Hold Nothing Back

INTRO:

NOW:

Mariano Rivera

19 seasons… all for the Yankees

13 time all-star

5 time World Series Champion

Holds the Major League Record 652 saves

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2019 in his first year of eligibility, and was the first player ever to be elected unanimously by the Baseball Writers' Association of America

9/26/13 Final game at home … Yankee stadium

long-time teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte

long-time teammate and his current manager Joe Girardi losing it

ovation lasted close 5 minutes

*** that’s what it looks like when you get to the end and you’ve given everything!

Mariano Rivera was one of my favorite players because...

for 19 seasons he Held nothing back. Poured it all out. he played the game in a way to where he would have nothing left when he finished.

as we turn to our passage today...

THEN:

the Apostle Paul has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith and now looks forward to receiving the crown of righteousness.

but before he goes, he writes one final letter to his good friend Timothy… to encourage him to do the same.

ALWAYS:

When we live our life in line with God’s Word, we can look forward to receiving the crown of righteousness.

Read the text: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

PRAYER

BODY:

Paul’s emphasis on the Word continues from the end of chapter 3 and the beginning of chapter 4

Preach the Word

People will not listen to sound teaching and will turn from the truth

truth becomes irrelevant… what is truth?

[our time with high schoolers this semester with Michael looking for the answer to that question… “What is truth?” and talking about world views....

John 6:60-66 (many of Jesus’s disciples didn’t want to hear what he was saying)

But for Timothy, he should be sober-minded, endure the suffering he will inevitably face, and fulfill his ministry by doing the wok of an evangelist.... namely… preach the Word

For that is the example Paul has set for Timothy and all of his followers.... and now...

- Paul is being poured out as a drink offering (Numbers 15:5)

vs. 6 - an offering of a valuable or sacred liquid (blood & water) to God

vs. 7 -

Compassionate Generosity (James 2:15) (OCC.... but not just at Christmas.... not just to make ourselves feel good..... but to show the love of Christ.... COMPASSIONATE generosity… not generosity that is ultimately about us!

Sacrificial Obedience (James 2:21) Abraham (abraham had already learned his lesson. had a child with Hagar instead of waiting on God’s promise… not this time… if God tells me to jump my only answer is how high… if God tells me to sacrifice the most important thing in my life to me… I will let it go because I TRUST HIM.

Uncalculated Risk (James 2:25) Rahab (if we will wave the banner of the scarlet blood of Jesus, when he returns He will take us to safely to our new home!!)

vs. 8 - the crown of righteousness… not only for Paul.... but all who have loved his appearing....

Revelation 22:20 says, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’

CONCLUSION:

When we live our life in line with God’s Word,

when we live with:

compassionate generosity

sacrificial obedience

and uncalculated risk

we can look forward to receiving the crown of righteousness.

WE will be able to say:

I held nothing back

I poured it all out

and

I lived life FOR JESUS in a way that I would have nothing left when I finished.

One Last Thing To Say by James Tealy

Verse 1

If I had one last thing to say A chance to speak my mind Before I go my way A curtain closing line

Verse 2

I'd want to lift your chin And look you in the eyes I'd want to raise my voice And wake you up inside

Chorus

And I say live by faith unafraid Just the hand that guides your way Dream out loud brave and proud Vanquish doubt from every day I'd tell you that you ought to give your life away If I had one last thing to say

the Apostle Paul said, “that i have been crucified with Christ. and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”

it’s time for us to lay down our life for Christ… the one who gave his up for us

PRAY