Doing Exploits for God-The Example of Paul

2 Timothy 1:1-12

One of the greatest and most dynamic men who has ever lived was the Apostle Paul. This man, who was converted from Judaism to Christianity, led countless thousands to Christ and under the influence of the Holy Spirit wrote a large portion of the New Testament. Paul did exploits for God. This is well-documented and preserved for posterity in the New Testament. His missionary journeys helped spread the gospel throughout much of the ancient world. Over the course of his ministry, the Apostle Paul traveled more than 10,000 miles and established at least 14 churches. The Book of Acts records three separate missionary journeys that took Paul through Greece, Turkey, Syria, and numerous regions you won’t find on modern-day maps [Acts 13:1-14:28; 15:36-18:22; 18:23-21:16; (Journey to Rome-21:17-28:31)]. Some scholars argue that Paul also took a fourth missionary journey, since parts of the New Testament appear to reference travels that may have taken place after the events in Acts. Paul’s travels played a crucial role in the formation and development of the early Christian church. Many of the communities he encountered on these missionary journeys were the same ones he wrote to in his pastoral epistles.

In Paul’s writing he made many great, inspirational statements. One of the great statements of Paul is found in Romans 1:16— “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” The word “power” comes from the Greek word “dunamis.” This is the word from which our word “dynamite” comes. The gospel has tremendous power. It is the dynamite of God! It has the power to save the lost souls of the world from hell and transform them into the likeness of Christ.

Paul’s exploits for God involved a lot of suffering. He did exploits for God at the cost of great personal sufferings. When the Lord Jesus sent Ananias to pray for Paul to regain his sight, He said to Ananias, concerning Paul, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15-16). While comparing himself to the false teachers who had invaded the Corinthian church, and were misleading the people, Paul listed many of the things he suffered for the sake of the gospel as the proof of his being a true apostle. He said, in 2 Corinthians 11:22-27, “22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

One of the greatest lessons we can learn from Paul is that we must be ready to suffer if we would do exploits for God. The passage that was read to us a few minutes ago begins a series of strong charges—charges directed to Timothy but applicable to us all. The first charge is an eye-opener; and it strikes fear in some believers. Nevertheless, it is a charge that must be heeded by everyone of us: join in suffering for the gospel by the power of God (2 Tim. 1:8b). If Paul had said this only once, someone may be tempted to think that he was misquoted or that he made a typographical error in his writing to Timothy. But this is a very important theme in Paul’s writing to Timothy (see 2 Timothy 2:3, 8-10; 3:10-13; 4:1-5). Paul’s life is an example for all believers to emulate— he endured suffering for the gospel.

Paul was strengthened by God to do exploits (Philippians 4:13 (KJV)— “13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me;” Acts 9:17 (NIV)— “17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit”). Finally, the source of Paul’s strength was his knowledge of God. There are a few things to note about this. One, Paul knew Christ on a personal and intimate basis. He walked with Christ day by day. Two, Paul had been appointed and called to serve the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as, one, a preacher of the gospel; two, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ; and, three, a teacher. Three, Paul was persuaded of God’s keeping power. Paul had committed both his life and work to Christ—all that Paul was as a person and all that Paul did upon earth was entrusted to Christ. The word “entrusted” means to deposit. Paul had deposited or turned everything he was and had over to Christ. Why? Because he knew that Christ could keep it and take care of it forever and ever. Four, Paul was sure that judgment was coming. Therefore, he committed his life and work to Christ in order to receive the reward of God and not the judgment of God. Paul knew that Christ would keep him and present him faultless in that day. Christ would present him to God as a follower of His, and God would accept Paul because Paul had followed God’s only begotten Son. If we, too, would do exploits for God, Paul recommends a number of things.

First, we must stir up the gift of God. The phrase, “gift of God,” can refer to, one, the Holy Spirit Himself that God gives to every believer at salvation (Acts 2:38-39). Two, it can refer to spiritual gifts, the gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to every believer—the spiritual gifts which equip the believer to minister. The word “stir up” (anazōpureō) can mean to keep the flame of a fire burning. The believer is to keep on stirring up his gift, never letting its flame lose any of its intensity. He is to use his gift to minister and minister, never slacking up nor losing his zeal. He must do exactly what God has gifted him to do.

Second, we must not fear. God has not given us the spirit of fear. Too often believers—laymen and ministers alike—fear using their gifts. We are not to fear the face of man; we are not to fear the trials that may come our way because we are living for Christ; and we are not to fear the ridicule and persecution that may be launched against us because we are witnessing and ministering for Christ.

Third, we must know the equipment that God has given to us. God gives us the spirit of love and power, and of a sound mind. The word spirit means the believer’s spirit. The Holy Spirit of God actually injects power, love, and a sound mind into the spirit of the believer. However, we do not receive power until we begin to minister. Power is not needed if we just sit around and remain silent about Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us power only when we begin to minister and actually need it. It is when we begin to live for Christ—to use our gifts to bear witness for Him—that the Spirit of God injects power into our spirit.

When we know who we have believed, we have a stable ground to stand on through life’s uncertainties. Few people are prepared for tragedy, and suffering individuals can become depressed without any objective source of comfort. Christians grounded in Christ will also experience grief and may feel perplexed, yet they ultimately find rest in the unwavering presence of a sovereign God. All circumstances, good and bad, He uses for our good (Romans 8:28). Our confidence in whom we believe will also spur us to “work enthusiastically for the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). In our pluralistic, postmodern society, enthusiastic work on God’s behalf can be difficult. However, the challenges that we face should not deter us. The apostles faced similar problems, yet they were unashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). The apostles’ perseverance was not a sign that they were super Christians; rather, it was a sign that they knew whom they had believed. And they knew their Lord and Savior was able to keep what was committed to Him.