2 Timothy 4:6-23 Finishing Well: A great retirement

The battles have been fought.

All is coming to the end.

The armies of middle earth have come to the enemies’ army at the black gate.

The war has been long. Successes and failures have accompanied the journey.

But now they are seemingly over matched.

The end is here. What will they do?

Clip: Aragon’s speech at black gate.

What will they do?

They will continue to engage the enemy. They will finish well.

All great epic stories have a moment where the characters must decide. Will they persevere? In spite of difficulties? In spite of the odds? Will they finish well?

So with Paul. He stands at the threshold of his death. Only a little while left. What will he do?

He has fought well. He will spend his last days faithful. He will finish well.

What about our lives? Most of us have spent years to get to this spot. Most are in some sort of retirement.

What will we do now? Will we have a great retirement? Will we pour out our lives to the end? Will we finish well?

What will our retirement – our life – be lived out.

I. Finishing Well: A successful retirement (life)

A. The end will come 2 Tim 4:6b

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

1. The departure of a ship – lifting anchor – a soldier camp being broken up - time to leave – as I leave let me leave you with these thoughts.

B. A total offering 2 Tim 4:6a

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

1. Pouring out of wine at the burnt offering – complete offering to God

2. Present tense - Had already begun – pouring out his everything for God

3. To be concluded with literally pouring out of his blood in martyrdom

C. An exhausting service 2 Tim 4:6a

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1. Perfect tense – has done this with continuing results – a life long struggle – ministry continues – has done his best in the good fight of ministry – gave his all in the grandest of causes

D. A completed journey 2 Tim 4:7b

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1. Followed the course laid out – stayed at it with perseverance – finished well

E. A consistent faithfulness 2 Tim 4:6c

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1. Stayed at the task faithfully – consistent in his life – success at finishing faithful and consistenetly

II. A rewarded retirement (life)

A. Honored for righteousness 2 Tim 4:8a

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

1. The struggle over - the reward awaits – the stephanos, victor’s crown – recognized his accomplishment – public honor

2. Honor a life well lived by the righteous

B. Personally given by Christ 2 Tim 4:8b

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

1. The righteous judge rewards – honor for the one who is esteemed – He will give the honor – the crown itself is perishable, the reward is that it came from the Lord – personally bestowed

2. The day yet ahead

C. Available to all 2 Tim 4:6c

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

1. Offer to all

2. Long for His return – displayed in perseverance and godliness

III. A retirement (life) about relationships

A. The Good 2 Tim 4:10b, 12, 19, 20, 21b

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 10 … Crescenshas gone to Galatia, Titusto Dalmatia. … 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. … 19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21 … Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.

1. Constantly about people – honoring his coworkers – caring for those around him – investing his life in others

B. The Bad 2 Tim 4:16, 10a, 14-15

1. Coworkers who have failed

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

a. All left him – obvious some returned

2. False believers who have left

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and goneto Thessalonica.

a. Some gave up – left for good

3. Outward opposers

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 14 Alexanderthe coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

a. Some evil from the start – oppose the truth

C. The Special 2 Tim 4:9, 13, 21a, 11

1. Timothy – faithful son in the faith

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 9 Do your best to come to me soon. … 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. … 21 Do your best to come before winter….

a. Wanted his companionship – encouragement – - care - be with him at the end

2. Luke – long time friend

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 11 Luke alone is with me. …

a. constant companion over the years – still there – physician care?

3. Mark – a restored failure

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 11 … Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. …

a. The one who had a bad start – proved himself in time – now useful

D. The Lord 2 Tim 4:16-17, 18, 22

1. With Paul in trouble

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

a. Lord there when no one else was there – delivered him

b. Enabled the gospel to be proclaimed

2. Will continue to be with Him (even in death)

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

a. Will continue to deliver – though not in this world – eternal perspective

3. With others as well

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

a. My Lord be with you to accomplish all I have given you to do