Finishing Faithful

Sermon Title: Finishing Faithful

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Occasion: The Lord’s Day

Date: March 30, 2025

“Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Ti 1:2.

Opening Prayer

Introduction:

Sermon Title: Finishing Faithful

Church, we all love a good start.

We cheer at the sound of the starter pistol, we celebrate new beginnings, and we admire early passion.

But as any seasoned runner will tell you, the start is not the hardest part—it’s the finish.

The Christian life is not a short sprint.

It’s not a one-time decision or emotional moment.

It is a long, demanding, often painful journey that stretches across years of joy and sorrow, trial and triumph, clarity and confusion.

The question before us this morning is not: Did you begin the race?

But: Will you finish it faithful?

And in this final chapter of Paul’s final letter, we are given the dying words of a man who did.

Paul is writing from a Roman dungeon.

His body is bruised, his companions have mostly left him, and the sword of execution hangs just above his head.

Yet as he writes, there’s no panic in his pen.

No regret in his voice.

No despair in his heart. Instead, there is resolve.

There is urgency.

There is clarity about what matters most in the end.

And here’s what we’ll see today:

Paul is calling Timothy—and us—to finish faithful.

These are his last words, his final charge, and his clearest legacy.

And through them, he reminds us of this truth:

The Christian life is…

• A race that demands endurance

• A battle that requires faithfulness

• A trust that must be kept until the very end

That’s the path Paul walked.

That’s the path Timothy was stepping into.

And that is the path set before every believer who wants to finish well.

This passage isn’t just sentimental—it’s sobering.

It’s not just inspirational—it’s instructional.

It’s not just Paul’s farewell—it’s Christ’s call to His people:

Don’t quit.

Don’t drift.

Don’t waste your life on what won’t last.

Finish faithful.

Transition:

So where does finishing faithful begin?

It starts with hearing and heeding Paul’s first charge:

Preach the Word.

If we’re going to endure the race, we need the right fuel.

If we’re going to run with perseverance, we need clarity, conviction, and courage—and that comes through the faithful preaching of God’s Word.

I. The Charge to Preach the Word (vv. 1-2) – The Urgency of Faithfulness

A Race That Demands Endurance

Look with me at verses 1 and 2.

2 Timothy 4:1–2 ESV

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

This is no casual encouragement—this is a charge.

Paul is placing Timothy under divine obligation.

The word used here for “charge” (diamarturomai) is a legal and military term, a solemn command given under oath, much like a general commissioning his soldiers before battle.

This charge is not just from Paul but is issued before the presence of God and Christ Jesus, the One who will return to judge both the living and the dead.

This isn’t a request; it’s a commission.

The Weight of the Charge – The Presence of God and Christ (v.1)

Paul sets Timothy’s commission in the highest courtroom possible—before God and before Christ.

This is a divine mandate, not a suggestion.

Paul reminds Timothy of three eschatological realities that add urgency to his charge:

Jesus is the Judge – “who is to judge the living and the dead.”

There will be no escaping His final verdict.

Every person—believer or unbeliever—will stand before Christ.

This is also a reminder to Timothy—and to myself—that preaching is not a performance to please men, but a solemn preparation for the day we will all stand before Christ in judgment.

Jesus is Returning – “by His appearing” (epiphaneia) refers to Christ’s second coming.

Just as Christ appeared once to bring salvation, He will appear again to bring final justice.

Every sermon a preacher preaches should and must be preached with the reality of Christ’s return in mind.

Jesus Will Establish His Kingdom –

The kingdom is both already and not yet—Christ rules now in the hearts of His people, but His reign will be fully revealed at His return.

The Preacher must preach with eternity in view.

Illustration:

Imagine a track runner with a coach who tells him, “Run like the judge is watching!”

Every step, every breath, every movement is calculated because the runner knows his performance will be evaluated.

Paul is telling Timothy—run with judgment day in mind!

*The Weight of the Charge – The Presence of God and Christ (v.1)

The Task of the Charge – Preach the Word (v.2)

Paul’s command is simple and direct: "Preach the Word."

Timothy is not called to entertain, speculate, or offer personal opinions.

His task is to proclaim, herald, and declare God's truth with boldness and clarity.

The word preach (kērussō) refers to the act of a royal herald standing in the marketplace, announcing a message from the king.

The herald had no right to alter or soften the message—he was simply to deliver it faithfully.

What is Timothy to preach?

Not human wisdom

Not self-help tips

Not cultural trends

The Word of God—nothing more, nothing less.

Application:

The same charge is given to us today.

The church does not need better marketing, more entertainment, or cultural compromise—it needs the Word of God proclaimed faithfully!

Whether you are a preacher or a parent discipling your children, you are a proclaimer of God’s truth.

You do not have the right to edit it or sugarcoat it—your job is to declare it.

*The Weight of the Charge – The Presence of God and Christ (v.1)

*The Task of the Charge – Preach the Word (v.2)

The Consistency of the Charge – In Season and Out of Season (v.2)

Paul follows the command to preach with a phrase that removes any excuse for inconsistency:

"Be ready in season and out of season."

In season means when it is convenient, well-received, and popular.

Out of season means when it is difficult, resisted, and rejected.

Illustration:

Imagine a parent raising a child.

You don’t get to choose when your child needs you—you don’t only parent when it’s convenient.

You wake up in the middle of the night when they’re sick, you discipline when it’s uncomfortable, and you share truth with them even when they resist it.

A faithful parent doesn’t stop parenting because it’s hard.

That’s the same call Paul is giving Timothy:

Preach the Word, whether it’s easy or exhausting, whether people embrace it or reject it. Faithfulness isn’t measured by how the message is received but by consistency and endurance.

Preach when people love the Word and when they despise it.

Teach your children the gospel when they listen and when they roll their eyes.

Share the truth at work when it’s welcomed and when it costs you friendships.

The truth does not change based on how it is received.

God’s charge remains the same—be faithful, in season and out.

*The Weight of the Charge – The Presence of God and Christ (v.1)

*The Task of the Charge – Preach the Word (v.2)

*The Consistency of the Charge – In Season and Out of Season (v.2)

The Content of the Charge – Reprove, Rebuke, and Exhort (v.2)

Paul then gives three specific ways the Word is to be applied:

Reprove (elenchō) – Correct false thinking with truth.

This is convicting the mind with sound doctrine.

People will often drift into error.

The Word must correct their course!

Rebuke (epitimaō) – Confront sin with conviction.

This is challenging the will to repent.

Rebuking is necessary when people do not respond to reproof.

Exhort (parakaleō) – Encourage toward godliness.

This is strengthening the heart to keep going.

Encouragement is needed to uplift weary believers.

Illustration:

When I coached high school soccer at Orlando Christian Prep (OCP), I quickly realized coaching wasn’t just about skills—it was about shaping character.

I had to correct players when they were out of position, rebuke them when they got lazy, and encourage them when they were exhausted.

A good coach doesn’t just yell or praise—he knows when to do each.

Faithful preaching is the same.

It requires correction, rebuke, and encouragement—because shaping disciples, like shaping athletes, takes all three.

Parents, this is your calling with your children.

Correct them when they drift, rebuke them when they sin, and encourage them when they are weary.

Leaders who teach in the Church at any level, don’t just teach—challenge sin and stir hearts toward Christ.

And every believer, speak truth in your workplaces and friendships, even when it’s uncomfortable.

The goal isn’t popularity; it’s faithfulness.

*The Weight of the Charge – The Presence of God and Christ (v.1)

*The Task of the Charge – Preach the Word (v.2)

*The Consistency of the Charge – In Season and Out of Season (v.2)

*The Content of the Charge – Reprove, Rebuke, and Exhort (v.2)

Finally…

The Manner of the Charge – With Complete Patience and Teaching (v.2)

Paul ends with a crucial qualifier:

“with complete patience and teaching.”

This should remind us of 1 Thessalonians 5:14

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Notice the two qualifiers: patience and teaching—and patience comes first!

If you struggle with patience, pastoral and teaching ministry will break you.

Sheep are stubborn, and sanctification is slow.

Preachers, you are stubborn and your sanctification is slow.

I am stubborn and my sanctification is slow.

Yet, God is so patient with us in his teaching.

Complete patience –

The preacher must endure people’s resistance with gentleness. Truth without patience crushes rather than convicts.

A parent teaching a child to ride a bike doesn’t yell when they fall; they pick them up, steady them, and encourage them to keep going.

In the same way, a preacher must patiently guide people in truth, understanding that spiritual growth takes time.

Teaching –

The Word must be carefully explained.

It is not about passion alone—it is about precision.

A math teacher doesn’t just tell students the answer; they break it down step by step so they truly understand.

Likewise, a preacher must carefully explain God’s Word, not just preach with passion, but with clarity and precision, so truth takes root in the heart.

Application:

Be patient—God works on His timeline, not ours.

Teach clearly—truth must be understood to transform.

Endure—faithfulness is measured in perseverance, not quick results.

Transition to Point Two

Paul gives this charge because he knows the challenges ahead.

There will come a time when people will not endure sound teaching.

They will not want to hear the truth.

They will turn aside to myths, preferring lies over God’s Word.

Timothy is not just running a race; he is stepping into a battlefield.

Faithfulness will cost him.

Opposition will rise.

And this leads us to Paul’s next point— a battle that requires faithfulness, and the challenge of apostasy in verses 3-5.

II. The Challenge of Apostasy (vv. 3-5) – The Cost of Faithfulness

A Battle That Requires Faithfulness

Look at verses 3-4:

2 Timothy 4:3–4 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Paul warns Timothy that a time is coming when people will reject truth.

They won’t want sound doctrine.

They will seek teachers who affirm their desires rather than confront their sin as I mention two weeks ago when looking at 2 Timothy 3 verses 1-9.

We see this today, don’t we?

People don’t reject spirituality—they reject biblical authority.

They want a God who serves them, not a God who reigns over them.

They crave inspiration, not transformation.

Timothy must be prepared for this battle.

And so must we.

The Rejection of Truth (v. 3)

"They will not endure sound teaching..."

This isn’t ignorance—it’s rebellion.

People will refuse truth because it confronts their sin.

Sound doctrine means “healthy teaching,” but they will reject what nourishes them.

They won’t want what is good for them, only what is comfortable.

Illustration A child doesn’t want vegetables but craves candy.

A good parent insists on nourishment, not just what is sweet.

Preaching must nourish the soul, even when it’s hard to swallow.

2. The Desire for False Teachers (vv. 3-4) "Having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."

People don’t stop listening—they just choose teachers who say what they want to hear.

Itching ears—a craving for novelty, not truth.

Accumulate teachers—they pile up preachers who affirm their desires.

Turn away from truth—and embrace myths, and novelty, and comfort, instead of truth.

Illustration: My Customized Newsfeed

We’ve caught ourselves doing this, haven’t we?

Scrolling through social media, curating our feed so we only see posts that affirm what we already believe.

If someone challenges us, it’s easy to hit "unfollow" or block their voice.

Before we know it, We’ve created a comfortable little world where we only hear what we want to hear.

Paul says the same thing happens spiritually.

People don’t reject listening—they just reject the truth.

They accumulate preachers like a personalized algorithm, filtering out conviction in favor of feel-good messages.

Instead of submitting to God’s Word, they chase after whatever scratches their itching ears.

Application:

We have to be careful not to build a “spiritual echo chamber.”

Truth isn’t always comfortable, but it’s necessary.

I must test every teaching—not by how it makes me feel, but by whether it aligns with Scripture.

I need to be willing to hear hard truths that shape me, not just affirm me.

Ask yourself: Do I love truth, or do I love what is convenient?

3. The Call to Faithfulness (v. 5) Paul turns to Timothy in a very personal way in verse 5, and to each of us who claim the name of Christ:

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Brothers and sisters, we must stand firm despite the coming apostasy.

How do we stand firm?

A. Stay Clear-Minded – "Be sober-minded"

To be sober-minded is to be clear-headed, steady, and discerning.

A christian and a faithful minister must not be driven by emotion or pressure but by biblical conviction.

Illustration A pilot flying through turbulence doesn’t panic—he follows his instruments.

Likewise, a faithful pastor and christian doesn’t follow trends—he follows God’s Word.

B. Endure Hardship – "Endure suffering"

Here is the inescapable reality, friends: Faithfulness will cost you.

Truth brings opposition.

If you stand for Christ, expect rejection.

Acts 14:22 tells us..

Acts 14:22 ESV

… through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Illustration When a shooting breaks out, a police officer doesn’t run from the danger—he runs toward it.

Not because it’s safe, but because it’s his sworn duty.

He knows the risk.

He understands the cost.

But he steps into the chaos to protect others, even if it means laying down his life.

In the same way, faithfulness to Christ means stepping into hardship.

We endure—not because it's easy, but because it's right.

Because the gospel is worth it.

Because our King has already gone before us.

C. Proclaim the Gospel – "Do the work of an evangelist"

Timothy’s main task is not to entertain or appease—it is to proclaim Christ.

The gospel must be preached boldly, clearly, and urgently.

Illustration If a doctor has the cure for cancer but refuses to share it, he is guilty of negligence.

Likewise, the preacher who holds the cure for sin, must proclaim it, no matter how it’s received.

D. Fulfill Your Ministry – "Fulfill your ministry"

3-D’s:

Don’t quit.

Don’t compromise.

Don’t shrink back.

Faithfulness is not measured in popularity but in perseverance.

Illustration A marathon runner doesn’t stop because he’s tired—he presses on to the finish line.

Ministry is not a sprint but a marathon.

The goal is not immediate results but lifelong faithfulness.

So many believe the measure of ministry is success.

Beloved, success is not the measure—faithfulness is.

On that day, the only words that will matter are not: Were you successful? Were you famous? Were you well-liked? Did you build a global ministry?

No—the only question will be: Were you faithful?

May we long to hear our Savior say:

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have fulfilled your ministry. Enter into the joy of your Master."

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

That’s what we are after in this christian life:

To be found faithful.

Application:

If you were to meet Jesus today, would you be found faithful stewards of what has been entrusted to you?

Are you fulfilling your ministry?

Transition to the Next Point We are called to stand firm in the face of apostasy.

We must preach the Word, endure suffering, and finish well.

But now, Paul shifts from charging Timothy to reflecting on his own life.

The battle for faithfulness isn’t just about the present or being found faithful—it’s also about finishing strong.

Look at verses 6-8 as we consider "A Trust That Must Be Kept Until the Very End."

III. The Commitment to Finish Well – A Trust That Must Be Kept Until the Very End (vv. 6-8) – The Reward of Faithfulness

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.

Paul’s final words to Timothy are a triumphant testimony of a life poured out in faithful service to Christ.

He is not fearful, bitter, or filled with regret—he is confident, assured, and at peace.

Why?

Because he has kept the faith.

He has endured to the very end.

And now, his eyes are fixed on his eternal reward.

The image in my mind is that of an athlete in the middle of a championship game.

He knows the battle will be grueling, the opposition fierce, and the exhaustion real.

But he presses on, not because the game is easy, but because the victory is worth it.

The reward outweighs the cost.

So it is with the Christian life.

The fight is hard, the race is long, but the crown is sure.

1. A Life Poured Out for Christ (v. 6)

2 Timothy 4:6 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

Paul knows his death is near, but he does not describe it as defeat—he describes it as a sacrifice and a departure.

A Drink Offering

In the Old Testament, a drink offering was the final part of a sacrifice, the last act poured out before the Lord (Num. 15:5-10; Phil. 2:17).

He says it this way in Philippians 2:17

Philippians 2:17 ESV

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Paul sees his life this way—fully given for Christ, for the faith of others as nothing withheld, nothing left. All is worth it!

A Departure

The word Paul uses for “departure” (ἀναλύσεως) paints a beautiful and profound picture.

It was used to describe the untying of a ship, setting it free to sail toward its intended destination.

It was also used for unyoking an ox at the end of a long, exhausting day’s labor—releasing it from toil to rest.

This is not an image of loss, but of fulfillment.

It speaks of an undoing, not for destruction, but for release—stepping into what one was truly made for.

For Paul, death is not the end; it is the transition into his ultimate purpose—to worship Christ and live in the fullness of His presence.

This is how the Christian must view death.

It is not destruction, but departure.

It is not the end of life, but the beginning of eternity.

It is the culmination of a life spent for Christ.

Application:

Are we pouring out our lives for Christ?

Or are we reserving ourselves, keeping parts back for our own comfort and security?

Is our view of death shaped by fear, or by the confidence that it is a departure to be with the Lord?

2. A Fight, A Race, A Faith Kept (v. 7)

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

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

Paul summarizes his entire life in three powerful statements here:

“I have fought the good fight” – He did not run from the battle. He contended for truth, he endured suffering, he stood firm in faith (1 Tim. 6:12; Eph. 6:12).

“I have finished the race” – He did not quit.

He ran with endurance (Heb. 12:1-2), pressing on to the finish line (Phil. 3:14).

“I have kept the faith” – He did not compromise.

He guarded the gospel, preserved its purity, and remained faithful to the very end of his life.

Paul is not boasting in his own strength here—his confidence comes from a real experience of God’s sustaining grace in his life.

He fought, he ran, he kept the faith, not because he was great, but because a great Savior held him fast (2 Tim. 1:12).

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

It was by God’s grace that he…

Fought the good fight.

That he finished the race.

That he kept the faith.

It was all a keeping of God’s Sovereign grace.

Illustration: The Climber’s Rope

A climber scaling a steep mountain grips the rope with all his strength.

The climb is grueling, the wind fierce, his hands weary.

Yet, his security does not rest in his grip—but in the anchor holding him.

In the final analysis, when we stand in heaven and look back on our lives, we will see with perfect clarity—it was not our grip on Christ that kept us, but His unshakable hold on us.

3. The Reward of Faithfulness (v. 8)

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

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.

Paul's confidence is rooted in eternity, and he looks ahead to the "crown of righteousness" that will be awarded by Christ, the righteous Judge.

His eyes are fixed on the reward that awaits him—not the fleeting rewards of this world, but the imperishable crown of eternal life.

What is this reward that Paul lived for, sacrificed for, and gave his entire life to?

It is the crown of righteousness, a reward that is imperishable, unlike the fleeting laurel wreaths of the Greek Olympics (1 Cor. 9:25).

These wreaths were made of celery or laurel, symbols of achievement in a moment, but withering away just as quickly as they were earned.

I want to show you a simple illustration to help you grasp this.

(Here, I pull out a stick of celery from inside the pulpit )

Here, we have a stalk of celery.

It’s green, fresh, and looks vibrant—just like the fleeting successes of this world.

Imagine working your entire life for something like this, thinking this is what will satisfy you—only to have it wither and fade away.

In the context of the Olympics, athletes would strive their entire lives, giving everything for this celery crown—a wreath that would wilt and die within days.

Yet, too many of us are living our lives this way, pursuing the things that will fade: success, recognition, popularity, wealth—things that will eventually disappear, just like this celery.

But Paul shows us that the real reward, the true crown, is not perishable.

You should be on the edge of your seat, asking, "What is this crown you're talking about, Pastor Arthur—the one that doesn't fade?"

It is the imperishable crown of Christ’s righteousness!

This is the full realization of Christ’s righteousness—a reward we cannot earn, but receive by grace through faith.

And when Christ, the righteous Judge, returns, He will reward those who have remained faithful to Him.

Unlike the unjust judges who condemned Paul, Christ is the only righteous judge who will reward our faithfulness according to His perfect standard.

And, unlike the temporary accolades of the world, this crown will never fade.

Let me remind you:

Not fame, not success, not popularity, not the size of our ministry—none of that matters in eternity.

When Christ comes back, the only question that will matter is this: were you faithful?

(Hold up the celery again)

This celery, while fresh and bright now, is ultimately a picture of a wasted life if we live for things that fade.

Instead of investing in what withers, let’s fix our eyes on the imperishable crown that Christ promises to all who live faithfully for Him, and who long for His appearing.

Application:

Can you look at your life right now and honestly say, "My life reflects an eager longing for Christ's appearing?" Pause and examine your heart:

Are you more excited about the next achievement or promotion this world offers, or do you live with a deep anticipation for the eternal crown of righteousness and the ultimate restoration that Christ’s return promises?

Do your thoughts, your priorities, and your actions show that your heart is fixed on the eternal, or are you investing in what will ultimately fade away?

What would it take today for you to lay aside the pursuit of the fleeting celery crown and embrace the only crown that truly lasts—the crown of righteousness in Christ?

Conclusion:

To close, I would like us to consider the life of Jim Elliot, the missionary who famously said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Driven by a relentless call from Christ, Elliot went to Ecuador to share the gospel with the Huaorani people, fully aware of the risks—chief among them, death.

In 1956, at just 28 years old, Elliot and four other missionaries were martyred by the very people they sought to reach.

They were killed not for political power, fame, or personal achievement, but because they were faithful to the gospel.

Their lives were poured out, not for fleeting success or recognition, but for the eternal reward of knowing Christ and making Him known.

Elliot’s life was marked by a singular purpose: to live for eternity, not the temporary things of this world.

He had his eyes fixed on the crown of righteousness Paul speaks of in verse 8—a reward that is imperishable, unlike the empty accolades the world offers.

Jim Elliot's life, though tragically short, continues to inspire millions to live with a focus on what truly matters—the eternal glory of Christ.

As Paul was called to live with his eyes on the prize, so are we.

Don’t waste your life on fleeting “celery crowns”—things that wither and pass away.

Run the race for the imperishable reward that Christ promises, and finish faithful.

As John Piper so powerfully said in his book Don’t Waste Your Life,

“You don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world, but you do have to know the few great things that matter—and then be willing to live and die for them.”

If your life were to end today, would you be found finishing faithful in God’s eyes?

Are you living for eternity, or are you chasing after the fading rewards of this world?

Walter Henrichsen once said, “Many aspire, but few attain”.

In other words, It is easier to start well then to finish well.

Let us be determined, by God’s grace, to finish well—with hearts ablaze for eternity!

Prayer & Transition to The Lord’s Supper:

Heavenly Father,

As we come now to partake of the Lord’s Supper, we pause to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of Christ—His willingness to give His life for us.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, He has secured for us the crown of righteousness that we could never attain on our own.

As we feast on Him, remind us that we are called to offer our lives, just as He offered His for us.

Thank You, Jesus, for securing our eternal reward.

Help us live with our eyes set on that reward, living for eternity and eagerly awaiting Your return.

May we long for Your appearing and live in the light of the hope You’ve given us.

We proclaim Your death until You come, knowing that in You, our greatest reward is already assured.

In Jesus' mighty and merciful name we pray, Amen.