Fullness 6/19/22

#15 Fellow Travelers

2 Timothy 4:1-18 NIV 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: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when people 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. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now 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.

Personal Remarks

9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. 16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Ideas to Ponder

1. Even Jesus grew in relationships. (see Luke 2:52)

2. Proverbs: “Friends, Foes and Fools”

3. Ben Franklin’s perspective

4. 60,000 shoes; 60,000 hairs

5. Not a reminiscing of my life, but a heads-up concerning yours.

6. Our Goal is to end well.

7. This dynamic of fullness has three parts:

1) Recognizing Fellow Travelers.

2) Finding your place in the Community.

3) Settling accounts along the way.

Fellow Travelers

I. Demas - There will be some who desert you. (verse 10)

A. Everyone has moments of weakness, but this appears to be a calculated action that took place when Paul was exceptionally vulnerable.

B. Crescens, Tychicus, and Titus appear to be away on assignment.

C. Demas’ motivation seems to be rooted in self-serving carnality.

D. Note: Sometimes you are alone because of God’s Sovereignty. Sometimes you are alone because of Satan’s malignancy.

E. Quick Lessons from Shemei’s betrayal of David:

1. Critics arise at the worst possible times.

2. Critics almost never understand the big picture.

3. Critics offer their input when you are least able to deal with their complaints.

4. Critics never realize they are often the least qualified to critique you.

5. Critics usually show up at a time when you are least able to do anything about their valid points.

II. Alexander - There will be some who intentionally hurt you. (verses 14-15)

A. More than hurts or snubs, the actions of Alexander were designed to cripple or kill, at least on some level.

B. You will almost certainly face behavior that is so shocking that it almost leaves you paralyzed.

C. It appears the relationship was beyond repair.

III. Mark - There will be some who fail you in time of great need; but with time, grace, and forgiveness, the relationship is able to be restored. (verse 11)

A. We don’t know the “what” or the “why” behind the offense; the determining factor is whether the two parties are able to come together and work through the issues.

B. Don’t give up too quickly. Don’t pass judgment before God says it is time to do so.

C. Some people face lack of success:

1. Because they are enduring Wilderness Days.

2. Because they need to learn “what they are not” as well as “what they are.”

3. Because they did wrong.

4. Someone did wrong to them.

5. The timing they chose was flawed.

6. They were pressured out of their call or level of anointing.

IV. Luke - There will be some who, by the grace of God, never leave your side.

A. As steady as the North Star, these people travel with you, sometimes never straying from your side.

B. Some have seasons of assignment that might take them away, but they head home as soon as possible, and at every chance.

C. They know who they are, and so do you.

Today…

• Take a look at the Mixed Multitude.

• Assess your wounds, scars, and stories.

• Invite the Holy Spirit for help.

• Enter His Therapy.

Next Week… Steps toward Recovery