[:en]SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 4
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“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)
These are the final messages of Paul to Timothy:
- Preach the Word in season and out of season (v. 2) – Paul charged Timothy to proclaim the Word and reveal the truth. It implied knowing the Word, explaining the Word and leading them to obey the Word. He warned that the time will come when people will not want the sound doctrine. Instead, they want religious entertainment by shallow religious entertainer to tickle their itching ears and satisfy their wants.
- Discharge all the duties of your ministry (v. 5) – Paul knew that his time had come for his departure. He had fought the good fight like a good soldier. He had been a steadfast runner for the Gospel. He had kept the faith courageously. Now, he was awaiting the Lord’s coming to receive his reward – the crown of righteousness.
- Do your best to come to me quickly (v. 9) – Demas had deserted Paul and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens had gone to minister at Galatia while Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke was with Paul. Paul asked Timothy to come quickly because winter was coming. If he delayed, he may not be able to see Paul. He told him to bring with him Mark whom he had forgiven for forsaking him before because Mark had proved himself to be profitable in his ministry with Barnabas. He also asked Timothy to bring the cloak he had left in Troas and his scrolls and parchment because he would spend time studying His Word. He warned Timothy about Alexander, the metalworker who strongly opposed his message and did great harm to him.
- Send greetings to my friends (v. 19) – Even at the end of his life, Paul still remember his friends – Priscilla & Aquila, Onesiphorus, Erastus, and Trophimus. His last sentence was: “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you”
LESSON:
We must always be ready to preach the Word. That means we have to prepare ourselves in season and out of season to be able to serve God at anytime and in any situation.
Be alert to resist temptation and persevere in your ministry. Be vigilant to fulfill God’s will in your life.
As the older believers are about to leave the scene, we need to develop young people to takeover. It is time to pass the torch, preparing young leaders to continue His works. Let us leave the living legacy of competent teaching, faithful discipleship and good example to the next generation.
Let us face death calmly and with confidence. May we be able to say: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race; I have kept the faith” as we await God’s reward in heaven.[:]