Title: Do your job
Contents
♡♥♡ Do your job. / 2 Timothy 4:1-8
*** Introduction
As it turns out, there is one month left in 2002. At the end of this week, our church closes the finances for the 2002 Session, and starts the 2003 Session from next week. Of course, the administrative settlement of accounts will be at the end of December, but in any case, December is definitely a busy month to prepare for settlement of accounts and a new start.
At this point in time when we are busy with the settlement of accounts and preparations for a new start, I think it is essential to think about our Christian duties. Because if we don't set the direction we're going, we'll make an erratic settlement, and we won't be able to set the right direction either.
We see a deep tension in the text that speaks of the Christian ministry at a time when spiritual corruption is intensifying. Verse 1, the beginning of the story, expresses the seriousness of the story to be unfolded, saying, “I solemnly command you before God and by Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, by his appearing and his kingdom.” And it makes it clear that the point at which this command is delivered is ‘when people’s hearts turn away from God and follow the things of the vanity world’.
According to a recent study report,
“20% of Christians do not attend Sunday worship, 25% do not have a prayer life, 35% do not read the Bible at all, 40% do not tithe, 60% do not read Christian books, and 75% do not read Christian books. They don't do volunteer work, and 85% of them don't evangelize even a single unbeliever." In a word, modern church members are leading a 'formal religious life'.
Considering this kind of church, isn't the situation in verses 3 and 4 of the text we are living in today? In times of increasing spiritual urgency, we, who have been called as Christians, should judge wisely and distinguish ourselves, and faithfully carry out our duties.
1. Let's look at the background of the text.
The book of 2 Timothy, which includes the text, is a letter written by an old-age Paul to his spiritual son Timothy while he was imprisoned in a Roman prison. From the time Paul went to Rome, he knew from the word of the Lord that this was his last path. That is why some Bible scholars have called this letter “the will of the elders.” Paul knew that the time had come for him to leave the body. Verse 6 of the text says, “I have already been poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
‘Libation’ refers to the ritual of placing a sacrifice such as a sheep or goat on an altar in the ancient Near East and pouring wine on it (Numbers 15:5, 28:7). This is a ceremony to pay homage to God. This offering of offerings means that the final preparations for the offering have been completed. In other words, Paul expressed that the time for himself to be sacrificed for martyrdom had come. As Paul faces the conclusion of his life, he commands Timothy, his beloved disciple and spiritual son, who must be left behind in the world, to do what is essential.
2. I need to find a job that I must do.
Let's look at verse 5. “Be sober in all things, suffer afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your duties.” The modern Bible says, “Stand steadfast and do not be afraid to suffer for the sake of the Lord. Lead people to Christ and do your mission.” This refers to the attitude of a Christian to perform the duties given to him.
Dr. Harry Ironside worked as a weaver in a grocery store as a boy. It was his daily job to cut the cowhide to the shoe pattern, soak it in water, pound it until it was hard and dry, and then nail the sole.
One time, I was going out on the street and passed by another general store. The craftsman working at the clothing store did not even knock on the sole, but immediately took it out of the water and nailed it. Out of curiosity, I entered the store. And I asked the craftsman, ‘Does the quality of the shoes come without pounding the cowhide to harden it?’ The craftsman's answer was simple.
“You have to make a lot in a short time, where is the time to knock?”
'Harry' quickly ran to his owner, talked about the cause, and suggested, 'I wish we could do the same.' Then the owner brought a Bible and opened it to Colossians 3:23 and read it to him. “Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as to the Lord and not to men.” Then he said to Harry.
“I don't make shoes to make money. It was made for the glory of God. I said to the Lord on the Day of Judgment, 'You have done a very mean thing. I don’t want to hear people say, ‘I didn’t even do my best.’ The Lord smiled and said, 'You did very well. Good and faithful servant,’ I want to hear you say.”
Working like this in today's society will not be easy. However, since these are the commands of the Lord, we Christians must follow them.
So what should we do with this attitude? What Timothy must do is specifically stated in verse 2. “Preach the word of God zealously at any time. Teach with all your heart and soul, whether you have the opportunity or not, and whether the time is good or bad. Correct the faults of the believers and rebuke them when they need to be rebuked. Encourage them to do what is right and keep them nurtured by the word of God.” This was what Timothy, the pastor, had to do, and this is what I, as a pastor, should do now.
At the same time, the commandment to the common saints is found in Colossians 3:12 and below. Let's read verses 12-17 together. “Therefore, put on mercy, mercy, humility, gentleness, and long-suffering, as God’s chosen, holy and beloved ones, and tolerating one another and forgiving one another if anyone accuses anyone, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you; Add love to all of this. This is the belt that binds perfectly. Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts. Since you were called in one body to peace, also be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, praising God with thanksgiving in your hearts, and whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. , give thanks to Heavenly Father for him.”
These are the things we need to settle before God. Have you been living like this? Of course, this is not all. There is the preaching of the gospel, and there are the unique vocations (music, art, technology, sports, academics, etc.) that God has entrusted to each of the saints. These are the things you need to accomplish as you seek out your relationship with God.
3. I have to pour my passion into the job assigned to me.
Let's look at verse 7. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”
Paul compares his life to a soldier or an athlete who has fought a battle. What is characteristic of this verse is the fact that the expressions ‘fight’, ‘finished’, and ‘kept’ are ‘present perfect tense’. In other words, it is an expression of ‘the life you have been running for is now over.’ In this way, the life Paul expressed in his life exudes determination and passion at the same time.
On November 22 (Fri), an article titled 'Workers' attachment to work is the lowest in Korea' was published on the social page of the Dong-A Ilbo. Taylor Nelson Sopre (TNS), a multinational polling company, published the results of asking about 20,000 workers in 33 countries around the world, “How attached are you to your current job and job?”
A total of 638 Korean workers participated in this survey, and 36% of those who answered that they were attached to their current job were the lowest among 33 countries (No. 1 - Israel, 72% at work, 68% at work/ US, 61 at work) %, work 49%). 35% of respondents said they had a love for their job, ranking 31st after Japan (30%) and Bulgaria (34%).
This represents the passion of the Korean people for their work now. In other words, the ‘passion for life’ is cooling not only in the church but in Korea as a whole. Did you know that what you see, hear and feel is also ‘cool’? I feel enough just by looking at myself and not others. I used to be not so cold. Some say it's because they're older, but passion has nothing to do with age. Rather, the older you get, the more refined your passion becomes. So now I am trying to restore this passion, even if I do everything I can.
Not only me, but we all need to recover the lost passion. If you have never felt or had the fervor of faith, you must show zeal of faith so that you can experience the love of the Lord. Why is passion so important? The reason is that the God we serve requires passion.
In Isaiah 59:17, God who works is expressed in this way. “Righteousness was made his breastplate, and salvation was made upon his head as a helmet, and his reward as a garment, and his zeal as a cloak” I did. “I remembered that the disciples said in the Bible, ‘The zeal for the temple of the Lord will consume me.’” Jesus expressed his passion for doing God’s will.
This God commands us, in Romans 12:11, “Do not be lazy in diligence, be zealous and serve the Lord.” In Revelation 3:19, “Anyone whom I love I rebuke and discipline; therefore you Be zealous and repent.”
God has chosen and called you and me to be the servants of this age. So that we can do the things God has entrusted to us while we continue our physical life on this earth. Later, when we finish the work entrusted to us, God will evaluate our lives. Romans 2:6-8. “God will recompense each one according to his deeds, but to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfish and do not pursue the truth but pursue unrighteousness, wrath and wrath.”
It moved many people at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
On the last day of the Olympics, the marathon race, which is called the flower of the Olympics, was held. All the athletes, including the first-placed athlete, crossed the finish line amid cheers from the crowd. And the winners were awarded laurel wreaths and medals. The Olympic torch was extinguished and the after-dinner ceremony ended. Most of the spectators also left. At this moment, a marathon runner entered the stadium, dragging one leg that was bleeding.
“My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the game, it sent me to finish it.”
If we live each day faithfully and faithfully, we will never be ashamed even at the end of the year. In addition, even when standing before God in the end, like the Apostle Paul, he will be bold about his life and will not be afraid of God's judgment.
Let's look back on the road we have walked over the past year. Let's calculate not only the settlement of the physical life, but also the settlement of the spirit before God. 2002 is still one month away. Let's rekindle our passion so that we don't end up with shameful accounts. A person's fire lacks neither brightness nor heat, and is easily extinguished by a small wind. However, even a small fire can cause a big fire when several people gather together. So, I pray that the beautiful settlement of 2002 and the new plan for 2003 will be well prepared, and that the settlement before God will be prepared.