Keep Fighting, Finish the Race, Keep the Faith

Text

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NASB95

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing.

Introduction

Paul is near his death. He will no longer be with Timothy in any capacity except his memory of the apostle.

Paul leaves some final words.

2 Tim 4:6 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.” - similar to a ship being loosed from its moorings as it sets out to sail.

Paul is saying, I’m ready to go

To describe his death Paul uses a cultic expression Sim. to Php 2:17 “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”

His life is the offering poured out as a sacrifice

Gal 2:20 ““I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Rom 14:8 “for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

2 Cor 4:10-12 “always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.”

This was easy because Paul’s notion of life was that it belonged to Jesus.

APPL. It’s easier to give, when I accept that it’s NOT mine.

Keep Fighting. . .

2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

Paul says this not to boast, exalt himself. This is not for self-agrandizement.

“I have fought” - to stuggle, endured, make intense efforts, I felt like giing up but I kept going. APPL. Some of us are fighting the wrong fights. [we fight: to keep bad habits, hold on to sin, neighbour, spouses, children, elders, preachers etc.]

“The good fight” - This was the fight that involved doing ministry and remaining loyal to Jesus.

That fight was the things Paul endured for the sake of Jesus and His gospel

HE ENDURED: false brethren, countrymen, principalities and powers, stonings, beatings. . .PAUL FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT!!!

Col 2:1 “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,”

Php 1:28-30 “in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

1 Thes 2:2 “but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.”

Paul even told Timothy that he had to “fight the good fight of faith” 1 Tim 6:12.

APPL.

Finish the race. . .

2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

What is “the course”? - The word means mission (mission from God). Something that occupied Paul for a considerable time.

Paul acknowledges that personal sacrifice is necessary to run this course Acts 20:24 ““But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” - Notice the personal nature of this course.

The word “finished” means to: complete what you carry out, bring to an end what you begin, accomplish a task.

This has then, specific reference to Paul and his mission, c.f.,

1 Thess 2:4 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.”

2 Cor 4:1 “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,”

1 Tim 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,”

APPL. What has God put in your hands? Will you finish it? [Generically and Specifically]

He has given us what we need to stay on the “straight and narrow path” - WILL WE FINISH?

Keep the Faith. . .

2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

An arguement can be made that Paul speaks of the teaching of God which he never veered from during his ministry.

He preached it, lived it, guarded it, maintained it, defended it. . .Paul preserved in the faith.

Whilst many forsook it, wandered from it and failed to teach it. . . Paul kept it!!!

Embedded in this is also Paul’s allegiance to Jesus. He kept the faith beacuse he maintained faith in Jesus

APPL. Is there anything hindering your allegiance to Jesus?

Is there anything hindering you from keeping the faith? [struggling with doing the word of God]

This verse is not a boast in self but a declaration of what God was able to accomplish in Paul.

2 Tim 4:8 “in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing.”

Paul looks forward to the reward

It’s “laid up” FOR ME - it’s in reserve, put away for safe keeping

This is how Paul describes his “crown of righteiusness” [crown for a righteous life]

The “award” is a repayment to someone

2 Cor 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

“that day” - when He will judge the world in righteousness by that man He ordained Acts 17:31 “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.””

“that day” when all in the grave will hear his voice.

“that day” when He will separate the sheep from the goat”