Living with Desire
2 Timothy 3:10-13
Turn to 2 Timothy 3. I want to begin by saying this about my title this morning, “Living with Desire.” We have had similar titles throughout this 2 Timothy series: Living without Fear … for the Christian is called to a purposeful life; Living with Endurance … for the Christian is called to a glorious life; Living without Shame … for the Christian is called to a changed life; Living without Hypocrisy … for the Christian is called to a sanctified life. Yet this morning’s title needs some explanation, Living with Desire … for the Christian is called to a passionate life, as often in the Bible the word desire is used in a negative sense. In fact, almost every time we see the word it is in a negative context, whether someone was wrongfully desirous in a sexual way or someone desired something that someone else had. But not in our passage this morning (vs 12), all who desire to live godly, as Paul will share with Timothy the importance of the Christian desiring to live godly.
In youth ministry, we used to always say that young people will be passionate about something. And if it is not about spiritual things, it may be something detrimental to them, as there is no such thing as a person who does not get excited about something, even if someone gets excited about doing nothing. And in our passage Paul is already acknowledging what Timothy is excited about. For notice he says (vs 9), “But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions and sufferings.” And then he follows this (vs 12), all who desire to live godly.
Good to be reminded here that though Paul has warned Timothy about a few things in this letter, Pastor Timothy is also a very active Christian. And Paul says to him something that we should want others to say about us, that we followed the teaching, the conduct, the purpose, the faith, the patience, the love, the perseverance of another strong believer. And it also reminds us here that none of us are in a spiritual vacuum, that even someone like a spiritual leader as Timothy was greatly influenced by another Christian in the right way. In other words, we do not want to get individualistic in our Christianity, for there is always the need to follow other strong Christians. And the assumption that Paul is making in this passage is that all Christians should desire to live the same way in which he and Timothy live, as all Christians should desire to follow strong leadership and example.
So, in this passage before us this morning, Paul directs Timothy to lead a life that would be fitting to the kingdom, a life that would bring honour to Christ and not dishonour, and he does this by stressing the importance of being an example as a representative for Christ. And what Paul points to in being this kind of example to others is to centre this around the desire of the Christian. In other words, what is the Christian passionate about?
When a junior hockey player gets selected by an NHL team during the NHL draft to come and play for them, his response is not well that’s nice, I’ll do my part. No, the response would be, what a privilege! I am going to give it everything that I have for I have been drafted by the NHL! I have been selected by the Chicago Black Hawks. Can you imagine that? And I believe that we would not find it strange to hear of someone who was drafted into the NHL to say, it is my desire to play well and to succeed. In fact, we would think it odd for someone not to have that kind of determination.
And I find it interesting that the challenge here from Paul to Timothy is not to avoid certain sins or detrimental habits in his life, though he could have, but he comes from the other side here which we do not want to miss. And Paul does this by using a word that is most often associated with bad things, a desire for sins and wrong living. Yet he uses the word “desire” to challenge Timothy to have a desire for godly living. Again (vs 12), all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. When we baptize people here at Elim, we only baptize those who have received Christ and are committed to serving Christ. And we ask the question before someone goes down into the water, “Is it your desire to serve Christ all the days of your life?” That’s a strong word, isn’t it? Is it your desire? Is it your desire to live a godly life?
It is interesting that when Paul spoke about his spiritual struggle with sin in Romans 7, he did not speak like the battle was easy and say things like, everything is easy because I desire to do what is right. Nor did he say however that there was not a desire within him to serve Christ, for he acknowledged that there was the desire to choose those things which are pleasing to God. For look how he worded it:
“For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”
Rom 7:19 (LSB)
Do you see what he is saying here? That yes, there is a struggle at times, but it is Paul’s desire to do the good that he wants. In fact, this is the same word “thelo” translated here in Romans 7 as “want.” We could read Romans 7:19 as “for the good that I desire.” That Greek word “thelo” translated “desire” in our 2 Timothy passage is the same word translated “want” in the Romans 7 passage. And it is difficult to define without using a lot of words to describe it. It literally means to be resolved, to desire, to deeply want, to wish, to have pleasure in, to delight in, to be determined, or to love immensely. And I think what we are impressed with here is that when we think of this meaning, it assumes that this is a burning passion within us, in other words, it is a strong desire involving our will, mind, emotions, and heart. And this is part of the struggle we may have with sin, that yes, there is an old nature within us that pulls at us, and without that burning passion or desire for rightness and godliness, sin will win out.
Two athletes can be similar in their giftedness, they both can be very similar in their skills. Or we could also say this about two people who may be extremely gifted as musicians, they both have had the same training and both possess similar skills, and yet one is better. Why? Their desire to succeed is much greater. Yet neither the sports analogy nor the music analogy does this justice when relating it to spiritual things. But for our victory over sin and our effectiveness, Paul is telling young Timothy that godly living must be a passionate desire of his. Do you understand what Paul is saying here? It is not like you have a list of sins on one side and godly living on the other side, and Paul says to live this way and not that way. Now I know you desire both sides at times, but this is how a person who serves Christ must live. No, that is not the gist of Paul’s argument. For he says to Timothy, Timothy, godliness is what you must desire, in other words, this must be what you want to do, the desire to follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, love and so on.
And this is why Jesus never tried to twist anyone’s arm into following Him. Because this is a decision that has to include your whole being, or it is not a true decision. Jesus used words like, no one who puts his hand to the plow and who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. In other words, if it is only a half-hearted decision, where I sort of want to follow but I also want to do these other things, Jesus is really saying, then don’t follow Me. And a young kid trying to make it into the NHL, who doesn’t practice, eat right, work out, or pour great effort into his training, could never truly say that it is my desire to someday play in the NHL. And this is what Paul is saying here to Timothy, that following Christ means that a person has a desire to follow Christ. So, could each of us truly say, it is my desire to follow Jesus Christ?
We believe here in what is known as the effectual call, that those who have been elected by God will come to Christ. That is a strong call, it is a transforming call, a justifying call, and a sanctifying call. But we would also understand that those who truly come to Christ in faith will come with a strong desire, will, delight, pleasure, determination, resolve, and with a love to follow Christ. This is how Paul understood the gospel, that it was a strong determined decision to follow. Therefore, nothing would deter the disciple from following Christ. Do you know Christ this morning? Have you truly chosen to follow Him? For the importance of a determination to follow Christ is because there is no one that can save you but Christ, for the Bible teaches that only through Christ can a person be saved. Sometimes when meeting with people, I will ask them this question, “What will you say when you stand before God and He asks you why should I allow you into My heaven?” And some may respond, well I love Jesus, I try to be obedient, I wanted to be a missionary once, or I have been going to church for many years.
But that is not it. For receiving Christ, becoming a Christian means that I know I am a sinner. I know that I need my sins forgiven. Therefore, I must ask Christ to forgive me. And it is my desire, will, delight, pleasure, determination, resolve, love … to serve and follow Jesus for the rest of my life. And the promise of the Bible is that God will forgive you. And those who are “in Christ” are promised eternal life and upon death they will be ushered into the presence of the eternal God. This is so much more than just a head knowledge, for the Bible says that even the demons believe in who Christ is. It is much more than just “I love Jesus,” for we love many things. It is much more than “I try to be obedient,” for many people in the world “try” to be good parents, workers, or spouses, but no amount of human obedience can save you.
For coming to Christ means that it involves your whole being. And you understand your own sinfulness, and your need to be forgiven and that there is nothing within you that could ever save yourself. Therefore, you fall before Christ and plead for His forgiveness and you determine to follow Him all the days of your life. And that involves every part of you, your will, mind, emotions, heart, all the desire within you. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Therefore, becoming a Christian is such a transforming decision, as a person gives himself to Jesus Christ. And look at the complete package that Paul presents here, that Timothy has taken up as well, for he says (vs 10), you Timothy have followed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, my persecutions, and my sufferings.
Now last week we saw where Paul listed the character of the apostate. He listed the character of those who hang around church, and yet were actually hypocrites. They were not the “real deal,” they were not true Christians. But in this passage this morning, Paul is focusing on the whole package of the true believer in Christ in comparison to the hypocritical unbeliever spoken of last week. And in his exhortation to Timothy, he uses the illustration of being a passionate example for others, as this is what Paul was to Timothy.
Now it would be hard to downplay this importance of being an example to others considering the fact that the believer is passionate about his faith, and therefore, why wouldn’t he desire to be an example. Though sometimes we might rather portray some kind of false humility and say, well I am not that great of an example, so, don’t follow me because I have many flaws. Is that what Paul would have us do? Is that what Paul is relating here to Timothy? That Timothy might say, Paul I am a little timid, not a big leader or example for others. And you know Paul, he would say, that’s okay Timothy, just sort of putter along. Is that what Paul would say? Of course not! Because the kind of leadership that Paul is talking about here is about being disciplined and being willing to self-examine your life. And this is not about perfection, this is about a sincere, earnest desire, pleasure, love, wish, delight in, determination, and a resolve to be Christ-like
So, what do you take seriously in life? I guarantee there are a few things that you are completely passionate about. I am a bit of a neat freak, a bit of an organizational freak. I am pretty passionate about my rose garden, so at lunchtime I pick off those Japanese beetles. I am pretty passionate about things in their place. My highlighters at work! When I play hockey, I can get pretty passionate. Now when I play 2-pitch, I just sort of pretend to be passionate. And you know I am partly kidding here, but we are all passionate about certain things, aren’t we?
And this is what Paul is saying to Timothy and what he is saying to us this morning. The fact that we have been called by the eternal God into His glorious kingdom, and following Him must be the desire of our heart. Which results in being a godly example to others. In other words, if this is my desire and is the way in which I live, then others are going to see that. Imagine saying to our children, follow my teaching, be good, have a purpose, have a strong faith, be patience, love, persevere, without any desire to actually live like that yourself. It would make absolutely no sense at all. And someone that you hear preach at a conference or a special event may have some effect on you, even if the speaker does not necessarily live how he teaches, because you really do not know him. But I have no choice, you have no choice, as we all know each other. And to be an example to your family, you have no choice, for your children all know you. And you may fool them a little when they are young, but you will not fool them when they get older. And preaching and teaching and instruction at home without great personal commitment is weak and it will ultimately fail. John MacArthur comments on the word used there when Paul says to follow my purpose (vs 10) or some of your Bibles will say, follow my aim. MacArthur calls it:
“That driving inner force creates a life of integrity and faithfulness, a life in which professed truth is lived truth.”
John MacArthur, 2 Timothy Commentary 129
Every Christian leader, every Mom and Dad should be striving so that they could say to others, like Paul did, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.” Do you understand the contrast here with last week? The ones described last week were lovers of self, yet Paul is saying here to love and invest in others. The ones described last week were entrapped in sin, yet Paul is saying here to follow my godly conduct. The ones last week had placed their love on not only themselves, but they were described as lovers of money, lovers of pleasure, yet Paul is saying here to follow his love for Christ. The ones last week were reckless, heartless, with no self-control, yet Paul is saying here, to follow his perseverance and purpose. The ones last week were described as being slanderers, and treacherous, they were taking advantage of people, yet Paul is saying here to follow his persecution and suffering, knowing that some will take advantage of you. Do we see the contrast here? And the question is this, how far am I willing to live as a follower of Christ and therefore an ambassador for Christ? In other words, how willing am I to remove myself from the list (vs 1-9) and take up the challenge of Paul (vs 10-12). What is your desire in regard to these things?
Well, we might be thinking this: I like the teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, love, steadfastness challenge; I am even willing to work on the patience challenge; but I am a little hesitant about the persecutions and the sufferings, which is not quite so appealing. Paul said this to the Philippian church:
“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Phil 1:29 (LSB)
There’s that kind of wording again in the Scriptures that seems to cut deep. Notice he doesn’t say, oh no, you are going to suffer hardship! So, just try to get through it if things are not going well and hopefully things will eventually work out great for you. No, Paul says in that verse, you have been granted not only your faith but also your suffering. Paul seems to word this as if it is some kind of a privilege. Paul in Philippians 3:10 spoke about the “fellowship of suffering with Christ.” Peter said in 1 Pet 2:20-21 that our suffering is commendable to God, and that we suffer because we are following in the Saviour’s example. Remember when Peter and some of the other apostles had been persecuted and spent time in prison. What did they do when they were released? Acts 5:41 says that “they rejoiced because they were worthy to suffer shame for His name.” That word “granted” teaches us that there is a purpose in our hardship. John said, “Don’t be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.”
The consensus of the New Testament writers is that if you are going to compete hard as a Christian, you must realize that you are going to take some hits if you are going to go after the puck in the corner, you are going to be hit. And any ministry that you become part of or any undertaking for Christ or sometimes making the right decision, you are going to receive some unjust criticism. And if you are going to show forth and proclaim Christ in the world, you are going to get your share of hits for being a believer. However, the encouraging part of the suffering that we may go through for the Lord is that we know that ultimately the Christian wins, whether in this life or in the next, for we can be confident about the Lord’s sovereign control of all things despite the world situation around us, or despite our own personal predicament. I remember asking a Christian who was facing surgery at age 87 if he was doing okay? And he responded, Mark, the Lord can look after me, for he said the Bible says that even powerful nations like Babylon and Assyria are just His servants. David Platt, spoke about how the events of the world can bring tension to our hearts, yet he said:
“We know the world is not spinning out of control. This is what will happen in the last days, false teachers like those mentioned in chapters 2 and 3, ‘will become worse, deceiving and being deceived’ (3:13).”
David Platt, 1 & 2 Timothy / Titus 193
Do you understand what he is saying here? That though the world may seem to be drifting further and further away from the truth of God’s Word, they are not out of control. For they are acting exactly as the Lord said they would act in “the last days.” Look at Paul’s confidence as he faces so many struggles:
“[P]ersecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!”
2 Tim 3:11 (LSB)
And the fact that sin and death have already been defeated on the cross, and that the ultimate outcome for the one who serves Christ has already been determined. And that Matthew 28:18 teaches us that all authority has been given to Christ in heaven and on earth. Therefore, do not ever be fooled that your suffering and persecution do not have a purpose in the sovereign plan of God, knowing that it will be used for His glory. The key is that the believer would be willing to continue to follow the One who was willing to suffer for us and that even through suffering, we are in the middle of the purposes of God. Remember Job did not suffer because he was outside of the Lord’s will, but he suffered because he was righteous and part of the Lord’s will.
So, Paul says follow my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, my persecutions and sufferings, and he acknowledges that Timothy has been doing that. And this kind of mindset has with it both a past, present, and future focus for all believers, as there is no question that we as believers can be grateful for what Christ has already accomplished within us. That is something that so many cherish, the work of Christ in our lives. I am so grateful for those people, experiences, struggles, ministries which the Lord has used to grow me, stretch me. I am pretty quick to respond to someone who asks me about my Christian walk, that I am so thankful for where the Lord has brought me. And many of you feel the same way? So grateful for the Lord’s leading in your lives throughout the struggles and disappointments.
And there is also a real excitement of what the Lord has called us to do today. We really could not live in any more of an exciting time, for we have gospel opposition all around us, and we are in a battle that we already know we will ultimately win. So, don’t ever be fooled that Satan is having his way, for he is not! For we have been reminded here this morning that the world is acting in line with exactly what the Bible said, an ungodly world is doing what the Bible said they would be doing.
“But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
2 Tim 3:13 (LSB)
The world is following what God said. Therefore, the world is not spinning out-of-control. Strange to say, but we could conclude that God would be out-of-control if man was not growing worse, for they would be acting in a way that would be contrary to what God has said. So, it would seem to me that God’s plan is in full force because God’s Word is being fulfilled today. But we are also excited about future ministry and there lies the importance of example, that we become godly influencers of others. We know of the pillars in our own lives that have influenced us, and I am responsible for influencing others through my words and also through my actions, and you have been called to do the same. And this also I believe stresses the value of investment, our investment in the ministry, our investment together in the ministry, as we are all differently gifted, yet working together. And if you are invested in something, it compels you, instead of standing back and criticizing to where you want to step up and help, and work alongside. This is the value of agreement, unity, and belonging to a church family. So, there is an excitement of what the Lord has done, what the Lord is doing, and what the Lord will do. William Mounce said:
“Just as Paul has called Timothy to look forward as he ministers in Ephesus, so Paul is an example of someone who has remained faithful and looks forward to what the Lord has in store for him.”
William D. Mounce, Pastoral Epistles 554
So, let’s not be feeble and say to people, don’t follow me. But let us strive to deepen our faith so that we could say to a son, a daughter, a friend, or a co-worker, follow me as I follow Christ. For remember your calling is not without purpose, nor is it haphazard. But fellow Christian, you were chosen before the foundation of the world by God Himself. Christian student, you were chosen before the foundation of the world by God to be Christ’s ambassador in your school and wherever else God has called you. So, live with desire, for the Christian is called to a passionate life. Let’s pray. Father, there is the temptation for us is to close the book and go back to temporary, insignificant things. But You have called us for much more than that, for You have called us to teach, act, to have a purpose, to be patient, to love, to be steadfast, and to be willing to suffer all for the glory of Christ. So, may we desire, wish, delight in, love, take pleasure in, be determined and be resolved to live a godly life, that we as a body here at Elim Bible Chapel, every one of us, would make our great God look good. And all God’s people said, amen.