INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. I Fought a Good Fight
2. I Finished My Course
3. I Fulfilled (Kept) the Faith
Introductory Remarks.
1. In our lesson today, we are going to be discussing the theme: "Paul's Final Assurances to Timothy." The apostle is now in a cold, wet, and dark dungeon in Rome. He appeals to Timothy first! Vs. 1-5.
2. First, we will describe his initial assurance, "I fought a good fight." He assured Timothy that he had fought honorably, lawfully, and run faithfully the "race set before him," Hebrews 12:1-2.
3. Second, we will discuss his next assurance, "I finished my course." Here, Paul speaks of his faithfulness to remain in the work of Christ and finish the work he was called to do as an apostle. To the Ephesian elders, he said: "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there," Acts 20:22-24.
4. Lastly, we will investigate his final assurance, "I fulfilled the faith." He wrote: "I kept the faith." He affirms that he abided in the teaching of Christ. He confirmed and defended the gospel. He wrote the Philippians, "I have you in my heart; since both in my bonds, and, in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace," Philippians 1:7. Let’s consider point one.
BODY OF LESSON
I - I FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT
A. Paul began his "I have's" with: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand," 2 Timothy 4:5. This verse sets forth his confidence in his life and service for Christ. We must review this verse carefully. Observe—
1. First, "I am now ready." Let's consider the word "Ready," which means "prepared." It is a military word, meaning "readiness." Ready for what?
2. Further, to be offered, which means to pour out as a libation, i.e., to devote (one's life or blood, as a sacrifice) ("spend"):—(to be ready to) be offered. Paul refers to his willingness to be sacrificed for the cause of Christ. To be laid on an altar for a sacrifice! Like, Isaac, in Genesis 22! And Christ!
3. Finally, my departure is at hand. He escaped the ax in his first trial, but not his second!
a. The word "departure" means to lose, dissolution, death, or departure.
b. He uses it as a metaphor drawn from “loosing from a mooring: in preparation for setting sail from a foreign port, or to go to one's home port.” “I go home to be with the Lord,” Philippians 1:23-24.
c. My departure is "at hand." Here the word means to stand upon, i.e., to be present— assault, come (in, unto, upon), to be at hand (instant), present, to stand up and standby.
B. I have fought a good fight. That he has fought an honorable and lawful fight, in presenting the message of Christ, and running the "race set before him." No compromise, no surrender! He told Timothy, his son in the faith,
1. Fight the good fight. “Of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses,” 1 Timothy 6:12. Timothy’s imprisonment, Hebrews 13:23. Recall, I mentioned Paul’s suffering? We suffer gladly for good! 2 Timothy 2:12.
a. Paul was a great teacher. “Be you follower of me as I am of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 11:1. Jesus said: “Unto them (His apostles), My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work,” John 4:34. To complete the Father’s work of redemption through Him! It was for this that he was born! To be the “Lamb of God” that taketh away the sin of the world, John 1:29. Isaiah 53!
b. Paul desired to finish his work. To the Elders of Ephesus, He said: “I go bound to Jerusalem...but the Holy Ghost witness…bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God,” Acts 20:17-32.
ILLUSTRATION: Prayer on the beach. Paul knelt with the elders and prayed, Acts 20:33-38.
2. We are in a fight. To the Hebrew saints he wrote: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy," Hebrews 12:1-2.
NOTE: In a Fashion Show, it’s what You Have On; in this race, it's what you put off! Lay aside every weight and sin that will beset (hinder us), and run with patience the race before us, LOOKING unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith! Not all weights are sin, but they can become sin. In this race, put off “anger, bitterness, filthy language, do not lie to one another, stealing, slothfulness, procrastination, and put on the NEW MAN, who is created in righteousness and true holiness!”
ILLUSTRATION: In the Roman games, they competed for an incorruptible crown. The “runners are almost Bucket-dee-Naked!” They will strip down to bare nothing!
3. In Athletics, one winner. He wrote: "And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partakers thereof with you. Know (you) not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth…Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown…but we for an incorruptible crown. I therefore so run," 1 Corinthians 9:24-26. Run with,
a. Discipline: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway," 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:58.
b. Persecutions and trials await you. You must prepare for ridicule, scorn, and rejection!
c. Jesus' admonition, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake,” Matthew 5:11-12.
C. Our lives must be filled with “good works.” a) “Overcoming evil with good,” Romans 12:21, b) “Doing good to all men,” Galatians 6:9-10, c) It is to these “good works we have been created,” Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14, d) In the “hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:7; by e) Glorifying our Father in heaven, Matthew 5:16. Let’s consider point two,
II - I FINISHED MY COURSE
A. I finished or completed: "My course." Here, Paul speaks of his faithfulness to remain in the work of Christ and finish the work he was called to as an apostle of Christ. Recall,
1. Paul was called to the apostleship. The Lord instructed Ananias: "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer," Acts 9:15-16; Acts 18:8-11.
ILLUSTRATION: Paul’s suffering; hardship for Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:22-28. [Read passionately.]
2. His resolve as an apostle. To Timothy, he wrote:
a. First, "For the which cause, I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he can keep that which I have committed unto him against that day," 2 Timothy 1:12. What Day? "The day of the Lord’s appearing," 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. Discuss!
b. Further, "Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound," 2 Timothy 2:9; Ephesians 6:18-20. His crime: "Preaching Christ to the Gentiles!"
c. Lastly, "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, (the saints) that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory," 2 Timothy 2:10. [Remember the wives!] F/O.
3. To Philippi, he wrote: “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other…trust in the flesh, I more: of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching
The law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ...for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. This righteousness that is of God by faith: That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 3:13-14.
4. Children of God. Beloved in the Lord, stay in the race, fight the good fight of faith, forget the things behind, reach forth to the things that are before, and press forward to the prize, the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let’s consider our last point,
III - I FULFILLED (KEPT) THE FAITH
A. Fulfilled the faith. Finally, he wrote: "I have kept the faith." He abided in the teaching of Christ.
1. Paul had not wavered in his work for Christ, whether it brought him joy or persecution, bonds or freedom, to be abased or to abound. "He was content in every state," Philippians 4:11-13.
2. Timothy knew of the apostle's walk before him, before others, and all the churches of Christ.
3. Paul knew his present circumstances did not define his end! It was his faithfulness to Christ that would determine where he would spend eternity! He said,
a. I have kept the faith. This embodied all that was given to him in living and preaching. His faith in, for, and by the gospel of Christ.
b. To Rome, he wrote: “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The (justified) shall live by faith,” Romans 1:14-17; Romans 6:1-7.
ILLUSTRATION: What do you mean, Paul? “The just shall live by faith?” I’m in the invitation! When I come down, we will be ready to sing the invitation song. May I suggest, “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand?”
c. Paul’s answer to Rome. “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So, (the) faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:16-17. They have heard, they believed, but they have not obeyed! What? The Gospel!
d. To Rome again: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness,” Romans 6:17-18. Jesus promised: “The truth shall make you free,” John 8:31-32. What truth, the truth of the gospel.
4. Paul to Ephesus: “In whom you also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory,” Ephesians 1:13-14. Notice, a) You heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, b) In whom, after that, you believed, and c) You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
What is this seal? To receive the Holy Spirit of promise. If we find this, we have put it all together! Observe, I’m coming down,
B. Peter on Pentecost. Preaching Christ and Him being crucified! The men cried out: “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Listen to his response: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and your children, and to all that are afar off, and as many as shall call upon the name of the Lord our God. And with many other words…Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and there was added unto them that day 3000 souls,” Acts 2:37-41. That’s what Israel did not obey! Like many today, they hear, believe, but are unwilling to obey! If you desire the crown laid up for you, this is where it begins.
C. There is laid up for me. Paul continues: "Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing," 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
D. Righteous Judge. The Lord is a righteous judge. God’s judgment will be righteous and just! The righteous Judge is returning. Are you ready to see Him today? If not, you can be. I told you how! There will be a resurrection, a judgment, and the giving of rewards. There will be NO COMING KINGDOM, NOR REIGN FOR 1000 YEARS. When He comes: “That will be the END!” This is another lesson! If you are not in the kingdom now, you need to get in it and live faithfully until He calls you Home! Jesus told you how, John 3:3-5. Paul explained: Colossians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. I exhort you, “May the Lord be with your spirits,” 2 Timothy 4:22.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. I Fought a Good Fight
2. I Finished My Course
3. I Fulfilled (Kept) the Faith
B. Summarize main points.
C. Invitation. Present God's pattern of conversion. Jesus said: "Come unto me, all ye that labor," Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: "repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved," Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: "Save thyself," Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
Consultations and Commendations
I submit this verse unto you that I may: "Render therefore to all their dues: tributes to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honor to whom honor, (is due)," Romans 13:7. I acknowledge my consultation with these distinguished authors in this dissertation.
References
1. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible in One Volume, by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506, Copyright Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd, 1960; Copyright 1961 by Zondervan Publishing House.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
4. "My Dissertation," by Franklin, Roland E., Rev. Dr., Esquire, (REF)-FIBI@Wwm.org, Los Angeles, CA 90044, TM 2024.
5. The BlueLetterBible.org (BLB's) Interlinear, Textus Receptus; and the Morphological GNT, © 2022, by the Blue Letter Bible. This tool enables you to access the Greek New Testament in both manuscript forms. http://www.blb.org/. The BLB also provides tutorials to help you navigate it.
A word of thanks to BLB.org.
Thank you for providing this valuable study tool, BLB.org. The Interlinear has been an excellent tool for me to learn and use, bringing my sermons to life for the audience. Thank you very much for this great Application to help study the scriptures.
Contact Information
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
wwmcoc@earthlink.net
https://wwmchurchofchrist.org/
Website: https://en.gravatar.com/refreeman
Visit and worship with the Church of Christ at Pickensville, AL (on their Conference Line). Worship services are held on Sunday at 11:00 AM, and Mid-week Bible Study meets on Wednesday at 6:00 PM. The call-in number is 1-302-202-1110, and the PIN is 214733. Tell them Ron Freeman invited you to join them in worship. You will be truly blessed! These men "know the Shepherd!" The Lord.
