How Well Do You Live?

SERMON: HOW WELL DO YOU LIVE?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, 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. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

One by one, the writers of the various books of the Bible, and the 12 Disciples all died. Especially the 12 disciples ... one by one, all dying as far as we know, the death of a martyr. John appears to have lived to a ripe old age, of maybe a hundred years, give or take. But they all died. The writers of the scriptures, the 12 disciples, and countless billions from then, until now. Some have died as recently as while I've been talking about people dying.

But, I submit that how they died, whether a martyr's death, a coward's death, or somewhere in between .. they, nevertheless, died. And, in the ultimate scheme of life, and of this world, how we die is not nearly as important as .....what? Come on, someone, tell me! How we die is not nearly as important as how we .... LIVE! Let's get life right, and death will not be a tragedy! Let's get life right, and death holds no fear at all. Let's get life right, and nothing else, absolutely nothing else, really matters.

Living RIGHT is what counts, you see.

I am not sure anyone would die, gracefully, if they knew the reason they were dying was because of something that was untrue.

I remember the circumstances of a pastor, several years ago, being accused of molesting a child. I was visiting with him in his jail, and he told me that he didn't do what he was accused of, but they told him his choice was one of two: He could plead guilty, and be out in 3 years, or he could go to trial, and if convicted, was certain to get at least 20 years.

I was telling my dad about the visit, and the remarks, and I'll never forget my dad's words: He said that if he was not guilty, he would NEVER plead guilty, that he would take the 20 years if convicted, rather than say he was guilty if he wasn't. I have to admire that kind of courage, that kind of will to suffer inordinately, if he was not guilty.

what would you do, in that circumstance? I hope that neither you, nor I, will ever have to face that choice

.

But, let's step up the pressure a bit. Let's talk about your faith, your belief in Christ Jesus, and your willingness to suffer for that. Supposing there was a swat team outside, ready to take all of us to jail for 20 years, if we confessed to being a Christian. Would you deny your faith, to escape a 20 year stint in the pokey with Smoky, or would you boldly say, "YES! I am a Christian. I will gladly ... hear that word, now ... GLADLY go to prison rather than deny either my Lord, or my faith in Him.

It's not how well you die, my friends ... it's how well you live!

I believe 2 Timothy is likely the last letter that Paul wrote, that became Scripture. He may have written other letters, later, but we have no record of any, if he did. Would it surprise me to learn that a new one had been discovered? Not at all. Would it be added to the Bible as part of HOLY SCRIPTURE, THE WORD OF GOD? That, I don't know. But, since I believe this second letter to Timothy was likely his last, I hope you will notice that even though he was in jail, even though his life was nearly over, due to the Roman Government being ready, now, to kill him because of his faith and because of his lifestyle, he writes these great words to his protege, Timothy.

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.