IT’S NOT OVER TIL IT’S OVER!
2 Timothy 3:10-4:8
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come (2 Tim. 3:1)
Over the last several weeks, I’ve been extremely burdened about the condition of our country and the direction that we’re headed in. This has been made evident in some of my talks, and even in some of my posts on FB. But in an effort to not sound repetitive, there’s not much I can really tell you that you don’t already know. The frustrating part however is that even as believers, we sometimes have the tendency to let the culture around us dictate our trust in God’s Word and our responsibility to share our faith. And it’s times like these when it becomes easy for some to just sit back and say, “Well what’s the point. Why should I be concerned with the future of America when it’s future seems pretty bleak at best” rather than saying, “IT’S NOT OVER TIL IT’S OVER!”
Well let me tell you something church, now is not the time to give up! Because that’s exactly what Satan wants us to do. No, now is the time to pray for revival in America and take a stand for biblical values! Now is the time to live today in light of tomorrow and so this morning I want to go over four instructions that will help us do just that:
1. FOLLOW THE FAITHFUL (2 Tim. 3:10-12).
After writing about the signs of the "last days" and the evil that would come, Paul commends Timothy for following his example. This contrast is made clear as Paul begins verse 10 with the word “But”. He’s basically saying, “False teachers live and teach this way, but you have followed the examples that I have set for you.”
Who are you following? As Christians, we should be following the example of Christ first and foremost. But there are other faithful examples found in Scripture for us to follow as well, such as Paul. Following Paul means following his lifestyle, pursuing the same goal, holding the same faith, being patient and loving.
Another question, and perhaps a better question, is who’s following you? Whether you realize it or not, someone is. Others are looking at us to set examples for them to follow, or in some cases, examples to be avoided. I was licensed to the ministry this month 5 years ago. That’s not a very long time, I admit. But God has been with me every step of the way and He is the reason that I’ve progressed so quickly. A lot of the things I’ve learned have resulted from 11 years of experience in business operations. Other lessons I’ve learned have been from other pastors. And in the majority of those situations, it saddens me to say that I’ve learn more about what not to do from them than I have learned what to do.
Notice in verse 12: Paul is saying that persecution is not the exception, it’s the rule. At the time Paul wrote this letter he was imprisoned because of his faith and he was nearing his own execution and so he encourages young Timothy to remain faithful because Paul knew that he would soon have to stand on his own two feet. As we approach the "last days," the times foretold in prophecy, those of us who are faithful to God will stand out in the crowd.
Contrary to popular belief, God’s not concerned with how many FB friends you have or how many people follow you on Instagram. The purpose of the Gospel is not to fit in with the lost world, it’s to stand out…
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).
So, if you’re faith makes you unpopular at school or at work…GOOD FOR YOU! God has called us to be different and He’s even given us fair warning through His Word that we would be persecuted because of who we are. The problem is, most “so called” Christians didn’t count the cost of what it meant to follow Christ before they signed up.
2. TRUST THE TRUTH (2 Tim. 3:13-17).
We don't have to look around long to agree with Paul on this one. Just turn on the radio or tv; heck, you can even check out some of the books at the local Christian bookstore…there are plenty of deceivers present in our world today.
But amongst all this deception, we still have the Bible as our guide. And it will lead us day by day, all the way to the finish line.
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here too, Heaven is opened and the gates of Hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
Paul encourages Timothy and reminds him that it was his grandmother and his mother who had carefully taught him the Word of God from His childhood. This reminds us that as parents and grandparents, we need to carry that on and pass the torch to the next generation because the church is only one generation from extinction. Maybe you’re like me, and you didn't have someone to teach you the Scripture "from childhood" but guess what: you have God's Word today, study it!
Paul's message to Timothy is "Don't give up. IT’S NOT OVER TIL IT’S OVER. Stay with the truths you have learned.” We live in the age of information, but I’m completely convinced that with all this information flowing into our brains we’re not taking the time to meditate and apply what we’ve already learned.
The Bible is the “inspiration of God”. It’s not just any ordinary book, it’s THE BOOK. The Bible is “profitable”, meaning whatever time you spend reading, studying, and listening to it will be of great benefit to you. The Bible will make you "complete" or mature.
3. SHARE THE SAVIOR (2 Tim. 4:1-4).
Sharing the Savior is essential to advancing the kingdom of God. But for most people, when they read that phrase “Preach the Word”, they think that this is addressed to preachers like myself. They hear the word “preach” and they think that this is something only to be done in church or behind a pulpit.
That’s not the case. This command is for all believers. The word “preach” simply means to proclaim, announce, set forth, deliver, make known. It’s not something we argue about; we proclaim it because God Himself has said it. This can be done over a cup of coffee, in an office, or at school. It’s something that can come up any place, any time. We’re surround by lost souls who are open, seeking, longing, and hurting. It’s not a matter of the right opportunity presenting itself:
The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Mt. 9:37).
“Preach the word!”, Paul says. What word is that? The only word that there is…the gospel. The gospel isn’t what we have to do for God. The gospel is the story of what God has already done for us. The gospel is the good news that God loves us, and He sees us in our hurt, our agony, our failure, and our weakness. The gospel is the fact that God sees us strutting around in our prideful masks, yet still He loves us. And He’s already made a way to spend eternity with us…through the death, burial and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus. That’s the word we are to preach, and that is to be done by every Christian whether it’s convenient for us or not.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Pet. 3:15)
4. COMPLETE THE COURSE (2 Tim. 4:5-8).
Paul uses three phrases that sum up his life's accomplishments. What would you say? I just want you to put yourself in Paul’s shoes for just a minute and imagine that the government come storming through those doors and arrested every one of you. You’re sitting in prison, waiting for your execution date. What would you say that would sum up your life’s accomplishments?
First, Paul says, “I have fought the good fight”. Now it’s very important for us to notice that he didn’t say, I have fought a good fight. If he had said that, he would be suggesting that he had done well. In other words, he would be bragging. But that’s not what he says. He says, “I have fought the good fight”, meaning he had taken what life had thrown at him, and through God’s strength, he was able to overcome.
Secondly Paul says, “I have finished the race”. This is another common theme found in his writings. In Philippians 3 he describes this race:
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).
This race that he’s describing is the Christian life, which is lived moment by moment, just as a race is ran one stride at a time. The question is whether you live each moment in the flesh or in the Spirit, whether you’re walking in the power of the new life you have in Christ or whether you’re still running in your old ways of thinking, your old worldly, self-centered, self-serving attitude. Every stride that you make is either contributing to reaching the goal for the prize or delaying it, wasting time in the flesh. As Christians, we are called to run the race.
The third thing Paul says at the very end of his life is, “I have kept the faith”. He tells Timothy, I haven’t wasted any of the things that God has blessed me with. I’ve shared them with others, you do the same. We need to pour out our lives for the sake of others. Complete the course, don't bail out at the end. Keep your eyes on the finish line, not the race itself. Sure, people might accuse you of going overboard in preparing for your first 10 million years in eternity. But in my opinion, I think people go overboard in worrying about their last 10 years on earth.
By now, everyone here should know what the future holds for them. There won’t be any excuses when that day comes. But I want to know what you’re going to do with the time that you have right now. IT’S NOT OVER TIL IT’S OVER so here’s some suggestions…not from me, but from the Word of God:
1. Follow the Faithful
2. Trust the Truth
3. Share the Savior
4. Complete the Course
