Acts chapter 28:16-20, Paul is in the middle of his court trial, and it is not going well, out of this very dark situation, Paul appeals to Timothy, who is still on assignment in Ephesus, he asked Timothy to come be with him in prison so Paul can pass on to him the church planting mission he started. Paul challenges Timothy to accept his calling as a leader, Paul’s thanking God for Timothy and his family, specifically for his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, they immersed the young Timothy in the story of the Old Testament scriptures. They instilled in him a deep faith in the King Jesus, because of that firm faith, Paul challenges Timothy. Paul calls Timothy to reject any temptation to be ashamed of the good news about Jesus, or of Paul, who is suffering in prison for announcing that good news. The reason Paul needs to emphasize this is the negative stigma that he gained by his frequent times in prison, it made many of Paul’s co-workers doubt his calling as an apostle. Paul mentions two people, Phygelus and Hermogenes, they deserted Paul, because they were ashamed of being associated with Paul, who was an accused criminal now, Paul asked Timothy to reject any fear of shame and to come see him.
Paul knows that this is a costly request, it could put Timothy at risk, so he reminds Timothy that Jesus’ grace is a source of power, because following Jesus is not easy. Paul likens following Jesus to enrolling as a solder, who is striving to please their commanding officer or it is like an athlete, who is training their body for a competition or it is like a hard-working dedicated farmer. All three of these metaphors involve a person, who is committed to something bigger than themselves and who is willing to sacrifice and endure challenges to accomplish a greater goal. The highest example of this is Jesus himself, because of his commitment to the Father, he suffered crucifixion by the Romans and similarly, Paul himself is now suffering in a Roman prison, hardship and sacrifice are inherent to the Christian life. This is why Jesus’ resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope, if we died with him, then we will live with him, if we endure, then we will reign with him, if we deny him, then he will deny us, if we are unfaithful, he will remain faithful, for he is unable to deny his own nature. God’s love for our world has opened up a new hope through the death and resurrection of Jesus, so for those who will take the risk of trusting and following Jesus, God promises vindication and life. For those who reject him, God will honor that decision and do the same, but people’s faithlessness will never compel God to abandon his faithfulness.
Paul calls Timothy to faithfulness, knowing that it my come with a cost. Paul’s calling Timothy to confront the corrupt teachers in Ephesus before he comes to Rome, their teaching is spreading in the Ephesian church life a cancer, they have targeted and corrupted a number of influential women in the church. Paul does not offer much detail about the teachers bad theology, Timothy already knows about it, but they teach that the resurrection has already taken place, they have abandoned the robust future hope of resurrection and of new creation, they have embraced instead a private hyper spiritualized Christianity, that is disconnected from day-to-day life. Paul calls Timothy to raise up faithful leaders, who are going to teach the real good news about Jesus, they should avoid senseless arguments that result from debating those teachers, they should focus on the core storyline and message of the scriptures. These scriptures are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in King Jesus, the whole point of the scriptures is to tell us a unified story that leads to Jesus, and that has wisdom to offer the whole world.
Paul talks about scripture’s nature and purpose, all scripture is divinely breathed, “God’s Spirited” the Spirit’s role in guiding the biblical authors, so what they wrote is what God wanted his people to hear. God speaks to his people in the scriptures for a very practical purpose, they are useful for teaching, telling us things we did not know before. They are useful for challenging us, we say we believe, but we do not actually live consistently with. They are useful for correcting us, exposing our messed up ways of thinking and behaving, and they are useful for training us in righteousness, showing us a new way to be truly human, this is also that God’s people will be prepared for doing good.
Paul asks Timothy to come as soon as possible before winter, he does not want to freeze in his cell, he is going to need his heavy coat that he had to leave behind and could Timothy bring those personal documents that he left in Troas. Paul mentions Alexander, who is an especially dangerous man that Timothy should avoid, he is responsible for Paul’s most recent arrest. Paul mentions how nearly everyone has abandoned him in prison, his only source of comfort now, is the personal presence of Jesus, who stands with him and will deliver him, even if he dies. Paul’s very influential life and mission were marked by persistent challenge, suffering and struggle, following Jesus involves risk and sacrifice, inviting tension and discomfort into your life. These things are not a sign of Jesus’ absence, but as Paul discovered with generations of Christians after him, that precisely in those dark and difficult moments, Jesus’ love and faithfulness can become most tangible and real.
Paul knows that this is a costly request, it could put Timothy at risk, so he reminds Timothy that Jesus’ grace is a source of power, because following Jesus is not easy. Paul likens following Jesus to enrolling as a solder, who is striving to please their commanding officer or it is like an athlete, who is training their body for a competition or it is like a hard-working dedicated farmer. All three of these metaphors involve a person, who is committed to something bigger than themselves and who is willing to sacrifice and endure challenges to accomplish a greater goal. The highest example of this is Jesus himself, because of his commitment to the Father, he suffered crucifixion by the Romans and similarly, Paul himself is now suffering in a Roman prison, hardship and sacrifice are inherent to the Christian life. This is why Jesus’ resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope, if we died with him, then we will live with him, if we endure, then we will reign with him, if we deny him, then he will deny us, if we are unfaithful, he will remain faithful, for he is unable to deny his own nature. God’s love for our world has opened up a new hope through the death and resurrection of Jesus, so for those who will take the risk of trusting and following Jesus, God promises vindication and life. For those who reject him, God will honor that decision and do the same, but people’s faithlessness will never compel God to abandon his faithfulness.
Paul calls Timothy to faithfulness, knowing that it my come with a cost. Paul’s calling Timothy to confront the corrupt teachers in Ephesus before he comes to Rome, their teaching is spreading in the Ephesian church life a cancer, they have targeted and corrupted a number of influential women in the church. Paul does not offer much detail about the teachers bad theology, Timothy already knows about it, but they teach that the resurrection has already taken place, they have abandoned the robust future hope of resurrection and of new creation, they have embraced instead a private hyper spiritualized Christianity, that is disconnected from day-to-day life. Paul calls Timothy to raise up faithful leaders, who are going to teach the real good news about Jesus, they should avoid senseless arguments that result from debating those teachers, they should focus on the core storyline and message of the scriptures. These scriptures are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in King Jesus, the whole point of the scriptures is to tell us a unified story that leads to Jesus, and that has wisdom to offer the whole world.
Paul talks about scripture’s nature and purpose, all scripture is divinely breathed, “God’s Spirited” the Spirit’s role in guiding the biblical authors, so what they wrote is what God wanted his people to hear. God speaks to his people in the scriptures for a very practical purpose, they are useful for teaching, telling us things we did not know before. They are useful for challenging us, we say we believe, but we do not actually live consistently with. They are useful for correcting us, exposing our messed up ways of thinking and behaving, and they are useful for training us in righteousness, showing us a new way to be truly human, this is also that God’s people will be prepared for doing good.
Paul asks Timothy to come as soon as possible before winter, he does not want to freeze in his cell, he is going to need his heavy coat that he had to leave behind and could Timothy bring those personal documents that he left in Troas. Paul mentions Alexander, who is an especially dangerous man that Timothy should avoid, he is responsible for Paul’s most recent arrest. Paul mentions how nearly everyone has abandoned him in prison, his only source of comfort now, is the personal presence of Jesus, who stands with him and will deliver him, even if he dies. Paul’s very influential life and mission were marked by persistent challenge, suffering and struggle, following Jesus involves risk and sacrifice, inviting tension and discomfort into your life. These things are not a sign of Jesus’ absence, but as Paul discovered with generations of Christians after him, that precisely in those dark and difficult moments, Jesus’ love and faithfulness can become most tangible and real.
