Learning To Finish Well Series

Learning to Finish Well

Series: Fan the Flame (2 Timothy)

Brad Bailey – January 14, 2024

PRAY

Intro

“It’s not how you start...it’s how you finish.”

It’s a truth that many have said and heard.

We might think of the fable about the tortoise and the hare and we would say the moral of that

story is that it’s not how you start... it's how you finish.

It can describe the hard fate of some sports teams ... during the season that become the

favorites to win it all...and then... they are out.

And it speaks far more deeply about life.

We’ve all heard of those who seem to have been headed off so well... crash along the way.

I begin to realize that in our teens and twenties... there is so much ahead... a natural

anticipation...and by our 40s and 50s... we may find we are navigating more challenges in

finishing well... and in later years... we begin to consider what it means to finish well even more.

I want to finish well... not just in a role...but in life.

That is what the Apostle Paul speaks into...

In the Biblical Book we call 2 Timothy...

The Apostle Paul is one who God called out in a dramatic way.

He was born within the Roman empire...and as a Roman citizen was able to travel across the

known world and spread the news.

He initially went to the city of Ephesus. When Asia Minor was incorporated into the Roman

Empire (133 BCE), Ephesus was designated as the capital of the new province Asia. He stayed

for at least two years... and then began his extended years moving from city to city.

And in Ephesus ...he entrusted those who received Christ...to a young man named Timothy.

Timothy would prove not only faithful serving in Ephesus...but also in helping Paul throughout

the years wherever he went. Paul calls Timothy his spiritual son... his fellow worker. In fact,

Timothy is listed as a coauthor on six of Paul's letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1

and 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon.)

Timothy was like a son.

Now Paul has been arrested in Rome once more.

He saw it coming....and this time it is different.

The Emperor is now Nero... infamous for his brutal rule.

And there was a prison... converted cistern... for those that would be executed.

> Paul knows these are likely his last days,

What we are reading are the last words of the man who helped change the world.

What we are reading are the last words a man is writing to his dear spiritual son...about finishing well. It had been about 11 years since they last saw each other.

And what we are reading are words meant to be heard by us. While this letter addresses Timothy... like Paul’s other letters... Paul clearly intended it to be shared with the whole community... and even ends with the second-person plural “you all”: “Grace be with you all” (1Tim 6:21; 2Tim 4:7; Titus 3:15). These words were read aloud with sacred respect to all the people. [1]

As we heard over the past couple weeks...he began by expressing how much he values

Timothy... and affirming him.

And gives him the initial charge to fan the flame... God has not given a spirit of fear... but courage.

And then.... Don’t be ashamed...don’t let yourself think that the hardships are something to be ashamed of.

And now we are going to hear what Paul says in Chapter 2:1-13... primarily verses 1-7.

... and see what God has to say to us.

2 Timothy 2:1-7

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Begins...

2 Timothy 2:1

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The first encouragement he gives for how to endure...

1. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus

Find your strength in the grace of Christ

Be rooted in grace

This is the first thing that Paul now says... and it may sound a little hard to grasp what he means.

[2]

What is he saying?