Finishing Well in the Family of God
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
While today we want to thank Dennis and Jan for their faithfulness, integrity, hard labor, and so much more than words can say this morning. If you think they did all of this for their own praiseworthiness, than I am afraid you missed their heart. Dennis and Jan have pour countless years into the life and betterment of Calvary. But they did it for the praise of the Lord and to magnify Jesus.
Which is why I want to direct our attention the words of Paul as he wrote his final letter to Timothy that we know about in 2 Timothy. What would Paul share with his friend/son in the faith as his end was drawing to a close?
We are going to see 2 areas that Paul direct Timothy about finishing well and an exhortation to Timothy to do the same.
Before we jump into this area that Paul talks about let’s be clear Dennis and Jan are not done. They are getting reassigned to another adventure that the Lord is directing to them. While we speak of retirement, we know that Dennis and Jan will continue to faithfully serve Him in their new assignment whatever that looks like.
1st area that Paul tells Timothy
1. I Lived Life on Mission for Jesus
1. I Lived Life on Mission for Jesus
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Fighting the good fight
(agōnizomai), struggle; fight; strive. Agonizing
We do not always consider the spiritual nature of being a Christian, but Paul was reminding Timothy that there is a spiritual war out there. If we are going to live life on mission, we are going to need to be prepared to fight each day. Not with physical weapons but as Paul says in Eph 6, put on the armor of God.
So what does that mean for us here today?
I need to know the Word. I need to read it. I need to understand it. I am willing to get some good resources that help me grow in my understanding about it. As Christians developing a love of reading is important and I know it isn’t easy for everyone. There are lots of good audio resources as well. Make a plan to help grow your walk and preparedness.
Finishing the race
Acts 13:25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
In the Christian walk, we are running a marathon not a sprint. It can be easy to look at where we are and think, “I wish I was further along or that this was faster.” But the reality is each day is a journey. But Paul was saying my trajectory towards Christ hasn’t waivered. Philippians 3:12–14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
So what does that mean for us here today?
It is waking up each day, deciding that I am going to faithfully, not perfectly, follow Christ today. Asking for wisdom and discernment as I do battle with my sin, repent when I fail, and seek His Word and grow through His power.
Kept the faith
Paul faced many challenges in his walk with Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:24–27 “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”
Yet through all of that Paul could confidently say, it was worth every bit of it, because of who Jesus is.
Dennis and Jan we want to thank you for living as Paul did. Your life both in ministry and privately were lived on mission for Christ and we know it will continue on through this next adventure. Now we must continue on as Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:5 “As for you....fulfill your ministry.”
Which brings us to the second area that Paul tells Timothy
2. I Kept My Eyes on the Goal for Jesus
2. I Kept My Eyes on the Goal for Jesus
2 Timothy 4:8 “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.”
We can ask the question, “Why live on mission and why go through so much as a Christian? Is it worth it?” Paul says as a conclusion to these questions. I know there awaits a reward for those who love Christ and live life as such. But I do not do it for the prize. I do it because Christ is worthy of my devotion to Him. He died and saved me from an eternity in hell, what else could I do but live my life for Him.
Crown of righteousness
This crown that Paul describes as imperishable in 1 Corinthians 9:25 “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” was the highlight for Paul as he concludes his thoughts. This is the highest gift each Christian receives because it is the gift of righteousness that is promised as the full sanctification is achieved in the life eternal. Every believer receives this crown, James 1:12 talks about it as the crown of life, Peter in 1 Peter 5:4 talks about the unfading crown of glory.
Righteous judge
Paul reminds us that there is no flaw in our Lord’s judgment. He is righteous. He is accurate. He is without flaw. There is no partiality in Him.
That day
Paul is talking about the day the Lord returns as He promised. 1 Corinthians 15:51–54 “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.””
Philippians 2:14–16 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
loved his appearing
As Titus 2:12–13 “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”
Motivating us to live lives of godliness.
Paul lived each day in expectation that Jesus could come back at anytime. This is often referred to as the imminent return of Christ. Which means that Christ’s return is the next major event that we await.
This concept emphasizes that there are no specific biblical prophecies or events that must occur before Christ's return, making it possible at any given time.
Robert G. Clouse, ed., The End of Days: Essential Selections from Apocalyptic Texts—Annotated & Explained, SkyLight Illuminations Series (Woodstock, VT: SkyLight Paths Publishing, 2007), 184.
Next Steps:
Next Steps:
Take time this week to look at your life and ask what would need to change if I am not living on mission for Jesus.
Maybe:
My schedule needs adjusted
My priorities needs adjusted
If you are living on mission for Jesus, continue to run the marathon set before you and do not get discouraged. There is a great reward set for those looking to Jesus.
