Save the Best for Last - Winona - 8-24-08 PM
Save the Best for Last
2 Timothy 4:1-8
FBC Winona – August 24, 2008 PM Service
· Paul is coming to the end of his time on earth, his time of ministry
· He has preached the word and shared the gospel faithfully
· He has invested his life in Timothy to carry on this ministry
· Now that he comes to the end of his journey, he is preparing his final message
· In 2 Timothy, he begins to describe what things will be like in the last days (ch. 3)
· He is tired, but as committed as ever to get the message out, never retired
When you come to the end of something, you want the last to be the best
· It will be what you are remembered for
· When you plan a concert, you sing the message you want the people to be left with last
· In church, we have the invitation last because it’s the climax of what we are about
2 Timothy 4:1-8
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.
Much debate in recent years regarding the Scriptures, the Word of God
· Inerrancy
· Infallibility
· God’s Word or symbolism
Examine the Text
· V1 - I give you this charge (command); Jesus Christ will judge (make a final decision)
· V2 - Preach the word! (exclamation) in season and out of season (all of the time)
· V3 - time is coming-they will not want sound doctrine but want to hear what their “itching ears” want to hear (itch wants to be scratched) (what they want to hear (OSTEEN?)
· V4 - this causes people to turn away from the truth – turned aside to myths (prosperity?)
Who is this message for?
· Just the pastors and preachers?
· Is the pastor the only one called to preach and teach the word, teach sound doctrine?
· What about the Sunday School teacher? The deacon?
· The church member who is asked a question at work or at home? A parent?
· This message is for all who will believe the Word of God is true! Anyone of influence
If we’ve determined now who is to be the audience, the receiver of the message, then what now is the receiver of the message given the task to do? PREACH THE WORD!
But, Tony . . . I wasn’t called to be a preacher . . . How else can I preach?
· By your Testimony - Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
· By your example – I Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
· By your compassion – Matthew 14:14, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
It’s time for the children of God . . .
- To get into the Word of God and get it out to the world
- To get fed by the manna and share it with others so they can enjoy the meal
- To spend time learning about the One who loves you so you know how to love
- To quit saying “I don’t know” and go to the Word and find out
- To quit saying “ask the preacher” and ask the Lord
- To quit saying “it’s someone else’s job” and step up to the plate
Why, “in closing” of his life and journey, did Paul emphasize the Word of God, sound doctrine, and charge Timothy and others to be diligent in this?
· It is Timeless Truth – not a source of truth but the ONLY truth; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
· It is Incapable of Inerrancy – it is the truth without any mixture of error; How could a Sovereign God allow this Bible to persevere all these years, remaining unchanged, if it had errors?
· It is Solely Sufficient – Deuteronomy 4:2, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
· It is Needfully Necessary – Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
· It is Enduringly Eternal – Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever”
Ezekiel 3:1-3, “1 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.
3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.”
The challenge today
Are you spending time in God’s Word?
Are you seeking to know The Truth?
Are you doing your part to “Preach the Word”?
Are you coasting to the end of your life or saving the best for last, like Paul?
“Preach the Word”
Paul was weary on his journey, His body frail and weak
The apostle knew the end was near, as he dipped his pen in ink
He wrote Timothy my son, I have fought the fight of faith
Carry on what I’ve begun, but most of all I pray
Preach the word, preach the cross, preach redemption to a lost and dying world
Lift your voice unashamed of the gospel of His name
Until all have heard - preach the word
Paul and Timothy are gone, but the letter still remains
And the mission that was written down calls out to us today
Lift the name of Jesus higher, until the whole world knows
The story of amazing grace - we are messengers of hope