2 Timothy 4:9-22 - A Life Well Lived in Community

Good evening, everybody. It is so good to be here with you tonight. My name is Josh, and I’m one of our campus pastors here at The Well. I’m excited to be able to share from God’s Word with you tonight. As we finish up our series in 2 Timothy, we will be in chapter 4, looking at the closing verses, verses 9 through 22.

While you turn there in your Bibles, I want you to think about your life for just a moment. For probably most of us in this room, we would say we are walking with Christ—that at some point in our lives, our faith became our own. There may be some of you here today who are saying, “I’m on that journey right now, and I’m processing.” That is great; we are so glad you are here. But if you have been walking with Christ for any length of time, or even if you are in the middle of that journey right now, who are the people God used in your life to help you make your faith your own? Think about that season. What people did God bring across your path?

The People God Uses

When I was 19 years old, I was not walking with Christ. I had been raised with a Christian worldview, but I had not truly embraced the gospel for myself. Keep in mind, this was 1992. I probably should have repented just for the Z. Cavariccis I was wearing! But honestly, I was living entirely for myself. I had a community around me, but it was forming me in a direction completely opposite of what God’s Word describes for a life lived for Christ.

Yet behind the scenes, my dad, who worked as a facilities manager at a church, was having people pray for me. Then Cindy, a classmate of mine about a year out of high school, married a guy named Tom. Cindy was one of those magnetic people, and it felt like half our graduating class showed up at her wedding. During the service, they spoke about the love of Christ being the foundation of their marriage. That was completely foreign to where most of us were in our relationships, but Christ was glorified, and it was powerful.

Afterward, a non-Christian friend of mine named Jason said, “Hey, I really liked that church. Why don’t we start going there? That wedding was really cool.” I said, “Sure. That’s the church I grew up in, my dad works there, and I live right across the street. I think I can manage that.”

To be completely honest with you about where I was at the time, I was showing up to church on Sunday mornings hungover, barely able to keep my eyes open when the sermon started. Even my non-Christian friend nudged me and said, “Hey, why don’t you pay more attention to the sermon?”

Then a pastor named Ed Noble preached God’s Word. As I heard him proclaim the gospel, something awakened inside of me. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the depth of my own depravity and sin. Right there, I embraced the gospel. I truly embraced the risen Christ, who died in my place and rose from the grave.

From that point, I found my way into the church’s college ministry. A leader named Joey Walker grabbed a hold of me and said, “Hey, you need to be discipled.” I asked, “What does that mean?” He said, “I’m going to teach you God’s Word and show you how to share your faith and how this works in real life.” Joey poured into me, alongside fellow college students—guys named Richie, Daniel, Todd, and many others. Then the college pastor, Joe Broussard, grabbed me and said, “I’m going to mentor you,” and he trained me for pastoral ministry. During those same years, I also met my wife, Chris; we’ve now been married for twenty-seven years.

In those four years in college ministry, my life was completely transformed. Both in that season and in all the years since, one foundational truth I learned is that to experience true transformation in Christ, we are called to walk with God and we are called to walk in authentic, biblical community with God’s people. I cannot imagine my life in Christ without the people God brought alongside me.

Here at The Well, we often speak of three primary means of grace: God’s Word, God’s Spirit, and God’s people. They all work together. If we are God’s people, we are filled with God’s Spirit, and we are being formed by God’s Word. The truth is, we are never static. We are either moving toward authentic community with God’s people, or we are drifting into isolation away from them.

As we come to 2 Timothy 4, we see Paul’s beating heart for the people of God and for living in authentic community. Paul is writing this around 64 to 66 AD from a Roman prison. This is his final imprisonment, and he is on death row. The Lord has revealed to him that his execution is imminent. He writes to Timothy, a young man he has poured his life into, who is now pastoring in Ephesus. Timothy is facing intense pressure and false teaching, tempted to shrink back. Paul writes to comfort, encourage, and challenge him: “God is with you. You have His Word, His Spirit, and His people. I am passing the baton to you. Step up; you can do this.”

Authentic Community Is Up Close and Personal

Paul opens this final section with an urgent plea.

2 Timothy 4:9 (NASB)

Make every effort to come to me soon;

Paul is urging Timothy to come quickly. Speed was critical for two reasons. First, Paul knew his time was short. If Timothy delayed, Paul might already be gone. Second, this was a massive journey. Timothy couldn’t hop on a red-eye flight; Rome and Ephesus were separated by over 800 miles. A messenger had to carry this letter to Timothy, Timothy had to arrange his affairs, and then make the grueling 800-mile journey back across land and sea. This was a months-long journey.

Can you hear the desperation in Paul’s voice? Can you sense how deeply he longs to see his spiritual son? Back in chapter 1, he shared that same longing.

2 Timothy 1:3-4 (NASB)

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.

The first thing this text shows us is that authentic community among God’s people must be up close and personal. Prayers were essential, letters were valuable, but Paul wanted face-to-face contact. He wanted real relationship. He says, “Make every effort.”

We experienced a taste of this longing in 2020 when we were forced to shelter in place. For a season, church was exclusively online, and meetings were on Zoom. There were some sweet moments—for our family, our oldest son came home from college, we had dinners together, and we saved money on gas. But for many, that isolation produced skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and mental health struggles. We are still feeling the ripple effects.

That season taught us that digital connection cannot replace physical presence. If you were at our first outdoor gathering at the Clovis campus, you remember the sheer joy of being together again—even with apocalyptic smoke and ash falling from the sky! We wanted to see each other’s faces, shake hands, and embrace. Zoom and texting are fine tools, but authentic community requires face-to-face presence.

Authentic Community Brings Heartache and Pain

Paul continues in verse 10 by sharing the painful reality of broken relationships.

2 Timothy 4:10 (NASB)

for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens [has gone] to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

When we take the risk to move into authentic community, we will experience heartache. Demas is a tragic figure. He is mentioned three times in the New Testament. In Philemon, he is called a “fellow worker” alongside Mark and Luke.

Philemon 1:24 (NASB)

[as do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

In Colossians 4:14, he is simply listed as “Demas,” with no description.

Colossians 4:14 (NASB)

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and [also] Demas.

Now, here in 2 Timothy 4:10, his story reaches its heartbreaking conclusion: he loved this present world and deserted Paul. The New Testament traces his downward slide. While Paul spoke in verse 8 of those who love the appearing of the Lord, Demas loved the present world and abandoned his post.

Imagine Paul in that cold, dark dungeon, pleading with Demas to stay, and Demas saying, “It’s too hard; I’m out.” Demas serves as a cautionary tale: serving alongside spiritual giants is no guarantee of your own faithfulness. You do not grow spiritually by osmosis. You must cultivate your own walk with Christ.

Heartache in community does not only come from betrayal, however. Look at Crescens and Titus. They also left Paul, but for godly, kingdom reasons. Crescens went to Galatia to minister, and Titus went to Dalmatia. Paul had previously assigned Titus to oversee difficult church ministry in Crete, so we know Titus is a faithful, godly leader. Paul sent these men out for gospel work, but their departure still hurt. Paul was human; he missed his friends. Whether through tragic abandonment or necessary mission, pain and heartache are real realities of community.

Authentic Community Is Resilient and Restorative

In verse 11, Paul turns his attention to two men who illustrate the beauty of resilience and restoration.

2 Timothy 4:11 (NASB)

Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

Luke, whom Paul calls “the beloved physician,” wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He traveled with Paul on missionary journeys, stayed with him during his first Roman imprisonment, and is now the only one remaining with him on death row. Luke didn’t care that Rome had canceled Paul, or that associating with him could cost him his life. He stood by his side through thick and thin.

That kind of loyalty is rare. It embodies the truth of Proverbs 18:24.

Proverbs 18:24 (NASB)

A man of [too many] friends [comes] to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

You can have thousands of followers on Instagram or friends on Facebook, but give me one friend who sticks closer than a brother over a thousand superficial connections any day. Luke was that friend.

Then Paul mentions Mark. In one short verse, Paul references two gospel writers! But Mark’s story with Paul had a rocky past. On Paul’s first missionary journey in Acts 13, Mark—who was Barnabas’s cousin—deserted the team when the going got tough.

Acts 13:13 (NASB)

Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

Later, in Acts 15, Barnabas wanted to give Mark a second chance, but Paul adamantly refused. The disagreement was so sharp that Paul and Barnabas parted ways.

Acts 15:37-40 (NASB)

Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

Yet here at the end of Paul’s life, we see complete restoration. The man Paul once considered unreliable is now “useful to me for service.” Their relationship had been healed through forgiveness and grace.

Authentic community requires resiliency and restoration. Because we are imperfect, sinful people, we inevitably hurt one another. When Chris and I were dating, we couldn’t wait to be married so we’d never have to say goodbye at the end of the evening. Then you get married, and you quickly realize there are days of conflict where you look at each other and think, “Oh, you’re not going anywhere, are you?” But healthy relationships work through the mess. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the deepest relationships endure conflict and move into restoration.

Authentic Community Reflects a Heart to Serve

Paul moves on to describe the practical, everyday service that binds the body of Christ together.

2 Timothy 4:12-13 (NASB)

But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

Tychicus is mentioned five times in the New Testament. He is the ultimate behind-the-scenes servant. Paul calls him a “beloved brother,” a “faithful minister,” and a “fellow bondservant.” Tychicus traveled on dangerous roads, carrying Paul’s letters to Ephesus and Colossae through harsh weather, bandit territory, and hostile opposition. Now, Paul sends him to Ephesus, likely to step in as interim pastor so Timothy can leave to visit Paul. Tychicus didn’t care about the spotlight; he just wanted to serve wherever there was a need.

Tychicus reminds me of the incredible army of volunteers here at The Well. So many of you faithfully serve behind the scenes in ways nobody publicly sees. But the Lord sees you, the Lord knows your faithfulness, and God is greatly glorified in your service.

We also see practical service in Carpus and Timothy. Carpus showed hospitality to Paul in Troas, holding onto his personal belongings—cloak and parchments—after Paul was abruptly arrested. Keeping a condemned criminal’s possessions was risky, but Carpus was faithful. And Timothy is asked to undertake a grueling journey, locate Mark, stop in Troas to pick up Paul’s heavy cloak and study materials, and carry them all the way to Rome.

Paul was facing winter in a freezing dungeon. He needed his cloak for warmth and his parchments—likely Old Testament scriptures and early Christian writings—to keep his mind fixed on Christ. Timothy gladly served his spiritual father in these practical ways.

Notice something else here: Paul was not afraid to ask for help. Asking for help did not make Paul less spiritual; it showed he was human. Some of you find it easy to serve others, but you struggle deeply to let anyone serve you. That can actually be a subtle form of pride. There is great humility and blessing in letting others minister to your needs. Service in the body of Christ is reciprocal.

Authentic Community Is Protective and Forgiving

In verses 14 through 16, Paul addresses how we handle opposition and abandonment.

2 Timothy 4:14-15 (NASB)

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

Alexander the coppersmith had actively opposed the gospel and caused Paul great harm, possibly even playing a role in his arrest. Paul warns Timothy to steer clear of him. Authentic community must sometimes be protective. When we see someone walking toward toxic, abusive, or dangerous relationships, we have a responsibility to warn them. It is also healthy to recognize that we need boundaries; we cannot and should not be in close relationship with everyone.

Yet alongside protection, authentic community must also be quick to forgive.

2 Timothy 4:16 (NASB)

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.

At Paul’s preliminary trial before the Roman court, not a single person stood with him as an advocate. He was completely abandoned. Yet instead of harboring bitterness, Paul chose forgiveness: “May it not be counted against them.” His words echo Jesus on the cross praying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Our Capacity to Love Flows from Christ

How could Paul extend such grace? He explains in verses 17 and 18.

2 Timothy 4:17-18 (NASB)

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him [be] the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul’s focus was anchored in the Lord. Even when every human companion fled, the Lord stood by him and strengthened him. Paul saw his trial not as a tragedy, but as an opportunity to proclaim the gospel to the entire Roman court.

Our capacity to love, forgive, and endure in community flows directly out of our personal relationship with Jesus. While God’s design is for us to walk in community, there may be rare moments when we feel utterly alone. In those dark valleys, Christ promises His sustaining presence. Paul knew that whether through physical deliverance or through the ultimate deliverance of martyrdom, the Lord would bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom.

Authentic Community Is Always Expanding

In verses 19 through 21, Paul lists a wide circle of friends.

2 Timothy 4:19-21 (NASB)

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

Paul greets Prisca and Aquila, a couple who hosted house churches and risked their necks for him, as noted in Romans 16.

Romans 16:3-4 (NASB)

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;

He mentions the household of Onesiphorus, who likely died as a martyr serving Paul. He mentions Erastus and Trophimus—noting that he had to leave Trophimus sick at Miletus, reminding us that even the apostle Paul could not heal everyone at will. Then he sends greetings from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and “all the brethren.”

Authentic community is never a closed clique. It is not “us four and no more.” Across the New Testament, Paul mentions over a hundred partners in ministry. His community was continually expanding. While we need close friends who know us deeply, we must always keep our arms open to welcome, greet, and include new people.

Paul concludes with a pastoral benediction.

2 Timothy 4:22 (NASB)

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

“The Lord be with your spirit” is singular, directed personally to Timothy. “Grace be with you” is plural, extending God’s blessing to the entire church—including us today. Authentic community continually prays for God’s grace and presence in the lives of others.

Moving Toward Community

Church tradition tells us that shortly after writing these words, Paul was led outside the city of Rome and beheaded. These verses represent his final recorded words. At the end of his life, Paul’s heart was consumed with passion for God’s glory and deep love for God’s people.

As we take this home, let’s ask ourselves two questions:

First, have I truly embraced God’s vision for authentic biblical community? Am I moving toward it, or drifting into isolation? We cannot fully follow Jesus in isolation. The New Testament commands us to love one another, serve one another, pray for one another, and bear one another’s burdens. Christianity is a contact sport. A legacy is not what you leave for people; it’s what you leave in people.

Second, how can I practically move toward community this week?

If you sit in the same seat every Sunday, that’s fine—we are creatures of habit! But intentionally introduce yourself to the people around you. If The Well is your church home, make it a goal every single week to greet at least one person you don’t know. If all of us did that, every newcomer would feel genuinely welcomed.

Beyond Sunday, maybe it’s time to join a Life Group, step onto a volunteer team, or send a text to someone who has poured into your life to say thank you. Reach out to someone walking through a difficult season and invite them for coffee.

Authentic community starts with one relationship and grows from there. Let’s be a people who move toward one another in the grace and love of Christ.

Let’s pray.

Father God, thank You for Your Word. As we look at Paul’s life, we are so grateful for his burning passion for Your gospel and his deep love for Your people. Lord, for each of us, help us to be people who invest deeply in community. May we faithfully love, serve, and pour our lives into others for Your glory and Your kingdom’s sake. In Jesus’ name, Amen.