Bottoms Up!

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (2Tim 4:6).

Last Call

The glass is almost empty. Just a sip or two remain. You hold it up and swirl it around a couple of times. There was a time when it was full. Maybe a little too full and overflowing down the sides. But it’s just about over. It’s last call and there are no refills.

Sounds like the kind of stuff that has filled country songs radio stations for decades, doesn’t it? From Hank Williams to George Jones to Luke Bryan. It’s where we get such classics(?) as “Light at the End of the Bottle.”

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (v6). Is this the last declaration made at the end of a long night by some pour dude getting his drink on? Has someone sufficiently drowned their sorrows and needs to call an Uber?

No, we’re not talking about the end of the night at your favorite local bar or craft brew pub. This is Paul describing the end of his life in a Roman prison. The apostle is not knocking back a beverage at last call. He IS the drink. His glass of his life is just about empty. He’s poured himself out as an act of worship to Jesus. Long before Maxwell House came up with their catchy slogan, Paul’s life has been good to the last drop.

So, bottoms up!

Caesar’s SuperMax

It’s somewhere around 64-67 AD. Thirty years since Jesus rocked the world by walking out of the cemetery. The former Pharisee has spent the last three decades spreading the word about the tsunami of grace that started in Palestine and rapidly inundating the Mediterranean Rim.

But this message of God’s love is actually quite dangerous. It challenges the religious establishment of rule-following. As a result, Paul regularly finds himself behind bars. Each time before, he got out. But this time is different. This time he won’t be leaving with his life or his head.

So the man from Tarsus writes what he knows will be the very last letter of his life to his spiritual son Timothy. He’s on Death Row in Caesar’s SuperMax in Rome (2Tim 1:12, 16; 2:9). He realizes full well that he’s in the final round of what has been a very good fight (2Tim 4:7).

In these final words, he hopes Tim can make it to the prison and see him one last time before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21). We really don’t know if they ever saw each other again on this side of eternity.

Paul’s Last Letter

Paul has just spent most of this last letter passing the baton of ministry to the young pastor (2Tim 2:1-4:5). How to handle spiritual con artists (2Tim 2:14-19). How to make sure he’s ready to go when Jesus calls (2Tim 2:20-21). How to steer clear of pointless controversies (2Tim 2:22-26). Warning him of the danger right around the corner (2Tim 3:1-9).

Reminding him of all he’s learned over a lifetime of hanging out with his mentor (2Tim 3:10-13). Making it clear that God’s Word has given the apostle’s protege a very particular set of skills (2Tim 3:14-17). Caring for the followers of Jesus means giving them what they need and not necessarily what they want (2Tim 4:1-4).

Paul sums up all of these instructions in what we might call his Final Four (2Tim 4:5). One, stay composed and on your toes. Two, hang tough and watch God work. Three, keep spreading the news. Four, full speed ahead and finish the mission.

No More Appeals

Which brings us back to that nearly empty glass. The apostle writes, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering” (v6). This is the end. Barring some unforeseen miraculous move by Jesus (hey, it’s happened before!), his life is coming to a close. Death is right around the corner.

His Roman captors have cranked up the Roman execution machine. The process has begun. Paul understands that clearly by using the term “already” (Gr. ηδη/ede), meaning now or at this moment. No more appeals. He’s run out of options. His death has moved from possibility to probability to certainty.

The Final Toast

The apostle sees his life as “being poured out as a drink offering” (v6). Believe it or not, this is actually just a single Greek verb: σπενδω/spendo. It means to offer a drink, pour out a beverage, or offer a liquid in sacrifice. Ancient writers used it when describing two enemies sharing a drink in peace after a period of war. It’s how the authors of the NT paint a picture of giving one’s life in sacrifice or spilling your blood in a violent death while serving God.

Paul is making the connection to his living his life as an act of worship with the system of worship and offerings in the Old Testament. When God gives His people the meticulous details of sacrifice, He wraps up just about every act of worship with a drink offering (Ex 29:40-41; Num 15:1-7; 28:1-15). It’s like lifting your glass for the final toast.

New Names, Feasts, and Vows

The first time we see a drink offering made is after Yahweh changes Jacob’s name to Israel. Right after he gets his new ID, Israel builds an altar to God and “poured out a drink offering on it” (Gen 35:14).

It was the final toast when the Israelites celebrated the Firstfruit Feast (Lev 23:13). The drink offering was the closing sacrifice at the end of each day of the Booth Feast (Num 29:16, 19, 22, 24-25, 27-28, 31, 33-34, 37-38) It’s how God wanted the sacrifice at Passover to wrap up (Num 28:16-24). It’s the last offering made during the Nazirite vow ceremony (Num 6:15, 17).

There were those dark times when God’s people played footsie with false gods poured out drink offerings to them (Dt 32:38; Is 57:6; Jer 52:19). Joel warns Yahweh’s chosen folks how these times of spiritual infidelity will lead to a time when they won’t be able to make the liquid sacrifice (Joel 1:9, 13). But because God overflows in grace and mercy, they can toast him again the moment they do a 180 of repentance (Joel 2:13-14).

Good to the Last Drop

Meanwhile back in a Roman dungeon, the apostle sees the final drops of his own life as his final toast to his Savior. He wrote something very similar to his friends in Philippi the last time he was doing hard time. “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering (Gr. σπενδω/spendo) upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (Phil 2:17). In other words, when the glass of his life is finally empty, it will be worth every drop.

Bottoms up!

Wiggling off the Altar

That’s not the only time Paul connects the dots between pouring your life out in sacrifice as an act of worship. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1-2). As someone once said, the only problem with living sacrifices is that they keep wiggling off the altar. But given the overwhelming grace of God, how could we do anything else?

The Last Toast at the Last Supper

That picture of emptying a cup as an offering drips all through the Bible. That’s why Jesus grabs His glass and at dinner with His posse the night before His own execution. “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mt 26:28; Mk 14:24). It was the last toast at the Last Supper on the last night before His death.

The Son of God loves us so much that He was willing to spill His own precious blood on our behalf! He gave everything He had to come to our rescue. He emptied His cup as a drink offering for you and me. Paul pours himself out as an offering in an act of love and worship to the Savior who did it for him. It’s the last offering. Jesus invites us to do the same.

Free Eternal Refills

It’s at this point that you might wonder why in the world anybody would be stupid enough to pour out a perfectly good drink? Why waste a full glass? Here’s the secret. God has something SO much better for you. He can’t refill my cup if it’s still full. That’s why He invites me to die to my own selfishness and empty my life as an act of worship.

Once my glass is empty, Jesus fills it to the brim with overflowing life. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). As a matter of fact, Christ will make sure that the cup He fills will never ever run out and we’ll never be thirsty again (Jn 4:13-14). Forget free Slurpees at 7-11. Pour yourself out as drink offering and enjoy a never-ending glass of the Living Water. We’re talking free eternal refills!

Bottoms up!

A Divine Appointment

Meanwhile back on Death Row, Paul tells Tim that the sands in the hourglass of his life have just about run out. “The time of my departure has come” (v6). The apostle understands that his execution date is actually a divine appointment. Roman officials think they’re in control of day their prisoner will day. But the former Pharisee knows full well that God is in charge of that calendar.

The writer of Hebrews tells us, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb 9:27). Paul knows it’s now only a matter of time. Same for you and me. We may not walking the Green Mile with a death sentence hanging over our heads. But our time here on the third rock from the sun is limited on this side of eternity. Let’s make the most of it by loving God and loving people. Let’s pour ourselves out as an offering.

Cruising off to Paradise

The apostle doesn’t pull any punches. He knows death is right around the corner. But he sees what’s ahead with an eternal perspective. He calls it his “departure” and uses an interesting Greek word (Gr. αναλυσις/analusis) in doing so. It describes a breaking up, breakdown, or a dissolution into parts. It’s actually where we get our word “analysis.” You analyze something by taking it apart and breaking it down.

Paul’s analysis of his own date with death is that it’s only a transition. You see, the term is also a metaphor of untying a ships lines from the dock before setting sail. He understands that the end of life on this side of eternity is only a transition to the next. It’s bon voyage and time to sail away into the afterlife. And if you’re wondering, Royal Caribbean and Carnival have no cruises that come close to this trip to paradise.

We see the apostle use a very similar word in when he writes about the win/win he faces when it comes to life and death. “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart (Gr. αναλυω/analuo) and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account” (Phil 1:23-24). Cruise away into Christ or stay here tell more people about Him? Tough call.

Don’t Knock It Back, Pour It Out

So as he’s about to cruise into the afterlife, Paul lifts one last toast. Instead of knocking it back, he pours it out. It’s a one final tribute to the One who poured Himself out for us. The One who lived the perfect life we failed to live. The One who died the death we should have died. The One who rose to the new life we don’t deserve. Let’s raise a glass and pour ourselves out as an offering in obedience to the Lord.

Bottoms up!

The Final Four

“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2Tim 4:5).

Famous Foursomes

Pop culture is loaded with famous foursomes. The Beatles. The Ghostbusters. The cast of Seinfeld. The A Team. Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen (some of you involuntarily let out a “WOOOOOOOO!”, didn’t you?). Marvel’s Fantastic Four. Don’t forget Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.

But a couple of thousand years before any of them, Paul gives Timothy his Final Four. No, not his prediction or picks for his March Madness pool. Near the end of his last letter, the apostle lists the final four points which sum up everything the young preacher is to do once as his mentor passes him the baton of ministry.

“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (v5). Look closely. There are four points. Four bullet points.
-Always be sober-minded.
-Endure suffering.
-Do the work of an evangelist.
-Fulfill your ministry.
Four takeaways. Four big ideas. If you don’t remember anything else, Tim, remember these.

The Final Four.

Famous Last Words

And when we say “final,” we mean FINAL! Paul writes to his protege from Death Row (2Tim 4:6-7). His appointment with the executioner isn’t an “if” but a “when.” As a result, he fires off one last letter to his spiritual son Timothy (2Tim 1:2). The apostle has a pair of simple purposes in this epistle. First, he begs the young buck to drop everything and see him one last time (2Tim 4:9, 21). Second, the man from Tarsus hands off the servant/leadership of ministry once and for all (2Tim 2:1-4:5).

Paul has written ten other letters that made their way into what we call the New Testament. Most are letters to churches (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians). A couple of others are to friends (Philemon and Titus).

He already written a previous note to Timothy. But this one is different. This one is urgent. This one is personal. This one is raw. When we read 2 Timothy, we’re reading the final words from the great apostle’s pen. Talk about famous last words!

No Ear Tickling Allowed

Here in verse 5, Paul sums up his instructions to Timothy in this final letter with four final points. One, stay focused. Two, hang in there. Three, stay on message. Four, finish the mission. The apostle originally wrote to the lead pastor of the Ephesian church, but these four points certainly come in handy for you and me a couple of thousand years later as we follow Jesus.

Before we get to the first of the final four, the apostle gets the ball rolling when he writes “as for you” (v5). He wants to make a clear difference between folks who are simply looking to get their ears tickled (2Tim 4:3-4) and his protege from Lystra. Too many teachers and preachers compromise the message of the Gospel to meet the demands of the audience. Tell people what they need to hear, not just what they want. No ear tickling allowed!

A Clear Head and Clear Eyes

This brings us to the first member of the final four. “Always be sober-minded” (v5). The Greek word here (Gr. νηθω/nepho) certainly can mean not to be drunk or under the influence, but it’s so much more. It pictures someone with a clear head and clear eyes. They won’t freak out. They don’t panic. Instead, they’re calm and collected. Most of all, they’re vigilant. Awake. Watchful. Alert.

Calm, Cool, and Collected

A few super smart Bible scholars can help us here. Matthew Poole says it’s Paul’s way of saying don’t get lazy. Patrick Fairbairn feels like the apostle encourages Tim to have eyes wide open while being calm, cool, and collected. John Gill pictures a shepherd watching over his flock during the night or a sentry on the city walls.

Jesus gave an unstable hothead named Simon the nickname Rocky (Mt 16:18). If that’s not crazy enough, the Lord made the volatile former fisherman the leader of His personal posse. Pete even bails on Christ in the clutch, not once but THREE times! Not exactly the kind of guy a search firm would recommend for the job. I doubt his references would ever use the term “sober-minded” when describing him.

Yet that’s EXACTLY who our Savior chooses and uses. Jesus LOVES to flip the script by picking the least likely to pull off the unexpected (1Cor 1:27). That being the case, there may not be anybody better to talk about being calm and clearheaded in a crisis.

A Lion on the Loose

So when Peter uses “sober-minded” three times in one little letter, we ought to pay attention. He tells us to get our head right “being sober-minded (Gr. νηθω/nepho)” by focusing on the grace of Jesus (1Pet 1:13). He tells us to get our prayer life right and
“be self-controlled and sober-minded (Gr. νηθω/nepho)” (1Pet 4:7). He tells us to keep our head on a swivel and “sober-minded (Gr. νηθω/nepho); be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Pet 5:8).

It’s critical that Timothy keeps it together. His mentor is walking the Green Mile. He has to shut down a team of spiritual hucksters who are spreading a theological cancer throughout the Ephesian church (2Tim 2:14-25). Don’t freak out in fear (2Tim 1:7). Focus on following Jesus (2Tim 1:8-14).

Stay Composed and on Your Toes

That’s all summed up in the command, “Always be sober-minded” (v5). Pay attention. Stay on high alert. Don’t let your guard down. But don’t panic. Keep your mind clear. Focus. Stay levelheaded. Paul calls us to a constant state of readiness. Not sometimes vigilant. Not part-time vigilant. Always vigilant.

First up in the Final Four: Stay composed and on our toes.


Endure Suffering
In his second bullet point, Paul encourages Timothy to “endure suffering” (v5). Paul actually uses single Greek verb here (Gr. κακοπαθεω/kakοpatheo) which means to suffer affliction patiently or bear up under hardship and trouble. A closer look at the original language reveals a compound word that describes “evil or bad (Gr. κακο-/kakο-) troubles or emotion (Gr. -παθεω/-patheo).”

It’s the idea of suffering painfully and intensely as the result of evil. The apostle warns us that we will not simply be inconvenienced. It’s not like our caramel macchiato doesn’t have enough foam. He’s talking about suffering real physical and mental anguish. The term carries the idea of endurance and perseverance. You don’t it enjoy it but also don’t run away. Jesus’ little brother James tells us that God uses these trials to actually grow our faith and make us more like our Savior (James 1:2-3, 12).

The Stress of Combat

Ancient writers use it several times when describing the hardships of serving in the military. Not only do you experience the stress of deployment but there’s the danger of combat. There’s an enemy out there that wants to kill you. Same when it comes to following Jesus. We also have an enemy whose objective is “to steal and kill and destroy” (Jn 10:10).

We already know Tim faces a tough battle with spiritual snake oil salesmen inside the Ephesian church. If that’s not bad enough, this is just the beginning of a long, slow slide into selfishness and sin (2Tim 3:1-9). Paul pulls no punches when he writes, “Indeed, all who desire to a godly life in will be persecuted” (2Tim 3:12). It’s not if, but when.

The Furnace of Affliction

Tim Keller writes about the importance and inevitability of hard times his book “Walking with God through Pain and Suffering.” He pulls no punches and doesn’t propose some pollyanna, pie-in-the-sky view of pain. No greeting card answers here.

Instead Keller sees affliction like a furnace. Is suffering painful? You betcha! But it also burns away our sinful inclinations. It’s all part of God’s process of purification if we will only turn to Him as both the Victor and the Victim, the Lord and the Servant. The bottom line, we can suffer well because our Savior has suffered well. Those are the times when grace shines the brightest (2Cor 12:9-10).

The Secret Sauce of Sanctification

What if bearing up in suffering is actually a key ingredient in the secret sauce of sanctification? Take Job’s story. Something very strange happens when you read what happens to him. Despite all that’s going on between God and the devil, Job never finds out. God never clues him in on the why of his incredibly hard times.

Job’s emotional pain and internal heartbreak drives him closer to God. He asks his Creator for answers but never receives a reason. In his book “Glorious Ruin,” Tullian Tchividjian believes this is the key to Job’s story. Suffering drives us to a Who not a why. God uses pain to deepen our trust in His goodness. Hang onto Him because He’s never let go of you. 

Second point of the Final Four: Hang tough and watch God work.

Scared out of Hell by a Blow-Dried Mullet

Next, Paul encourages Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist” (v5). Now if you grew up in a Southern Baptist church like some of us, this word has a steamer trunk full of baggage with it. I have a picture of some slick dude wearing a white three-piece polyester suit and a blow-dried mullet. They tended to get you into heaven by scaring you out of hell.

Let’s just say God’s Word has a slightly different view. The Greek word behind “evangelist” (Gr. ευαγγελιστης/euaggelistes) describes one who brings or announces good news. It literally means “good (Gr. ευ-/eu-) messenger (Gr. -αγγελιστης/-aggelistes).”

Breaking News from the Battlefield

Believe it or not, this was NOT “church” word or religious job description back in the First Century. An evangelist was actually the person who would hightail it back home from the battlefield to break the awesome news that your army has won the war. These folks got the incredible privilege of getting the party started!

The writers of the New Testament describe evangelists as the ones with the privilege of spreading the news of Jesus big win over sin. Luke records the time Paul’s team is headed to the home office in Jerusalem and they stayed with “Philip the evangelist (Gr. ευαγγελιστης/euaggelistes)” in Caesarea (Acts 21:8).

In a letter to his Ephesian friends, the man from Tarsus describes how Jesus provided gifted servant/leaders to the local church to prepare His followers for the mission ahead. “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists (Gr. ευαγγελιστης/euaggelistes), the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12).

Sending out Invitations

Many hold the opinion that God gave the world evangelists in order to spread the word to unbelievers. In other words, He uses them to extend the gracious invitation for new folks to be a part of His kingdom. I mean it does make sense that evangelists would play a key role in evangelism. No doubt about it.

But every single one of us needs regular reminders of the Gospel. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been walking with Jesus for decades or days. We desperately need the Good News. According to Paul’s words to the Ephesians, an evangelist’s assignment is getting folks ready for ministry and play a central role in their spiritual growth.

Not Just the A-B-C’s

While this certainly includes telling unbelievers all about who Jesus is, what He’s done, and will still do, it’s not limited to that. The Gospel is for everyone. Unbeliever. Believer. Seeker. Baby Christian. Longtime disciple. Senior Saint.

Nobody outgrows the Good News. Not Paul. Not Tim. Not me. Not you. Tim Keller knocks this idea out of the park. “We never ‘get beyond the Gospel’ in our Christian life to something more ‘advanced.’ The Gospel is not the first ‘step’ in a ‘stairway’ of truths, rather, it is more like the ‘hub’ in a ‘wheel’ of truth. The Gospel is not just the A-B-C’s but the A-Z of Christianity. The Gospel is not just the minimum required doctrine necessary to enter the kingdom, but the way we make progress in the kingdom.”

That being the case, we ALL need the Good News. We don’t outgrow it. We don’t get past it. We don’t get past it. The Gospel isn’t just the entrance into faith. It’s not simply the kiddie pool of following Christ. The gracious message of Jesus is THE WHOLE POOL! Come on in, the water’s fine!!

What’s So Good about the Good News?

That being the case, let’s all take a moment and take a swim. In an act of incredible love, God created a perfect world and placed us in it. We rebelled against Him and corrupted His creation. Our gracious God did two things. One, He promised One to come who would make all things right and fix what we broke. Two, He gave us commands that would show us our need for rescue, kind of like a cosmic MRI or CT scan.

God personally came to save our bacon as Christ Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity. God takes on human form. Fully God. Fully human. Taking on human flesh, Jesus does what we could never do for ourselves. He lives the life of perfect obedience to God’s rules that we failed to live. He then dies the brutal death for our sin that we should have died. If that’s not enough, God raises Christ to a glorious new life that we don’t deserve. Talk about Good News!!

The Gospel is the amazing message of what many like to call The Great Exchange. In one of his letters to an incredibly dysfunctional church in Corinth, Paul put it this way. “For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor 5:21; FYI, I added the little explanations in parenthesis because, as they say, sometimes you can’t tell the players without a scorecard).

God saves us when we stop trying to save ourselves and trust in who Jesus is and what He’s done. That includes believing in Him not just our Savior but our Lord. In other words, we trust in His leadership by doing what He says. We don’t save ourselves by doing good things (Eph 2:8-9). We do good things because He has saved us (Eph 2:10)!

Keep Spreading the News

When Frank Sinatra sings about heading to the Big Apple, Ol’ Blue Eyes tells us to “start spreading the news.” Evangelists are to KEEP spreading the news. The Good News. Spreading to anybody and everybody who will listen. Believers. Unbelievers. It doesn’t matter. We ALL need to hear it. We need the Gospel everyday because we forget it everyday.

And that’s why Paul includes it in the Final Four: Keep spreading the news.

Full Speed Ahead!

Batting cleanup in this list is the apostle’s command to Tim, “Fulfill your ministry” (v5). “Fulfill” is the Greek verb πληροφορεω/plerophoreo, which means to carry to completion. Some scholars see this as a picture of a big ship with its sails full and cutting through the waves. In other words, it’s full speed ahead for the young pastor! Put the hammer down! I can hear Scotty from Star Trek now. “I’m givin’ her all she’s got, Captain!”

The success of the ministry is crucial. The mission is monumental. The message is essential. People need to hear about Jesus. There’s no giving up. There’s no giving in. It’s like the legendary words of Jimmy V. “Don’t give up! Don’t ever give up!” Paul wants to leave his spiritual son with the sense of urgency. It’s full speed ahead!

The Ministry of Silly Walks

What exactly is this ministry Paul’s talking about? Let’s be honest, this is a word we slap on anything that happens at church. Sure, names like children’s ministry and music ministry do the trick. But yoga ministry? Fantasy football ministry? We might as well follow in the footsteps of Monty Python and their Ministry of Silly Walks! We may have lost sight of what ministry is all about.

When the apostle uses the term “ministry” (Gr. διακονια/diakonia), he’s actually referring to something very simple. It’s service, assistance, or help. Back in the First Century, this word usually described humble or menial duties like waiting tables. Being in ministry is being in the service industry. It’s making sure people get what they need.

Me Third

When Luke tells about the time Jesus and His crew drop by a friends’ home in Bethany, Martha freaks out when her little sister Mary won’t help with the dinner party. Martha couldn’t enjoy the Savior’s visit because she “was distracted with much serving (Gr. διακονια/diakonia)” (Lk 10:40). In his sequel, the good doctor talks about how some of the older women in the early church “were being neglected in the daily distribution (Gr. διακονια/diakonia)” of food (Acts 6:1).

So the kind of ministry Paul describes to Timothy turns the org chart upside down. We find the minister at the bottom rung, not the top spot. God calls those in ministry to servant/leadership. It’s a “me third” perspective, as in “God first, others second, me third.” Arrogance and ministry should be mutually exclusive.

The final of the four bullet points: Full speed ahead and finish the mission of serving others.

Passing the Torch

So there you have it. The Final Four. Paul has now officially passed the torch of spreading the Gospel to the young pastor in Ephesus. You can sum up this last letter in these four simple points. One, stay composed and on your toes. Two, hang tough and watch God work. Three, keep spreading the news. Four, full speed ahead and finish the mission.

The Final Four.

Scratching the Itch

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2Tim 4:3-4).

Itch, itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Ever have an itch that you couldn’t quite scratch? What am I saying…of course you have! What begins as a little tickle quickly escalates into an all-consuming search for relief. You’ll do whatever you can, use anything available, or ask whomever is around to help.

Itch, itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Your Spiritual Thumper Leg

What a wonderful sense of immediate relief when you finally can. A little to the left…up just a bit…right there…oh yeah! AHHHHHH! At this point, a smile spreads across your face and your eyes close. If you’re not careful, your leg will start thumping like your dog Bootsie does when you scratch him in the magic place.

There are lots of causes for itching. That irritation is actually a symptom of something else. Poison ivy. A bug bite. A rash. An allergy. Eczema. Did you know that can even be an indication of more serious problems like food allergies, kidney failure, or even lymphoma? Just another reason to stop making regular visits to WebMD and see your own doctor!

A Symptom of Something Deeper

While Paul’s not a doctor and never played one on TV, he warns Timothy that appears to be a simple itch is actually a symptom of a deeper spiritual disease. “For a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths” (v3-4).

The apostle delivers a scary prognosis for what appears to be only a slight tickle on the ear. It begins innocently enough. You scratch that itch by listening to what you want to hear rather than what you need to hear. You suddenly find yourself searching the internet and downloading podcasts of preachers and teachers who pump your ties and make you feel good.

Itch, itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch.

It doesn’t matter that what you hear isn’t true and full of, shall we say, “alternative facts” (seems to be a lot of that going around these days). The next thing you know, you’re pulled off a sinful spin called the reverse repentance. It’s way more dangerous than anything you see in Olympic halfpipe snowboarding. Hard to believe it all started with an itty bitty itch. That’s because the itch is a symptom of a much deeper disease.

Itch, itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch.

The Last Letter

Before we go any further, let’s pump our brakes and take a quick look at why Paul is writing this letter in the first place. It’s somewhere between the years 64-67 AD. We find the apostle behind bars (2Tim 1:8, 16; 2:9). That’s nothing new. The message he brings upsets people so often that you might think he’s traveling the Mediterranean Rim reviewing local jails and prisons for VRBO or TripAdvisor (Acts 16:19-24; 22:23-29; 24:23, 27; 25:14, 21, 27; 26:31-32; 27-28; Eph 4:1; 6:20; Phil 1:17; Col 4:4, 10, 18; Phm 9-10, 13, 23).

But this is different. This time, he’s run out of time. He’s on Death Row (2Tim 4:6-7). Historians believe he’s walking the Green Mile in the Mamertine Prison, Caesar’s SuperMax. With time quickly running out, the apostle writes one last letter with two purposes. One, pass the baton of the Gospel to the young pastor at the Ephesian megachurch (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Two, beg Tim for one last visit before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21).

Don’t Get Blindsided

As he wraps up his instructions about ministry, Paul gives Timothy a very important heads up about what he can expect. “For a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching” (v3). The mentor doesn’t want his protege to get caught off guard. Don’t let it blindside you. It’s going to happen. Don’t let it throw you off your game when it does.

Wearing Steel-Toed Boots to Church

Two thousand years later, the story is still the same in the local church. There’s going to be times when a percentage of people will have little patience for tough but necessary teaching. Oh, we love it when sermons go after the sins of others. Oh, I wish so-and-so could hear this! I need to send them a link ASAP!!

But then there are those days when I wish I’d worn steel-toed boots because the pastor is suddenly stomping all over my toes. The message has gone from preaching to meddling. As the old saying goes, church is there to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. When things get uncomfortable, will I hang in there and let God’s Spirit do His work in my heart? Or will I bail? Will I submit to God’s work in my life? Or will I hightail it for the nearest exit?

When the Going Gets Tough

The word “endure” is the Greek verb ανεχω/anecho. It means to exercise self-restraint, tolerate, or hold up under adversity. It means to stand tall no matter what. Paul uses this term when he encourages us follow Jesus “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with (Gr. ανεχω/anecho) one another in love” (Eph 4:2). We’re to hang in there in love because our Savior hung on the cross out of love.

Too many times we don’t tolerate the tough truth of God’s Word. Too many times when the going gets tough, we get going…right out the door! We tune out. We check out. We shut down. That’s when we minimize the Bible app on our phone and open Facebook. Instead of the messy business of conviction of sin, let’s see how many likes I got on that snarky comment I posted about the election!

A High Protein Diet

Paul wants us to know it’s not bad teaching that folks are tuning out. It’s actually “sound teaching” (v3). The apostle uses a word here he may have picked up from his old friend Dr. Luke. “Sound” (Gr. ‘υγιαινω/hugiaino) is a medical term that means healthy or the state of wellness.

Luke actually uses it that way twice in his biography of Jesus. When the religious police freak out when Christ hangs out with the spiritual riff raft, our Savior says, “Those who are well (Gr. ‘υγιαινω/hugiaino) have no need of a physician, but those who are who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance” (Lk 5:31-32). Later when Jesus heals Roman military officer’s servant without even making a house call, folks back at the house “found the servant well (Gr. ‘υγιαινω/hugiaino)” (Lk 7:10).

So “sound teaching” (v3) is actually healthy doctrine. It’s not spiritual junk food that does us more harm than good. It’s good for you. It builds you up. It gives you the fuel you need for spiritual growth. Think of the high protein diet a high performance athlete needs. A big part of getting ourselves in top physical shape, is eating healthy. It’s the same in our walk with Jesus. A healthy diet is loaded with the protein of “sound teaching” (v3).

Scratching the Itch

When we regularly consume the spiritual superfood of the Gospel, it prevents us from “having itching ears” (v3). Paul uses an interesting little word we translate as “itching” (Gr. κνηθω/knetho) which describes to scratch, tickle, or even titillate. This is the desire something for something pleasant.

You know how you scratch your dog in that one spot that gets his thumper leg going? Oh yeah, right there! That’s the ticket! It’s the very same with us. We want our ears tickled. We want our itch scratched. We want to hear what we want to hear. Stop trying to give me what I need. Too many times we’re only interested in what feels good.

Itch, itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Collecting in the Medicine Cabinet

We see that when folks start scratching that spiritual itch “they will accumulate for themselves teachers for their own passions” (v3). In other words, people begin kicking their own pastor to the curb for preaching truth. Then they replace him with a handpicked assortment of teachers who tell them exactly what they want to hear.

They surround themselves with voices who don’t bruise their egos. And it usually takes a small army. The apostle drops the word “accumulate” (Gr. επισωρευω/episoreuo), which can mean to persist in or insist on something. But it literally paints a picture of gathering in big piles. Think of a hoarder. They’ll completely surrounded themselves with teaching that will never challenge their sin or question their behavior.

The best comparison I can think of is that place where we store over-the-counter medicines that don’t really work. That medicine cabinet, closet, or drawer where OTCs go to die. We’ve got that nagging itch that just won’t go away. We bring home another new ointment, cream, spray, or pill every time we go to the drug store. We accumulate them. They pile up.

My latest purchase might provide a little relief from the itch but the truth is they don’t really work effectively. Why? Because they only treat the symptom and not the deeper problem. The same with my itching ears. I have a bigger issue that must be addressed. Until then, I’ll keep surrounding my self with all sorts of teaching that simply skims the surface and never does serious spiritual surgery.

Virtual Preaching Leads to Virtual Obedience

The New Living Translation says how folks will “look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear” (v3 NLT). Let’s face it, with the internet and countless podcasts available to us, we do this now more than ever. We may listen to the teaching from our own pastors on the weekend. But too many of us are more devoted to what someone like Chuck Swindoll, Matt Chandler, or Andy Stanley has to say. Hey, I’m just as guilty as the next person here.

There are a couple of dangers when we do. First of all, we have a habit of looking for itch scratchers and ear ticklers who tell us only what we want to hear. We want a “feel good” gospel that provides pleasure without any pain. Grace without any of that nasty talk of sin. God’s love without any mention of God’s wrath. John MacArthur says it’s wanting blessing without forgiveness or salvation without repentance.

The other danger is more subtle. When we gather our dream team of digital pastors, we slowly start shifting our submission their way. There’s an almost imperceptible transfer of authority to those teaching on smart phones and tablets from preachers who lead our local congregations. Before we know it, our own pastor supplements what we hear online, not the other way around.

When this happens, who will ever know if you’re applying the teaching? There’s very little opportunity for accountability. Virtual preaching leads to virtual obedience.

You Can’t Handle the Truth!

Scratching those itching ears eventually results a radical move that will leave your head swimming. We’ll “turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (v4). Call it reverse repentance. Instead of spinning from our own sin and toward Jesus, it’s just the opposite. We do a 180 away from God’s truth and find ourselves falling for something phony. From Good News to fake news. From spiritual truth to alternative facts.

According to Paul, some folks have little stomach for what they need to hear. Remember that famous line from “A Few Good Men”? You know the one. Jack Nicholson as Colonel Jessup yells, “You can’t handle the truth!!!” Same for some of us in the local church.

Tearing an ACL

When God’s truth starts hitting a little too close to home, we must be careful not to tuck our tail between our legs and head the other way. When we do, we’ll find ourselves sliding down a slippery slope and “wander into myths” (v4).

It’s interesting to note that the Greek word the ESV translates as “wander” (Gr. εκτρεπω/ektrepo) means a whole lot more than a mindless stroll down the greenway. It’s actually another medical term that describe an injury to the ligaments of a joint, a dislocation or a joint pulled from the socket. Think season ending ACL tear.

The writer of Hebrews uses it when talking about having a healthy walk with Jesus. “Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint (Gr. εκτρεπω/ektrepo) but rather be healed” (Heb 12:13). Picture a radical and painful twist. Your arm or leg suddenly heads in the wrong direction.

Swerving toward Pleasure

Instead holding the course when biblical teaching gets uncomfortable, our tires screech and we run toward fun and pleasure. The irony is that God wants us to experience the ultimate joy and the only way to get there is through our submission and obedience to His guidance.

Don’t turn away. Don’t wander. Avoid reverse repentance. The best way to do that is to not scratch that itch in the first place. Let’s realize this is the symptom of a deeper problem. Chances are there’s an area of my life that I haven’t fully submitted to Jesus. When people do, “they’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages” (v3-4 The Message).

Take It from Jeremiah

To stop the itch means curing the problem behind it. Stop filling your medicine cabinet with salves and ointments. Take Jeremiah’s recommendation and try the Balm of Gilead (Jer 8:22; 46:11). It doesn’t come in a tube or a tub. You can’t buy it at Walgreens or Walmart. It’s the true healing that only comes from Christ.

Following Jesus’ lead and obeying God’s commands will be hard at times. But remember two things. First, it is the source of true blessing and joy of the overflowing life that our Savior came to bring us (Jn 10:10). Second, Christ gives each one of us His Spirit to live in us to give us the power to do everything He asks.

This doesn’t mean the itching will stop forever. But we’ll have the supernatural strength to keep from scratching.

Itch. Itch. Itch. 

Stop.