The following is a sermon transcript from our Sunday Service at The Rock Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Each week, we gather to worship, learn from God’s Word, and grow together. This transcript is provided as a free resource to encourage and equip you in your walk with Christ. While you’re welcome to read and share this content for personal use, we kindly ask that it not be redistributed or published elsewhere without prior written consent from The Rock Church.
True Strength in the Presence and Power of Christ
Introduction: Facing the Dark Cell
Imagine with me for a moment. Here you sit in a dark, cold prison cell. Happy Sunday. You have no possessions, nothing to read or occupy your mind. Winter is coming. Conditions are getting worse. You’re awaiting a death sentence for crimes you did not commit. You don’t have a smartphone to keep up with the news outside. All you can think about is your life flashing before your eyes.
Did I do enough? Did I take advantage of all the opportunities to tell my family I love them? Is everyone I care about going to be okay?
You see, when all is taken away, what do you have left?
Well, this describes, in fact, the Apostle Paul. He’s cold, he’s hungry, he’s lonely. He’s been sinned against and left to die with no one to stand by his side. Surely the most miserable experience, but somehow this man of God had a different perspective than most of us would have in his situation.
And the question is, how did he do it? How could he sit in this prison cell, cold and lonely? Why didn’t he resort to anger and rage? Why wasn’t he shaking his fist at God or even asking the Lord for just one more day of peace and prosperity?
Solzhenitsyn and the Line Through the Heart
You may have heard of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the great Russian author who dared to stand against the evils of Joseph Stalin and his regime. He was sentenced to the Gulag Archipelago. It was there that he learned a lot about evil. Famously, he said:
“If it only were so simple… If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds and it were necessary only for us to separate them and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil, it cuts right through the heart. And who’s willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
Such a powerful statement.
In other words, it’s not so easy to divide humanity—the good guys and the bad guys. It’s all those people committing crimes and doing violence, but not me. Oh no, I have a good heart. I’m a good person.
Clearly the Apostle Paul knew otherwise. Like Solzhenitsyn, he didn’t sit in that prison cell blaming God for all the evils and injustices in the world. He knew that he was indeed the chief of all sinners. He knew who he used to be, a persecutor of the church, a hater of Christians.
The Source of Strength
And so we have to wonder, where did Paul and Solzhenitsyn draw their strength? Was it through all the friendships they had? Was it by meditating on how bad they’re going to get back at all those people that wronged them? Well, clearly not.
Instead, there is this apparent peace that he has. It’s this peace that transcends understanding. It’s the rest for the soul, knowing the Lord Jesus is going to make everything right.
And oftentimes, it’s not until everything is taken away that we truly realize what we have. You see, it’s this faith that was once delivered to the saints, indestructible. It may be diminished for a time, but it will never ultimately be extinguished.
And so what we do is we press on to Christ, to know him, to find our rest and joy in Christ alone, who purchased us at so great a price.
See, we can spend all our time on introspection or look at the power of the resurrection. We can be angry looking for revenge or we can realize that the Lord says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”
The choice before us: how will we orient our hearts? Will we look to ourselves and those who did us wrong, or will we look to the captain of our soul—the one who will never let us go?
Main Idea: True Strength in Christ Alone
Let’s look at the main idea, the big thing here. If you’re taking notes:
True strength comes not from having many friends or holding personal grudges, but from the presence and power of Christ alone.
And four things we’re going to look at from the text:
- When friends forsake you, there is a brother who stays closer.
- Friendship with a few is greater than acquaintances with many.
- As the outer garment fades away, the inner spirit is being renewed day by day by Christ’s power.
- Relying on the Lord for justice liberates the soul from the prison of personal revenge.
Point 1: When Friends Forsake You, There Is a Brother Who Stays Closer
Deserted by Friends
Verse 10. We read again together:
“For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.”
As I mentioned in the intro, here is the Apostle Paul at the end of his life awaiting the death sentence. In fact, as history records, it would only be a couple weeks before Paul would be beheaded.
And Paul had just made his urgent plea to young Timothy, “Do come to me soon.” And now he’s giving the reason for such an urgent plea. He proceeds to list three of his dear brothers who have deserted him.
And the question is, why? Why would they be so quick to leave his side? Was it because they were filled with fear? Since Paul’s death sentence was upon him, would they be next?
That certainly is a likely explanation. However, what we see is clear from the brother Demas. He left Paul because of a love affair with this present world.
What Does It Mean to Love the World?
Now, what does that mean? How does that apply to us today?
Another way to describe the phrase “in love,” as the dictionary would say: prizing above all earthly things; being unwilling to abandon or do without; to take pleasure, great pleasure in.
In fact, it was 1 John 2, verse 15: “Love not the world or the things in the world.” And then the Apostle John gives the warning: If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Could Demas Be a False Convert?
Now, could it be that Demas was a false convert? Could it be that he was like the one in the parable of the sower, for which his heart was the rocky soil, and the thorns and thistles grew and crowded out the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches? He was quick to abandon his faith?
Well, we don’t have enough information to make any firm conclusion, but let’s just do this: consider our own hearts.
Our Hearts Are Drawn to the World
They’re naturally in this world things that your heart cling to. Now, of course, there are many.
For me, I would say comforts, pleasures, pursuit of happiness, avoiding suffering at all costs—that’s where my heart goes. I want to enjoy it. Why? Because it’s by nature. It’s how we are designed. It’s the sin nature in us.
So, Pastor, how is it possible then, if this is our natural bent, how could we separate ourselves from this love affair with the world? It actually sounds threatening that you would say if I love the world, then the love of God is not in me.
Three Enemies: The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
As I’ve said before, there are three enemies that the Bible speaks about. They are the world, the flesh, and the devil. And the world would not be our enemy if it were cooperating with us toward God’s glory.
Now let’s talk about the Apostle John’s statement here regarding the love of the Father not being in the one who loves the world.
In a very absolute sense, if you’re completely consumed with the world and have nothing but love for the world, it’s an indication that certainly the love of God has not been poured out in your heart.
What Is Worldliness?
So what do I mean by this love affair with the world? We keep saying this.
Well, quite obviously, it’s a heart that is set upon earthly possessions and joys. It is all that is temporary and fleeting. It’s the best vacations, the nicest houses and cars, and of course, the funnest toys.
When I speak of a worldly person, I’m referring to someone who finds their security not in the treasured possession of Christ but in the size of their bank account, for example.
Worldliness Sneaks In
And let me be clear, worldliness is something that quite easily sneaks into our hearts. We find ourselves looking around at others, comparing ourselves, wishing we had just a little bit more. It’s being forgetful of all of the spiritual riches that we have in Christ.
And clearly the Apostle Paul was a man who had nothing of worldly possessions. And even as he’s reflecting on that crown of righteousness that’s laid up for him, that future glory that’s soon to come upon him, we are reminded that he is still yet a human.
Paul’s Humanity
Paul is highlighting that even though he wrote most of the New Testament, he was the key leader in establishing the churches, and yet he’s still a man.
I want to encourage you, as you may struggle in loneliness or even past hurts, friends who have abandoned you, be encouraged by this:
You have a brother who sticks closer.
A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother
Proverbs 18:24 says:
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Who is this referring to?
None other than Christ.
Jesus sticks closer to us more than even our best friend or closest family member.
Why This Matters
Why is that important for us?
It’s because we will be forsaken in this world by sometimes the people that we care the most about. There’ll be friends that come and friends that go. It’s certainly most tragic in the church.
Why? Because the church is the family of God. How could people leave the family of faith? It’s the very blood of Christ that brought us together, all tribes and nations and tongues. How could we leave a family that is in many ways closer than even our own flesh and blood?
The Pain of Departure
Well, our church has been around for some five years. We’ve seen some people come. We’ve seen some people go. And it’s certainly sad. We never want to see someone go, a brother or a sister. And some do for legitimate reasons while others not.
But the point is, the hardest part is for the one brother or sister who falls away from the faith altogether. Steps away not from our church—not just from our church—but the church of the living God.
And you reach out and you try to connect and you let them know that you’re praying for them and you want to see them come back. But for whatever reason, they decided that being part of any church family is not that important anymore.
The Challenge of Competing Affections
Here’s the reality. It’s really hard living in this world. There are so many things that are crying out for your affection. They want your attention.
For some, it’s all the financial pressures. I understand. It’s difficult. And so much so that we say, well, I just got to work on Sundays. I’m sorry.
For others, it’s kids’ sports. And you’ll hear, “Well, I’ll be back once the season’s over, Pastor. Thanks so much. We love the church. But you know, my son or daughter, they’re going to be the next professional athlete, and I just have to get them ready for that. You understand.”
No, I don’t.
Ordering Your Life Around the Church
Allow me to humbly submit to you something. I realize that I’m preaching to the choir here because you’re here in church. You have not forsaken the assembly of the saints. Good job.
But the point is an important one. When you order your life around the Sunday gathering of the saints, let me give you a promise:
You’ll have a better spiritual life.
Now, I’m not offering you a prosperity gospel. I’m not saying to you, “Come to church. Let’s get our numbers up. Let’s get our giving up.” That’s not the point here. It’s not that everything is going to go well with you.
Come to church, God will bless you, give you a nice bank account, give you lots of possessions. Hear me clearly.
But what I am saying is that you will be better prepared for the spiritual battle out there.
The Ordinary Means of Grace
When you come here, when you take and receive from the ordinary means of grace—his word, the fellowship of the saints, singing to one another—beautiful.
So sad that many Christians are home this morning right now. They’re sitting home. Why?
Now, I understand you’re watching online and you’re sick. Damien, I know you’re sick. Don’t feel bad. Damien texted me this morning, said, I can’t be there. I miss you guys. I said, it’s okay. You’re sick. You’re sick, Damien. It’s okay.
But many Christians are home today, this morning, for reasons that are not that good.
Excuses in the Modern Church
Because they have to babysit for their grandkids so their kids can pursue pleasures of this world.
Others are home because they didn’t get enough sleep last night, and they just would rather stay home and watch online.
You might be mad at me for telling you this now. That’s okay.
Others want a church that is ordered exactly like they like it. “I’m not going to a church until it meets all of the boxes that I’ve prescribed.”
“Oh, Pastor, I really don’t like it when you read from this 1689 London Baptist Confession. I don’t like it at all.”
That’s okay. I’m okay.
The Preference-Driven Church
We make many excuses because the American church has become a preference-driven church.
“Pastor, if your church doesn’t have a menu of things that I can choose from, I’d just rather not come. I’d rather not be a part of it.”
Well, I have some news for you. As you’ve heard a million times, you will never find a church that is exactly the way you want it to be.
There’s going to be things you dislike. There’s going to be people you dislike. There are going to be people that sin against you. I might sin against you.
“Imagine, the pastor sinned against me? I can’t believe it.”
No Perfect Church
There’s no perfect church. But sadly, it’s the case in America—especially in America—many will just come and go, one church to the next. Soon as they get a little used to it or something rubs them the wrong way—gone, gone.
“Church is too small. Church is too big. Church doesn’t have enough youth ministry. I need a church that’s best for my kids. I need a church that has all the ministries I need.”
Okay, I’m belaboring this. Some of you are getting a little annoyed. This is a bit of a thing. Duncan and I were talking about this at the members class, and it’s just kind of stirred up again.
Contrast with the Persecuted Church
But go to the church in China or in the Middle East. What are you going to find?
You’re going to find believers in the basement, underground, desperate to get together to just feed on this word. Just to taste and see that the Lord is good. To have the spiritual presence of Christ.
How to Gauge a Church
Here’s how you gauge the right church: Are they faithful to the word of God? Is Christ being preached?
Chapter 26 of the Confession says this:
“The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error. Some of them are so bad that they become the synagogues of Satan.”
That’s the NAR guys. That’s the New Apostolic Reformation. That’s those that are getting special revelation and the Christian mystics and all of the rest. There’s a whole list of them.
Subject to Error
But we are subject to this. There’s no perfect church. That’s right.
If you take my sermon manuscripts and detailedly study them, you might find some errors. That’s right. You might find some errors.
I’m subject to error. The church is subject to error.
That means we will make mistakes. But the difference is that, hey, let’s just admit it. Let’s just say, “Oh yeah, that was an error. Let’s humble ourselves. Let’s try to make it right.”
The Work of Ministry
That doesn’t mean that we’re lazy and just say, “Oh well, we’re subject to mixture and error so we don’t have to be that try that hard to be faithful.”
No, no, no. Don’t get me wrong here—studying, putting the work into the sermon, doing the due diligence as the workmen needing to be handling the word of truth.
But we have to constantly remind ourselves, in addition to that, of the corruption that dwells within.
The Power of the Gospel
That’s why the gospel is so powerful. Because it reorients our hearts and affections to the glory of God.
You might have noticed I’ve just been preaching the law. It’s made you a little bit uncomfortable, some of you.
Come to church. Structure your life around the church, not church around your life.
We have to remember that it’s so easy to fall in love with this present world. So easy.
The Danger of Distance
And the longer we’re away from the church, from the gathering of the saints, the easier it is to fall in love with this world.
Paul is sitting here in the prison cell, cold and alone. His friends have forsaken him, but he has a brother who sticks closer than anyone else.
And we look to Christ as that brother. We look to Christ, we cling to him.
We don’t keep running from the world without running to Christ.
We need the Lord Jesus, and he’s spiritually with us as we gather together.
Point 2: Friendship with a Few Is Greater Than Acquaintances with Many
Luke Alone Is With Me
Verses 11–12:
“Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.”
Now many of you have also heard someone tell you: most people don’t have a lot of friends, but the few, or one, that you do have—man, you better cherish.
The Shift from Many Friends to Few
Why is that?
Consider your life. When you were young, you thought of having a lot of friends. That was my pursuit at least. I need friends to be accepted, to have value. We pursue it. We run after it. I want everyone to accept me. So the more friends I have, the more value I perceive of myself.
But over time, you realize that you have friends who come and friends who go. You have friends that stick by you in the hardest times, and you have friends that just want something from you.
Paul’s Loneliness
Paul says this: “Luke alone is with me.” Obviously, that statement is not a positive one. He’s not celebrating, “Oh yeah, I got Luke. Great.”
No. Obviously, in other words, everyone has forsaken me. There’s only one left.
Here’s Paul—only one brother? Lord, why would you allow that?
The Need for Spiritual Friendship
Consider your life in the church. Who is your friend? It’s an important question because having true, meaningful connections with others in the church is absolutely crucial.
It’s important. Why? Because you need to have somebody to go in a time of crisis.
You certainly come to me, but I can’t be friends and close to everyone. You have to have someone you trust, someone that you can go to that share your struggles. You have to have someone that you know is praying for you.
“Pastor, I thought that was your job.”
Friends as an Ordinary Means of Grace
It’s incredibly powerful, this idea of having a friend in the church. Clearly, the Lord Jesus works through that—works through this important friend.
That friend is there not to judge you or beat you down, but to help build you up in the faith.
And I would submit to you that it’s part of God’s ordinary means of grace.
We can’t be close to everyone in the church. It’s not practical. But there are people in the church that God has brought for you—just you—to connect with.
The Importance of Community
It’s why small groups are important. In those safe places, we can be open and transparent.
It’s just really hard when all we do is show up on Sunday, arrive a little late, and leave a little early.
Look around. These people in this room are more than your friends. They are your brothers and they are your sisters. They are the ones that God has called you to lock arms with and to fight the spiritual battle with.
Luke’s Uniqueness
So what was so unique about Luke? Why was he the only one that remained?
It’s not clear from the text, but Luke played a key role in the ministry with Paul. He was there with Paul, preaching the gospel, going on missionary journeys. In fact, Luke wrote the gospel that bears his name, as well as the book of Acts.
Find Your Luke
And I’d encourage you to find the one like a Luke who sticks by your side. Find that brother or sister who’s willing to say the hard things to you.
Why? Because he or she loves you.
Many times, people who attend church feel disconnected because they have not found a friend. It’s very easy to leave a church when you don’t have someone as your friend.
Barriers to Friendship
And I realize that for some of you, this is a tall order. “I’m an introvert. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to be vulnerable.”
It’s difficult. Why? Because you’ve been hurt in the past. It could have been someone in the church who betrayed your confidence, who let you down, who sinned against you.
But may God’s grace be sufficient for you in this task.
Mark’s Restoration
Consider Mark. Look, he says, “Bring Mark with me. He is very useful to me.”
I don’t know if you know the backstory about Mark here in verse 11, but he is—and was here at this moment—useful to Paul.
Now, that might seem rather insignificant of a statement, but if you don’t understand the backstory, here’s the reality.
Acts chapter 15, verse 39. Paul and Barnabas got into a pretty heated argument. It was so bad that they’re like, “Peace, brother. I’m out. I’m out. I’m going my own way. I’m not doing it.”
And it was mostly because of Paul’s problem with Mark. Mark—not very useful. Mark—a little skittish. Mark—not really the right fit for this ministry.
Barnabas is like, “Cousin, what are you doing?”
So at one point, he was not useful. Now he is useful.
Even in the book of Philemon, Paul mentions his name as one who was formerly unuseful.
Grace in Restoration
So what changed? What happened? We don’t know.
Paul is taking this opportunity to publicly say he doesn’t hold a grudge. Whatever he did, whatever his attitude, whatever his inability, he’s just saying—putting it out there—he’s useful to me now.
Just because another believer doesn’t look like they’re being faithful to the Lord, doesn’t look like God’s using them, doesn’t look like they’re bearing much fruit—that’s not always, may not always be the case.
Don’t Hold Grudges
As Christians, as believers, as the family of faith, we trust that God’s grace is enough to bring someone who’s far away from the Lord back to him.
And the lesson for us is to never hold on to unforgiveness. It’s never to keep fresh in memory all the wrongs that have been done against you.
At the end of your life, the worst thing you can do is remember all the people who betrayed you, who sinned against you, who hurt you.
Why is that so bad? Because it serves no purpose.
Forgiveness and Freedom
You’ve heard it said: forgiveness is for you, not the person that sinned against you.
And it’s so that you can be unhindered from the past burdens of the past hurt and press on to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We’re not saying that forgiveness is easy. You might need to forgive someone every day for a long time before the Lord sets you free.
But since you have been forgiven by God in Christ, the call—the charge under the power of the gospel and the Spirit—is to forgive others.
Friendship Is Messy
I don’t think there’s ever been one believer who’s ever said, “You know what? I’d rather be unuseful to the Lord than useful.”
Of course not. But the Christian life is messy. Friendships are messy. Sin happens. And it’s how we respond that makes all the difference.
Point 3: As the Outer Garment Fades, the Inner Spirit Is Renewed by Christ’s Power
Paul’s Request
Verse 13:
“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.”
Now this is interesting.
If you were the Apostle Paul waiting for your sentence to death, what would you ask for?
What Would You Ask For?
Well, I’ll go first. I’d ask for a delicious steak, one that has been cured and seasoned to perfection. It would probably be the Japanese Wagyu—$100 a bite. I think we can fit that into the budget.
What about you? What would you ask for?
Paul’s Three Requests
Well, Paul requests three things:
- His coat
- His books
- His parchments
Wait a minute, Paul. That’s ridiculous. The last thing I want to be doing is putting on some old coat that I left behind in another town that’s over 600 miles away.
Why Not Simply Get a New Coat?
Why doesn’t he just ask Luke to go get him a coat that’s nearby?
Well, we don’t know.
Something’s unique, though, about Paul’s heart. What happens when the guards see how needy he is? “I need a coat. I need a drink. I need a meal.”
Well, they might see that as a sign of weakness, and that wasn’t Paul’s style. “I’m not going to do that.”
Physical Needs and Spiritual Reality
But yet Paul is still a man. He’s sitting in this cold, dark dungeon. Cold winter is coming. It certainly would be helpful to be a little bit warmer.
And as Christians, we need to realize that we have physical needs too. There’s nothing wrong with asking another brother or sister if you need something.
Clothed in Christ’s Righteousness
Yet Paul knew that he was clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and nothing would change that.
It would be those very robes of righteousness that he would stand before the throne of God.
And while that outward man is perishing—Paul, just weeks away from death—this inward man is being renewed day by day.
How Is Renewal Possible in a Dungeon?
Wait a minute, Pastor. How could Paul be renewed every day in a prison cell with only one friend by his side?
Well, it’s by the power and grace of God.
We know the promises of God—that he’s faithful to finish the work he started in us. It doesn’t matter if we’re in a prison cell or we’re sitting with the saints.
Seasons of Hardship
There will be times in your life when sickness comes, when hardships seem to be preventing you. There are many that can’t come to church because they’re so sick. It seems like you’re missing out and God has forsaken you.
The Books and Parchments
What exactly were the books and parchments mentioned here in verse 13?
Well, some commentators think that the parchments contained the actual inspired letters that Paul wrote to the churches.
And what does Paul want to do with those letters? What does he want to do? Who does he want to give them to?
Yeah—he wanted to be sure that these valuable letters were passed along to faithful believers to strengthen the church.
Paul’s Desire Fulfilled
Think about that for a moment. Paul’s desires: “Bring me the parchments. Bring me my letters. I want to make sure that these go out to the churches.”
Paul’s desires were fulfilled. They’re still being fulfilled today.
The very writings of Paul from 2,000 years ago—by God’s grace—he’s preserved. The Lord has preserved his word for our benefit and his glory.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Study
Just because you feel like you’re not useful to the Lord right now doesn’t mean that you can’t avail yourself to the careful study of God’s word.
To make it your goal to be a reader. That’s right. Paper books. Yeah. Read the books of the dead guys.
Consider the great theologians of the centuries. There’s so much wisdom and benefit gained by disciplined reading.
Read Widely, Carefully
I’m giving you the law right now. Read the works of the dead guys—Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon. Read R.C. Sproul, Sinclair Ferguson, Joel Beeke. There’s so many.
But keep the Bible in one hand, and man, those old faithful saints in the other. And you will not be disappointed with your balanced approach to always learning, always reading, always growing in the knowledge of the Lord.
Beware of False Teaching
But at the same time, be very careful with all of these new books that are coming out, all of these new teachings, all of these new methods.
Quick fixes, easy solutions, special formulas.
Watch out for the mystics. Watch out for those that have all the answers and hear only from God—direct revelation that they will dispense to you at a small price.
Encouragement in Community
It’s not easy here. It’s not an easy thing. But God’s grace is enough. We’re doing life together. We can encourage one another in the faith.
Renewal Through the Word
So even though the outward garment of our bodies is fading away—Paul in a prison cell fading away—what does he do?
Goes to the books. Goes to the letters. Renews his mind. Takes advantage of the opportunity, even in a prison cell.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you, and commit to reading books by sound theologians.
Point 4: Relying on the Lord for Justice Liberates the Soul from Personal Revenge
Alexander the Coppersmith
Here comes Alexander. Here he comes.
“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.”
Guess what he says after that?
“The Lord smite them”?
No.
“May it not be charged against them.”
The Harm Done
What’s the deal here with this Alexander man?
Paul was not only abandoned by his friends, but then he’s getting hurt by this coppersmith—this worker of metals. Paul is just not getting a break.
Who Is Alexander?
What do we know about him? Well, it’s not clear completely what he did.
Some say that this is the same Alexander from 1 Timothy 1:20. Others disagree. But if we just consider for a moment that this is the same Alexander—1 Timothy 1:20, check that out—what did Paul do?
Handed him over to Satan.
Why?
So he would learn not to blaspheme.
Being Handed Over to Satan
Now, before we get a little bit carried away with that phrase, understand what it means to be handed over to Satan. It’s another way of referring to being sent out from the church, being excommunicated, being sent out into the world.
Self-Excommunication
This is what I’m saying: when we willfully not come to church, we’re essentially excommunicating ourselves voluntarily.
“Wow, pastor, first you tell me why I don’t come to church enough and why I don’t have enough friends. And now you’re bringing up this subject… I’m looking for something of encouragement, please.”
Honesty and Hurt
Believe me, I know this is not easy stuff, but it’s important.
Notice what Paul was not saying. He did not say, “Alexander did me great harm. Somebody hire the hit man. Put him out of his misery.”
Possible Scenarios
What could have happened? It could have been that Alexander was getting back at Paul. He was exercising personal vengeance.
“How dare you kick me out of the church? I’m going to do you great harm.”
Alexander could have been the one that actually turned in the Apostle Paul to the Roman authorities. You’ve got to remember, at this time, there was the great fire that Nero was blaming all the Christians for. He was actually taking their heads, putting them on stakes, and lighting them on fire.
It’s possible that Alexander had turned in Paul. He could have said, “Oh, you need to arrest Paul. He’s responsible for the fire.”
Paul’s Response: Forgiveness
But instead of Paul seeking personal revenge—look, he’s honest here. We got to be honest. Someone does you great harm, it hurts. You don’t pretend it doesn’t hurt.
But here’s how we respond to it. We respond to it like this:
“May it not be charged against them.”
Why Forgiveness Matters
Why is that so important for us today?
Because it’s very easy to want to get back at those that have wronged us. We want to fight fire with fire.
“You want to say bad things about me? I’ll say bad things about you. You want to hurt me? Go ahead. This is New Jersey. I’ll hurt you back.”
Everyday Anger
This can happen with our spouses, with our kids. It’s the very thing that Satan loves the most.
We remember from Ephesians 4:26–27. You’re familiar with this verse:
“Be angry, but do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Deal with it timely. And give no opportunity for the devil.”
The Danger of Anger
It says it’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to be angry with the injustice and evil that happens against you. But it’s how you deal with that anger that matters the most.
You see, that’s the hard part for us. Maybe just for me. I’ll just talk about myself. You guys are fine.
There are few times when I’ve allowed my anger to stand alone as righteous indignation. Nine times out of ten, my anger leads to sin.
The Justice Warrior Mentality
It leads to a justice warrior mentality. It leads me to taking God’s rightful place to deal with injustice.
And Paul’s clear here: uncontrolled anger is a tool of the enemy.
Why? Because it leads to hatred, division, so many more works of the flesh.
Beware of False Teachers
Let’s understand something. Just like Paul offered a warning to the likes of Alexander, we too should be on guard against those who wish to do harm in the church of the living God.
People hated Christians because they hated Jesus, because they hate Jesus. As soon as you mention you’re a Christian, what does that person say? Man, they feel like you’re judging them.
But that’s those that are outside of the church.
Dangers Inside the Church
What about those that are inside?
Yeah, this is a danger that is for those within.
It was Alexander who was supposedly excommunicated but then restored back to the fellowship. But he may have carried with him a little root of bitterness. And he was waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike—to do just as he did, doing great evil to the Apostle Paul.
Guard the Church
Brothers and sisters, be on guard, especially for those that come into the church to oppose the gospel.
Now, they might not oppose it openly. It might sound like this:
“Oh, wait a minute, dear saint. You believe that you’re only saved by grace through faith? That’s not the entirety of the gospel, brother. There’s actually more to it. Didn’t you know that God wants to give you special revelation and dreams to unlock your destiny?”
“Oh, I didn’t know about that. Do tell me more.”
It’s always very subtle.
Is Alexander Saved?
And we have to ask the question: was Alexander a true believer or not?
Let me just say this: anyone who opposes the gospel is an enemy of God and the Lord Jesus.
Not only did Alexander oppose the gospel, but he opposed it vigorously. It’s indeed a clear and present danger to the church.
False Believers in the Church
Those who sneak in pretending to be a believer so that they can distort the gospel, so that they can advance their own gospel, their own message, their own power, their own control.
Nonetheless, Paul relies on the Lord for justice to deal with Alexander.
Stephen’s Example
He was just like the first martyr. You remember Stephen? He didn’t want the Lord to hold anything against all these men that are stoning him to death.
Acts chapter 7, verse 60:
“Falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
He died.
How Could Stephen Say That?
How could Stephen say that? You’re being stoned to death and you’re crying out, “Lord, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
Heard that one before?
Yeah—our Lord.
Forgiveness Flows from Christ
Wait a minute. He could only say that by the inspiration of the Spirit. God has not held our sins against us because of Christ. So how could we hold the sins of others against them?
It doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s contrary to the gospel.
Leave Justice to God
So leave justice to the Lord for evil, but also ask God for mercy.
That’s what Paul says here at the end: “May it not be charged against them.”
Those very same people who wronged him might come to their senses. They might be—as you forgive them—they might experience God’s grace firsthand.
You could be the very instrument that leads them that much closer to knowing Christ.
Modern Example of Forgiveness
How could Charlie Kirk’s widow declare to the one who murdered her husband, “I forgive you”?
She did so because she knew how much Christ forgave her.
This is foreign to the world.
Someone kills your husband, what do you do? You seek justice to the highest degree. Give them the death penalty, certainly—thinking that somehow that comfort will come when the justice is served.
The Liberation of Trusting God’s Justice
Again, relying on the Lord for justice—that’s going to liberate your soul from the prison of personal revenge.
Conclusion: True Strength Found in Christ Alone
So as we close, we’ve considered this true strength. Look at Paul here. He doesn’t have any friends. He’s only got Luke. He’s been sinned against much more than I’ve ever been sinned against, and yet he doesn’t hold any grudges.
But he realizes the presence and power of Christ alone.
Application Questions
What does that look like in your life?
Have you been hurt by someone that you need to forgive?
Do you need to seek out a friend in the church who will be with you to stand by your side when everyone else seemingly abandons you?
Do you need the reminder, “Man, this earthly tent is fading. I need to be reminded that the Lord Jesus is faithful to renew the inner man day by day”?
Coming to Christ
Whatever it is, we come now to Christ. We come to Christ who is the presence and power that we need every day.
So let’s do something as we come to him. Let’s confess our sin.
Confession
So healthy, such a wonderful thing. It shouldn’t be a burdensome thing. It shouldn’t be a scary thing. It should be just a normal thing.
We’re going to confess our sins to our Lord. We’re going to ask him to help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. We’re going to ask him for the grace that we need to keep on fighting this spiritual battle.
We can’t bow out. We got to pull in.
So let’s go to the Lord Jesus together. And after you’ve had a moment, about a minute or so, I’m going to close in prayer.
And I want to assure you that salvation is in Christ alone. Nothing to add to the gospel. It’s by faith. It’s through faith and by grace, according to Christ, according to the Scriptures, for the glory of God.
Closing Prayer
Our gracious God, how abundant is your grace. How rich, how deep is your love. Lord, you know us, our frame, that we’re but dust. You know our weaknesses. You know our hearts. You know every struggle, every burden, every thought. It’s contrary to your word. You know all the fiery darts that are being thrown at us by the enemy.
And we want to stand in the strength of the Lord today as we confess that our hearts are prone to wander. Our hearts are prone to selfishness, to the comforts of this world.
Lord, help us as a family of faith to draw near to one another, to look at this fellowship, to encourage one another as we look to Christ, the head of the body.
We need all the parts fit together properly in their place. Lord, you say that we would be worshiping and decently in order, the body working together, reaching toward the head who is Christ.
And that’s our desire today.
For those that are facing unforgiveness, they just cannot shake. They’re angry. There’s bitterness. I pray, Lord Jesus, you’d minister to them. I pray that you would give them grace to forgive. Grace to look to you, Lord, to look to your cross, to look to how you suffered, how you died, how you were buried, and you rose again.
And now you’re praying for us. Your dear children.
We need you, Lord. We need you to work in our hearts. We’re tired. We’re weary. We’ve been beat up. We’ve been abandoned, thrown in a prison cell, nowhere to go.
But we have you, Lord, because you stay closer to us than even a brother.
So we thank you for that, and we trust in the power of your Spirit, that you’d work powerfully in us for the glory of you and the advancement of your kingdom.
Lord, have mercy on us, we pray. In Jesus’ name.
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