March 23, 2008 (Resurrection Sunday)  •  Pastor Randy Smith

All in all the man scripted 13 inspired epistles that are contained in our Bibles. He wrote them to various churches and various individuals, and composed them in a variety of settings. But the final letter ever written by the Apostle Paul was to his young apprentice named Timothy. Separated from his spiritual son, Paul penned his last epistle from the bowels of a dark and cold prison cell.

Unlike the “house arrests” that Paul experienced in the past (Ac. 28:30-31), his present setting was very crude, unforgiving and barbaric. The “Mamertine Dungeon” as it was called, informally known as the “Death Cell,” was a small underground encasement; usually the last stop before prisoners met their death through starvation or strangulation. Paul mentions in chapter 1, verse 16 that his close friend, Onesiphorus, had difficulty even finding him!

Paul’s words in 2 Timothy reflect upon his environment. In 1:16 he says he was in “chains.” In 2:9 we are informed he was treated as a “criminal.” In 4:13 he pleaded with Timothy to bring his “cloak” for needed warmth and his “parchments” for needed activity. And in 4:6-7 he saw his own martyrdom on the horizon. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”

But beyond the physical pain Paul experienced, his letter screams of the emotional suffering he endured. Few, even among his closest followers, wanted to associate with Paul. Though incarcerated only because of the gospel, most were ashamed to be associated with a prisoner of Rome out of tarnishing their reputation or fear they might suffer the same mistreatment.

This is testified throughout the letter. In the opening chapter, verse 15, Paul said, “You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.” In the closing chapter, verse 16, Paul said, “At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.” But probably most painful was the near defection of his closest friend. In 1:8 Paul bears his heart to Timothy: “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.”

Those final words resonate in our hearts: “Join with me in suffering for the gospel.”

Though not seen on the surface, Paul, knowing his departure was imminent, was preparing his young apprentice to continue the ministry in his absence. It was time for the torch to be passed. Timothy was an extremely gifted man, but like the best of men, Timothy had his weaknesses. Timothy was timid (1:6-7; cf. 1 Cor. 16:10) and at times derailed by affliction. Paul therefore exhorted him in 2:1: “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” If Timothy were going to mature in Christ, he would have to grow in this area. “Be prepared to suffer, Timothy, and deal with your problems in a God-honoring way.”

When I first came to Christ, I quickly discovered that all my problems didn’t go away. Yes, I was able to better deal with them, but the problems in many cases only intensified. Before Christ, I didn’t have the added pressures of Christian responsibilities or the fierce battles with temptation or the persecution from those outside and within the church. Yet in the words of Christ, I should not have been surprised. He said, “In the world you have tribulation” (Jn. 16:33). Though my struggles are far less than what Paul and Timothy experienced, with these two men I can attest that living in this world as a faithful Christian is extremely difficult, and at times appears impossible.

So what keeps us going? How did Paul, the choice servant of God, face hardships like the one he was experiencing without gloom or despair? How was he able to retain his joy and peace and hope and faith in the midst of intense suffering? In this message to Timothy is there a message for us today?

I believe the answer is found hidden away in chapter 2. In verse 8 we read, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel.”

Remember! Remembrance can have tremendous power in our lives (memory motif in 2 Timothy – 1:4-5, 6; 2:8; 3:14-15). Recalling, reflecting, concentrating on past events has the ability to alter our present state of mind. Negative events from the past when not processed correctly have the ability to produce fear, anxiety or regret. Yet on the other hand, positive events from the past can provide us with joy, confidence and hope.

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River under the leadership of Joshua, they were instructed to build a memorial with stones. The intent was to leave behind a reminder for future generations to remember God’s faithfulness provided for His people (Jos. 4:4-7). On the night in which Jesus was betrayed, our Lord took bread and juice and instituted a perpetual memorial for the church to continually remember His death on the cross. As He said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:24-25). Like the Israelites, we so easily forget the Lord (Ju. 8:34; Neh. 9:17; Psm. 106:7). And a poor memory of God’s faithfulness in the past will not bolster us when we need to trust His faithfulness in the present.

Christian, has God ever forsaken you or let you down in the past? Have you seen His hand working on behalf of His people throughout the Bible and continuing for His people in the church today? Have you built a portfolio in your mind of God’s faithfulness whereby you can testify to the fact that He is alive and active, still willing and able to help you through your present circumstances? Have the detours and speed bumps of journey led to despair and depression or are you remembering the challenges of the climbs and your Traveling Companion that has never left your side, always proving Himself dependable?

Almost two thousand years have passed, but the things that were able to sideline young Timothy still exist and are able to sideline us as well.

In the context, consider the few expectations mentioned for the Christian in chapter 2. Paul said we ought to “suffer hardship…as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (verse 3). He said we ought to “compete as an athlete…according to the rules” (verse 5). He said we ought to “(imitate) the hard working farmer” (verse 6).

Combine the trials of life and the expectations for the Christian and it would be very easy to lose hope! But what was Paul’s remedy? Verse 8, “Remember Jesus Christ!”

1. REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST

The word “remember” is grammatically considered a “present imperative.” The “imperative” means it is a command. The “present tense” means it is to be a continuous action, a responsibility we have to habitually bring something to the forefront of our minds. And what is that something? The object of our remembrance is clearly stated in verse 8: It is Jesus Christ!

We remember what we want to remember! Beloved how often are you remembering Jesus Christ throughout the day? Not your problems or burdens or sexual fantasies or self-inflicted pity parties, but Jesus Christ? How often are you remembering the One who set the ultimate example for you of perseverance and devotion and obedience and purpose and hard work? How often are you calling to attention the One who loves you (Eph. 5:2) and sympathizes with you (Heb. 4:15) and empowers you (Eph. 6:10)? How often are you being mindful of the One who lives His victorious life through you (Gal. 2:20)? How often are you “fixing (your) eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of (your) faith” (Heb. 12:2)?

As the song goes:

As commanded by God for your own good, are you continually remembering the Lord Jesus Christ?

Risen from the Dead

In verse 8 Paul continues with two specific aspects that we are to remember about Jesus Christ. First is the fact that He has “risen from the dead.”

Traditionally, we gather together on this day to remember this historical reality, the Resurrection of our Lord. Today commemorates the fact that Jesus Christ could not be held in the grave. Though He was crucified and died, three days later He came back from the dead. The Resurrection is the exclamation point that God the Father accepted the atonement of God the Son for our sins. The Resurrection is the proof that Jesus Christ was triumphant over sin, death and Satan. The Resurrection elevates Jesus Christ above every religious figure still in the grave. The Resurrection is a message of hope for all His followers. For as He rose, the promise is, they will as well (Jn. 14:19; cf. Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:20; Rev. 1:5). The Resurrection stands as the foundation of our faith. No wonder Paul said in another epistle, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins… (And) if we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:17, 19).

If you are using the same “Read through the Bible” plan as I am, you found yourself finishing the book of Deuteronomy this past week. The final chapters of that book record the death of Moses. In four weeks our Jewish friends will be celebrating the Passover to remember the Exodus, the Israelites liberation from Egyptian captivity under the leadership of Moses. Yet as great as Moses was, nobody is in contact with him today. He died and his body still remains.

That’s why Paul didn’t call Timothy to remember Moses or Abraham or David or any historic figure of the faith. He told Timothy to remember Jesus Christ. The One who is alive, standing at the right hand of the Father (Ac. 7:55), functioning as our Advocate (1 Jn. 2:1), Mediator (1 Ti. 2:5), Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God (Isa. 9:6), ready to dispense that same resurrection power to us (Eph. 1:19-20; Phil. 3:10) to equip us for any given task that our God requires (Phil. 4:13). So when Timothy needed strength and encouragement, Paul held before Him not a crucified Lord, but the One (as the perfect tense indicates) who rose from the dead in an historical point of time and remains risen forever!

The church and all of you look beautiful this morning. The songs we sang and marvelous rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus” was breathtaking. It’s easy at a time like this to forget our troubles. But what will happen when you return to work tomorrow morning? When the memory of the church service fades will you still remember the risen Savior?

Descendant of David

In addition to remembering “Jesus Christ, risen from the dead,” in verse 8, Timothy is also called to remember “Jesus Christ…descendent of David.”

Jesus Christ was the God-man. He was fully God, which enabled Him to accomplish our atonement, and fully man, which enabled Him to qualify as our substitute. The resurrection testifies to His divinity—that He was the Christ. The Davidic descent testifies to His humanity—that He was Jesus.

In Romans 1 Paul combines both of these themes again. “Concerning (God’s) Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 1:3-4).

It was spoken of hundreds of years before our Savior was born in Bethlehem that first Christmas morning (Mi. 5:2). From the lineage of king David (you know the prophesies) would come greater King (2 Sam. 7:8-17; Psm. 132:11-12; Jer. 23:5-8; cf. Mt. 1:1; Lk. 1:32-33). And at God’s appointed time the royal Messiah arrived, “born of a woman, born under the law” (Gal. 4:4). As the apostle John said, “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:14).

Today many people deny the deity of Christ. However, at the time of Paul’s writing, many false teachers where denying the humanity of Christ. Though this may sound less serious, such thinking is no less destructive.

If Jesus Christ were not fully human, God’s promises of One in the genealogy of David would have failed. A human representative to bear sins in our place would not be. And a divine sympathizer who lived as a man would not exist.

So as we are challenged by the expectations of God and burdened by the trials of the world, we must remember Jesus Christ, descendent of David – a human like us. For our Savior not only possesses all the powerful attributes of deity, but He also possesses all the likenesses of humanity, except sin (Heb. 2:14a). As a fellow human He faced our temptations (Mt. 4:1-11; Heb. 2:18). He experienced weariness (Jn. 4:6). Yet through it all He depended entirely on the Father and wonderfully fulfilled the same expectations set for us today (Mt. 17:5). We need to remember Him as our example (1 Pet. 1:21). And we need to remember that He understands our difficulties having experienced them Himself.

2. ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David” and lastly Paul adds, “According to my gospel.”

These foundational truths that describe Jesus Christ were not Paul’s personal opinion or tidbits of advice passed along from a previous generation. Everything that Timothy was to remember was “according to (Paul’s) gospel” (cf. Rom. 2:16; 16:25). Not a gospel invented or owned by Paul, but rather one entrusted to him by God to proclaim (Gal. 2:7; 1 Thes. 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:11) and most importantly, one received by him from God to believe (2 Tim. 1:12).

The gospel is the message that runs throughout the entire Bible. It is the “good news” that God in His love and mercy has provided a means to redeem humanity.

Consider Paul’s own testimony. He was considered a very righteous man by his contemporaries (Phil. 3:6). He was devout in his religion as well (Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:5). Yet when he encountered the resurrected Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Ac. 9:3-8) he realized how misguided he was. He realized that despite all His human efforts, he was a sinner standing condemned before a Holy God. In his letter to the Philippians he said, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith” (Phil. 3:7-9). By faith Paul turned to God. By faith Paul turned from his sins. By faith Paul embraced the death of Jesus on the cross for salvation.

Two thousand years later this same gospel goes out to everyone today. God wants all people to know the separation that has been created between Him and His creation. We are sinners and God cannot permit sin in His holy presence. Apart from His intervention, the wages of sin, says the Bible, is spiritual death (Rom. 6:23)—hell.

But God has provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. As the most popular verse in the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). The God-man, Jesus Christ, lived the perfect life and then when to the cross as our substitute. Our sin was placed upon Him and He bore the wrath we deserve. On the third day God the Father vindicated the God the Son and brought Him back from the dead.

If we believe in Him and turn from our sins, God promises to give us the gift of salvation. That is the gospel delivered to Paul and us by God. That is the true gospel that has been proclaimed for two-thousand years—salvation by grace, through faith, in Christ.

To the Corinthian church Paul said, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

Do you believe this gospel? For this gospel is your only hope for salvation, your only hope to be connected with the risen Lord. We need the hope that can only be delivered by the living God.

When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples, His closest friends lost all hope. They were downtrodden, utterly disheartened and meeting in secret and obscure places. But then something happened. The resurrected Jesus met them and they were never the same. For this is the only explanation of how these men were transformed from quitters to bold proclaimers of the gospel willing to endure torture and even martyrdom for the sake of this message.

What transformed them can transform your life as well. If you are not a Christian, I urge you right now to give Him your life. And if you are a believer needing strength, wisdom and encouragement (as we all do all the time!), “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to (the) gospel” (2 Tim. 2:8).