Feeling Refreshed?

2 Timothy 1:16-18

Thom S. Rainer is an American author, researcher, speaker, and current president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. In a recent article Dr. Rainer writes about different kinds of people that surround leaders. Actually, these types of people can be found around most of us at one time or another. Listen to his list:

1. Eeyores. Like the fictional donkey in Winnie the Pooh, eeyores are pessimistic, gloomy, and often depressed...
2. Gasbags. As the name implies, these persons are never at a loss for words. However, they often don’t know when to shut up...Gasbags can have energetic and entertaining personalities, but they typically do not execute well.
3. Log-bumps. At the other end of the vocal spectrum, log-bumps hardly ever voice a contribution...They honestly have nothing meaningful to say.
4. Sponge-Bobs. This group of persons has one major motive: Look out for number one. As sponges, they are totally self-absorbed...A significant amount of their conversations inform others about how great they are and how they are making such a wonderful difference in this world.
5. Butter-ups. Sometimes those in this group are better known for their less flattering name, posterior-puckers.
6. But-whats. The but-whats are first cousins of the eeyores. Seeing the glass as half-empty, they are constantly looking at the downside. When an opportunity presents itself, they ask: “But what if something goes wrong?” or “But what if we don’t meet our expectations?” or “But what if the economy goes sour?” The but-whats see a problem behind every solution.
7. Paladins. This group is named for the foremost warriors in Charlemagne’s court, men who represented Christian valor. Paladins find a way to get things done. They confront reality with a positive, determined attitude...While the but-whats see a problem in every solution, the paladins see a solution in every problem.

Pretty cute way of describing some of the people you have to deal with in life. Even the leader can be one or more of these himself/herself.

I think there are at least two other groups of people that could have been added to this list. Let’s call them Refreshers and Drainers.

Illustration: Let me demonstrate the difference in the two from a Coca Cola bottle and a drill/bucket.

Of all the aforementioned, let’s especially ask God to make us Refreshers. We want God to use us to encourage, not discourage people. To lift people up, not tear them down.

The idea in our text (2 Timothy 1:16-18) when Paul makes reference to Onesimus being one that “refreshed” him is: “to cool,” “to revive by fresh air,” or “to recover a state of cheer.” Idiomatically the word can be translated: “to give one’s heart back to a person” or “to make one’s heart feel strong again.”

Notice carefully that there are several texts where you find that God often uses people to bring about the “refreshing” we need.

For instance...

2 Corinthians 7:5-7:

This is a story when Paul was deeply trouble about the Corinthian church. He had been there to establish the church, but some in the church had slipped away into sin. There were others among them that were calling into question Paul’s apostleship and ministry. Apparently, Paul wrote a stinging letter of correction to them to deal with the sin and the opposition to his ministry. He was anxious to hear back about how the letter had been received by the Corinthians, so he sent Titus to check out the situation while he stayed in Ephesus. It is likely that it was during this time that Paul was chased out of Ephesus because of the riot described in Acts 19:23-41. From Ephesus he went to Troas where God had an open door of opportunity for him to preach the Gospel. But, he was so troubled (read the text: 2 Corinthians 7:5-7) about the church at Corinth that he left Troas and travelled on to Macedonia, hoping to meet up with Titus. It was there that he found Titus and the scripture says he was “comforted” (refreshed) by his coming. God uses “refreshers” in our lives to strengthen us in our darkest and deepest times of need.

Acts 27:1-3

On another occasion the book of Acts tells us that Paul was under arrest and being taken to Rome for trial. He had apparently gained the confidence of the centurion that was charged with watching the prisoners on this voyage. When they stopped in the Phoenician city of Sidon, Paul was allowed to briefly leave the ship, maybe with a guard, to visit Christians who “refreshed” him. As they ministered to Paul’s needs they encouraged him for the journey that lay ahead.

It’s not just these occasions, but at other times Paul was refreshed by people in his life.:

Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. (Romans 15:30-32)

I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. (1 Corinthians 16:17-18)

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. (Philemon 1:4-7)

There is also an OT example of Jonathan refreshing David when he was being sought by Saul. (cf. 1 Samuel 23:16-17; Psalm 140:1-7)

What an incredible ministry these men and churches had in refreshing the apostle Paul. And, God promises that those who refresh others will be refreshed.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25 NLT)

In the text we are studying today (2 Timothy 1:16-18), Paul was in a Mamertine prison in Rome and was nearing the time he would be martyred for the Christian faith (middle 60’s AD). A man (Onesiphorus) that he had met (maybe had personally led to Christ) and had ministered to Paul previously in Ephesus (1:18), travelled to Rome looking for the beleaguered and imprisoned Paul. It was not an easy task as this was the time of Nero’s intense persecution against Christians. But, because of his diligent efforts, he finally located him and  refreshed Paul’s spirit by his presence.

We don’t know the details of how these meetings unfolded where Onesiphorus repeatedly aided the apostle Paul while he awaited his martyrdom. But, famed Southern Baptist pastor, Dr. W.A. Criswell, imagines how it might have happened.

“Upon a day, Onesiphorus is in Rome. I would suppose he was a merchantman...And while this merchantman from the city of Ephesus was in the great capital Roman city, he heard that his old friend and preacher, the apostle Paul, was a prisoner in the city...

“Nobody knew where Paul was...For the persecution inaugurated by Nero is burning furiously!   And for a man to be known as a Christian is to risk death itself...

“Onesiphorus...makes his way up to the city officials.  And he asks, where’s Paul, the prisoner?  They don't know, ‘We don't know him, we never heard of him.’  He makes his way to the Praetorian Guard. ‘Where is Paul the prisoner?’

"’We don't know. We never heard of him.’

He asks his business associates, ‘Where is Paul, the preacher of Christ?’

"’We don't know. We never heard of him.’

“Finally, somebody draws Onesiphorus aside and whispers in his ear, saying, ‘Onesiphorus, hush, hush!  Don't ask openly and publicly about Paul, the preacher of Christ. Don't you know?  Whoever is found to be a Christian is thereby indicted as...an enemy of the gods and an enemy of the state and is subject to immediate death! Hush, Onesiphorus, don't ask for Paul.’  That fine noble merchantman drew himself up to his full height and said, ‘If Paul, the preacher of Christ, is in the city of Rome, I shall find him, death or life!’  He searches, he asks, he goes from one prison to the other. He meets somebody.

"’Oh, Paul, Paul, I remember Paul, a Roman citizen, a Jew, a Christian. I happened to be in the courtroom when he was condemned to death. You'll find him in the Mamertine prison where they are lodged to await final and inevitable execution.’  ...Onesiphorus the merchantman makes his way to the Mamertine prison. It's cut out of the solid rock on the Capitoline Hill. The only entrance to that awful dungeon, made like a cistern; up at the top, a grating of iron, through which the prisoner is let down into that awful hole, through which...food and water is...let down. A stench, a horror—the only light, that which can struggle through the iron grating, awaiting execution, no escape!

“Onesiphorus goes to the guard and he asks, ‘Sir, in the dungeon, a prisoner named Paul?’

‘Yes,’ says the guard.

“Onesiphorus draws from a secret pocket in his robe a little pouch of gold, places it in the hand of the guard. ‘May I see him?’  The guard is astonished! Gold. ‘Yes, yes,’ he says. ‘Yes.’  He goes to the iron grating, he lifts it away, he lets Onesiphorus down into the dungeon, he looks around and there chained to the solid rock is Paul the aged, the preacher of the gospel of the Son of God. And Paul lifts up his face and there is his old friend, Onesiphorus.

Dr. Criswell continues, “...Why, I can see the old preacher of the cross as he falls into the arms of his friend, and as his friend hugs close to his heart the man who won him to Christ...

“He came back on another day. And out of his pocket, a little bag of gold, into the hand of the guard to see Paul.  ‘Yes,’ he says. ‘Yes,’ he says.  And he removes that iron grating. Onesiphorus is let down into that foul, stinking dungeon again:

“‘Look, Paul,’ he says. And he has bread to eat.

"’Look, Paul,’ he says. And there's a little water for him to wash with. And,

"’Look, Paul,’ he says. He has a cloak.

"’Look, Paul.’ And he has a book.

"’Look, Paul.’ And he has pencil and paper.

“Every time that he came he brought something. ‘He oft refreshed me. He helped me. He brought me something...’

“Then upon a day, a jackal of a dog, a craven slave, noticed that rich merchantman...making his way to that Mamertine dungeon, and he watched him again, and he saw the gold pass to the guard.  And that craven jackal made his way like a serpent to Tigellinus.

“Tigellinus was that evil, bestial beast behind Nero...And this jackal of a dog makes his way to Tigellinus, draws Tigellinus aside and says:

“‘Tigellinus, listen, listen.  I know the name, I can point out to you the man, a rich merchant, and he goes to see Paul, the Christian. He's bound to be a Christian himself.  Tigellinus, seize him, accuse him. And you can confiscate his property, and all that he has is yours!  Tigellinus, just give me something and I'll show you the man.  I'll point him out. I'll name him.’

“And evil Tigellinus, seeing an opportunity to confiscate a rich merchantman and despoil him, said, ‘How much?’ And they agree on a traitor's price.  And the craven slave takes some of the Praetorian Guard, and he waits just beyond the shadow of the Capitoline Hill.  And when Onesiphorus comes with love and prayers and bread and water for his friend, the preacher of Christ, that craven jackal points him out!  ‘That's him, Onesiphorus.’  And he's arrested in the hands of the cruel and venomous Tigellinus...”

History doesn’t say whether this encounter of Onesiphorus and Paul is exactly the way it happened, but we can surmise that something similar may have occurred. Neither do we know how Onesimus died, though some surmised from Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 4:19 (where Paul sends greetings to the “household of Onesiphorus”) that Onesiphorus is dead. It is possible that this greeting indicates that Onesiphorus had died in Rome or before he was able to return home to Ephesus. However, there are other equally cogent explanations for why he might not have been mentioned when Paul penned these words.

What is certain is that Paul had a friend in Onesiphorus that braved the danger that faced him and all Christians at that time to find Paul and minister to him.

His actions are an illustration of Solomon’s Proverb:

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

Closing Questions:

• Am I a refresher or a drainer?
• Who am I refreshing and to whom am I a breath of fresh air?

Radical Faith (#7)

Luke 18:9-14

Consider the contrasts between the two men in Jesus’ parable...

1. They had different postures in prayer. (18:11, 13)

• The indication of the text is that the Pharisee stood in public view to be seen of others as he was praying. The Greek can literally be translated: “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed...” This is significant because it brings to mind the way Jesus said hypocrites liked to pray in Matthew 6:5. Apparently, he wanted to be seen and heard as he extolled his virtues before God.

• The Publican, however, stood at a distance (“...standing afar off...”), so the fewest number of people would see him as he prayed. He did not want to be in public view. He did not feel worthy to be in God’s presence.

2. They had different approaches to God. (18:11-12, 13)

• The Pharisee addressed God, but then immediately began listing his virtues (He’s not like the “extortioners, unjust” and “adulterers.” He fasts “twice a week”  and “gives tithes” of “all” his possessions. Notice that he congratulates himself on the things he can list and measure.

• The Publican addresses God, too, but won’t even “raise his eyes to heaven” as he prays and “beats his breast.” “Beating the breast” was a sign of mourning or remorse. This man is broken and sorrowful for his sins, asking God for mercy.

3. They had different perspectives on themselves. (18:11-12, 13)

• The Pharisee thought in himself that he was righteous. Actually, as Jesus is telling this story, most everyone listening would have thought the Pharisee was righteous. Today, our opinion of the Pharisees is colored by all the information we have about them. But, in the first century, the Pharisees were among the most respected people in society. They were known for their piety and religious deeds.

Notice that five times he uses the first person pronoun (“I”) in his prayer to God. He’s more interested in impressing God with his deeds than he is seeking something from God.

• The Publican, on the other hand, was among the most despised people in his society. He was viewed as a Jewish collaborator with the Roman government, oppressing his own people. The Greek text can actually be translated as, “God, be merciful to me THE sinner!” When the Publican approaches God, he acknowledges his sin. He even feels he is the worse sinner possible in need of God’s mercy. Unlike the Pharisee, he doesn’t plead any merit...he pleads for mercy! This wording is not unlike that of Paul...cf. 1 Timothy 1:15.

4. They had different measures of righteousness. (18:11)

• The Pharisee felt good about himself because he viewed himself as better than other men around him. They were his measure, not the God of Heaven. He was better at following the Law than most of his day. His telling comment comes when he sees the Publican praying and specifically points him out saying, “or even as this tax collector.” He was using the Publican to make himself look better to God and others.

When you measure by others you always miss something (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:12). The Pharisee mentions three specific sins of which he says he is not guilty: extortion, injustice, and adultery. But, what about his sin of pride or his attitude of contempt for others (“Love your neighbor as yourself”)?

• The Publican never looked up while he was praying and never paid attention to the others that may have been around him. His measure was God and only God could forgive and extend him mercy.

5. They had different feelings toward others.

• Self-righteous people are usually critical of others, pointing out their flaws and failures, while ignoring their own. The Pharisee was harsh and condescending (18:9), as if he didn’t need the mercy of God. He thought of himself as better than most other people. He was arrogant and proud!

• Nothing is mentioned about the Publican’s feelings toward others because his focus was God and himself...not others. He knew he needed mercy and it seems feasible that he would have been merciful, since that’s what he was seeking from God.

When Jesus concludes the parable, He identifies which of these men went home right with God and everybody would have been shocked by his conclusion...it was the Publican!

Jesus explains why he went home right with God...He humbled himself before God!

People that exalt themselves will be “humbled.” But, those that humble themselves will be “justified” and/or “exalted.”  All three of these verbs are divine passives, meaning that God is the One who acts upon the person to make them happen. God is moved when we humble ourselves and don’t make Him humble us (cf. Philippians 2:9-11).

Application:

1. You can’t earn Heaven by the way you live (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. You can’t impress God with who you are or what you’ve done (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34).

3. You can’t receive mercy without humbling yourself before Him.

• We need a radical faith that relies solely on the mercy/grace of God and not self-effort.

Radical Faith (#6)

Joshua 24:14-15

There have always been moments in history when leaders stepped to the forefront and made declarations that are long remembered and studied. For instance:

• Sir Winston Churchill: Battle of France/1940:

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender[.]

• John F. Kennedy: Inauguration Speech/1961:

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

• Martin Luther King: Lincoln Memorial/1963:

I have a dream…

• Ronald Reagan: Berlin Wall/1987:

We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

You find these same kinds of monumental statements in the biblical record:

• Elijah on Mt. Carmel with the Prophets of Baal:

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21)

• Jesus on the cross:

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)

• Paul to the Philippians:

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

However, there is one declaration made in scripture by Joshua that is worthy of consideration concerning the radical faith needed for raising our families. It was made at Shechem, which was a vitally important site to the Jewish people. Clarence McCartney says about it,

“If you were to put Plymouth Rock and Yorktown and Lexington Independence Hall together, you would not have what Shechem is to Israel.” (Clarence McCartney, The Greatest Texts of the Bible, pp. 74-75)

It’s at this place that Joshua calls the people together, with all of their leaders, to reaffirm the Israelites’ commitment to the Mosaic Covenant. It’s a commencement day of sorts as he prepares to hand off the spiritual baton of leadership to the next generation.

After rehearsing God’s blessings to them in the previous verses, he issues a challenge to them to obey God.

• Joshua before his death:

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

We desperately need today a radical commitment among parents and grandparents to influence their children for Christ. The children of our culture are regularly taking the brunt of our increasingly secular society.

In a report entitled, “America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Wellbeing, 2012,” agencies within the U.S. government give statistics about the general status of the children of our nation. The report is too lengthy to give them all, but listen to some of the key indicators of what is happening to our children. For instance:

“In 2011, there were 73.9 million children in the United States, 1.5 million more than in 2000. This number is projected to increase to 101.6 million by 2050...In 2011, children made up 24 percent of the population, down from a peak of 36 percent at the end of the “baby boom” (1964). Children are projected to remain a fairly stable percentage of the total population through 2050, when they are projected to compose 23 percent of the population.”

“In 2011, 69 percent of children ages 0–17 lived with two parents (65 percent with 2 married parents), 27 percent with one parent, and 4 percent with no parents. Among children living with neither parent, more than half lived with a grandparent. Seven percent of all children ages 0–17 lived with a parent who was in a cohabiting union...”

“The percentage of all births that were to unmarried women...more than doubled between 1980 and 2009, with the largest increases for women in their twenties. In 2010, 40.8 percent of births were to unmarried women....In 2010, the adolescent birth rate was 17.3 births per 1,000 women ages 15–17...”

“In 2010, 22 percent of children ages 0–17 (16.4 million) lived in poverty. This is up from

a low of 16 percent in 2000 and 2001. Consistent with expectations related to the economic downturn, child poverty has increased annually since 2006, when the rate was 17 percent.”

“For children living in female-householder families, the poverty rate was 47 percent in 2010,

an increase from 45 percent in 2009...For children living in male-householder families, the poverty rate was 29 percent in 2010, not statistically different from 2009.”

“In 2010, 10 percent of children lived in families with incomes below 50 percent of the poverty threshold (a value of $11,057 for a family of four). This estimate is the highest since 1994.”

“Recent illicit drug use among youth remained unchanged from 2010 to 2011. In 2011, 9 percent of 8th-graders, 19 percent of 10th-graders, and 25 percent of 12th-graders reported current illicit drug use, that is, use in the past 30 days...”

As these statistics show, our children are under attack and desperately need intervention. While it may not be possible to change the lives of all these children, it should be the desire of Christian parents to impact their own children's lives. And, Joshua’s declaration would be a good place to begin as we make our own declarations as to how we are going to live and lead our families.

Consider the following seven observations about Joshua’s faith...

1. He spoke individually about his faith.

This was not the faith of his father's alone. This was a faith that he owned for himself and that he followed through the course of his life. There was no mistake about Joshua’s own commitment to the Lord. This life commitment was very personal to him, as well as permanent.

2. He spoke thoughtfully about his faith.

He first rehearsed some of the many blessings God had given to Israel. Then he placed before them a question that was purely rhetorical in nature. He is not suggesting that they should leave the God of their fathers. But, he is calling the people to follow his example and to make the choice he made to obey/follow God.

3. He spoke decisively about his faith.

Joshua left no ambiguity in his declaration. And, he spoke not just for himself, but for his entire family. He had no intention of leading them to any other decision than the one he had reached. He didn’t leave the faith of his children up to chance. (cf. Job 1)

4. He spoke confidently about his faith.

There was no hypocrisy in Joshua’s declaration. The people had seen his integrity and he had demonstrated a consistency and genuineness of life. It was his sincere and proven character that added weight to his words when he spoke.

5. He spoke submissively about his faith.

This wasn’t a “dead faith” that lacked works to demonstrate it. It was a living faith that brought him to the place of submission to the Lord. He intended to serve and obey God all the days of his life.

6. He spoke openly about his faith.

He stands before all of the leaders of Israel and the people of the nation without a hint of indecision about following the Lord or making this declaration of allegiance. He didn’t have a secret relationship with God. Rather, it was a bold faith that was unafraid of public scrutiny. Everybody knew where Joshua stood and about his sincerity!

7. He spoke purposefully about his faith.

All those years ago Joshua had stood alone with Caleb to declare that God could enable them to conquer the Land of Canaan. Now, he stands alone again to influence his nation to remain faithful to the God of Israel after he’s gone. He intends on leading them to a similar decision that he had made and kept throughout the years of his life.

It’s this kind of faith lived out before our families that this world is so desperate to see. It’s going to take the radical, living faith of parents and grandparents to influence the next generation for God. This is no time for indifference and/or negligence in rearing our children. If you are not showing them the way to God and how to live this relationship out before others, then you can be sure that the world, the flesh and the devil are looking to trap your kids/grandkids in ungodly ways.

So often the way our kids turn out is determined by the way we live out our faith before them.

Illustration: There were four scholars who were arguing over Bible translations. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beauty, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism, the way it moves the reader from passage to passage with confident feelings of accuracy from the original text. A third man preferred Moffatt’s Translation because of its quaint, penetrating use of words, the turn of a phrase that captures the attention of the reader.

After giving the issue some further thought, the fourth scholar admitted, “I have always personally preferred my mother's translation.” When the other scholars chuckled, he responded, “Yes, she translated the scripture herself. She translated each page of the Bible into life and it’s the most convincing translation I’ve ever read.”

Application:

1. Instruct your children in the ways and Word of God.

2. How well you live is as important as how well they listen.

3. Pray for your children...without ceasing.

4. Encourage the work of God in their hearts when you see it.

5. Love is the bridge you cross to sow faith in their hearts.