Building a Lasting Memorial

2 Timothy 4:6-8

2 Timothy 4:6–8 (NLT)

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

INTRODUCTION:

A- Man-made memorials of stone:

1- Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota contains the majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore tells the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country.

2- According to 2 Samuel 18:18, during the united kingdom days of Israel, Absolom, the rebellious son of King David erected a monument as a memorial to himself. This “monument of Absalom" existed in the days of Josephus, and was referred to in his Antiquities.[1] The 19th-century English translation by Havercamp states that the "Monument of Absalom" stood at a distance of "two furlongs" from Jerusalem.[2] For centuries, it was the custom among passersby—Jews, Christians and Muslims—to throw stones at the monument. Residents of Jerusalem would bring their unruly children to the site to teach them what became of a rebellious son.[3]

The first memorial (Mt. Rushmore) is a lasting memorial that leaves a positive impact. It inspires those who see it acts of bravery and sacrifice for the sake of others. The second memorial (Absalom’s Memorial Pillar) is a memorial to infamy, self-indulgence and destruction. Its only redeeming quality is its ability to demonstrate how a person is to avoid being.

3- Our lives will also serve as a lasting memorial. We will leave behind either a memorial that will inspire or one of infamy.

4- The Apostle Paul gives us some principles from his own life that can help us live a life that leaves a godly and positive memorial for those over whom we have influence.

Let’s take a look at two statements that we need to strive to be able to say at the end of our lives.

I- I HAVE LIVED A LIFE FILLED WITH PURPOSE (2 Timothy 4:6)

2 Timothy 4:6 (NLT)

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

6 Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἀναλύσεώς μου ἐφέστηκεν.

A- Life is to be lived as an offering to our Lord.

“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.”

Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς

1- The picture: The Old Testament Drink Offering

(Exodus 29:18-21)

Exodus 29:18–21 (NLT)

18 then burn the entire animal on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the Lord; it is a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord.

19 “Now take the other ram, and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head.

20 Then slaughter it, and apply some of its blood to the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on the thumbs of their right hands and the big toes of their right feet. Splatter the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar.

21 Then take some of the blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their garments. In this way, they and their garments will be set apart as holy.

2- Paul said his life had been poured out as a “drink Offering” to God.

a. Paul had lived his life as an offering poured out on the altar of living sacrifice to God.

(Romans 12:1-2)

Romans 12:1–2 (NLT)

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

B- Life is to be lived in a way that makes us ready to die.

“The time of my death is near.”

“τῆς ἀναλύσεώς μου ἐφέστηκεν.”

1- - Paul recognized that the time of his death [ἀναλύσεώς] was near.

ἀναλύσεώς = an unloosing to depart. A metaphor drawn from loosing from moorings preparatory to setting sail in a ship. Can also refer to breaking camp to move to a new location.

a. His final offering to God was about to be offered.

(1) He was not a victim.

He was not a victim of circumstances.

He was not a prisoner of the Emperor Nero.

He was in his circumstance for the sake of Christ and the Gospel!

(Ephesians 3:1)

Ephesians 3:1 (NLT)

1 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles …

(Philemon 9)

Philemon 9 (NLT)

9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

(2) He was a victor!

Paul was about to experience the ultimate victory.

(Philippians 1:23)

Philippians 1:23 (NLT)

23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

II- I HAVE LIVED A LIFE THAT ANTICIPATES ETERNITY (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NLT)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

7 τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα·

8 λοιπὸν ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής, οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοὶ ἀλλὰ καὶ πᾶσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσι τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ.

A- The way that we live determines our legacy. (2 Timothy 4:7)

2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

1- Live wholeheartedly for Christ.

“I have fought the good fight.”

“τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα ἠγώνισμαι”

ἀγωνίζομαι: to strive to do something with great intensity and effort—‘to make every effort to, to do everything possible to, to strain oneself to.’

ἀγῶνα = a fight, and intense struggle.

(Phil. 1:27, 30)

Philippians 1:27 (NLT)

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

Philippians 1:30 (NLT)

30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

2- Pursue completing the race Christ has given to you.

“I have finished the race.”

“τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα”

(Hebrews 12:1)

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

3- Consistently seek to be faithful to Christ.

“ I have remained faithful.”

“ τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα·”

(1 Corinthians 4:2)

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT)

2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.

B- Our legacy determines our memorial.

“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” (vs. 8)

1- The Lord rewards personal faithfulness.

“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.”

(1 Cor. 9:25)

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)

25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

2- We are to seek to help others to live faithfully for Christ and carry out His mission.

“And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Illustration: Hymn:

Living for Jesus

Author: Thomas O. Chisholm (1917)

1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do; Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me.

2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place, Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace; Such love constrains me to answer His call, Follow His leading and give Him my all.

3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am, Doing each duty in His holy Name; Willing to suffer affliction and loss, Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

4. Living for Jesus through earth’s little while, My dearest treasure, the light of His smile; Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem, Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Refrain: O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee, For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me; I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne; My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

CONCLUSION:

[1] Antiquities of the Jews, vii. 10, § 3. Cited in Jewish Encyclopedia 1906.

[2] Antiquities of the Jews, Book VII, chapter 10, § 3. From Complete works of Josephus, based on Syvert Havercamp's translation. Bigelow, Brown & Co., New York, before 1923, volume one, p. 516.

[3] Zev Vilnay (1970). "Pillar of Absalom". The Guide to Israel. Jerusalem: Hamakor Press. pp. 157–158.