Please turn with me to 2 Timothy 4 - starting at verse 9.  Today is our last Sunday looking at 2 Timothy and the Character of a Consistent Christian.  We’ve been looking at what it means to remain consistent in our walk with God - to go the distance with Jesus.

What we have been seeing is that a consistent Christian - one who is going to go the distance with Jesus - is a person who has come to realize that behind the circumstances of his or her life is God.  That it is God who - by His grace and mercy - has sustained and preserved us - and Who calls us to Himself.  So that - first of all - a consistent Christian is a person who knows Jesus personally and who is choosing to build his or her life upon God’s word.

Then, a consistent Christian is one who understands that all of what God does for us isn’t about us.  That God - has chosen each of us - before the creation of the world - to glorify Him.  That we are part of God’s plan - His work in history - of redeeming - of buying back mankind from sin.  That role needs to be our focus in life - regardless of what our Adversary throws at us - we are to keep on keeping on living for Jesus - sharing the Gospel - until God says to stop.  Which means that we must be totally surrendered to Him - allowing God to mold us - to shape us - physically, mentally, and spiritually for His purposes.

Let’s be honest.  That kind of commitment is not easy.  Perhaps the most difficult time of remaining consistent in our walk with God is what we’re coming to this morning.  That is the difficulty of remaining consistent when it seems as though we’re the only one’s who are committed.  When we’re feeling alone and being pounded by our Adversary with all kinds of temptations and discouragements.  Which is why what Paul writes here - starting in verse 9 - is so crucial for us to hear.  Staying consistent when we’re called to do that alone.

2 Timothy 4 - starting at verse 9:  Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.  Only Luke is with me.  Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.  But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 

Let’s pause there and understand where Paul is coming from here.  Verses 9 to 15 focus on Paul in Rome.  Say that with me, “Paul in Rome.”

Years ago David Letterman did a top ten list - the “Top 10 Signs You Have No Friends.” (1)  These are the top 4 of the top 10:   

4. At your funeral, the entire eulogy is, “Yep, he’s dead.”

3. You are one of the five best solitaire players in the world.

2. You go to a video store and say out loud to yourself, “Well, what do you want to rent tonight?”

1. James Taylor sings the first bars of “You’ve Got A Friend,” notices you in the audience and stops.

There is a tremendous sense of loneliness in what Paul writes.

Paul writes “Make every effort to come to me soon.”  Do your best.  Don’t put this on the back burner and think about it.  Don’t get side-tracked.  Do what needs to be done and come - quickly.  

Two reasons.  First - Paul writes back in verse 6:  “The time of my departure is a hand.”  Death is imminent.

Paul is writing to Timothy from a stinking - dark - damp - cold - unsanitary - jail cell.  As he’s writing its probably in the fall.  Tradition tells us that about 6 months later - in April - Paul will be taken out of that cell - taken out to the Ostian Way - outside the city of Rome - and beheaded.  The verses that we’re reading this morning are the last verses Paul ever wrote.  Death is imminent.

Second - looking ahead to verse 21 - Paul writes,  “Make every effort to come before winter.”  Its fall and winter’s coming.  Travel is going to get really difficult.  Come now otherwise you’re going to be held up until next summer.  That’s just too long to wait. 

There’s an urgency - a passion - in what Paul writes.  I need you here.

Then Paul writes, “Demas deserted me.”

Back in the early ‘70’s - as his UCLA football team was suffering through a poor season - head coach Pepper Rodgers came under intense criticism and pressure from alumni and fans.  Things got so bad, he remembers that friends became hard to find. “My dog was my only true friend,” Rodgers said.  “I told my wife that every man needs at least two good friends - and she bought me another dog.”  (2)

Abandonment really cuts deep into the heart.  Doesn’t it?  When someone we’ve loved and poured out our heart to - been committed to - sacrificed for -  just walks away - or isn’t there when we need them most.

Demas was probably the man that’s recorded in Acts 19 as the silversmith in Ephesus who led the riot that almost cost Paul his life.  Later in his letter to Philemon, Paul calls Demas his fellow worker.  If the traditional understanding of this is accurate - Demas - through Paul’s ministry made a 180º turn in his life - coming to salvation in Jesus.  Demas was discipled  by Paul.  Trained by Paul.  Served with Paul.  Went to Rome with Paul.  (Acts 19:23-41; Philemon 1:24)

One of the great struggles in ministry - not just for pastors - but for anyone committed to God - pouring their lives out for God - especially in difficult times - is looking around and realizing that others - people who come and worship God with us - and talk about praising Jesus - and serving Him - when the rubber meets the road - they’re off spending their time and money on what brings pleasure to them - entertainment and toys - or they’re doing things for money or recognition - or looking after their own position and reputation.

Paul writes painful words, “Demas deserted me.”  He’d had enough of the hardships of Rome.  He left me for Thessalonica and the empty things of the world.

Crescens went to Galatia.  Crescens we don’t know about.  Titus went to Dalmatia.  Titus was a young disciple of Paul.  He was the recipient of a letter from Paul - called the Epistle of Paul to “Titus.”  Tychicus was well known in Central Asia.  He was the man Paul chose to carry his letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians.  Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus - probably to take Timothy’s place when Timothy came to Rome.

While Demas was a deserter - these men are faithful servants that have been moved - by God - out of Rome to other places of ministry.  God does that.  Moves us around.  Even though we know that we’re serving God and that we’ll all see each other in heaven - still that parting is hard.  It creates an empty spot in our hearts.  We miss people.  True?

People are leaving - that creates loneliness for Paul.

Luke and Paul were companions and missionaries and friends and close brothers in Christ.  That kind of fellowship that’s forged through common purpose and great adversity.  Luke was with Paul during his first imprisonment.  He’s with Paul again.  Luke served Paul. 

Mark was the young man who’d deserted Paul on Paul’s first missionary journey.  He’d gotten homesick and ran back to Jerusalem.  But, Mark had grown - matured.  Paul had forgiven him - a testimony to how God can work in people’s lives - both Mark’s and Paul’s.  Eugene Peterson, in “The Message” puts Paul’s words this way, “Bring Mark with you; he’ll be my right-hand man.”

Luke and Paul are doing ministry in Rome - the capital city of the Empire.  Being overwhelmed by what needs to be done has its own kind of loneliness.  Watching people leave - for whatever reason -  only adds to that sense of isolation. 

Going on to verse 13 - Paul writing about what its like for him in Rome - verse 13:  When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

If you had 1 minute to grab one thing in your house and take it with you - what would that be?  Photo album?  Pin drive?  Laptop?  Collection of Bee Gee’s records? 

Troas is on the coast of Turkey - just south of Istanbul.  After Paul had gone to Spain - he’d headed back to Greece and then to Troas.  It was in Troas that Paul was arrested again - hauled off to Rome - where he is waiting to be executed.  Apparently that arrest was sudden - a late night -  breaking down the door - kind of arrest.

Paul doesn’t have time to grab his cloak - which was a kind of wool poncho - that would have kept Paul warm in the winter.  He doesn’t have time to grab his books - which probably would have been copies of the Gospels - Mark and Matthew - maybe more - which would have been circulating at the time.  Parchments - which Paul is especially interested in - were probably the Old Testament - written on animal skins.  Arrested - suddenly - Paul has to leave all that behind with Carpus - back in Troas.

Paul asks Timothy to go by Troas and pick it up on his way to Rome.  In his loneliness, there’s a longing in Paul’s heart to be saturated with God’s word.  To study what’s been written.  To read familiar passages.  To mediate on the words of His Savior.  Have you been there?  God’s word bringing comfort?

Then verse 14:  Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.  Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

In 1 Timothy - Paul mentions Alexander along with Hymenaeus - men who were part of the church in Ephesus - men who were teaching wrong doctrine - who wanted leadership in the church because their ego’s demanded it.  Men who opposed Paul and who opposed Timothy.  Alexander had found a way to get at Paul.

The Greek word for “harm” is the word “endeiknumai.”  It means to point out - to mark.  The word was used of informers - people who turn in other people for personal gain.  Alexander was probably the man who betrayed Paul to the Romans.  Found a reason to have him arrested.

Paul warns Timothy, “God will deal with Alexander.  But, you need to watch out for this guy.  Given the opportunity, he’ll do the same to you.”

The loneliness Paul feels is not just because of those who’ve left him in Rome - but the loneliness is because of the circumstances of his arrest - the betrayal of Alexander - the quick departure from Troas.

Bottom line:  Paul in Rome.  Paul writes to Timothy.  This is a lonely place to be.  Timothy - get here.  Bring Mark.  Time is short.  There’s a lot to do.  I need you

Now, we’re going to come back to verse 16.  But, in order to help us a get a grip on Paul’s point in this entire section - verses 9 to 22 - we need to jump down to verse 19 - and then we’ll come back to verse 16.

So, skip with me down to verse 19:  Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.  Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.  Make every effort to come before winter.  Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.  The Lord be with your spirit.  Grace be with you.    

Verses 19 to 22 focus on Paul In Ministry.  Say that with me, “Paul in ministry.”

Some of these people here are familiar to us.  Some are not.

Prisca and Aquila  were the Jewish couple from Corinth.  Tentmakers - who opened their home to the church.  They served with Paul in Corinth - in Ephesus - and in Rome.

Onesiphorus - who at one time risked everything to minister to Paul.

Erastus - is the treasurer of Corinth.

Trophimus - the gentile believer from Asia - who was accused of following Paul into the Temple in Jerusalem - who accidentally sparked a riot that led to Paul’s arrest.

Then Paul lists four Roman believers.  Eubulus whom we know nothing about.  Linus who may have been the one Irenaeus - one of the early church fathers - Irenesus mentions a Linus who became the Bishop of Rome.  His name appears here between Pudens - a male name - and Claudia - a female name.  Its possible - underscore - this is speculation - but its possible that Linus - the first bishop of Rome - may have been the son of Pudens and Claudia.

These last words are very personal.  “The Lord be with your spirit.”  “Your” is singular.  Not “you all’s spirit” - but “your” - Timothy’s spirit.  May the Lord daily supply all that you Timothy need - to encourage you - to uplift you - to empower you - to serve Him.

“Grace be with you.”  May God graciously bless you as you serve Him.  May you know His continued favor in your life.

The word Paul uses for “greet” is “aspazomai.”  Our English doesn’t really express the depth and scope of emotion of “aspazomai.”  This isn’t a simple “howdy.”  “To greet” is to embrace - to grab onto with bear hug and hold on tight - to connect heart to heart - to express great affection.

Some of these people are scattered around the Empire.  Some are in Rome.  All have been involved in ministry with Paul.  Some he will never serve with again.  Some Paul will serve with for only a few short months to come.  We don’t know if Timothy ever made it to Rome before Paul died.

The bottom line is Paul’s deep affection for these people and the great joy he’s experienced while serving with them that he knows all that is coming to an end.  There’s deep emotion - even loneliness - knowing that reality.

Let’s go back to verse 16.  Sandwiched between loneliness - verses 16 to 18 are really the heart of what Paul is writing about here.

Verse 16:  At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.

Paul’s Focus Is Jesus.  Say that with me, “Paul’s focus is Jesus.” 

In Rome, who’s on the throne?  The Christian persecuting nut case Nero.  Nero was known for his vindictiveness.  He had his assassins moving through out the city.  They were ready to take out anyone who appeared to oppose Nero.  No questions asked.  To stand up in court and actually testify on Paul’s behalf would have been very high behavior - leaving ourselves wide open to being picked up and used as lion food. 

When Paul was brought forward - when the charges were brought against him at his arraignment - no one stood with him.  That’s lonely.  Betrayed - arrested - deserted - standing alone before the Roman judicial system.

Verse 17:  But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me - underline that - But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.

In the midst of the loneliness - with all that was against him - comes this powerful statement:  “The Lord stood with me.”  The Lord stood with Paul.  Say that with me, “The Lord stood with Paul.”

Hebrews 13:5 - God speaking to His people, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”  There are five negatives in that one short sentence.  “No, not ever will I ever leave you, no not ever never will I desert you.”  Get the point?

The response comes in Hebrews 13:6.  “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”

The Lord stood with me.  When I was left alone.  Jesus was there.

First:  Jesus stood with Paul and gave him strength to testify.

Can you see this?  Its like lobbing a slow pitch right over the plate - dangling it in front of Barry Bonds - with the bases loaded - in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied.  Can you hear the court asking, “Paul, what is it that you believe about this Jesus?”  What an opportunity.  The great missionary Paul is salivating.

The reason Paul stands before the court in Rome is not about Paul - its about giving testimony to the reality of Jesus the Savior.  Before the court - Jesus is there - with Paul - giving Him the strength - the Holy Spirit giving Him the words - so that God’s purposes for Paul will be fulfilled - so that the gentiles - even in Rome - will hear the Gospel.  Its an opportunity to hit a witnessing grand slam.

Second:  Jesus stood with Paul and rescued him from the lion’s mouth.

Peter writes, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8)

Behind Nero - behind the constant assault on our faith and walk with God - behind it all are the spiritual forces of darkness - the forces of wickedness - behind all that is Satan - lurking - prowling - trying to devour our faith - to maim God’s people - to destroy our testimony.  But, because Jesus stood with Paul Satan couldn’t touch him.

Verse 18 - confident victorious words - The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Regardless of the worst of what may come against me in this world - whatever the “shadow of death” experience - and even death itself - even death is an opportunity to enter into Jesus’ eternal kingdom.  Whatever - Jesus will rescue me from anything that Satan could possibly throw against me.   No matter what, Jesus will stand with me.  To God be the glory! 

Last Sunday morning - down at the camp outside Ensenada - about 2:00 - early - way before the sun came up - I was laying my sleeping bag - awake - tired - anxious about what was going to happen in the next few days.  What came to my mind was how out of control I was - how far from anything familiar.

Do you ever have those experiences where your fears and anxieties start to build in intensity?  Like a whirlpool pulling you down?

I started thinking about all the horrible things that could happen.  Not that any of them were reasonable.  But lying there 500 miles from home - on the side of a mountain in Mexico - being attacked by the lion - what’s reasonable?

I started to stress.  I can’t handle this.  I’m not going to make it.  I was having trouble breathing.  Like there was this huge weight on my chest.  I began to think, “I’m going to die here.  The border is only 1½ hours away.  I’ve got to get out of here.  We need to go now.”  Anxiety is a very lonely - scary - place to be.

Any of you ever been there?  Think about the stress points in your own life.

What I’ve learned from experience - having gone through this before - what I’ve learned is that the only thing I can do is to start praying - taking everything that I’m feeling and thinking - and bringing it to God in the name of Jesus.  Reviewing God’s past graciousness and mercy - His deliverance.  Asking for His strength and protection and presence now.

Turning to God is the answer - because the heart of the issue is spiritual.  The Adversary Satan - the lion - is the one who seeks to destroy and to keep us from serving God.  The answer is Jesus.  He is the One who stands with us.  Say this with me, “Jesus stands with me.”

In the movie “Facing The Giants” Grant Taylor is the football coach of who?  the Shiloh Christian Academy Eagles.  Coach Taylor is drowning in a deepening series of insurmountable professional and personal crisis - anxiety - stress - loneliness.  The turning point in the movie comes as Taylor asks the question.  With all that’s going wrong - what possible purpose could God have for me here?

There’s this scene where Taylor addresses the team and tells them that football isn’t about winning and losing - its about honoring God.  Remember this?  “If we win, we praise Him.  And, if we loose, we praise Him.  Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes…”  Are we together?

Not every one on the team is willing to give every thing to follow Taylor’s “honor God with everything football philosophy.”  The scene I’d like to show you is Taylor’s way of convincing his star defensive linemen to go the distance.

(Scene:  Facing The Giants:  The Death Crawl) (3)

God knows our potential.  He created it.  He knows what we are up against and what we struggle with - what we allow to hold us back from being who He’s created us to be.  What keeps us from going the distance.

But even when life seems like the death crawl - where’s Jesus?  He is right there shouting out encouragement.  Urging us forward.  Even more than a human coach - He’ll supply the strength - He’ll protect us - He’ll provide all that we need.

The question comes down to this:  Are we willing to go the distance as Jesus defines the distance?

That’s a promise that’s for every single one of us this morning.  Are you tracking with Paul here?  We may be facing huge - seemingly insurmountable difficulties - deep struggles in our lives - burdens unfairly placed upon us.  We may have been deserted - left alone - betrayed - even by those we love most deeply.  Our hearts may be breaking and our world coming apart at the seams.

But, we never ever ever stand alone.  We stand in Jesus’ strength.  We stand in Jesus’ promises.  Jesus stands with us.  Say that with me, “Jesus stands with us.”  Jesus stands with me.  “Jesus stands with me.”

Jesus stands with you.  To God be the glory forever.  Amen!

_______________________________
1. Late Show With David Letterman, 09.30.1993
2. Quoted by Chris Santasiere, sermon:  “Let God Be Your Strength”
3. Facing The Giants, © 2006 Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.