Fulfill Your Ministry

Outline:

Paul calls on Timothy to fulfill his ministry (4:5)

Paul understands his life is nearing the end (4:6)

Paul fought the good fight, he finished the race and kept the faith (4:7)

People turned on Paul (4:9-16)

The Lord stood with Paul, strengthened and delivered him bringing glory to the Lord (4:17-18)

Introduction: Paul is nearing the end of his life and he is warning his son in the faith to continue to be faithful (Last week Paul was instructing Timothy to never stop preaching the Word)

Paul reminding Timothy he will be judged on his faithfulness

The unbelieving world will be judged based on their decision to either accept or reject Jesus

2 Timothy 4:5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

1. (V6) I am being poured out as a drink offering and my departure is at hand

a) Paul has faced great persecution ever since becoming a Christian

Yet God protected him, but now Paul knows his time is ending

The idea of a drink offering is first presented in Genesis 35:14, where Jacob poured out a drink offering before the Lord as a sacrifice. In the Mosaic Law, drink offerings could be a part of sacrifice to the Lord (Exodus 29:40-41 and Leviticus 23:13).

Poured out has the idea of a complete giving, with no reservation. The liquid is completely emptied from the cup, and totally given to God.

2. (V7) Paul fought the good fight, finished strong, and kept the faith

a) Paul is saying, I have remained faithful

Life isn’t easy, we’re faced with many challenges and temptations, yet Paul remained faithful

b) One of the greatest mistakes of a Christians is not realizing you are in a battle

1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

3. (V8) The world will be judged based on what they do with Jesus Christ

We often times get so busy living our lives that we forget the inevitable, death is promised to all

a) Paul knows he has faithful and he can confidently know where he is going and what will be given to him

4. (V9-16) Everyone abandoned Paul

a) People will abandoned you, friends will abandoned, but God will never leave or forsake you

5. (V17) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me

a) The Lord stood with Paul, strengthened him, delivered him from a lion and every evil work of man