2 Timothy 4 Finish Well

Scripture: Jen

Intro: Sushi Restaurant in Subway

Have you heard about the hardest reservation to get in Japan

It’s a sushi restaurant in a subway

There are only 9 seats at a bar

It costs you $300

There is no menu, the Chef gives you the food and you only eat for 15 minutes

The restaurant is run by a 99 year old man who had run the place since he was 40

He gets up at 5am seven days a week

What makes this even more remarkable is that he left his home at age 7 to find work because his family was incredibly poor

He became a sushi apprentice at 15 years old

at 99 he is still running his restaurant

That is a picture of finishing well

Paul is another picture of someone who finished well

Today we see his last words ever written

He charges Timothy to preach the Word, proclaims his fought the good fight, and shows us the source of his strength to do so.

Preach the Word vs. 1-5

Paul finished well because he Preached the Word

vs. 1 Jesus will judge

Paul charges Timothy to preach the Word

The idea here is that Paul gave Timothy a charge or orders

The witnesses to those orders were God & Jesus

This is a serious oath that Timothy has taken

That oath is powerful because one day he will have to stand before Jesus and be judged for how well he fulfilled that oath

Paul tells timothy to preach the Word

The Greek word there is kerusso

It means to proclaim

To announce that Jesus came to save the world

Acts 10:42 ESV

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.

The greatest and most important thing Timothy can do is to preach the Word of God

vs. 2 Ready to Correct w/ Patience

Timothy was to be ready in season and out

Always be ready to share the hope that is in you

That preaching included reproving, rebuking, and exhorting

Reprove means to examine & bring to light

Rebuke is what we know as reprimanding

Exhort means to strongly encourage

Do all three of those with patience & teaching

Titus 2:15 ESV

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

vs. 3-4 People will Not Endure Sound Teaching

Preachers are to do this because they will not endure sound teaching

They will turn away from the truth

Instead they have itching ears and will seek out teachers who suit their own passions

vs. 5 Do the Work of an Evangelist

Paul then instructs timothy to be sober-minded, do the work of the evangelist, and fulfill his ministry

Being sober-minded doesn’t have to do with alcohol

It means to be alert and watchful

It a contrast to being drunk

Fight the Good Fight vs. 6-8

Paul finished well because he fought the good fight

This section of three verses is known as Paul’s Valedictory or farewell address

This last Thursday I sat on the Cabrillo football field and listened to seniors give their farewell address

They were about what they had accomplished while at school and where they were going in the future

Paul gives us some inspiring yet somber words

Vs. 6 Time of Departure has Come

Paul likened himself to being a drink offering that was poured out

In the OT they would often pour out a glass of wine at the altar

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.

It is a great symbol of PAul’s life.

He gave everything

It is a model for us to follow

As he is in his final days (time of his departure has come) he can say this with full confidence

Philippians 1:21–23 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Paul’s departure was imminent

vs. 7 Fight the Good Fight

Then in some his most inspirational words he proclaims he has fought the good fight and finished the race

Athletes like to use these words in motivation

Paulk knew too well that the work God sent him to do was a battle

He fought hard and he didn’t stop

He has finished the race by keeping the faith

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 ESV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

vs. 8 A Crown Waiting

Because he fought hard and finished well he had a crown waiting for him

It is a crown of righteousness which is much better than a kings crown here on earth

When the ultimate judge awards you a crown it will be for eternity

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Of course we will probably

Strength to Stand vs. 9-22

Paul was able to finish well because he had the strength to stand

He wants Timothy to come to see him in Rome soon

Paul was a man of God but he was not superhuman.

He needed and wanted companionship. Paul was lonely.

vs. 9-16 All Deserted Me

vs. 17-18 Lord Stood by Me