Paul’s Last Words

Introduction

General: On March 12, 2018, I officiated the funeral service of Corinne’s grandmother, Barbara Carter.

Personal: What do you want people to remember about you at the end of your life? What do you want to pass on? What do you want to be said at your funeral?

Biblical: 2 Timothy is the last letter the Apostle Paul wrote before his death, somewhere between 62-65 AD. These are Paul’s last words.

Subject: Key verse, 2 Tim 1:13. In Paul’s final words we see (1) the perspective of life in Christ, (2) the faithfulness of God, (3) the importance of people, and (4) the beauty of grace.

Body (2 Tim 4:6-22)

The Perspective of Life In Christ: The end is just the beginning. See 2 Tim 4:6-8, 18.

Exposition

Paul’s life is Jesus. Following Jesus isn’t just what he’s done but who he’s become. Christianity is not what he believes but who he is.

Paul has moved from living like Jesus to living for Jesus to living with Jesus and now—at the end—to living in Jesus. And he’s found that for those who are in Christ, the end is just the beginning.

In other words: Live differently (with regard to faith).

Illustration: We live in a time where Christianity is a set of religious beliefs you hold or a set of religious traditions you practice. But Jesus never invited anyone to convert to Christianity. Instead, see Mark 1:17-18 (ESV).

Application: Is Christianity what I believe, how I live, or who I am?

Is your life attached to Jesus? What have you left to follow Him?

Is Jesus the fundamental reality of your life // the defining truth of your identity?

Is Jesus the sun around which the planet of your life orbits?

The Faithfulness of God: Jesus is and will always be with you. See 2 Tim 4:16-18.

Illustration: My church split… “Every pastor, every teacher, every friend will fail you at some point. I will fail you. Your mom will fail you. But one person will never fail you. Jesus has never failed me. He will never fail you.” ~ Tim Fuqua

Exposition: Everyone abandoned Paul. But the Lord stood by him, strengthened him, rescued him, and will bring him safely home.

Application: In other words: Live differently (with regard to suffering).

Ps 23:4 (ESV)… Ps 23:3 (ESV)… The path of righteousness goes through the valley of shadow.

We don’t go into the valley of shadow shaking our fists at God. The valley is the place we experience the faithfulness and presence of God.

The Importance of People: People matter—love them well.

Exposition: Demas, Crescens, Titus, Luke, Mark, Tychicus, Carpus, Alexander, Priscilla, Aquila, Onesiphorus, Erastus, Trophimus, Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, all the brothers…

Illustration: Pastor of a megachurch’s dream… God didn’t ask how many people were saved through his preaching, how many he’d baptized, how many small group leaders he’d trained, how many missionaries he’d sent, or how many pastors he’d graduated from his Bible college. God asked, “What are the names of your son’s friends?”

Application: Don’t follow the pattern of the world. In other words: Live differently (with regard to what really matters in life).

The way of Jesus is a way together. See 1 John 3:14.

“You preached a good sermon, young man. But remember, no matter how good the music is, no matter how good the preaching is, it’s the friendliness of a church that makes the difference.” ~ Ric Johnson

We live in a world that is terrified of commitment. But in the family of God, our lives follow a different pattern. We don’t measure our lives by our net worth or our accomplishments but by the relationships we’ve built, the people we’ve loved, and lives we’ve touched.

The Beauty of Grace: Grace changes everything. See 2 Tim 4:22.

Exposition: The last few words Paul would ever write: “Grace be with you all.”

The technical, theological definition of grace is “unmerited favor.” The practical, real life, rubber meets the road definition of grace is “the concrete expression of love.”

We see grace in action in 2 Tim 4:16… O that we could live like that! “May it not be held against them.”

Application: Guided Forgiveness Reflection

Conclusion

As followers of Jesus, our lives follow a different pattern.

Jesus is the defining truth of our identity, and for us, the grave is only the beginning of eternal life in Christ.

Because God is faithful, we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, trusting Him.

The way of Jesus is a way we walk together. People matter—so, we love them well.

Grace is the beauty of love made real, so our motto is: “May it not be held against them.”

See 2 Tim 4:6… What are you pouring your life out for? Who are you pouring your life into?