SCRIPTURE: 2 TIMOTHY 4
MEMORY VERSE:
“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. No 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)
PAUL’S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY: (vs. 1-8)
- Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. (v. 2)
- Keep you head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (v. 5)
- Fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. (v. 7)
PERSONAL REMARKS: (vs. 9-18)
Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. the Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 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. 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.
FINAL GREETINGS (vs. 19-22)
Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the hou8seholds of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Do you best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
THOUGHTS:
Preaching the Word of God is our most important responsibility because Jesus is coming soon. We should be ready to serve God in any situation. Grasp every opportunity to lead others to Christ. When doing your ministry, be morally alert to temptation, resistant to pressure and vigilant when facing heavy responsibility.
As Paul reached the end of his life, he confidently said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. He was confident in God’s power even as he faced death. He was looking forward to be rewarded by Christ. Paul said these words to encourage Timothy and us, so that no matter how difficult the fight seems, we can keep fighting. Anyone facing a life-and -death struggle can be comforted knowing that God will bring each believer safely through death to his heavenly kingdom. When we are with Jesus, we will know that it is all worth it.
There are two ways to love the world. God loved the world as he created it and sent His son to save us from damnation. But people love the world for its wealth, power, pleasure. We should love the world by doing justice, feeding the hunger and loving one another.
As Paul reached the end of his life, he passed the torch of his ministry to Timothy with his teaching, discipleship and example. Do you have any legacy to leave behind? Are you training someone to carry on your work? You have the responsibility to keep the Good News message alive for the next generation.