The abandoned Apostle

This is just a piece I quickly wrote out for a 40 Days for Life meeting.

2 Timothy 4:9-18, 21

            I’d like to just read through this short passage of scripture and speak a few things parenthetically as we proceed through it. This passage comes from 2 Timothy, believed by most to be the last letter Paul wrote before he was martyred.

 Do your best to come to me soon. ¹⁰ For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

            Ever think about how cool it would be to get your name in the Bible? “Hey Demas! Great news! You’re mentioned in the Bible. Bad news, it’s because you deserted Paul.” Demas loved the present things of this world better than the eternal things of God. I imagine there were more fun things to do than to hang out with a prisoner in a musty dungeon, just like there are more fun things to do than hanging outside of an abortion facility when seemingly nothing is happening, or if something is happening, it’s not what you have been praying for.

Crescens has gone to Galatia,

            We’re not told why Crescens had gone to Galatia but it doesn’t come with the jab about loving the world. Perhaps it was ministry related. Perhaps it wasn’t.

Titus to Dalmatia.

            We do know that Titus was a pastor. We have a letter Paul wrote to Titus in our Bible. Most likely, Titus left for pastoral work.

¹¹ Luke alone is with me.

            Luke is the author of both the gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. He was a faithful companion to Paul through a lot of his ministry.

            Paul is in prison, facing death, his ministry had suffered a great blow as we shall read about in a few verses, and the great missionary, evangelist, and apostle is for the most part, alone. Even when his friends have moved on because of the ministry, like Titus and perhaps Crescens, it still hurts when you’re alone.  

Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

            This verse could produce a whole sermon. Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey and somewhere along the way Mark abandoned them, for whatever reason. Paul must not have thought it was a good enough reason because when Paul and Barnabas made plans for their second trip, the two argued so intensely they had to go their separate ways. The issue was Barnabas wanted to take Mark and Paul didn’t trust him anymore. Now, Mark has redeemed himself in Paul’s eyes and was deemed very useful for the ministry.  

 ¹² Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

            Paul has a ministry partner named Tychicus that he is sending to replace Timothy, at least temporarily, so he would be free to visit him.

¹³ When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,

            Paul was all alone, cold, and was concerned with the upcoming winter.

also the books, and above all the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

            There is some speculation as to who this Alexander the coppersmith was. We know he did Paul and his ministry great harm. Perhaps he turned him over to the Romans. Maybe he was a mole, and then testified against Paul in court. Perhaps he is the reason that Paul doesn’t have his books or parchments. It’s likely that “books” refers to his copies of the OT, and the “parchments” were either copies of NT writings or rough drafts of his letters he was writing. Either way he was very anxious to get them.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

            No one showed up at Paul’s trial. Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:6, refers to himself as being poured out like a drink offering, or in others words, he is giving his life and it has nearly run out. He has served thousands of people, walked thousands of miles, been beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned to help others know the love of the Father through His son Jesus Christ, and where were those people when Paul needed them the most? Demas completely abandoned him. A few others left for the ministry. Was there not a local body of believers that could keep him company, and supply some basic necessities, like a warm coat? Were all of these believers backsliders? Were they fearful that the Romans were going to get them next? I believe some were, but do you know what? I believe the majority just got busy with life. I believe some had the “someone else will take care of it” attitude. Sometimes when bad things happen to people, they never get any help because everybody expects someone else to do it.

            I’ll use this example until the day I die, or something changes. We were in Sunday school in mid-January at a Southern Baptist church when a wonderful, intelligent man of God said, “Do we really need another Sanctity of Life service? I mean, come on…we’re Baptist.” I about spit out my coffee. The Baptist talk a good talk but they do not walk the walk. In 1972 the Supreme Court took the case of Roe v. Wade to decide once and for all the legality of abortion. Their decision legalized abortion in all 50 states across the board, in all 9 months of the pregnancy, and for whatever reason. At that time the Protestant church in America viewed abortion on the same level as contraception, thus regarding it a Catholic issue, and leaving them to discuss it. We, as Protestants, have never really fully engaged in the battle since then. Thank God the Catholic Church has been faithful to defend life and have not dropped the ball on this issue. Imagine the ramifications if they had. (BTW: 65% of all abortive mothers identify themselves as Christians; Protestants 37% and Catholic 28%)

            So what does this passage have to do with 40 Days for Life? 40 Days for Life has helped a lot of people over the last 10 years. We, here on the Emerald Coast, have leaned on a lot of ministry partners to help accomplish a lot of our goals, some of them pastors, deacons, elders, and other fellow believers. Unfortunately, sometimes life just gets in the way and people start to drift. I don’t think anybody consciously drifts away, I think it just happens. Other people are very involved, but then get transferred away for the military. Sometimes people just fall in love with the world, and poof, they’re gone.

            My charge for you tonight is two-fold: 1) Spread the word. Start a pro-life group at your church. Be the pro-life point person. Let us call you instead of bothering the already busy pastor. If you are the pastor, start a pro-life group at your church and delegate some responsibilities. 2) Don’t abandon the cause. Get active and stay active. Educate yourselves through books, podcasts, and websites. And finally, encourage your leader with your willingness and presence. It’s kind of depressing when we have a leadership meeting and no one shows up.       

 Do your best to come before winter.

            Paul was cold, and was concerned no one would be there for him, so he had to mention his coat twice. Kind of sad.