When A Good-Bye Is A Good Thing! - 2 Timothy 4:1-8
When A Good-Bye Is A Good Thing! - 2 Timothy 4:1-8
By Pastor Lee Hemen
July 26, 2020
Benjamin Franklin wrote that both “fish and visitors stink after three days” and he could have been referring to the fact that a lot of people back then did not bath as often as they should, I’m not sure. Yet I have seen that far too often how some pastors can overstay their ministry and they begin to stink like unwanted guests or old fish. Sometimes, saying “good-bye” is a good thing. I have learned that when the Lord begins to share with you what you need to do you had better do it and this is the case with my own retirement. I do not want to stink but leave when the Lord commands.
The Apostle Paul was headed to prison and he knew it because God had told him this was the case. He desired to leave a few things behind that he hoped would benefit a young protégé and the early church as a whole. Let’s discovery when good-bye is a good thing…
Paul understood that the world needed the message of the gospel. This has not changed. While many ministries focus on the individual’s happiness, success, and personal comfort this is not what the gospel message is about. In fact we learn that…
I. Saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean that we quit sharing the gospel! (Vv. 1-2)
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
1. Paul faced not only those who he had shared the gospel with but also the witness of the world at large. These folks were witnesses to how he had conducted himself both before his conversion and what occurred afterwards. He also understood that there were far greater witnesses he would have to one day give an account to for his life so he writes, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom”. Paul would have to give an account of his life to “God” and “Jesus Christ”! These would be far harsher witnesses to his life than the world would be because they “will judge the living and the dead”! Sometimes we can forget that all believers everywhere have to give an account to one another, the world, but to God as well! God’s kingdom is now and he could return at any moment! Jesus remarked over and over that he would bring justice to the world when he returned and related that even a persistent person would find justice from an unjust judge. Therefore, “I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8 NIV)” If Jesus were to return today would he find you doing what he has asked you to do? Would he find you living your faith? Notice Paul wrote that his readers were to “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.” How beautiful to hear about those who use every opportunity to share the good news to those around them no matter their circumstances! Paul was like that and we learn from him that saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean that we quit sharing the gospel!
EXAMPLE: Some messages are more important than others. The Constitution of the United States has transformed not only the USA but many nations of the world who have used it as a basis for their own constitutions. As wonderful as the Constitution is the gospel message is far more important for the world to hear. Never before has the world needed the message it contains. Paul understood this and he realized that saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean that we quit sharing the gospel!
Paul also understood that there would be people who would try to use the gospel for their own benefit. It was therefore extremely important that the church understand that…
II. Saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean we change the message! (Vv. 3-5)
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
1. We have learned that many of those protesting are paid communist sympathizers funded by groups that want to destroy America and its freedom. The media would want you to think they are a majority when in fact they are an extreme minority. While change is not all bad for America, anyone who desires to tear down personal freedoms for the sake of socialism or communism are evil. These kinds of evil people exist within the church as well. There are those who deliberately tear down the deity of Jesus, his existence, or his historicity in order to gain an audience. Paul knew this would occur and wrote “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.” We have those who claim they love God or know Jesus espousing ungodly lifestyles, perverted practices, or sinful socialism. They do not know God. Paul would declare “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. (Romans 1:25-26 NIV)” Just because someone seems nice, intelligent, or spiritual does not mean they know God personally. “Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” However the believer is to remain strong in their faith. We do not make the words of Scripture fit our personal proclivities, rather we conform ourselves into the image of Jesus. This is why Paul would write, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)” Christians are to “keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry”. Saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean we change the message!
EXAMPLE: Tearing down a statue or changing the name of a sports team does not change history. If we do not learn from our past we are doomed to do the same things in the future. Trying to rewrite history will not make up for the mistakes of the past. Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, Communist China, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela have all tried to rewrite history to suit their political desires. It does not change history. The gospel message is the same today, yesterday, and until Jesus returns! Saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean we change the message!
As Paul faced perhaps the end of his life he had given a lot of thought what it meant for what remained of his life. He wanted to share with those he cared about what it might mean and in his words we discover that…
III. Saying “good-bye” is not good-bye at all! (Vv. 6-8)
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.
1. Paul did not know what would occur in the future for his life. He suspected that it would not end well. God had shared with him that he would end up in Rome and imprisoned for his faith. Now as I enter into the final days of my ministry here as pastor I do not know exactly what the Lord has in store for me but I am confident he is in control. Paul would write, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.” He understood that no matter what occurred God was in control. This is true for all of us. He wanted to comfort them by letting them know he was not worried. I want to let you know the same is true for me as well. Paul writes some of the most beautiful words to them by telling them “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul knew who he had believed in and was fully persuaded that God had plans for his life no matter the outcome. He could confidently state: “Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.” Anyone who has served the Lord confidently has such a view. I know my ministry is not based on how I feel, the title I have, or the position given to me; it is based in the One whom I have believed in all these years. Will things change? Certainly; this is the way of the Lord. Change happens but it is not a bad thing but a blessing. And like Paul for me saying “good-bye” is not good-bye at all!
EXAMPLE: The earliest memory I have is one of being about two years old sitting by our backdoor with our dog on a sunny day in Jackson, Wyoming. I have often wondered why we do not have more memories of our youth; I know I am luckier than most because I have retained quite a few. Knowing these memories and knowing the gospel message has given me confidence for my future as well. Like Paul I have learned “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:7-8 NIV)” Saying “good-bye” is not good-bye at all!
Conclusion:
Saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean that we quit sharing the gospel! Saying “good-bye” doesn’t mean we change the message! Saying “good-bye” is not good-bye at all!
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This article is copyrighted © 2020 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
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