2 Timothy 4:6-22 “Run with Purpose”

We are pleased to announce that Matt Cross and Keli Rudd have stepped in to fulfill the administration position. Matt will also oversee the day-to-day office responsibilities

I think we have a great staff and thankful for them and to everyone else who faithfully serves this body

Introduction:

As Paul writes his final words to Timothy, we are not reading the voice of a defeated man, but of a faithful servant finishing well.

He is chained, aging, and awaiting execution in a Roman prison—yet his heart is confident, hopeful, and full of assurance.

Paul knows his life and ministry are almost over, and these words are his final encouragement to the next generation of believers.

What we see in this passage is a man not afraid of death, because he has lived his life poured out for Christ.

He reminds Timothy—and us—that the Christian life is a fight, a race, and a calling that requires faithfulness until the very end.

His message is simple: finish well, stand strong, and never forget that the Lord stands with His people.

1. (V6) I am being poured out as a drink offering

a) The end is near

Paul knowing his life is near its end, gives context to his strong charge to timothy in verse 1

2 Timothy 4:1 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”

Be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and fulfill your calling

Paul sitting on death row had a confident expectation, he had assurance in the promises of God, but also his conscience was clear because he had been faithful

Christians die well because of their hope

I’ve sat with believers as they near the end of their life

There is an excitement as they look forward to the promise of eternal life with Christ, but also a sadness because they’re departing from their loved ones

That was Paul…

Philippians 1:23 “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”

b) 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.

When we read through the NT we find great evidence that Paul lived that type of life

He emptied himself for Christ

c) My departure is at hand

The word departure is a travers term commonly used for death

It carries the meaning of hoisting an anchor and to set sail into eternity

1.1 (V7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race

a) Paul drawls on the image of faithfulness in stewardship of the Christian faith

Faithfulness is not measured by comfort or ease, but by obedience until the end

Paul has been a faithful steward in word, in deed, and by example

In 2 Cor Paul writes of his challenges, his sufferings, and how he was mistreated by those he loved

But his suffering never slowed him down

He lived James 1:2-3…

James 1:2–3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

b) Paul reminds us of the fight every Christian is engaged in

But Imagine walking into a boxing ring or an octagon and not knowing your in a fight

You would be in great danger

There are Christian who don’t realize their in a fight and there are others who have become distracted in the fight

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

There is an unseen battle, we do not war according to the flesh

Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

The battle takes place in the mind

Fight the battle through spending intimate time with the Lord through prayer, reading the Word, and yielding to the Holy Spirit in obedience

We don’t focus on the enemy, we focus on Christ and allow Him to fight for us

c) He kept the faith, he ran well, he finished the race

Paul didn’t start out great

Remember he was a persecutor of the faith, but God transformed his life and he finished his race strong

⚡️Application: How well are you running your race?

If we were in Paul’s position, nearing the last few days of our life and evaluating our walk with Christ

Would you say that you are fulfilling your God given purpose?

Have you kept the faith?

Are you ready to go home?

We should always be ready because the finish line can come at any moment

1.2 (V8) Finally, there is laid up the crown of righteousness

a) Finally, Paul can see the finish line in sight and his eyes are set on the prize

We can get so caught up in the rat race that we forget there is an end

b) The crown of righteousness

Paul referred to the victor’s crown – the crown that was essentially a trophy, recognizing that one had competed according to the rules and had won the victory.

This is the judgement seat of Christ, where believers will give an account of their works in Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 9:25 “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

c) Paul was encouraging Timothy to look forward to the appearing of the return of the Lord on that Day

Because Paul loved his appearing and looked forward to it, he lived righteously and served faithfully

Not just for me, but all who loved His appearing

2. (V9-15) Be diligent to come to me quickly

Paul desired companionship, come quickly, don’t waste any time

a) Demas was once his fellow worker

But now Demas had deserted the apostle to embrace the freedom and comfort of Thessalonica

He started out well, but Demas went astray

b) Bring Mark, he is useful to me for ministry

If you remember, Mark was the cousin of Barnabas

In the Book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas got into a heated argument over Mark when he turned back on a mission trip

At the end of Paul’s life, he now finds Mark as useful for the ministry

c) Alexander was a common name, but it’s believed

 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm: In 1 Timothy 1:20 Paul mentioned Alexander as someone whose faith had suffered shipwreck.

Now Paul warned Timothy about this same man.

2.1 (V16) At my first defense no one stood with me, all forsook me

a) At trials, it was common for advocates to come forward a present a defense for the accused, but in Pauls case, no one came forward

It had become a dangerous time to be a Christian in Rome

Nero had made the christians the scapegoat for the fire in Rome

Paul was the outspoken apostle and it appears others feared coming to testify on his behalf

b) All forsook Paul

You can imagine the pain Paul experienced…

He had been faithful to minister to so many

Yet in his time of need, nobody came to his defense

c) May it not be charged against them

Paul shows grace to those who abandoned him

May it not be charged to them

Maybe Paul was thinking back to the time when he consented to the death of Stephan and Stephan said, “Do not charge them with this sin

Acts 7:60 “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Love in action

1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””

His love covered the sin

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

a) The Lord stood with Paul to strengthened him to accomplish His will

The work the Lord calls us to, is not easy, but he stands with us to complete it

We’re never alone

I remind myself of this verse often

b) Man may let you down but God will never

His friends and fellow labors let him down, but God will never let us down

c) I was delivered out of the mouth of a lion

Paul was probably reflecting on David, when God delivered him from a lion and bear, which gave David the confidence to stand up and defeat the giant Goliath

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.””

3.1 (V18) The Lord will deliver and preserve me

a) The Lord delivered Paul through many trials to accomplish His will

We’re untouchable until He has finished using us

Acts 23:11 “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.””

b) The Lord preserves us and nobody can snatches away from the Lord

John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

CONCLUSSION:

Paul’s final testimony reminds us that the Christian life is not about how we start, but how we finish.

He had been poured out, he had fought, and he had run with perseverance.

He faced abandonment, opposition, and loneliness, yet he never lost sight of his purpose.

And through it all, the Lord stood with him.

If today were our final day… could we say what Paul said?

That we fought well?

That we ran faithfullY?

That we poured out our lives for Christ?

May each of us resolve to finish our race with the same confidence Paul had—not because of our strength, but because the Lord who called us is faithful and will never leave us.

There will be people to pray for your needs