Messages

The Biblical account of the church of Ephesus ends with a letter Jesus wrote to this church in Revelation chapter 2. From this letter, we can see that they took seriously the expectation to get rid of the false teachers. Jesus commends them for doing so. However, in their eagerness to dispel false teachers, it seems they forgot the greatest command of all, to love God and love people.

Paul ends with a flurry of personal instructions and greetings. This is a reminder to us that Paul was a real person, who lived in a real time in a community with real people. Among the many names in this text, we find people who have helped Paul along the way and those who have hurt him. What is the hard thing God has called you to do? If you only have God with you to do it, is that enough?

Having reminded Timothy of the great gift and value of the Word of God, Paul ends this final letter to Timothy with one final charge: Preach the word!

While the false teachers are deceiving and being deceived, Paul reminds Timothy that it doesn’t have to be the case for him. Timothy was discipled by Paul himself and had a front row seat to witness Paul's life and ministry up close, both the good and the bad. Timothy got to see God at work in spectacular ways.

In this teaching, we dive into Paul's sobering warning to Timothy about the rise of false teachers and the dangerous attitudes that will characterize people in the "last days." According to Paul, this era spans from Christ’s ascension to His eventual return—and we are living in it now.

Paul doesn’t hold back. He gives a list of 19 specific actions and attitudes that will become more and more prevalent. These traits weren’t just for some distant future—they were already threatening the church in Ephesus, and they still plague our world today.

One of the most chilling indictments Paul gives is that these people will have a “form of godliness but deny its power.” They may sound spiritual. Look spiritual. Study deeply. But they are not transformed. They are void of the Spirit of God, and their faith is ultimately rejected—not because they rejected faith, but because true Faith rejected them.

In a large house, there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some are for common use. Do you want to be useful to the Master? How are you growing as a disciple?

Paul once again specifically addresses the dangers of quarreling in the church. We all know of people who just like to argue over things that do not promote the work of God, and apparently, this was a significant issue in the church in Ephesus. Yet, while we may find it annoying, Paul declares it to be deadly. He says it spreads like gangrene, leads to ungodliness, to a departure from the truth, and destroys faith.

This passage of scripture opens with the word “remember," and verse 14 commands Timothy to “keep reminding people of these things.” What is it that we are to remember and remind people of? The Gospel: The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and all that we gain from it. It is so glorious that it is worth anything that it costs us… even suffering and death.

Being a Pastor like Timothy comes with wearing many hats. There are lots of things that he is called to do, and much of what Timothy is tasked with has application for all disciples of Jesus.

As Paul launches into the final letter he would write to Timothy, he begins with a word of encouragement. He reminds Timothy of his calling, his giftedness, and lastly, he reminds Timothy of the Spirit that God has given him.