What in the World Should We Do?

What in the World Should We Do?
2 Timothy 1:13 – 2:8
November 3, 2024

In Romans 13, God explains the provision He has made for care and protection of people civilly through the government.  What should the government do (Rom. 13)?  This is the context of living in this (political) world: 

• Government is given by God to restrain (and punish) evil (v. 3a)
• Government is given by God to promote good (v. 3b)
• Government is given by God to be a temporal avenger of evil (v. 4)
• Government is provided for by God (to do its work of benefitting people) through taxes (v. 6)
• Every government is established by God and should act as His servant (vv. 1, 4)

But in our own country and in much of the world we regularly see abuses of these principles —

• Evil and wicked people often evade justice in the court system and evil seems to proliferate.
• Laws are not set up to protect innocent and good people and actions — good actions aren’t rewarded.
• Government too often doesn’t avenge evil but seems to promote evil — we can give too many examples (in our country and many others) of the government “giving hearty approval to those who practice [things worthy of death]” (Rom. 1:32).
• Taxes are used in wasteful ways that do not promote good and too often benefit the government officials and not the people of the country.

We see evil in the world and it is grievous and anger-provoking.  And in America it is tempting to say, “I have a voice and I/we can fix this” — and it is tempting to put our hope in the political process and work and labor for political change and new political powers and new governmental authorities. 

We do not know who will win any election on Tuesday night (or even if it will be known who will win on Tuesday night); but we do know what we will need to do on Wednesday morning and every morning following that morning.  The Lord has given us comfort and commands to direct us — and those directions will give us comfort and peace regardless of the outcome of Tuesday.  We do not need to be anxious or fearful because our job description does not change; nothing will be altered by Tuesday’s results. 

Can I give you a simple phrase to guide you this week?  Be steadfast.  Be immovable.  Be abounding in the work of the Lord.  That work for Christ is not vain or empty.  Be steadfast in your spiritual calling — in discipling. 

We could go to numerous places in the NT for help this morning, but I want us to return to a portion of Scripture that establishes the foundation of a healthy and faithful church ministry — 2 Timothy 2:1–8.

This is Paul’s letter to his most beloved disciple and the young pastor of the Ephesian church — Timothy.  It is a personal letter to this pastor, and those who lead with him, but it is also to the church and how the church is to conduct itself as a church.  It is his final letter and a final message of instruction.  The letter is filled with imperatives, and in this section, Paul is emphasizing the health of the church, and how a church becomes and maintains health. 

Paul’s message to Timothy (and us) is to —

Be steadfast in your work of caring for Christ’s people.

To continue in discipling steadfastness, heed five imperatives to care for God’s people (this is not everything a church does, but these imperatives create a mindset and spiritual atmosphere of biblical care).  We have been both graced with privilege and entrusted with responsibility in the church — we want to be wise in how we enjoy our privileges and faithful in how we carry out our responsibilities.  These reminders are given to stimulate our faithful steadfastness to care for God’s people — even in political change….

1. Guard the Gospel (1:13-18)
2. Be Strong in God’s Grace (2:1)
3. Entrust the Gospel to Others (2:2)
4. Suffer Hardship (2:3-7)
5. Remember Christ (2:8)

Download the rest of this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:13 – 2:8.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.