Faithful to the End: An Obituary for an Apostle
2 Timothy • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro:
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Tonight, we will conclude our study in 2 Timothy, entitled [Faithful to the End]. Furthermore, this is our final chapter in our study in the life and writings of Paul. I have titled this message, [An Obituary for an Apostle].
Death is an interesting topic. The only way to escape its grip is through the coming of the Lord. Otherwise, we will all follow what the writer of Hebrews said,
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Though it is a part of life, it is the part of life we really do not like to discuss.
I remember visiting Sister Jackson toward the end of our 96 years on earth. Her son John mentioned one of their conversations. He told her, “Mother, very soon you will see Jesus, you will see your husband, and other family members who have passed away.”
Unable to speak, she took her white board and methodically wrote, “I like living.”
Pastor Tucker shared a similar sentiment. Toward the end of his life, he would talk about heaven. I know he longed to see Jesus. He also talked about seeing his son and grandson again.
He once told me, “Daniel, I don’t mind dying if it wasn’t for the dying part.”
Because of my role as a pastor, I have attended and conducted many funerals. In each one, the funeral home hands me the individual’s obituary.
The obituary explains the life of the individual who passed away. It includes information about their birth, their life, and other facts about the person.
In one of our closets at the house is a wooden box that looks like a Bible. It has been around my entire life. I got it from my grandmother. She saved every family member or family friend’s obituaries.
As a child, it seemed somewhat morbid. But I went through it with my mom recently, and she used it to tell me stories about my great-grandparents, and other relatives I never met.
I do not know if they had obituaries in the first century. I do not know if Paul had a copy of his families life stories. However, as we read this chapter, we will see Paul’s pragmatic and somewhat emotional view on death.
By this point in his life, persecution against Christians intensified. Paul had been imprisoned before, but this time was different. He understood his departure from his cell meant his death.
He took this time to reflect on his life. However, he did not bemoan the fact that he would soon die. He already explained in
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians
In reality, this was the moment he waited for decades. He knew death was merely a door to meet his Savior. However, his impending death was not void of reflection.
We do not have a copy of his obituary. Yet we have a memorial of sorts in chapter four. Following the pattern of most obituaries, I noticed three aspects of this final chapter from Paul, [His Vocation], [His Vision], and [His Visitors].
Let’s begin
1. His Vocation
1. His Vocation
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: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Remember the recipient of this letter. Timothy longed to hear how his spiritual father faired in Rome. He heard he was in prison, the letter confirmed the rumor.
Paul decided to take this time to write to Timothy concerning what he should do. Paul used his personal example to help his spiritual son.
He started by charging Timothy. To charge someone was in effect making them stand before a judge. In other words, Paul told Timothy to remember he would stand before the Judge of the universe.
Paul, who was about to stand before God Almighty reminded Timothy, fulfill your vocation and PREACH THE WORD. He then provided insight to the purpose of preaching.
When someone preaches the word, the act as a herald who represents their king. Those who preach represent the King of the Universe.
We must not take preaching lightly. When the one who preaches prays through, studies the word, and comes before the congregation, both one who preaches and the one who listens should realize the weight of the activity.
However, preaching is not just a pulpit activity. We must be instant, in season and out of season. In other words, we must stay ready to tell others about Christ, depending on the Holy Spirit to help us.
What does preaching accomplish?
Convince- means to prove, refute, or persuade. Paul wanted Timothy to depend on the Holy Spirit to help him convince people of the truth of God’s plan for their lives.
Rebuke- also means to correct or call attention to wrong doing. Many times a message will point out our need to make changes.
I would like to add here, when I preach, I try not to preach TO you, I want to preach WITH you. I do not consider myself about a message. I do not preach on forgiveness, if I am not willing to forgive. I do not preaching on giving, if I am not willing to give.
Long before I get in the pulpit, the message has settled in my heart, many times I have felt rebuked or corrected by studying for a particular message.
Exhort- I like this part of preaching. Convincing and correction always work better when they are followed by exhorting, or encouraging people to live out what they’ve heard.
Preaching, which is different in its importance than a song or Sunday School lesson, is inspired by God to help people who otherwise only want listen to what they want to hear.
Paul looked to a day when people would not endure sound doctrine. They will look for preaching that tells them what they want to hear and not what they need to hear.
What was Paul’s remedy? Do not get distracted, instead, keep preaching truth, endure difficult seasons, and share the good news through active evangelism.
How did Paul know so much about preaching?
It was his vocation. It reminds me of my Great-Grandfather. He always took pride that he retired from Chrysler. It was one of his first jobs and he stuck with it until the end.
Likewise, Paul stayed with his role as a minister who preached the gospel. If he had an obituary, his preaching ministry would have been included.
2. His Vision
2. His Vision
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Paul vision included believing in what he could not see. What kept him going through all the turmoil he faced? He had a vision of heaven that kept him forward focused.
To describe his vision, he employed imagery to make his point. He knew his time was close, and he described it as a drink offering.
In Jewish worship, they would take a glass of wine and pour it out on the altar to symbolize the blood that would cover their sins.
Likewise, Paul was emptied of his strength. He poured himself into the churches and people God allowed him to start and lead. Now, there was not much left for the time of his departure was at hand.
Paul’s vision for his life was not born out of self-ambition, it was revealed to him by Jesus.
Acts 9:
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
He knew the price of following Jesus. As he looked back on his past, he compared his life to a fight or a race, both of which he finished.
How did he accomplish such a strong finish?
He had faith in God that when this life is over, there was a hope for him in heaven. Specifically, he longed for the crown of righteousness.
Chuck Swindoll explains what happened in ancient times when an athlete received a crown for their victory. The officials would place their name in brass on a the walls of the city.
Then their debts were canceled, and they recieved permanent tax-free status. Finally, merchants would give their family a lifetime supply of free food.
Paul looked for a similar reward, except he had hope that God would place his name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. He trusted his debt of sin was cancelled because of his faith in Christ.
Finally, he looked for the day when he would stand before God, knowing everything he needed was provided through God’s love in sending His Son.
However, Paul’s vision extended beyond himself. He trusted that EVERYONE who shares this vision of living a righteous life would share in the victory that comes when we die.
If Paul had an obituary, it would include his vocation and his vision. Finally, we will see...
3. His Visitors
3. His Visitors
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Whenever someone is near the end of their lives, people generally start to visit. This was not so for Paul. In fact, in a state of loneliness, he begged Timothy to come visit.
Why? Because many people deserted Paul. Many of these names we know little of, but they meant enough for Paul to mention them.
Demas was one who followed Christ and worked with Paul, but he evidently left the faith. Another man named Alexander did Paul much harm. We do not know how, but God does.
However, Paul did mention five faithful men who helped him.
Crescens from Galatia, we know nothing except he helped Paul.
Titus- who was a spiritual son of Paul, also the recipient of the book of Titus.
Luke- Paul’s physician and the only one who was with Paul while he languished in the dungeon.
Mark- I love that Paul mentioned him. He was the one who deserted Paul on his first mission’s trip. However, God brought reconciliation to them and now they helped each other in the ministry.
Tychicus- a man who delivered Paul’s letters to Ephesus, Colossae, and Philemon.
While these men were scattered abroad, Paul had other friends in Rome, but they did not come to his aid when he was on trial.
One author suggests, “Of Paul’s final trial, nothing is known beyond a tradition that he was condemned by resolution of the Senate on the charge of treason against the divine emperor.”
On the day of his trial, his friends were not there. For one reason, accompanying Paul would have also sealed their death. Paul could have resented them. Instead, he lovingly requested no one hold it against them. Why?
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
Even though others left him, the Lord never left his side. He believed God would use this to help others in the advancement of the gospel.
He trusted the Lord would deliver him. Though he knew he would die, this deliverance would come when the Lord greeted Him in heaven.
I love how he still had it in him to praise God for His goodness and deliverance from every evil work!
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. 21 Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
Paul instructed Timothy to greet his dear friends, knowing that he might not see them again. However, he did ask Timothy to come before winter.
Notice in verse thirteen, he asked him to also bring Paul’s coat, which shows us how sad of a state Paul faced. Did this bother him? No, he depended on God!
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Close:
What started as sincere desire of wanting to know what to teach in January 2017, led us to three years of studying the life and writings of Paul.
I feel like I know him better and appreciate his writings even more. I set myself a task for this message. Because as surprising as this may be, the internet does not have Paul’s obituary. I decided to write one:
Saul was born in Tarsus. He was born with both Jewish and Roman citizenship. At a young he passionately studied the scripture, landing him a coveted position as a student of the famed Pharisee Gamaliel.
Following in his mentors footsteps, Paul became a Pharisee, zealously keeping the law and requiring everyone else to do the same.
He arrived at a level of prestige and respect among his contemporaries. However, if asked about that time in his life, he did not boast in his success, but compared his actions to that of a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent man.
Around 35 AD, Saul went to Damascus to squelch the fledging Christian movement. However something dramatic occured. He was struck blind. Jesus Christ spoke to him and he accepted Christ as his Savior. Three days later he recieved his sight as he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Both Jews and Christians did not either trust or like him, so he returned home for some time. During this time away, God spoke to him, giving him explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
His good friend Barnabas helped him get his start in ministry. On their first mission’s trip, they established many churches in the Galatian region.
On his second mission’s trip, he took the Gospel to European soil, going to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and eventually Corinth.
On his third mission’s trip, he went to Ephesus, Macedonia, Achaia, and he returned to Jerusalem.
Paul wrote many letters and theological discourses. He started numerous churches. Led many people to the Lord.
Having never married, he leaves no survivors, except for those he helped in the ministry, specifically Timothy, Titus, Silas, and others.
Unlike other people with his talent, Paul never boasted in anything he did. His aim was to glorify Christ, even if that meant imprisonment, beatings, persecution, and eventual martyrdom.
Paul leaves an example of what happens for those who live a life of abandon for Christ. When his life was finally taken by the Emperor Nero, he closed his eyes on earth and when they opened, He saw the face of His Savior.
I do not know if this was his obituary. But I know Paul’s life has left an impression on my life, as a pastor, husband, friend, but most of all as child of God.
Instead, he lovinlgy requested no one hold it against them.
I believe God wants us to model his life and seek God to use us in a supernatural way like He did for Paul.