Staying for the long haul

Earlier this year, I had the chance to attend the General Assembly of Australia for the Presbyterian Church. I won't try to explain what that all means, except to say it's a gathering of ministers and elders from the Presbyterian Church of Australia that meet every three years. 

A highlight from the Assembly for me was the sermons given each day by Ligon Duncan from Mississippi. If you want to know more, you can read about him here.

His final sermon was one of the most encouraging things I've heard in years about persisting in ministry. If you want to hear it, you can find his sermons here. The titles aren't very imaginative (and maybe that says something), but it's the Third Assembly Exposition that I'm referring to. 

Here are my notes that I took while listening:

2 Tim 4:6-22

Paul's last written word that is found in scripture.

How does faithfulness look at the end of ministry?

1. The faithful minister ministers all his life aiming for the finish line

Paul himself has not yet reached that finish line, but urges a young minister to look to the future, to the finish.

We can be so lost in the present we lose sight of the finish line.

Is this a prayer of yours, that you will reach the finish line?

"When I was young, I wanted to acheive something great. Now I just want to finish well without bringing disgrace on the name of my Lord." Geoff Thomas

2. Faithfulness in ministry does not necessarily mean support of friends and colleagues

V9-10 shows Demas has deserted Paul.

Paul knows what it is to be deserted, but he still loves the church. The reference to Mark helps to affirm this.

3. The faithful minister never stops learning and reading.

He wants books and parchments to read and study.

See v13- "especially the parchments." These are likely scripture portions.

Spurgeon. We do not know what the books were about, or what the parchments were. . . Even an apostle must read. (Find the rest of the quote on this verse. It is gold.)

Also William Tyndale not long before he died.

Even though Paul has experienced all manner of things, revelation and more, still wants to learn more.

4. The faithful minister is always on guard against false teaching.

See v14-15

Paul leaves God to judge Alexander, but warns Timothy to be on guard.

See Paul's instruction to Timothy in book 1. "Don't teach false things. Etc."

False teaching leads the sheep astray.

5. The faithful minister, though deserted, is never alone.

See v16-18

When Paul stood before Nero, he had no one with him. There are no witness account in scripture to tell us how this ended. If ever there was a time for other Christians to be by his side, it was now.

"The Lord stood by me"

What a promise to share with Timothy, and so with all who minister in God's name. Though deserted, we are not alone.

6. The faithful minister never forgets the people to whom, and because of whom, he ministers.

See v19-21

Paul cares for people. He genuinely loves the churches.

He could have adopted the attitude 'I don't need people. I've got Jesus.' after being abandoned. But he doesn't.

Also, note the name Priscilla. Luke always refers to her in the diminutive, but Paul uses her formal name (not made clear in English).

His greetings in the letters show his great respect for women. He was no misogynist.

7. The faithful minister is dependent on Jesus.

See v22

A beautiful benediction. This is not a throw away phrase. We often fade out during the benediction, but don't miss these important words. This relates to everything Paul has just said.

He was abandoned and alone, but was with Jesus. So he prays that The Lord will be with his spirit.

We will not finish, we will not stay to the end, apart from the grace of Jesus.