2 Timothy 4

Let No Man Steal Your Crown

2 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

Appearing; Epiphaneia

Used two different ways:

A ruler’s accession to the crown (The taking of office)

2. when the Emperor came to visit

Used two diffryeerent ways:

-Everyone was on their best behavior

-When your principal came to class

-Streets were clean

-work was done

Jesus is coming quickly

To judge the living and the dead

Are we going to be prepared

When he comes back, will he see you doing your best

Chip trail run

Luke 8:17 NKJV

17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

They thought it was funny

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Be ready in season and out of season

Are you sowing in season and out of season

2 Timothy 4:3–5 NKJV

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Sound doctrine being rejected:

Not only in society, but in the church

Rational thinking is being rejected

They will heap up for themselves teachers:

Teacher=Sophists

Greek teachers of philosophy

They would literally agree and teach you things you wanted to hear or go with your ideas for money

Few things here:

Can’t be about our own desire

The word dictates our values and not culture

Be watchful

Examine your thinking!

Endure afflictions (they’ll come)

Do the work of an evangelist:

a proclaimer of the gospel

once who is sent out

not on their own power but on His

Fulfill your ministry:

What is your ministry?

Where or who do you feel called to reach

Who is someone in your life right now God is calling to?

2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

We’re all called

2 Timothy 4:6 NKJV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

He sees His life coming to an end

Every Roman meal ended with the pouring out of wine as a sacrifice to the “god’s”

He’s saying its time for my life to be a sacrifice

“The time of my departure is at hand”

Literally a departure from toil

The unyoking of an animal from the shafts or cart

Like an oxen being released from a plow

Death releases us from the work of the ministry

There’s a lot of people who actively seek how to get out of work ALWAYS!

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Put it all out on the field

Leave nothing undone

Win or lose its how you play

Paul left it all on the field

2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Crown=Wreath:

The laurel wreath was the greatest achievement any athlete could have during that time

The laurel wreath was a crown that withered in a few day

We exchange our earthly works for a crown that doest wither

A crown of Righteousness

A few different times in scripture a heavenly crowns are mentioned

Proverbs 14:18 NKJV

18 The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

James 1:12 NKJV

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

-Keys

Revelation 3:11 NKJV

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

We have to make sure that we do the work that we’re called to do

We can’t delegate any of our job to the next generation or another person

If you do someone is going to have to be distracted from what their called to do to pick up your loose ends!

Let no Man steal your crown

2 Timothy 4:9–10 NKJV

9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

Demas is mentioned three times in scripture:

As a fellow Laborer

Philemon 24 NKJV

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

2. Here he’s just mentioned

Colossians 4:14 NKJV

14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

3. Finally as a deserter

2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV

10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

Through scripture you see the spiritual degeneration of a man Paul once honored to call him a fellow laborer

He left because he loved the present world and the things of it

The sole purpose of the enemy is to distract you from who you were meant to be

His sole purpose is that you settle for average

What kind of person do you want to be?

What kind of dad do you want to be?

What kind of mom do you want to be?

What kind of husband or wife

Most of all who do you want to live your life for?

Dear God, I am a sinner.

I’m sorry for my sin; please forgive me.

I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son

and that He died for my sins

I believe You raised Him back to life.

I want to invite Jesus into my heart

today.

I’m make your Lord of my life

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.