Finishing Strong Series

Finishing Strong

2 Timothy 4:6-22

Rev. Brian Bill

August 26-27, 2023

Benjamin Franklin made this phrase popular: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Solomon said it like this in Ecclesiastes 7:2: “Death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” While death is our destiny (if the Rapture doesn’t come first), most Americans are in denial about death, leaving it to hospitals and funeral homes and not for everyday conversation.

One noted psychologist offers this insight, “People find death a difficult topic to discuss as it usually brings up a lot of feelings: anxiety, fear, awkwardness, sadness. We tend to pretend, as a culture, that it's not going to happen.”

In order to keep death at a safe distance, we often use euphemisms for it. A euphemism is a polite expression for an unpleasant reality, or a “good way to talk about a bad thing.” One of my favorites is, “This car isn’t used…it’s pre-owned.”

I shared some euphemisms for death at the Men’s BBQ Wednesday night. Over 100 guys attended.

• Passed away.

• Bought the farm.

• Passed over to the other side.

• Croaked.

• Kicked the bucket.

• Met an untimely demise.

• Pushing up the daisies.

• Our departure.

Hebrews 9:27 says it clearly, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”

As we wrap up our study in 2 Timothy, I’m grateful for how Jason Crosby reminded us to make sure we preach the Word in season and out of season. One reason Paul gave this message with such passion and urgency is because he knew he was going to die shortly. Let’s stand and read 2 Timothy 4:6-22.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth 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. 9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Once, John Wesley was asked to explain the courage of Christians. His response was short and sweet, “Our people die well.” I want to suggest in order to die well, we have to finish strong. Here’s our main idea: Every follower of Christ must fight to finish well. I see eight ways to finish well from Paul’s example.

1. Live like you’re dying. We see this in verse 6: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.” Even though Paul was still alive, he knew he was “already” dying. He was certain that his time on earth was coming to an end. His martyrdom was so certain, he spoke as if it had already begun.

The phrase “poured out” is sacrificial language and referred to the complete giving of a drink offering. This is first pictured in Genesis 35:14 when Jacob poured out a drink offering before the Lord as a sacrifice. More detail is given in Exodus 29:40: “And with the first lamb a tenth measure of fine flour mingled with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil, and a fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering.” All of the wine was gradually poured out as an offering, and it was the final act of the entire sacrificial ceremony. This drink offering was a symbolic way of saying, “I gladly give all that I have to the Lord” and it pictured the gradual ebbing away of Paul’s life. Paul came back to this theme often, as we see in Philippians 2:17: “Even if I’m about to be poured out as a drink offering.”