2 Tim., Pt. 7 (Faith Fulfilled)
 
The Final Fight, the Final Race, and Faith Fulfilled 2 Timothy 4, Pt. 7 By Pastor Dan Kennedy © November 8, 2015 www.pastorkennedy.com What would you think if a dear respected friend and spiritual mentor wrote you a letter, memo, email, or text that began by saying: • “I am going to ask you to do something that is so important, it would be as if we were standing in the very presence of God and Christ Jesus, while I was asking this of you. • I am asking you to do this in the light of the reality that Jesus Christ will judge the living and the dead – and He will judge you if you don’t do this! • I am charging you with keeping the responsibility of this request, before Jesus who is going to appear and hold you accountable, at His great appearing, if you do not do it. • This, that I ask, is in keeping with and being responsible to the Kingdom of God for all eternity.” That being said, this is what I am asking you to do…. The Mentor’s Challenge What do you think Paul was challenging Timothy to do, with such an introduction? Paul to Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.” 2 Timothy 4:1 Before we discuss the “charge” that Paul was giving to Timothy, it is interesting that this first verse in 2 Timothy 4 is confirming four specific aspects of Christian Faith: Paul said to Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus…” 1. God is Omnipresent, Omniscient, and Omnipotent. a. God is Present Everywhere: Omnipresent. b. He Knows All Things…including all that we do or say: God is Omniscient. c. He is All Powerful: Omnipotent. God can do whatever He wants to do. He has no limitations. (Ps. 139:1-4; Heb. 4:13; Job 28:23-24; Ps. 33:13-15; 2 Chron. 16:9; Prov. 15:3) Paul said to Timothy: “In the Presence of… Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead…” 2. Jesus Christ is the ultimate and final Judge of all mankind. (John 12:47-48; Rom. 2:14-16; 14:10-12; Acts 17:31; Ecclesiastes 12:14) Paul said to Timothy: “and in view of His (Christ’s) appearing…” 3. Jesus is going to Come Again. (Titus 2:13,14; 1 Thess. 4:13-5:11; Matt. 24:36-51; 1 Cor. 15:50-53; Phil. 3:20-21; 2 Thess. 2:1-8; 1 John 2:28) Paul said to Timothy: “and in view of … His (Christ’s) kingdom…” 4. Christ’s Eternal Kingdom is a reality. (Daniel 7:13-14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Col. 1:13; 2 Peter 1:10-11; Acts 28:31; Eph. 5:5; Rev. 11:15) 2 Timothy 4:1 4: 1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: The Apostle Paul was challenging Timothy to be faithful and responsible in who he was as one who carried the Gospel of Christ to others… Because how he would live and what he would do would be: • Visible to God and Christ Jesus. • Christ Jesus would judge his actions. • In view of Christ’s Appearing. • And in view of His Eternal Kingdom! What do you think Paul was challenging Timothy to do, with such an introduction? The Critical Message/Charge – Paul gave to Timothy, who was being mentored to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Paul’s challenge, before God and Christ Jesus, is also for each person wanting to be a growing disciple of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 4:2 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. The Scripture is the Key – “Preach the Word.” In this world, under the dominion of the Evil one, there is a continual rebellion, on every hand, against the clear instructions of God’s Word. Charge to Timothy, before God, by Paul: Stay faithful to the message of God’s Word…tell others what God has said. “Preach the Word.” • When we share the Word of God with someone we must be faithful in sharing the message from God’s Word, the Bible. Know the Word, Speak the Word and Seek the Empowerment of the Holy Spirit when you share it! 1. The Scripture is the Key – “Preach the Word.” 2. The Seasons Change – “Be prepared in season and out of season.” No one consistently has only positive experiences and blessings all the time. If we are fellow servants of Jesus Christ we will also: • “Suffer persecution” at times. • Have physical pain and problems in life. • Have trials…sometime “fiery” trials. • Not always be liked. • Will need to “die” to ourselves from time to time…sometimes daily. • Will need to repent and ask forgiveness when we do the wrong thing. • Will need to defer to someone else’s opinions and ideas. • We will need to seek to follow Christ no matter what the “season”! “Be prepared in season and out of season.” Be faithful to God and the promptings of His Holy Spirit in our life, in good times and bad. Do you remember Job’s response to his wife regarding the personal suffering poured on him by Satan, after having lost all that he had? Job 2:7–10 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. 3. The Serious Confrontation – “Correct, rebuke and encourage.” Faithfulness to honorably interact with each other in doing the hard things, as well as the easy and enjoyable things. Psalm 141:5 5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Proverbs 9:8 8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Ecclesiastes 7:5 5 It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. 4. The Sensitivity should be Consistent – “With great patience and careful instruction.” Faithfulness in care of others as we correct, rebuke and encourage one another. 2 Timothy 2:24–26 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 1. The Scripture is the Key – “Preach the Word.” 2. The Seasons Change – “Be prepared in season and out of season.” 3. The Serious Confrontation – “Correct, rebuke and encourage.” 4. The Sensitivity should be Consistent – “With great patience and careful instruction.” Paul gave this charge to Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom…” 2 Timothy 4:1 Why was this charge given? Itching Ears and the Mediocrity of the Masses 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. Ideal Responses to Issues that Arise 2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. The Memorial Crown 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing. The Mentor’s Final Remarks Personal Requests 9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. Personal Caution 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. Personal Support 16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Personal Greetings 19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Conclusion The Mentor’s Challenge Paul to Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.” 2 Timothy 4:1 Paul’s challenge, before God and Christ Jesus, is also for each person wanting to be a growing disciple of Jesus Christ. 1. The Scripture is the Key – “Preach the Word.” 2. The Seasons Change – “Be prepared in season and out of season.” 3. The Serious Confrontation – “Correct, rebuke and encourage.” 4. The Sensitivity should be Consistent – “With great patience and careful instruction.” Why is this charge given? Itching Ears and the Mediocrity of the Masses • They will not put up with sound doctrine. • They will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. • They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. Ideal Responses to Issues that Arise • Keep your head in all situations, • Endure hardship, • Do the work of an evangelist, • Discharge all the duties of your ministry. The Memorial Crown “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 http://www.pastorkennedy.comshapeimage_2_link_0