Final Thoughts from the Finish Line

Introduction

Last week we finished our study through the book of Acts and as Luke’s narrative comes to a close, we see the Apostle Paul continuing to testify of Christ at Rome.

Now we turn our attention to Paul’s letter to his son in the faith and pupil, young Timothy. Paul now has the finish line of his life in view and he shares some final thoughts with Timothy regarding his life and ministry.

These thoughts should motivate you and I to faithfulness and should encourage us to remain committed to God’s call for our lives all the way to the finish line of our lives. .

Tonight we will explore a couple of verses from Paul’s letter to Timothy in order to encourage us to finish our course just as Paul did.

First we see Paul’s

Readiness (Vs. 6)

Paul first states the fact that he is ready to be offered, meaning that he is ready to give even his own life for the cause of Christ.

The specific term that Paul uses here was that which was used to reference a drink offering which was poured out upon the altar.

Basically Paul is saying that he is prepared to make whatever sacrifice he will be called upon to make in service to Christ. It seems evident that Paul expected that he would likely be laying down his own life for the sake of the gospel.

One question we must ask ourselves is this…”Are we ready to be offered up?”

Paul was not hesitant to lay down his life for Christ, having no regrets as to how he had spent his days. I fear that many believers today are far from ready to make the sacrifices that they may be called upon to make for the cause of Christ.

1 John 3:16 KJV 1900

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

It may have been a Roman executioner who physically ended Paul’s life, but in reality Paul had long before given up his life in order to serve the Lord.

Paul speaks of the fact that the time of his “departure” was at hand. This same term was often used of a ship which was taking up anchor and loosing its moorings to head out upon the open ocean. Today we might think of the departure of a plane as we board it and soar off into the sky.

Paul was not fearful of death, for he recognized that it was but a departure to a better land, a heavenly home which had been prepared for him.

When we live our lives in faithfulness to God’s call, we too can be ready for departure. Again the question must be asked...”Are you ready for your departure?”

How many of us could honestly say that if our departure were at hand, we would be ready? If today you were called home to be with Christ, would you be ready or would you be longing and wishing for a delay so that you could make preparations.?

Faithfulness (Vs. 7)

In this verse Paul writes to Timothy of his faithfulness. He first reminds Timothy that he has “fought a good fight.”

What Paul means here is that he had followed the rules and had fought honorably not with deceit and guile as some had.

Paul never stooped to trickery or unethical means to carry out the call of God. Paul was determined to fight in a manner that would not leave him with regrets or a guilty conscience.

2 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Even when he could have used his position or influence, Paul refused. Even when he could have sought vengeance, he chose not to. Even when he could have handled the Word of God deceitfully, he would not.

Acts 24:16 KJV 1900

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Paul also tells Timothy that he has finished his course. What Paul means here is that the race that God had set before him, he had now completed.

There is a course set forth by God for the life of every believer and tragically so many are drawn off course and so many come to the end of their lives with much of their course left unfinished.

We must seek God’s will and determine to carry out all the work that He has called us to do, so that one day we too can say that we have finished our course.

Our course may be much different than that of the Apostle Paul, but it must still be run all the way to the finish line.

Finally Paul says that he kept the faith. What Paul is saying to Timothy here is that the faith that was delivered to him, he has kept all the way to the finish line.

Paul did not depart from what he had been taught by Christ and His disciples. He did not compromise the faith or turn away to false doctrine. He remained steadfast all the way to the finish line.

There must have been times in Paul’s life when the pressure was great to compromise or to turn away from the faith he had received and yet Paul remained faithful to Christ and to the Word of God to the end.

May we purpose that as the pressure to compromise and conform increases we will not back down and that by God’s grace, we will hold firm to this same faith that Paul held.

Reward (Vs. 8)

Paul also wrote to Timothy of the reward that he was confident would soon be his for his faithful service to the Lord.

Paul had been unjustly treated and unfairly punished on many occasions in his life and ministry. Now he was looking forward to finally standing before a truly righteous judge from whom he expected to receive his reward.

The crown here spoken of is that which is given to the victor in a sporting event. Paul has now come to the completion of the race and he looks forward to the reception of his reward for his faithfulness to the finish.

One can only imagine the scene of the savior placing this crown of righteousness upon the brow of His faithful servant rewarding him for a life of faithful service.

Paul also reminds Timothy, and by extension all believers, that this crown was not reserved only for the Apostle who has laid down his life for his faith, but is available to every believer who faithfully executes the call of God longing for the savior’s return.

When Paul speaks of those that “love His appearing,” he speaks of those believers who are intent upon being ready for the Lord’s return.

What a joy to know that you and I, though we may never have the broad influence and great accomplishments of the Apostle Paul, we can still receive the same reward.

All that we must do is remain faithful in whatever the mission that God has given to us. It may seem small and unimportant, but if God has called us to do it there is nothing of greater value or higher importance.

May we fight a good fight, finish our course, and keep the faith, that we may also receive the crown of righteousness from our righteous judge.

Conclusion

Vs. 5- There are many mighty men and women of God who are nearing the finish line and the tragic reality is that there are so few in the next generation who are willing to take on the challenge to follow God’s call.

You who are among the next generation, will you answer the call? Will you receive the baton from those who are nearing the finish line and carry it forward into your generation?

Unfortunately, it seems that there are many more like Demas (Vs. 10) who have forsaken God’s call because they are in love with this present world.

Oh how we need more like Timothy and how we must resist the urge to abandon God’s call in favor of seeking after what this present world has to offer.