also requests that Mark be brought to him. 

There were also challenges within the church. Phygelus and Hermogenes turned away from Paul (2 Tim 1:15). But the household of Onesiphorus often refreshed Paul and was not ashamed of his chains (2 Tim 1:16). When he was in jail, no one, except Onesiphorus, went to find him in prison. 

Do you hear what Paul is saying? He was in prison alone. The church did not show up. 

Hymanaeus and Philetus have swerved from the truth (2 Tim 2:15-18). There is no greater joy for an apostle than to see the people walk in truth (3 John 4). We see that Paul was frustrated too that false teachers were upsetting the faith of others in the church that he is concerned about. 

Where are the faithful men of God? No one rallied to him. There are also those who are teaching false doctrines in the church. There are also men who have deserted the faith. 

Do you feel alone in the church? Do you feel let down? Paul knows what it feels like to be utterly alone in ministry. He is no stranger to isolation.

Despite that, Paul also recognised that God showed mercy by bringing Onesiphorus. He could see that God’s firm foundation stands. 

Secondly, Paul struggled with neediness. Paul asks for his cloak that he left with Carpus at Troas (2 Tim 4:13). This was a specific cloak and perhaps, his item could comfort and cheer him up. Paul was also expressing the fact that it is cold in prison and therefore, he wants his cloak. 

Paul also asks for the books. He wants to keep reading and also asked for the parchments that he can write. 

These are expressions of Paul of need. But it is clear that in his need, he remains ocused on ministry and the work — through the writing on the parchments. 

Thirdly, Paul struggled with oppposition. Paul mentions Alexander the coppersmith (2 Tim 4:16). Alexander did Paul great harm and we do not know the exact details but what we can safely say is that Paul and his ministry was hurt. The Lord will repay!

The apostle Paul knows what it is like to be a Christian that is deeply discouraged by other Christians and non-Christians. He knows what it is like to be hurt. 

Do you need to hear this today? The church is going to disappoint you. You will get hurt serving Jesus. You will feel like your needs are not met or that you don’t have what you need or that you are labouring alone. And if it does feel that way, take heart. Paul knows what it is like. 

Paul never allows himself to linger the on his pain. He focuses on the Lord and does not just pick at his scab. Maybe this is something we can learn.   

(B) But Paul kept his gaze on God (2 Tim 4:17-18)

Notice how Paul describes how he faced opposition. He says, “The Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (2 Tim 4:14), “the Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2 Tim 4:17) and “the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim 4:18). Paul was clear that the message might be fully proclaimed through him. How did Paul know that? He survived and was able to continue to preach. Paul is reporting his understanding of what God did in Him and through him in that moment. His attention was on the task, and on the power for the task. 

His narration of everything focused on what God did. He is focused on a cooperative act of the Lord. His gaze is always fixed on the Lord. Even in his doldrums, his eyes were not fixed on his disappointment, his circumstances or the people around him. Rather, his eyes were fixed on the Lord. This is a lesson for us. Let us always ask what God is doing even in our struggles. If we are aware of what the Lord is doing, it will change our focus! Let us have eyes that are always alert to see how God is at work.

(C) And Paul kept his story inside God’s story (2 Tim 4:6-8)

Paul uses a metaphor to describe his advanced season of life. Paul is old and he describes himself as already being poured as a drink offering and his time of departure has come (2 Tim 4:6). He feels drained and tired and has given himself to ministry. He feels himself getting weaker and older, and he knows that he is going to die. Paul is acknowledging and admitting weakness. 

But at the same time that he is talking about his present, he uses the drink offering metaphor. He uses a metaphor of worship. He is the offering. This is how he understands his life now and his past. Everything that has done now is for His praise.

Paul moves from the offering metaphor to a sports metaphor (2 Tim 4:7-8). He has fought the good fight and finished the race and is ready to receive the crown of righteousness which is the reward for the victor.

Paul is just talking about dying here. But we do not hear an ounce of discouragement and disappointments here. There are many ways that he could have gone out. He could have thought about his regrets, his hurts, legacy but yet, he is singularly focused. His entire life is wrapped up in the story of what God is going to do. His life is about what it means to follow God. When he dies, the thing that matters the most to Him is to receive the crown from the judge. 

This is the only story that matters. This is what he is looking for. He is using this story to make sense of his pain, struggle, hurt, and his life after death. 

This is the same strategy for us. Do not tell yourself a story about dreams that you will pursue, or about a love that you will find to establish your forever home. Fix your eyes on Jesus and focus on the task. If we get hurt along the way, or if we hurt each other along the way, give it to Him. God knows what to do with it. There awaits for us a crown of righteousness. 

Jesus is at the end of it all, even if the church is disappointing. And it is all about Him.