A View From the Finish Line
Text: 2nd Timothy, Chapter 4
Introduction.
In the last few years, Schools have made an effort to move the classroom out of the classroom. They have concluded that sometimes you’re better able to educate a student by moving them into different environments in the “Real World”. They want to get them outside the four walls of the classroom and away from the desks, all lined up in a straight row.
My uncle was one of the pioneers in this movement 40 years ago. He was the Director of the Tyler I.S.D. Camp Tyler, located on Lake Tyler. The Tyler School System began sending students to study in that outdoor lab.
Now this was a unique way to learn about science, nature, history, and many other things. I was fortunate enough to have been on of the students who had an opportunity to learn in a “real” setting.
Today, we see school buses running the roads at all hours of the day as they take students on what we call “field trips”—trips to take students out of the classroom and into the “real world” for learning.
One group of elementary students were taking a tour of a retirement home to learn about the life of elderly people. One elderly lady was conducting the tour for the young children; and, at the end of the tour, she asked if they had any questions.
One little girl asked her, “How old are you?”
The lady proudly replied that she was 98 years old. The little girl’s mouth dropped open, her eyes grew wide, and she asked, “Did you start with 1 (one)?”
You see, sometimes the only place to learn some things is in the “real world”.
Paul’s Finish Line.
This morning, we’ll conclude our series of lessons from 2nd Timothy. In Paul’s 2nd letter to the young evangelist Timothy, he has been telling Timothy about the Christian life in the “REAL WORLD”.
Paul had grown old and had referred to himself in Philemon, verse 9, as “Paul the aged”. Now, Paul isn’t writing this letter from a nice retirement village—no, he’s writing from a prison cell. He is waiting out his last days, knowing his execution for preaching the cause of the Gospel is near.
As I studied 2nd Timothy, Chapter 4 this week, I kept thinking about these words being the last Paul would ever write. I kept thinking that Paul was doing something very unique, because he was giving us a view of “real life” from the finish line—his finish line!
I believe these words were inspired by God and have been recorded and handed down to us as a message about how we should approach our finish line.
Paul’s Imprisonment.
If we could put ourselves in the same situation Paul was in, what would we be feeling, doing, or thinking as we faced our finish line? I believe I would have a lot of time to reflect on my past—about “how did I get here?” It’s only natural that Paul also would have many things to remember about his past.
Memories.
Paul might have thought about the day in Jerusalem—many years before—when the man called Stephen was preaching that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah sent from God. Paul had watched as his fellow Israelites laid their garments at his feet and stoned Stephen to death. In Acts, Chapter 8, Paul says he gave them his consent to do so.
Paul could have thought about the trip he made to Damascus to bind Christians and take them back to Jerusalem for their deaths. He could have thought about how Jesus appeared to him in a bright light on the road to Damascus and said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…” —and, then—, “…go into Damascus and it will be told you what you must do.” Paul could remember witnessing the resurrected Christ who would set the course for the remainder of Paul’s life.
Jesus told Annanias—whom He chose to go to Paul—to tell Paul what he must do. Jesus also let Paul know what his course in life would be and what he would suffer because of it. Speaking to Annanias, Jesus said—
Acts 9:15-16
---15---But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and Kings and the sons of Israel;
---16---For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Paul certainly could remember how he suffered for the cause of Christ. In 2nd Timothy 4:7, he said, “I have fought the good fight.” He described this fight in his second letter to the Church in Corinth in 2nd Corinthians 11:23-28.
---23---“Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane.) I, more so; in for more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
---24---Five times I received from the Jews 39 (thirty-nine) lashes.
---25---Three (3) times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, 3 (three) times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
---26---I have been on frequent journeys in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
---27---I have in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
---28---Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the Churches.”
Yes, Paul could remember his suffering; but, he could also remember his great achievements for the cause of Christ—the success he had on those 3 (three) missionary journeys as he converted people to Christ and established many Churches.
In 2nd Corinthians 3:2, Paul says,
---2---“You are our letters (epistles) written in our hearts, known and read by all men.”
One of the many things he could have remembered was a conversation he had with a group of men when he was on his way to Jerusalem—knowing that prison awaited him. In 2nd Timothy, Chapter 4, he says, “I have finished the course…”
Years earlier Paul had explained to a group of Elders what that “course” was, and the conversation is recorded in Acts 20:24-30.
---24---“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Gospel of the Grace of God.
---25---And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom, will see my face no more.
---26---Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
---27---For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
---28---Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
---29---I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
---30---And from among your own selves, men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw the disciples after them.”
This prophetic utterance from the Apostle Paul seems to be coming true during the time that Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy. The group of people Paul had this conversation with was the Elders of the church in Ephesus—the same city and church Timothy has been left with to “fulfill his ministry”.
Listen to what Paul says to Timothy in 2nd Timothy 4:3-4.
---3---“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
---4---And will turn away their ears from the Truth and turn aside to myths.”
Yes, Paul could remember that conversation—and now he could see it coming to fruition as he writes this letter to Timothy shortly before his own final departure.
The Loneliness of Prison.
If we go back to our original thought—what Paul might have been thinking and feeling in prison as he approached his finish line—I think it was probably be loneliness. I imagine what most of us would have been feeling if we were separated from our families and our friends would be loneliness, and Paul was, after all, just as human as we are. I think Paul was really feeling the human emotion we call loneliness. Listen to what he says in 2nd Timothy 4:10-12.
---10---“For Demas, having love this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
---11---Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
---12---But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.”
Most scholars believe that Tychicus is taking this letter to Ephesus to Timothy. Loneliness can be a very sad feeling! In verse 16, Paul says,
---16---At my first defense, no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.”
But however lonely Paul was for his companions, he knew he was never really alone. In verses 17 & 18, he says—
---17---“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, in order that, through me, the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear, and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth.
---18---The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly Kingdom, to Him be the glory forever and ever. AMEN.”
Paul wanted to finish the course of his life, and the Lord provided a way for him to do that. Paul gives us a view of the finish line.
· If we want to follow that example—
If we truly want to finish the course of our Christian life, the Lord will provide the strength for us to do that—if that’s what we really want to do.
We can do it—even in the “real world”, we can finish the course! We can also do as Paul (in verse 7) said he had done: ---7---“I have kept the Faith.”
The word “kept” means “to watch over, to maintain or to guard”. Paul is saying he has made every effort to maintain his personal Faith and protect the integrity of the Gospel. The word “kept” was a term used for managers or students with the understanding of protecting someone else’s property.
Paul had been entrusted with the faith and the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. Paul had given Timothy a legacy of trust in Christ, obedience to the will of God, and effectiveness in serving the cause of Christ.
Communicating Our Last Thoughts.
If I were in the place Paul was and writing this letter, I think I’d want to communicate my last thoughts and concerns for the future of those closest to me. This is what Paul was doing in 2nd Timothy. In this letter we read Paul’s final words of encouragement, challenge, and caution to a young man he had mentored and discipled in the Faith. Paul said—
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 1:8)
“Don’t be ashamed of our Lord…”, and,
“Don’t be ashamed of me…”
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 1:13)
“Retain my words…”
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 1:14)
“Guard the treasure…”
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 2:1)
“Be strong in Jesus…”
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 2:3)
“Suffer with me…”
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 2:15)
“Be diligent…as a worker…”
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 2:22)
“Flee youthful lust…”
And now Paul comes to his last charge, which is found in 2nd Timothy 4:1-2. Read with me.
(2nd Timothy, Chapter 4:1-2)
---1---I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom;
---2---Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction…”
also in verse 5,
---5---“But you be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
God’s Presence.
In verse 1, Paul makes a formal charge to the young evangelist—to herald the Truth and to proclaim the Truth in Ephesus. Paul makes this charge in the presence of God and Jesus. Now, if you think about it, it suggests that Timothy live his entire life in the presence of God.
That means Timothy is living his life under the scrutiny of God—he is on constant display before God. Think about that for a minute…it’s a sobering thought.
Somehow I don’t think Timothy is the only person (then or now) who is living their life in the presence of—under the scrutiny of— on constant display before—our God! When we read Paul’s charge to Timothy, we have to think that we, too, are living our lives
· In the presence of,
Under the scrutiny of,
· On constant display of God.
I know that is a very sobering thought for me—and, I believe, for you as well. The Bible tells us everything is open before His eyes. The Hebrew writer says, in Hebrews 4:13—
---13---“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Luke 12:7
---7---“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered…”
We can’t hide anything from God! If we are aware of this, it might lead us to not do certain things we shouldn’t. Or, it might cause the opposite—it might lead us to do things we should! I believe God uses people who know they are accountable to Him.
Paul charged Timothy in the presence of God and Jesus!
Preach the Word.
In verse 2 of Chapter 4, Paul gave Timothy 5 (five) commands, but the primary command was to “preach the Word”. The “word” surely refers to the scriptures Paul referred to in the previous chapter. The remainder of the commands and phrases in the verse tell Timothy how to do that.
When Paul told Timothy to “preach the word”, the translation would be to, “…herald the word of God in its completeness, not altering it in any way, nor adding anything of his own that is borrowed from another source.”
That also includes the mandate to announce to men the total message as God gave it. Paul had already told the Elders at Ephesus in Acts 20:27, the following:
---27---“I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.”
As good ministers of the Gospel and as earthen vessels, we have been given this treasure, and we must be committed to teaching the whole Bible. We can’t just take the parts we like and find palatable in our lives—we must communicate all the scripture, even the parts that make us uncomfortable.
Paul tells Timothy to “be instant in season and out of season”. This statement focuses on persistency. We are to communicate God’s word when it convenient and when it’s not convenient.
Timothy was told to “reprove or correct” those things people did that were wrong. Timothy was to “rebuke”, which means “to express strong disapproval about something”.
There are many times in our society when—just as in Timothy’s world—the value system of our culture is contrary to God’s will as it is revealed in the Scriptures. We need to be courageous and communicate the Truth with “Love”.
· Paul tells Timothy there is a certain way to communicate the Truth with “Love”.
· He says we are to communicate the Scriptures with great patience. We should communicate it with patience, gentleness, and hope.
· We also need to communicate with intelligence and, as Paul says to Timothy, “…with patience and instruction.”
Paul Views His Finish Line.
Now Paul describes his finish line to young Timothy in verses 6-8.
---6---“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
---7---I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
---8---In the future, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day’ and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul compares himself to a sacrifice—he says he is like a drink offering being poured out. I think the symbolism is compared to the drink offering, which was poured out during the Jewish feast. At the end of all offerings, a drink offering—a jug of wine—was poured upon the altar.
Paul saw himself as in that light. He had written to the Church in Rome in Romans 12:1 that they were to offer themselves “as a living sacrifice”—and that included himself as well.
Paul is looking ahead to the moment when his work on earth is finished, for he knows a heavenly existence awaits him. He uses the example of a crown to make his point. Paul talks about a crown and, undoubtedly, it motivates him to stay faithful until the end—his finish line in the Real World.
Jesus said, in Matthew 10:39, “…and he who has lost his life for my sake shall find it.”
Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
I think the example of the crown is much like the one given in Revelation 2:10—“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Paul knew he would receive that crown, because he had a righteous Judge—not like the judges he had in this world, rather, one who fulfills all of His promises.
Paul says this finish line—this crown—is not just for him. It for others as well, who come after him; for those who love Jesus’ appearing.
I believe Paul is telling Timothy this—“Fulfill your ministry, fight the good fight, finish your course, keep the faith, and there will be a great finish line for you also.”
Paul finishes this letter to Timothy by asking him to come to see him. In verse 11, he says, ---11---“Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”
Mark is the young man Paul took on his first missionary journey; however, when the journey got tough, Mark turned back. For that reason, Paul refused to take Mark on his 2nd journey. Evidently, Mark has now matured in Christ and Paul is aware of it and wants to use him for service. This young Mark is the same one we call John-Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark.
Paul tells Timothy in verse 21, ---21---“Make every effort to come before winter.”
Why did he ask Timothy to come before winter? Well, it might have to do with what he told Timothy in verse 13, ---13---“When you come, bring the cloak which I left at Trous with Carpus.”
After all, it gets cold in Rome in the winter, and Paul lived in the real world and got cold, just like everyone else.
Did Timothy make it to Rome in time to see Paul before his execution? No one knows, because there is no record. I hope he did!
In 2nd Timothy, Chapter 4, Paul gives us a view of life from the finish line, and the question should come to each of us this morning—What will the view of life be at our own finish line?
Are we prepared for it?
How will we finish?
I’d like to tell you about a middle-aged lady who trained for one of the big National Marathons (Boston or NY). She trained with a group of men who, though they weren’t trying to beat the great runners, did want to finish the 26-mile course.
They all ran the 25 miles together and with the big finish line just 1 mile down the road, they began to talk about how they would finish the race with cameras flashing and the T.V. videos rolling at the end.
The men looked at the woman who had stayed up with them all the way and asked, “And, Peg, how are you going to finish?”
Peg reached down into her pocket and pulled out a tube of lipstick she’d carried throughout the race, held it up, and replied, “I’m going to finish “pretty”!”
That’s the way we want to finish—“pretty”!
Invitation.
