Don't Take Anything

In my family I am known as the fun aunt. Which means my niece and nephew love to be around me, and we have the best times. We play games, we eat food, we go to places and as the fun aunt I always have a lot of stuff. Even with all this there is a game we play often together, it’s called don't touch this. We all know the game where we must explain to toddlers that something is off limits and they don't understand. Now we don't have to play this game but usually it's a game you must play to keep them safe.

But my niece is the queen of don’t touch this because she loves to shop and she is fiercely independent. She is also the boss, so she likes to tell others “This is mine so don’t touch it.” Well, you can just guess how well that goes over with my nephew, her cousin, when they are playing with toys.

However, this is not just a game you play with toddlers, it is a very important game to play with teenagers. I would tell you many stories but I don’t want to embarrass anyone so I will let your mind wonder about the teens you know.

Introduction

Today we embark on a journey to understand and listen to what the Apostle Paul has to say to Timothy. And the text we have before us today comes from one of two letters that were written to Timothy. Something I want you to remember as we spend time together this morning, Each time Paul writes a letter it is written as a part of an ongoing relationship with a church, focused on calling out actions and not intended to be read aloud to a crowd. It is not written out of the blue but instead reflects his engagement with the people. This letter in particular is different from what we typically see from Paul because usually he is writing a letter to a church to discuss a specific incident regarding the people in their communities, with the intention of righting a wrong or giving further guidance as they figure out this Christian thing he’s been talking about.

Now this letter is considered to be a Pastoral letter, of which Paul has written two letters to Timothy and one letter to Titus. Timothy and Titus both have developed relationships with Paul, they have traveled alongside him as he has been visiting churches, and they have also delivered some of the letters he has written in the past. Both Timothy and Titus are now charged to stay and settle in different communities to continue work of spreading the Gospel. In Timothy’s case Paul has watched him grow up because they met when he was a teenager and now, he is encouraging him to step into this leadership role in Ephesus. Paul recognizes that this maybe their last conversation and it’s possible he may not see him again.

This is a time of transition, for everyone, Paul, Timothy, and even you. Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. A process that is a part of life, there will always be a time when some things change. Since transition is so difficult, I am going to give you the three things I am focused on within Paul’s letter.

Here’s what I want you to see by the time I get done:

First, At the core of Paul’s letter is the Gospel. Jesus Christ came into this world to save you and me. This is the message he is sharing with the people and using to inspire the work they do as a community.

Second, God believes in each of us and loves us more than we can imagine. Because of this God always extends grace and mercy. Not only is it extended to those who believe, but it is offered to everyone.

Third, We are not given a free pass because we have accepted Christ, there is more required of us. We are challenged to live a life that glorifies God, so what we say, how we act and how we treat others is important.

Like I said before, at the core of Paul’s letter he reminds Timothy that the Gospel and life of Jesus Christ is why he is who he is. Jesus Christ came into this world, sacrificed himself and did so that we may have life and have it abundantly. Not only is Paul reminding each of us of what has already been done on our behalf, but he is also reminding us of what lies at the core of who we are.  Paul begins and ends the letter pointing to Jesus Christ and the reason he is writing the letter.

At the beginning of this letter, we see a lot of Paul’s personal confession about his own behavior. It’s easy to think that Paul is just listing his bad qualities and bad choices up against the next person. But he’s actually revealing the full scope of God’s mercy and grace. That he would be so far gone, and yet God would still welcome him back in. Paul does not hide from his past and knows that this is a part of himself that people will always know. But listen to this God believes in each of us, knows exactly who you are, loves you more than you can imagine and because of this will always extends grace and mercy. Not in spite of, not after forgiveness, not even after a public declaration. God’s grace is a free gift, that costs you nothing, even when you are at your worst God loves you and wants to be in relationship with you.

At the end of this letter to Timothy, Paul makes some bold statements. At first glance it catches us off guard. Remember this is a personal letter to Timothy, intended just for Timothy and Paul wants to see him do his best in ministry. So, Paul warns Timothy about all the ways he could let the world get to him and he doesn’t hold back. Paul says “⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, so that  we can take nothing out of it.” I think he begins with this statement to remind Timothy that before you are mesmerized by the things of this world remember that at the end of it all nothing comes with you.

Then he tells him how harmful and cruel the world can be. Often when we read these letters, we want to believe that because the times back then were so different this doesn’t relate to us. But my how things stay the same and the same temptations are still there. There are so many things Paul could have said in the letter, and he chose to be brutally honest.

But here is where my mind is left this week after spending time with this text. “7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that  we can take nothing out of it.” You didn’t bring anything here and you cannot take anything when you leave. How different would this world be if more people remember this, if more people understood that the world does not belong to them.

Paul goes on to encourage Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness and to make good choices. Reminding him that he confessed what he believed; that it is his choice to fight the good fight. Why? Because there will come a time when he is asked about the life he lived and again, he cannot take nothing with him from this world.

One of the last things that Paul writes in this letter to Timothy is this in chapter 6:20a “guard what has been entrusted to you.” Entrusted. When you are entrusted with something two things are happening (1) you are given responsibility for this knowledge and (2) you are charged to care for and protect it.  

 What was entrusted to Timothy was the responsibility to spread the Gospel to as many people as he could. To continue to “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” He was trusted to be a leader among the people so they could fight the good fight. He was entrusted to leave the material things of this world behind and be content with his life. He was entrusted to pursue godliness.

Today as a congregation we were entrusted to care for and protect the Helmstetter family as we celebrated the baptism of Alex. Like Timothy we have received and have been reminded of the personal charge of our baptism. A charge that calls us to fight the good fight to spread the Gospel to this family. A charge that calls us to a life of godliness to be an example for their children. A charge that reminds us that we take nothing from this world when our baptism is complete.

Don’t take anything. You can't take your bank account, your good standing in the community, nor even your favorite pair of shoes. Even when Christ departed he didn’t have anything with him, they stripped him of everything and all he left for us was his peace. Let go of the world. Let go of the world that's distracting you from your relationship with Christ. Let go of the world that is getting in the way of what God called you to do. Let go of the world and see how much you can make a difference.