Temple Baptist Church - 10-27-2024
2 Timothy 4:6-11
Introduction:
A. In Paul’s last epistle, he sets forth his:
1. Paul’s Life’s Work – Vs. 6-7 He faithfully finished the work that God called him to do. Paul served God in spite of fault and failure as long as he lived. Certainly his life was “Christ.”
2. Paul’s Earnestly Contending – Vs. 7 He fought a good fight … kept the faith. Paul remained fixed in the Old Paths of the scripture while “earnestly contending” for the faith once delivered.
3. Paul’s Eternal Reward – Vs. 8 Paul rested in the faithfulness of the Lord as he set forth in his epistles to the Hebrews.
4. Paul’s Companions – Vs. 10-11 Paul had several close friends and companions in labor during his ministry: Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus, Trophimus, Demas, and Luke. God always had someone there for the great apostle!
B. Now, in the end of his life, Paul mentions several men and their affect upon his life and ministry.
1. One Leaving: Last week, we saw Demas, who forsook him “having loved this present world. I may deal with him in more detail later.
2. One Standing: This morning, we will see Luke, who stood by the Apostle Paul “thought thick and thin.” He continued with Paul alone. I remember the words to the song “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.” The words “though none go with me, still I will follow” echo throughout the portals of time.
C. The biblical importance of companionship is found in Ecclesiastes, chapter 4.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. (9) Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (11) Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? (12) And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
D. In the last days of Paul’s life, he spent much time virtually alone when he needed companionship the most. Thus, Luke was a very special man!
1. Not much is said about Luke, but he was a godly physician, a faithful servant of the Lord, and a special friend to the Apostle Paul. The last verse that mentions Luke was verse 10, “Only Luke is with me!” What phrase; what a wonderful testimony of the love and faithfulness of this man.
a) Though little is said about Luke (he is only mentioned three times in the Bible (Colossians 14, 2 Timothy 4, and Philemon), much is known about him. Dr. Luke was a “background man” who loved the Lord, the Apostle Paul, and was a stalwart of the faith, an example of courage, consistency, and courage!
b) We know that Luke was a beloved man to Paul and all who knew him. Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved …
c) We know that Luke was a physician, highly educated. We also know that Luke was a well-educated man because he was a physician or doctor in our day. Though most of the men that God used were ignorant and unlearned, both Paul and Luke were highly educated.
Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician …
d) Many speculate that Paul’s health toward the end of his life required an attending physician to travel with him. This could be true because the power to heal, raise the dead, etc. was rapidly passing away as they were apostolic in nature and, therefore, temporary gifts.
2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
e. Luke was a faithful man. Paul could always depend upon his beloved physician to be there with and for him. 2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
f) Luke was a fellowlabourer, co-labourer with Paul and Christ. Philemon 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
g) Luke was an honored man. He would later write two great books of the New Testament: the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts. Luke was the only gentile to so write. In both books, Luke never mentions himself.
2. What a comfort and encouragement Luke must have been to Paul! You love and be there for God’s man and your reward will be great, I promise you. I learned long ago to love what God loves!
E. “Only Luke is with men” was a short phrase but a telling one.
1. Luke Was A Friend When Paul Needed One! God’s men need friends! I know that Paul was a man of great spiritual and emotional strength, but Luke was a comfort to him. Sometimes people do not want to be around the man of God because of the reproach of Christ.
a. Standing On The Scripture Brings Reproach.
b. Standing For Separation Brings reproach.
c. Standing Against Sin Brings Reproach.
2. Luke Was A Help When Paul Needed Help The Most. God’s men often need help! There is so much that needs to be done, both in the physical and spiritual realms, and God’s men cannot and should not have to do it all. Thank the Lord that Moses had Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands while Joshua led the army of Israel to victory.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
a. There are too many “good things” that need to be done that keep God’s men from doing the more needful things. Philippians 1:24-25 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (25) And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
b. God’s Men Are Human. There is a limit to what they can and should do. Someone once said, “I had rather burn out than rust out.” My answer would be, “You are OUT either way!”
3. Luke Was An Arm To Lean On When Paul Was In Trouble. Paul spent most of his saved life in trouble. When God’s men stand right, their popularity wanes quickly. The bible says to beware when all men speak well of you because you have probably compromised in some areas.
a. A Friend Loveth At All Time. Luke was never a source of division. He saw Paul at his best and also at his worst. He never judged God’s man for being a man and a fellow human being. So many times, friends will leave at the first sign of fault or failure. Luke just loved Paul at all times.
b. A Friend Sticketh Closer Than A Brother. Luke was a “companion” to Paul. Through “thick and thin,” Luke was always there. What Paul suffered, Luke suffered, where Paul went, Luke went.
4. Luke Was A Comfort When Paul Sorrowed. The life of God’s man is one that is acquainted with grief. That was the one of the descriptions given to our Lord in Isaiah 53. As the “under shepherd,” God’s man follows in the path of the Great Shepherd.
Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
a. I have often said that the ministry is a bitter-sweet one. Good times come and go. Friends come and go. God’s men sorrow often as they see the affect of Satan and the world on the ones that they loved and labored with. My prayer list has many names on it of men who once served in the pulpits of local churches and on mission fields. Now, they are through though the works needs to go on.
b. Situations cause sorrow. God men are not exempt when it comes to life’s hardships. They suffer the same as all others. Sometimes, they need a shoulder to lean on too.
2 Corinthians 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2 Corinthians 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
5. Luke Was Faithful To Paul When All Else Forsook Him.
a. Luke Was There When The End Was Near - 2 Timothy 4:11.
b. What a great testimony to the faithfulness of a godly servant of the Lord!
c. I look forward to meeting such a man one day whose name was Luke.
Conclusion: “Only Luke, the beloved physician, is with me!”
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