Finishing the Race 2 Timothy 4:1-8

-I can finish the race of spiritual life faithfully

It’s a grueling 543.7 mile endurance race from Sydney to Melbourne, Australia – the world’s longest and toughest ultra-marathon. In 1983, 150 world-class runners converged on Sydney for the event.

On the day of the race, a toothless 61 year old potato farmer and sheepherder named Cliff Young approached the registration table wearing overalls and galoshes over his work boots. At first, people thought he was there to watch the race, but to their surprise, Cliff Young declared his intention to run and requested a number.

Cliff Young had grown up on a farm without the benefit of luxuries like horses and four wheel drives. When the storms rolled in, Cliff headed out to round up 2000 sheep over a 2000 acre farm. Sometimes he had to run them two or three days to complete the round up.

The incredulous staff issued Cliff #64. As he mingled with the other runners at the starting line, spectators couldn’t believe their eyes. “This must be a joke!” some mused.

When the gun went off, bystanders snickered at Cliff, left behind in his galoshes and overalls as the other runners with their sculpted bodies and running gear briskly began the race. Snickers gave way to laughter when Cliff began to run, not like the other runners, but with what could only be described as a leisurely, odd, shuffle.

All of Australia was riveted to the live telecast as they watched the scene unfold. “Someone should stop that crazy old man before he kills himself!”

Five days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes later, Cliff Young came shuffling across the finish line in Melbourne, winning the ultra-marathon! He didn’t win by a few seconds, or even a few minutes. The nearest runner was 9 hours and 56 minutes behind.

Australians were stunned at this remarkable yet seemingly impossible victory. How did it happen?

Everyone knew that the only way to win the ultra-marathon was to  run for 18 hours, then stop and sleep for six hours. This routine was repeated for five punishing days. But no one told Cliff Young. He just shuffled along, day and night, night and day, without stopping to sleep. Cliff broke the previous race record by nine hours and became overnight a national hero.

I. Be Ready vv. 1-2

In this morning’s passage, Paul is giving a final charge to Timothy

What he is saying is essential for Timothy to finish faithfully

It is more than an instruction, it is a command.

This instruction is given under the authority of Jesus:

He is going to judge the living and the dead

There is a judgment to condemnation for all of those who are not found in Christ

There is also a judgment for the Christian. It is not a judgment of condemnation but of reward

We will be examined by Christ at His appearing

He is returning and He will reign over His kingdom forever

He has ultimate authority and we will give an account of ourselves to Him

What is His expectation?

We must proclaim and live by the truth of His Word: Preach it!

There are many other tasks that we can engage in for the sake of the Kingdom

However, this one is utterly critical and we must not be sidetracked from it

We must be ready:

This is true in those moments where we seem most likely to need to proclaim the truth

However, it is equally true in those unexpected moments; we must be ready!

We must take people to the place where God’s Word meets their lives:

We reprove, showing people the truth

We rebuke, exposing the lie

We exhort, encouraging faithfulness

We do this with grace!

We must have an attitude of patience

We must have a desire for instruction

We should want people to learn, grow, and experience transformation to righteousness

It was noon, but the sun wasn’t visible. New England’s Dark Day began the morning of May 19, 1780, and lasted for hours. The cause of the surreal darkness was likely heavy clouds of smoke from massive wildfires in Canada, but many wondered if it might be judgment day.

The Connecticut governor’s council (senate) was in session, and when some considered adjourning because of the darkness, Abraham Davenport responded, “I am against adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for an adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought.”

II. Be Sober-Minded vv. 3-5

Next, Paul sounds a warning to Timothy. It gives him the reason for readiness

A time is coming soon (in fact, we are living in it) when people will not endure sound teaching

What does he mean by this?

There will be a dissatisfaction with the Gospel

There will be a refusal to accept the “teaching that accords with godliness”

Why will they not endure the sound teaching?

I think the answer is pretty simple- the Gospel does not leave me any room for self-glorification

It empties me of any kind of pride, if I accept it.

It rejects earning and deserving for the sake of receiving a gift and being strengthened by grace

It is not about what I can do but is instead all about what Christ has done!

Our itching ears scream for affirmation; we want a teaching that will help us glory in the thing that we love best: ourselves

In the absence of this self-glorying teaching, those with itching ears will flee the truth

Instead, they will pile up teachers who will give them a false gospel of self-help, prosperity, and manifestation

Rather than inviting people to believe the Gospel, they invite people to believe in themselves or to believe that God is a tool to be manipulated to accomplish my own ends

Eventually, this wondering leads to wandering from the truth!

How should we respond?

Be sober-minded: Keep your head on straight!

We must not be too overwhelmed by the size of our audiences or the volume of our detractors!

It turns out that popularity and faithfulness do not correlate in anyway!

Endure suffering: it will be difficult at times to live differently and according to the freedom of the Gospel

Do the work of an evangelist: do not assume that others believe the good news. We must pursue them with the truth

Fulfill the ministry: be found faithful to do all that God has for you to do.

When I was a kid playing football, we used to do a drill called “Bull in the Ring”. Each of us took turns going into the middle of a ring of players. A number would be called and a random player would run in and hit the bull in the ring. The goal was for the guy in the middle to learn to pay attention, move quickly, and to take on a big hit. One day, when it was my turn, the number was called and nobody came to hit me. I made a full circle around the ring, looking for my attacker, but nobody came. For just a second, I relaxed, and just as I did I absorbed one of the worst hits I think I’ve ever taken. For just a moment, I was taken by surprise and I “lost my head”. That’s how it is for us. We cannot be overwhelmed by the hardships or successes of life and service to the Lord.

III. Be Hopeful vv. 6-8

These last words to Timothy are pretty poignant, because they send Paul to reflect on his own ministry: it is at an end

He uses two images to describe this:

He is poured out as a drink offering- used up completely

He is departing on a journey- he will not return

Not only is it over, but Paul can honestly say that he has finished well:

He fought the fight of faith- he was consistent in contending for the truth

He finished the race of faith- he did all that God set in front of him to accomplish

He remained in the faith- he was faithful to Christ, in a personal and relational way

He can look ahead from here with hope:

He will receive a crown of righteousness, a recognition of his faithfulness

He will receive it as a reward from Christ. The One he has served will honor him in the end.

He will share it with the people of God. This reward is available to all of us!

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him. In fact, every time you see the torch relay to open the modern Olympics, you are watching a tribute to the ancient torch race.

Philippians 1:6

[6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

So, this leaves us with a few questions:

Are you ready to live out the truth and share it with others?

Are you sober-minded, honestly counting the cost of following Jesus?

Are you hopeful, believing God to reward the cost of faith?