Encourage Our Missionaries

7 June 2009

2 Timothy 1:8-18

This week’s Bible study has been prepared by Ps Rocco Scarcella

1. Introduction:

Welcome to Missions Month! Over the next four Sundays we will be considering specific challenges connected with bringing the good news to the lost, the poor and the needy in our target nations. There will be specific information offered and more opportunities for increased project involvement for our whole church! Today, we apply what 2 Timothy 1 says we can do to “Encourage Our Missionaries” in East Asia. Next week, Pastor Cory will speak on the topic “Expand the Passion”, followed by Pastor Andy on “Engage the Opportunities” and finally Pastor Barry on “Expect the Impossible”. So, church… get ready for a really exciting month ahead!

2. Background:

The Apostle Paul was a rugged missionary - and quite familiar with being arrested and imprisoned. We learn in Acts ch 28, that he was released from “house arrest” in Rome (c AD 62). About five years later, after his fourth missionary journey was completed, Paul was thrown into prison under the Roman Emperor Nero (c. AD 66–67). It was during this time that he wrote this 2nd letter to Timothy. But in contrast to before, Paul was really suffering in this cold Roman dungeon (4:13). He was chained up like a common criminal (1:16; 2:9).And his friends had a really hard time finding out where he was being kept (1:17). Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, knowing that his work was finished and that his life was nearly at an end (4:6–8).

3. THREE main reasons for Paul to write to Timothy:

In fact, we can see from the text that Paul had three main reasons for writing to Timothy at this time:

(i) Paul was lonely. Phygelus and Hermogenes, “everyone in the province of Asia” (1:15), and Demas (4:10) had deserted him.

(ii) Paul was concerned about the safety of the churches during this time of persecution under Nero. He admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel (1:14), to persevere in it (3:14), to keep on preaching it (4:2) and, if necessary, to suffer for it (1:8; 2:3)!

(iii) Paul wanted to write to encourage the Ephesian church to stay faithful in tough times.

It was a very tough time for the aging Apostle Paul, who was now imprisoned again for preaching the gospel and doing missionary work. But, Paul also tells Timothy of a great source of encouragement - a man by the name of Onesiphorus (which means “profit-bringer”.)

4. But why does our church have missionaries in the first place?

The Bible makes it very clear that the church is to be involved in mission work around the world. Specifically, God’s Word tells us…

(i) To pray for labourers to work in his harvest field (Matt. 10:38).
(ii) To equip those whom God has called to the field (Eph. 4:11-12),
(iii) To send out some of our best members (Acts 13:1-8), and substantially support them (3 John 6).

5. But what are the benefits of adopting a missionary?

(i) For the missionary:

Continued relationships with church members
Support and encouragement while on the field
Material and financial needs being met
Prayer for the mission work being done
Potential hands-on service through short-term trips

(ii) For individuals, LIFE or fellowship groups:

Personal relationships with missionaries
Greater commitment to missions and heightened awareness of mission opportunities
Fresh ministry perspective due to outward focus
Group building/bonding through the service of others
Opportunity to see God at work in a world often far different from our own.

6. So, what can we be doing to encourage our missionaries?

(i) We need to continually look for ways to refresh their spirits. (v16)
It can be tough doing ministry far way from home, church, family, and friends. As a missionary, Paul knew what it was like to have suffered for the Gospel and to need refreshment from fellow believers! (See 2 Corinthians 11: 21-28)

(ii) We need to show an unconditional love for them. (v16)
Paul said that Onesiphorus “…was not ashamed of my chains.” (v16) And the apostle John found Gaius to be such a faithful encourager just like him in 3 Jn 5-8. We are equally challenged to show such love to the growing number of missionaries, who have sacrificed much and endured much, in order to bring the Good News of Jesus to those who haven’t heard yet. In doing this, we work together side-by side with them!

(iii) We need to diligently get to know where they are in their ministries. (v17)
How can we do this? By reading their prayer letters and corresponding with them regularly and showing them we care by occasionally sending items that may be hard to get overseas.

(iv) We need to be available to meet the needs in their lives. (v 18)
You might be thinking, “How can we arrange to do all this since we live so far away?” Did you know we have a ministry program that is designed for the purpose of refreshing the spirits of our missionaries and helping us to meet the needs in their lives? It is called our “Adopt-A-Missionary” program. This program enables individuals, our Life Groups and Fellowship Groups to build up an effective partnership with our missionaries. It is NOT a financial support scheme. It is a program to help us consistently & systematically to pray for, communicate with and encourage our missionaries.

7. So, how can we do this through this program?

(i) By Offering Prayer Support
(ii) By Offering Communication Support
(iii) By Offering Home Coming (Furlough) Support
(iv) By offering friendship to their family left behind

You can be an Onesiphorus in the lives of our Missionaries particularly through the Adopt-A-Missionary Program! You can find out more today at the Missions Committee table outside in the Cottee Lounge at the end of this service!

8. Conclusion:

Finally, it is interesting to note that Paul indicates that there will be mercy and blessing for Onesiphorus at the return of Christ. We see this principle also in Hebrews 6:10… “10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them”.

Our Missionaries are on the front lines of the spiritual battle, infiltrating Satan’s enemy territories with the gospel of Jesus Christ! You and I have significant roles to play in offering very real, practical & prayerful support to them as they advance God’s Kingdom one soul at a time! So, the encouragement for you and for me today is that God will not forget the acts of kindness that we show to these soldiers of the faith! For what we do for them we do for Him! May His name be praised!

9. Something to talk or think about

Remember: You don’t have to answer all the questions. Just choose those that seem most relevant to you.

Read: 2 Timothy 1:8-18

Biblical
Q1) How could Timothy join with the Apostle Paul in “suffering for the gospel”? (v8)
Q2) How has God “called us”? (v9) What did God do through Jesus? For whom? (v9-10)
Q3) What three ‘roles’ was Paul appointed to? (v11) Explain each one briefly in your own words.
Q4) What does “the pattern of sound teaching” mean? (v13)
Q5) What charge does Paul give Timothy? (v14) How can he do this effectively?
Q6) Onesiphorus often refreshed Paul. Why? How?

Personal and practical
Q7) Has God “called” you? How? For what?
Q8) How could you be like Onesiphorus and “refresh” the spirit of our missionaries?
Q9) How could you demonstrate “unconditional love” towards them? (v16)
Q10) What more could you or your LIFE (small) group be doing to know “where” our missionaries are in their ministry? (v17)
Q11) How could you and your group be more available to help meet the needs in their lives? (v18)

Christian Life