Loving

God, as we reflect on your word and the life of your servant, we ask that you speak a word to us. Hide me behind your cross and use me. Take all of my imperfections, my insecurities, my weakness, and my faults and use them to speak a word to your loving children. We thank you for what you have done, for what you are doing, and your actions to come. In the name of Christ we pray amen. Our scripture is taken from: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
6As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of

my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Given the context of our coming together today, the going home of Kenneth Tyrone Johnson, and the context of the text, I thought this passage of scripture was most appropriate. In the text we find the Apostle Paul speaking to Timothy; his beloved and faithful child in the Lord.1 Paul, who is imprisoned, has written this particular letter to his Child in the faith.2 What makes this letter so significant is that many Biblical scholars believe that this particular letter was Pauls last personal communication prior to his passing.3 The purpose of this letter is three-fold. Paul wants to see his Timothy one last time. In Pauls most difficult time, he wants to be surrounded by family- those who love him. Scholars commenting on this scripture have tried to portray Paul as demoralized, lonely, cold, self- pitying, afraid, or even alienated.4 I dont agree with their assessment. Paul simply valued his family and craved the companionship of those who have shared in the struggles of faith. Paul simply knew the power that comes when you have a group of people working together toward a specific hope or dream. Paul knew that there was an inherent power in family.

1 1 Corinthians 4:17 2 I Timothy 1:2 3 James D. G. Dunn, The First and Second Letters to Timothy and The Letter to Titus, The New Interpreters Bible Commentary: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes, Leander E. Keck, editor (Nashville: Abingdon, 2000) pg. 856 4 Thomas C. Oden, First and Second Timothy and Titus, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, (Louisville, John Knox Press, 1989). 170- 173 2

A second reason for writing this letter is that Paul also wants to encourage Timothy in the faith. It is Pauls desire to have Timothy continue their work after his death. Paul understands that after he is gone it may be a little rough for Timothy. Even while he was alive teaching and preaching people were already trying to tear down what they fought so diligently to build. Paul knew that the wolves were waiting for his departure so that they could invade the flock. You know how it is. When Momma or Daddy aint home, thats when people are trying to get in. Thats when people want to come over to the house for a little while. Oh, your Daddy aint home, I think I lost my keys, can I hang out until my mother comes home? Or I wanted to talk to Ken about this but hes not home I was just wondering if I could borrow Those wolves are treacherous. To this end, Paul is encouraging Timothy to press on toward the higher calling. He realizes that is going to be difficult. So much so that he says in verse 5 But you (point to the family), keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. No matter what might happen to Paul, it is important for (You) Timothy to carry on the work of the Lord. Im not a big proponent of particular versions of the bible, but I do like how the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) translates the text. It

says, As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. I like this translation because in it we find a nugget of truth that often reverberated off the lips of Kenneth Tyrone Johnson. The NRSV says, As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. When I read this I heard Mr. Johnson say, Dwight, you cant let anything, I mean anything, get in the way of your sobriety. You know, I have to admit, when Mr. Johnson first told me this, I didnt know what to think. I remember saying to myself, Does Mr. J think Im an alcoholic in waiting? Why is he talking to me about sobriety? Is this some AA code that I just dont get? I remember praying, Lord, I dont want to be a drunk. Deliver me Lord. (Long Pause) However, as the years went on, I started to understand what he meant by this. He helped me to realize that in many ways we are all addicts. I know some of you may be thinking I have lost my mind. I know. Who does he think he is? What in the world is this guy talking about? But give me a second and allow me to elaborate. See, for those of you who know me, you know I like to workout. Fitness is a very important part of my life. I get up at 4:30 in the morning and hit the gym. When I work out I relieve the tensions, my mind is clear, I can focus better on the tasks at hand. Working out is a very important aspect of my sanity or sobriety. My workout time is my time with God. It

is during my workout that I hear God very clearly. It is a time of silence. No one is up but me. When I am running it is as if I hear God whispering Gods sweet nothings into my ear. It is a time of Joy and sincere jubilation. Not only that, Im getting fine at the same time. But it is through and during the workouts that God connects with me and I connect with God. However, there are situations that seek to rob me of my sobriety: The demands of work, The disrespect of co-workers, A job not done well, the lack of money, Not having enough time in the day to get done what you need to get done. Sometimes I find myself so caught up in these situations that I neglect going to the gym or doing the things that I need to do to facilitate that important connection with God. I neglect to do those things that help me to maintain my sobriety. One day off turns into a week, a week becomes a two weeks, two weeks a month, one month becomes two months, two months becomes spring break and the year is coming to a close. I begin to put other things before God and when I look up I am stressed out, 20 pounds heavier, and no fun to be around because I allowed so many things to get in the way of my sobriety/ sanity. When you lose sight of your sobriety, you forget how to handle hardships. You cant see the wolves. You find yourself with a persistent,

compulsive dependence on a particular behavior or substance- addiction. So when Mr. Johnson says, dont let anything get in the way of your sobriety. He is saying dont allow your circumstances to rob you of the beauty and splendor of this life that God has given us. Dont allow, the expectations and demands of others cause you to question Gods love for you. Dont get caught up in other peoples mess. Dont forget that your connection to God is what ultimately sustains you in this thing that we call the land of the living. Be sober- Protect your sanity, put your faith in God/ not self or others. Connect with God daily. Endure hardships- Trust and expect God to come through for you. Do the work- Work hard, no one will give you anything. Carry out your ministry fully- Pursue what God has called you to do and be. Dont try to run anyone elses race. The final reason for this epistle is that Paul wants Timothy to Finish Well what God began in him. Well, what do you mean preacher? See some people start the race, but they dont finish. They can brag for days about how they started the race, but since they never finished it dont mean a dag on thing. And then you have those people who start the race and finish but they do it, you know, half-heartedly. I believe Mr.

Johnson would have said it a different way but we are in church. You all know what I mean. But Paul is encouraging Timothy to not only start; he wants Timothy finish better than he started. In verse 7 Paul likens himself to an athlete. He declares, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Paul wasnt afraid when he wrote these words. He wasnt intimidated; he didnt allow the moment to consume him. On the contrary, Paul was in good spirits as he looked back over three decades of struggle in his life. Paul is essentially saying, Im satisfied with my life. I have not dodged the responsibility given me. I have not gone about anything in my life halfheartedly. I have been given a race to run, and I have given it my all.5 Mr. Johnson may not have started his race as a premier athlete, although he was a golden glove boxer, he sure did finish the race like an Olympian. 25+ years free of addiction Establishing an A+ water proofing business Serving and helping others battling addiction Loving his children, grand children, and extended family
5 Thomas C. Oden, First and Second Timothy and Titus, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, (Louisville, John Knox Press, 1989). Pg. 172 7

 Dedicating himself to God Giving to those in need Providing jobs within the community Loving his wife Depending on God daily On March 11th twenty-five years ago, down by the waters of fellowship hall, God gave Kenneth Johnson his baton and told him, You dont have to live this way anymore. Mr. Johnson took these words and has been running for the Lord ever since. From that day forward Mr. Johnson has lived a life full of sanity and sobriety. It wasnt easy. There were many lessons that God had to teach him. One of the greatest being dependence. Ken had to learn to depend on God for everything and in every situation. From that day forward Mr. Johnson got up everyday not knowing where the next job was going to come from, but he did know that if God could find him down by the riverside, that same God wouldnt abandon him. If God could deliver him from addiction, then God could deliver him through a drought. Now I dont want to sensationalize this in any way. Mr. Johnson definitely wasnt a church fixture. To be complete candid, he often talked to me about the power hour. That is, he gave most services an hour. At 59 minutes and 59 seconds, he was eyeballing the door.
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My point is to say that Mr. Johnsons personal connection to God, not his church connection, made him a better father, a better businessman, a better husband, a greater leader within the community. His faith in God, not his faith in church, is the reason why he was able to sow so many seeds of love and wisdom. His trust in God, not his trust in the pastor, is the reason why he was able to finish his race stronger than he started. Its not because of him; its because of Gods hold on him. When God has a hold on you and you accept Gods teaching. There is nothing that is too impossible- not even addiction. What Paul and Mr. Johnsons life says to us is this Let us finish well the race God has called us to run. Let us finish well and not let our hearts be troubled, believe in God. God is going to bring you through. Let us finish well our education. There may be bumps in the road, but God is a great driver. Let us finish well those things that God has called and equipped us to handle. I think the song writer said it this way, I think Im going to run on, and see what the end is going to be! Likewise we need to run on, not letting anything get in the way of our sobriety. Run on to fellowship hall. Run on to recovery. Dont let anything, I mean anything get in the way of your connection to God. In my sanctified imagination, I can see Mr. Johnson walking into heaven ready to work. He is looking at Jesus with that infectious smile. And Jesus says, Hey Ken, give me one of those good strong hugs. Ive been

waiting for you. Take off that Monarch water proofing hat and put on this crown. You have run one heck of a race. Well done, my good and faithful servant, well done! Beloved, let us all Finish Well.

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