Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15

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Second Timothy
Second Timothy was taught by Dr. James Modlish



Lesson Eleven (Chapter 4 continued)
(PAUL'S LAST WORDS)



Introduction:

In our last lesson we studied Paul's last commission to young Timothy in (2 Tim. 4:1-8). The rest of the chapter may be considered his last will and testament. Paul has no regrets as he faces eternity: he had been a good soldier, a faithful runner, a faithful steward of the treasure of the Gospel. He looked forward to receiving that crown from the Lord! What was it that kept Paul going during more than thirty years of toil and suffering? He loved Christ's appearing! This was the motivation of his life: "The love of Christ constraineth me!" And all saints who love His appearing will also be faithful, as Paul was, to serve Him now; and will, with Paul, receive their reward.

Next to losing one's soul and going to hell, the greatest tragedy of life would be to come to the brink of eternity and discover we had missed God's will and wasted our lives on fruitless, transient things.
 

I. The Forsaken

Paul had experienced being lonely and forsaken many times in his ministry. Evidently Demas at one time had been faithful to the Lord and Paul (Col. 4:14; Phil. 24) but "having loved this present world, departed."

As to what it was in this world that Demas let take control of his life, the Word does not say. This world certainly has many things to entice believers away from the Lord: sports, politics, business, amusements, music, and careers to name a few. Some have tried to use Demas as an example of one losing their salvation. However, this is not the teaching of the Scripture. Demas could be well characterized by one who is choked by the thorns in (Matt. 13:7,22).

Demas is an example of a Christian who went AWOL and has no record of returning. Mark on the other hand, had deserted once (Acts 15:37-39; 13:13) but evidently had repented and made things right as Paul requested his presence (4:11).

Paul had been forsaken by all his friends when he stood before the councils of Jewish and Roman governments. He indicates it was because of the very first thing he said (vs. 16). We do not know exactly which council or what answer he is referring to but it could have been the one in Acts 23: 1-3. He later stood before Felix, Festus, Agrippa and Caesar. This was forecast as Paul was a type of a Tribulation Saint (Matt. 10:16-20).

II. The Enemy

Paul warned the saints about Alexander which is a little unusual for last words. Alexander had been a cause of division which is considered to be a great sin (Prov. 6:19). Paul had no choice for the good of the church but to brand him for what he was (I Tim. 1:20).

Paul's greatest enemy however was the same as yours which is described in (vs. 17) as a lion. (I Peter 5:8). (I Kings 13) is an interesting story about a young prophet who did what God told him to do, later was disobedient and was slain by a lion. The application is only too obvious. The enemy waits to destroy your life. 

III. The Friends

When Paul died there were very few who really wanted to be called his friend. Persecution always has a way of revealing the true colors of a friend. Paul notes in vs. 17 that the friend who sticks closer than a brother never left him (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5,6; Jn. 15:14).

The fact that Paul had to leave Trophimus behind at Miletum sick (vs. 20) is a clear cut demonstration that the apostolic signs are fading out with the going out of the greatest apostle.

There are those who would say that the only thing this proves is that Trophimus did not have enough faith as healing is always dependent upon the faith of the afflicted one. This however cannot be substantiated from Scripture - please consider:

A. Healing in (Matt. 17:14-21) was dependent upon the faith of the healer, not the sick.

B. In (Mark 2:1-5) God blessed the faith of those who brought the sick one.

C. In (Acts 3:1-8) it is not suggested that anyone exercised any faith.

D. In (Matt. 8:5-13) a servant is healed because of his masters faith.

 



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