Paul's Parting Words

Paul’s Parting Words 2 Timothy 1:1-14

1. Many have given us Last words such as NC State head coach Jim Valvano's "Don't Ever Give Up"

• Martin Luther King’s last words ““Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So, I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. “The next day, he was dead.

2. Paul’s last words

• For Paul death was not to be feared (Philippians 1:21), . 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain

• Paul said, “The time of my departure has come,” (2 Timothy 4:6b). He sensed that time was slipping away: “I am already being poured out as a libation or drink ” (4:6a)

3. Paul’s Parting Words He tells Timothy to “Rekindle” which means to re-light the fire,

• Recharge your batteries. Paul uses the word “rekindle,” possibly the flames may have died, or that the fire is running low in Timothy.

• Pandemic may have caused us to run low in Faith energy, passion and enthusiasm

• Timothy may have had a weakness; it might have been his insecurity, fear or timidity. “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice,” Paul writes (v. 7).

• My Friends living for Jesus we need to have courage. Courage to get involved

• Men Bible study beginning Nursing Home revivals, ladies bible study,

4. Timothy don’t be ashamed says the Apostle

• 8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel,

• Timothy must do his best to present himself as one approved by God, to be “a worker who has no need to be ashamed” (2:15). We are not ashamed because we “know the one in whom I have put my trust,” and we know that he is able to protect us in uncertain times (v. 12).

5. Paul’s Parting words to Timothy Hold to, Keep the standard, to sound teaching

• Paul writes (v. 13).. “Hold to the standard of sound teaching,” The standard to which the apostle refers is his own teaching! “As you have heard from me” (v. 13).

• Hold or to Grip and hang on to the words of God.

• The Sound teaching Paul may refer to is the doctrine of Jesus Christ our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

6. Finally, Paul’s tells Timothy Guard the Faith

• Protect what you have. “Guard the good treasure God has given you” (2 Timothy 1:14). What you have is a treasure. Regard it as such. Paul said something similar in his first letter to his young disciple: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you” (1 Timothy 6:20).

• Don’t lose it. It’s a treasure, It’s who you are. It defines you.“Don’t do anything that might compromise it, or set you on a course that veers away from your current bearings. Follow your True North, which is Jesus Christ your Lord.”

• Timothy Did Keep The Faith Church tradition tells us He was the bishop of Ephesus for many years. In A.D. 97, at the advanced age of 80, Timothy, often in poor health, tried to halt a pagan festival in honor of the Greek goddess Diana, which included a procession of idols, ceremonies and songs. In response to his preaching of the gospel, the angry crowds beat him, dragged him through the streets and stoned him to death.

• In his dying moments, perhaps he recalled the words of his father in the faith Paul , who wrote, “Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). Like Paul, he too had fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith (4:7). May we be like Paul Timothy