Keith Battle - Understanding the Assignment

I want to give you my subject first before I read this passage. I’m going to read a passage from Second Timothy, Chapter Four. So if you would get a copy of the Bible or access the Bible on your device, I want you to see Second Timothy, Chapter Four. I really want you to examine this passage and see what God says to you from His Word. I will be focusing on the first eight verses of Second Timothy, Chapter Four. But before I delve into that, I want to share my subject, and here it is: Understanding the Assignment.

You probably know that in our culture, when someone says, «You understand» or «You understood the assignment,» it refers to how well you performed or handled a situation. It’s a reference to when, perhaps, you nailed a photo shoot, your fashion was on point, or maybe your performance for your team in a particular sport or your role in a specific game showed that you understood the assignment. It might also refer to a role you play within your organization, within your family, or within a department in which you serve. When you excel at a high level and complete a task well, it is often said that you understood the assignment.

Now, understand this about understanding the assignment: you only hear that compliment after the assignment has been executed, and the execution of the assignment reveals that you understood it because you never execute by accident. To execute at a high level, there must have been some comprehension of what the assignment was. You had to know what was expected of you. You need to understand whether there were instructions accompanying the assignment and if there were clear directions regarding it. Was there a map? Have you ever received something in the mail, like a gift for Christmas, that you had to assemble for your kids? That’s the assignment. You pull it out, see a thousand pieces, and then look at the picture, thinking, «Boy, we’re going to be here until next Christmas trying to put this together!» I’m saying that to execute the assignment, you must have the map, the vision, and the plan regarding it. Timothy had all of that from his mentor, the Apostle Paul, regarding his assignment.

Let’s pick up this conversation in the fourth chapter of the second book of Timothy, beginning at verse 1. I’m going to read from the New Living Translation, and here’s what it says: «I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, Timothy, who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up His kingdom: Timothy, preach the word of God; be prepared whether the time is favorable or not; patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming, Timothy, when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires, Timothy, and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.»

Verse 4: «They will reject the truth and chase after myths.» Timothy, you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord; work at telling others the good news, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have remained faithful. Verse 8: «And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness—which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And Timothy, the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.» Somebody say, «Amen!» They typed «Amen» in the chat.

I want to say five things about this passage, and I’ll give them to you now. If you’re a note-taker, I want to discuss the atmosphere of this passage, the atmosphere of this assignment in verse 1. Then I want to talk about Part One of the assignment in verse 2, the first part of the assignment that Paul gives to Timothy. After that, I want to address the audience of this assignment in verses 3 and 4 and the challenges it presents. I will then go to Part Two of the assignment in verse 4, and finally, in verses 6 to 8, I want to discuss the archetype of the assignment—the blueprint itself, the model of this assignment.

When I look at this atmosphere, it is austere. You have to understand that this is Paul writing to his protégé, and this is the last time Paul will ever write anything. This is it; these are his final words. Many of us have researched the Apostle Paul, and nobody has been able to determine the exact date of his death. However, we do know that he died shortly after writing this letter to Timothy. What do you tell your mentee right before you die? What a powerful moment! He is challenging his mentee regarding his assignment. What is so powerful about it is that there is no levity in the story; there is no amusement at all. It’s all serious. How about this? The opening words…