Sermon Tone Analysis

Diligence

Diligence is a quality that the serving Christian needs and before us this morning we will see some great examples of such from Paul’s life in mission field, in ministry.

(Insert Be Diligent Picture Here)

Consider the word diligent, what does it mean?

Diligent: (adj) having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

(Slowing emphasis the below questions)

Having the definition of diligent, when you look at your life are you diligent?

Would others say by your actions that you are diligent?

To Timothy Paul said be diligent

We have seen that before too about being diligent

Becoming a Christian does not take diligence it takes faith to receive grace so that you can diligently walk in your faith.

(Transition) Diligence is not the focus of the message this morning, but the results of being diligent we see Paul’s cast of characters which we started with last week and will finish up this amazing letter today, Lord willing.

As way of reminder here are the ones we looked at, mentioned last week.

Demas who had forsaken Paul and went back into the world (2Tim4:10)

Crescens - Faithful, sent by Paul to Galatia (2Tim4:10)

Titus: Sent to Crete (2Tim4:10; Tit1:5)

Luke: Who was with Paul in Rome (2Tim4:11)

Mark: Who had left the mission field at one time from Paul and now Paul considers useful (2Tim4:11)

(Transition) - We have seen the apostate, the faithful, the restored and now may we continue to look at our cast of characters today and some closing thoughts.

Paul’s cast of characters

Paul could not do the work alone.

Smart is the man who enlists the help of others to accomplish the work of the Lord.

Tychicus (2Tim4:12; Act20:4; Eph6:21-22; Col4:7-8; Tit3:12)

He was a believer from province of Asia

act20:4 “4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.”

Was with Paul in first imprisonment (ref: Eph5:21-22; Col4:7-8)

He was a relief person sent to Crete to relieve Titus

And from our passage now was being sent to Timothy to relieve him to come to Paul.

Ask yourself, am I a Tychicus, someone willing to be a relief person for others?

(Expand: Teach, preach, lead, etc.)

Carpus (2Tim4:13)

We can know that he was hospitable and trusted.

Paul more than likely had to leave the hospitality of Carpus quickly and why left books and parchments behind

What can we learn from him?

That even little tasks, taking care of someone’s possessions, is important as is being hospitable to one another.

Ask yourself, am I faithful with things that people have entrusted to me and am a hospitable person?

Alexander (2Tim4:14; 1Tim1:20.

We can know that he did much harm to Paul, what harm we do not know.

We can know that the Lord will repay, reward him for his deeds/works.

Faithfulness can be faithful to evil things too.

Satan is faithful and has many followers who are workers of iniquity too.

Is this the Alexander noted in 1Tim1:20

We do not know for sure if the same one, Alexander was a common name.

But it could be.

Lesson from Alexander, Our words and our deeds matter so be sure what, who you are being faithful too, for one day you will give an account.

Those who malign you will give an account to the ready judge!

Priscilla (Prisca) and Aquila (2Tim4:19; Act18:1-3, 24-28; Rom16:3-4; 1Cor16:19)

From here we know they are friends of Paul, but not much more but I think we need to look at the character of them.

They were faithful workers (Act18:1-3) and faithful servants (Act18:24-28)

So, just from these verses we know they were tent makers like Paul and that Paul stayed with them.

They were great husband/wife servants who worked privately to teach the truth and it had a mighty impact for the kingdom.

They even hosted church in their home

and at great risk even

Onesiphorus (2Tim4:19, 2:1)

We can know he is a family man

We have previously seen him before

He was one who encouraged (refreshed) Paul, and did so while he was in prison (in chains)

Question to yourself, am I an Onesiphorus who is an encourager, a faithful family person and not ashamed of others life circumstances?

Erastus (2Tim4:20; Rom16:23; Act19:22)

We know he was in Corinth and Paul trusted him to minister there

He could be the treasurer there

And he could be the man who was with Timothy in Macedonia

So, what we can know is he was faithful, he was trusted and he was willing

Ask yourself, can you be considered faithful, trustworthy and willing?

Trophimus (2Tim4:20; Act20:4; Act21:28-29)

We can know he was sick in Miletus, the place where Paul met the Ephesian elders.

He was a friend to Tychicus

Who was with Paul when the riots were incited in Jerusalem, and he was a Gentile.

(Transition) Some cast of characters, but there is still others, not mentioned, but one that is and we will finish with some thoughts on the rest.

Closing thoughts on cast of characters.

There are those who are mentioned we know nothing about and it does not make them any less worthy of mention, but there is one we cannot but mention too.

Eubulus, Pudens, Linus and Claudia are with Paul in Rome in prison, beyond that we know nothing.

The One who must be mentioned.

Paul had confidence that the Lord stood with him (v.17)

Expand on this, we may feel alone at times, but we are not

Paul knew he was a servant in which the message was preached through

Expand, we too can be vessels of honor for the Lord in which the gospel can be lived out and shared, proclaimed through.

Paul knew the Lord would deliver him (v.18)

Expand there is much evil, darkness in the world, but God protects and delivers those who are His!

Finally, Paul’s final desire

The final words are for your very soul, that grace be with you.

(invitation slide - find one, grace be with you)

(Song) (Prayer)