Today, my church’s associate pastor, Doyle Jackson, preached a message that really spoke to my heart. With his permission, I am sharing the notes I took, which are a blend of his sermon plus a few of my own thoughts woven throughout as the Holy Spirit moved me. I hope this is a blessing to you as much as it was to me.
Paul is in prison and close to his last day on earth. In the end of this last letter to Timothy, Paul continues to be focused on doing God’s work, and he is encouraging Timothy to remain strong and courageous and continuing preaching the gospel, so he sends him this letter. While this was a letter to Timothy, a young preacher that Paul thought of as a son in the faith, it is also part of the Word of God that the Lord inspired Paul to write for generations-to-come to read and study long after he and Timothy had finished their work on earth. It is this Bible, that we have in our hand today, and it is truly a love letter from God! Just as we would reread love letters, we should reread the Word of God and allow Him to speak to us every day! Here is what this portion of God’s love letter says to us today.
1) First… the charge from the man of God. “Charge” means to assign a responsibility or a duty. Paul reminds Timothy he has a divine responsibility. He tells Timothy to not forsake this calling from God. One day, our lives here on earth will be over, and we will give an account to God of what we have done with our lives. God is the judge, and one day we will stand before Him. Are you ready? Are you saved? Is there a day in your life when you asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you? A time when you understood that you were a sinner and could not save yourself, but chose to believe that Jesus died on the cross to provide salvation and the assurance of a future home in heaven? Did you call upon the Lord and ask Him for His forgiveness of sins and to save your soul? Salvation through faith in Jesus will guarantee eternal life in heaven one day. The authority of the Bible guarantees that if you make that decision to accept God’s Son as your personal Lord and Saviour.
If saved, are you surrendered to the Lord? Have you allowed God to take control of your life and do what He wants to do with you? Are you willing to do what God directs you to do? God has a plan for each life. There is no greater satisfaction or joy in life than doing what God has prepared you to do. Additionally, whatever God calls you to do, He will equip you with the knowledge, skill, and ability to do it! There is no need to fear what God asks of you! One future day, we will give an account to God of what we have done for Him. The Lord called Timothy to preach the Word of God because the world he was a part of desperately needed the hope that only Jesus offers. The world today is also full of idolatry, sinfulness, and wickedness. We need to share the gospel with all we encounter! Why? The good news of Jesus Christ is the only answer to the problem of sin and its impact in our world. No matter what the circumstances are, no matter if people mock or reject you, we must be faithful to get the Word of God out to a lost and dying world. It is not just a preacher’s or Sunday school teacher’s responsibility; it is the duty of every single child of God to share the good news of the gospel… the truth of the Bible! There is no doubt that our world urgently needs it! Why is that? Because Jesus is coming soon. The evidence of this next event on God’s calendar is clearly spelled out in Scripture. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel of Christ! We must be fervent in our work for the Lord before the trump of God sounds! (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Imagine where you would be if no one shared Jesus with you!
2) Second… the condition of the man of God. Paul is in prison because he chose to live for God. He committed no crime. He simply chose to be a faithful minister for 30+ years of his life. If you were in a dungeon or jail and knew you were going to be executed for your faith, what would you be doing? Paul was in this very situation. However, he realized there was still much work to do for God. He was “content” (Philippians 4:11( in his circumstances and refused to quit. He realized that God was sovereign and in complete control of his life. He also knew that in his last day, God would take him home to be with Him forever. Paul never abandoned his calling despite the fact that living for Christ was not easy. He didn’t quit; he finished his race (2 Timothy 4:7), and he finished it well to the glory of God. Paul knew there was a reward in heaven for him and all those who live for the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 6:10), and that was reflected in his testimony. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
3) Third… the concern of the man of God. Paul writes about those who have abandoned him. His heart was probably broken because a fellow-laborer, who was a trusted man, fell in love with the present world. He had pursued the temporary of this earthly life and forsook that which was eternal. Many Christians do that today. They live their lives for things… material things… not realizing those things would one day be left behind. 2 Timothy 3:4 states that people would become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Sometimes even believers can get off course as Paul warns about in the end of this letter to Timothy. We need to ask ourselves, “Is there anything I love in my life more than I love God?” When you ask yourself this question, be honest with the answer. If you find there are things that mean more to you than doing God’s work, it is time to seek God’s forgiveness and help to make things right.
4) Lastly… the confidence of the man of God. In verse 17, Paul writes about how God has been with him and strengthened him. He writes about being “delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” His confidence was not in himself… it was in God. That’s encouragement, and Paul needed that at the end of his life. And oh, how God encouraged him! The strength that Paul received from God enabled him to bring glory to the Lord despite facing his execution!. Hebrews 13:6 reminds us, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” No doubt this was forefront in Paul’s mind.
How is all this applicable to us today? What can we glean from this conclusive letter from Paul to Timothy… from God to us? Here is what we must do:
1) Allow God to have His way in your life.
2) Choose faithfulness to God regardless of what anyone else does.
3) Live for the eternal; live for that which really matters.
4) Enjoy daily the Lord’s presence… find a time to be alone with Him every day.
5) Remember, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus
Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.
(from “It Will Be Worth It All” by Esther Kerr Rusthoi)
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14
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For whom are you running your race?