Sermons
Bring The Parchments
BRING THE PARCHMENTS
Sermon Outline By Terry Siverd
Cortland Church of Christ / May 27, 2018
Sometime when you’re online, google the topic “last words of soldiers”.
These words/letters/blogs relect a wide range of emotions - - from great sadness and sorrow to profound affection.
They often speak of deep love for parents … a spouse … children … the cause for which they are fighting … etc.
Some last words are rather brutal as they speak of the hellish nature of war.
Tomorrow is a day set aside to pause and commemorate those who have died in military service on behalf of our nation.
It is a day that began modestly in the midst of our nation’s Civil War and became more pronounced after the war.
There is an ongoing debate as to the claims of being “the birthplace of Decoration Day".
Macon, GA…Columbus, GA…Richmond, VA...Boalsburg, PA…Carbondale, IL…
In 1966 Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY as “the birthplace” (May 5, 1866).
One of the first observances took place in Columbus, Mississippi, on April 25, 1866.
Women visited the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in the Civil War Battle of Shiloh.
Nearby were the (neglected) graves of Union soldiers, and the women chose to decorate them as well.
The first big observance of Decoration Day was held at Arlington Cemetery on May 30th, 1868.
Various Washington officials presided over the ceremonies, including General Ulysses S Grant.
After several speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and
members of the Grand Army Of The Republic made their way through the cemetery,
strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress.
In December of 2,000, the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed into law
“The National Moment of Remembrance Act” which encourages all Americans to pause at 3pm local time
on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor all who have died in service to our country.
I want to use this Sunday before Memorial Day to invite you to join with me in thinking together about soldiers of Christ.
The apostle Paul is the only New Testament writer to use the word “soldier" in a metaphorical sense.
He “christianizes” the word.
In Philp.2:25 he refers to Epaphroditus as, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier.
He also uses this term to in his brief address to Philemon (vs.2) describing Archippus, our fellow soldier.
In 2Tim.2:3-4, Paul encourages Timothy to suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier
in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
In another more famous soldier-related text (Eph.6:10ff), Paul doesn’t actually use the word “soldier",
however the text is filled with the imagery of a soldier. Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.
Put on the full armor of God…Gird your loins with truth…put on the breastplate of righteousness...
Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel…taking up the shield of faith…
(and) the helmet of salvation...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
} Open Your Bible To 2Timothy Chapter Four |
Of all of the 13 or 14 (if you include Hebrews) epistles written by Paul, 2Timothy is the last of the bunch.
Although deciphering the exact chronology of the life and letters of Paul can be somewhat tricky, there is a
general consensus that 2Timothy was Paul’s last epistle (AD 64 or 68) - - thus containing Paul’s last (written) words.
This morning I want us to consider the last words of one of the very greatest soldiers of Christ.
The text before us sounds as if Paul was very much aware of the likelihood that his days on earth were numbered.
2Tim.2:2 / preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience.
In being a “man for all seasons” God's preacher is charged to preach the gospel - - whether they like it or not.
2Tim.4:6-8 / For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; In the future there is laid up
for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…
In Paul’s last words we read of both genuine sadness and a resolute joy and confidence (with faith).
In 2Tim.4:9-18 Paul reveals inner feelings of loneliness.
Demas has deserted; Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; and Tychichus had been sent to Ephesus.
Only Luke is with me.
I feel certain that Paul’s intention was not to diminish the importance of Dr. Luke.
As a physician and loyal companion, Luke was a trusted brother in Christ and a mainstay of support for Paul.
Paul urges Timothy to pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
Paul is imprisoned and some of his last written reflections are truly heart-breaking.
In vss.14-15, Paul warns those in Ephesus to beware of Alexander the coppersmith.
Paul notes, “he did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds."
Be on guard against him…
Perhaps his saddest last words are found in vs.16 - -
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be held against them.
These words are followed by noteworthy words of faith (vss.17-18) - -
But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might
be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; And I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth.
THE LORD WILL DELIVER ME from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom’
To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Before we close I want us to backpedal just a bit to vs.13 (you may of thought I overlooked it).
By means of this last letter, Paul tells Timothy - -
When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus (vs.13a).
Fall is fleeting and cold weather appears to be rapidly approaching.
In vs.21 Paul urges Timothy to make every effort to come before winter.
This brief request may indicate the severity of Paul’s condition (both physically and socially).
In his commentary on Timothy & Titus, Ronald Ward, questions: “Were there no Roman friends to care for him?”
One would think that someone would have been eager to give Paul the coat off their back, but evidently it was not so.
Now we come to vs.13b, which I deem to be the most notable statement from among these last words of Paul.
And (bring) the books, especially the parchments.
The words translated “books” is the Greek word "biblion", from which we get our English word “Bible".
This word is used in Lk.4:17 to refer to the scroll of Isaiah the prophet.
This word may also describe other important papers, such as a certificate of divorce (cf. Mt.19:7).
It may have been used here as a reference to Paul’s satchel of correspondences (his many letter).
Or, perhaps, legal documents needed for his “defense” in a court of law.
Paul adds, bring…especially (above all) the parchments.
Parchment is a word that refers to a crude but durable form of paper made from animal skins (vellum).
Some argue that Paul is requesting a book of blank parchment paper upon which to write more letters.
Perhaps he was running low and was unable to acquire such. Although he was writing a letter to Timothy.
The more likely explanation is that “parchments" refers to Old Testament documents: the sacred Scriptures.
This is an amazing thought.
We sometimes think that apostles in particular didn’t need to STUDY (Mt.10:19) - -
When they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak;
For it shall be given you in that hour what your are to speak.
Here we find the apostle Paul choosing THE WORD over a warm winter coat.
Above all, bring the parchments
Here we see the seemingly invincible apostle expressing a preference.
If he had to choose, the Old Testament Scriptures were more desirable than bodily warmth.”
One can’t help but think of the words of David (Ps.119:97 & 99b) - -
O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day … Thy testimonies are my meditation.
One famous person’s last word came in the form of simple request: “Read".
From what? “There is only ONE BOOK.”
John Keble (early 19th century English preacher and song writer) authored a beautiful hymn - - Sun Of My Soul.
These words are in the second verse:
When the soft dew of kindly sleep My wearied eyelids gently steep
Be my last tho’t, How sweet to rest forever on my Savior’s breast.
What a wonderful way to depart this life…
having our last thoughts focused on our Savior and the Holy Scriptures.
