II Timothy 4 The Final Chapter The Final Chapter

Introduction Quality of Teaching Use of “clickers” Review of previous chapters

Review Timothy Paul's protégé, son in the faith Evangelist at church in Ephesus Nero Rome burned, blamed Christians Arrested those who confessed to be Christians Fed them to animals; nailed to crosses; burned alive

Review Paul In prison “death row” Many deserted Paul Whole province of Asia Phygelus and Hermogenes Demas, Crescens, Titus But not Onesiphorus!

Review Paul wanted Timothy to come to him Not to be timid like those others Not to be ashamed of Jesus, nor of Paul Join with Paul in suffering for Christ

Message of II Timothy Call to be Faithful! Faithful = Passionately loyal, even if it costs you your life! Faithfully proclaiming the whole counsel of God

II Timothy 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: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage— with great patience and careful instruction. Greek (diamarturomai), often translated “testified” “Members” of the court where Paul gave his testimony F o c u s Must be applied to people’s lives When we feel like it and when we don’t. When it’s comfortable, and when it’s not. When the fruit is evident, and when it’s not.

Last time shared your faith … 1.0 – 24 hours 2.1 – 3 days 3.4 – 7 days 4.More than one week 5.More than one month

Last time had a friend come to church … 1.Within the last month 2.Within the last 1 – 3 months 3.Within the last 4 – 12 months 4.More than one year

Last time studied Bible with someone… 1.Within the last week 2.Within the last month 3.1 – 3 months ago 4.4 – 12 months ago 5.More than one year

(3-4) The need for the true preaching of the word. 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. By nature, people would rather hear what they want to hear.

Man, by his natural instinct, does not want God’s revelation. He would rather hear what he wants to hear. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Psalm 14:1 “There is no God.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” John 14:6 “There are many ways to God.” To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” John 8:31 “Jesus is just alright with me.”

II 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. Though others turned aside to myths, Timothy was to be even more dedicated to doing what God wanted him to do. Paul gave a similar command to Archippus (Colossians 4:17), and he knew what it was to fulfill his own ministry in some sense (Acts 12:25).

Which of the following would be the most likely to keep you from fulfilling your ministry? 1.Fear 2.Unbelief 3.The cares of the world 4.The fear of man 5.Criticism and discouragement 6.Besetting sin

II 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. Genesis 35:14; Exodus 29:40-41 and Leviticus 23:13 God’s workmen pass on, but God’s work continues. Philippians 3:12-14, Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1

II Timothy 4 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. “stephanos” – the victor’s crown The crown for God’s people lasts forever (1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Peter 5:4) We are promised the crown of life if we will endure temptation (James 1:12). Paul was about to be condemned and executed by an earthly court, but he was also going to be rewarded by a heavenly Lord.

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. Will I be counted among the faithful or unfaithful? This was a significant contrast to Paul’s first Roman imprisonment ten years before, where he received many visitors (Acts 28:30-31) Evidence of a restoration of trust in Mark from Paul. Paul had wanted nothing to do with him in Acts 15:36-40.

This cloak left in Troas shows us: Paul gave up everything to serve Jesus (all he had at the end of his life was a cloak and a few books). Paul was almost completely forsaken by his friends (he apparently had no friends to lend or obtain a cloak for him in Rome). Paul had a very independent mind (he would not beg for a cloak). Paul did not care much for how he was dressed (he could have asked for more or for different articles of clothing). Paul was an ordinary man with ordinary needs. II Corinthians 12:22-28.

All of the following became unfaithful EXCEPT 1.Philetus 2.Alexander 3.Onesiphorus 4.Demus

II Timothy 4 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. Perhaps Alexander was a traitor, an informer who betrayed Paul to the Roman government and was responsible for his current imprisonment. 1 Timothy 1:20 Paul mentioned Alexander as someone who had shipwrecked his faith.

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. Paul was all alone, but Jesus stood by him and Paul served God faithfully during his first defense. Paul just didn’t know if this time his fate would end with be delivered out of the mouth of the lion or being preserved for His heavenly kingdom. Paul faced his last moments of this life penniless, friendless, possession-less, cold, without adequate clothing, and destined to soon be executed.

How confident are you that God will rescue you from your most pressing crisis or “attack”? 1.Not at all confident 2.Somewhat confident 3.Fully confident

II Timothy 4 19 Greet Priscilla [a] 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.a Even the Apostle Paul did not have miraculous healing powers to use at his own will.

Charles Spurgeon The Sick Man Left Behind 1.It is the will of God that some good men should be in ill health. 2.Good men may be laid aside when they seem to be most needed. 3. Good men would have the Lord’s work go on whatever becomes of them.

… the last words penned by the Apostle Paul … the last words penned by the Apostle Paul 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. The last words of Paul reflect a man who simply loved Jesus and had received His grace. This simplicity, and all the power that went with it, marked the entire ministry of Paul. Paul had fulfilled his ministry and was ready to receive his reward, and he wanted Timothy to do the same. Just as Paul wanted us to do the same!

How determined are you to be truly faithful till the very end? 1.Not determined 2.Somewhat determined 3.Determined, but not to the point of death 4.Determined to the point of death

Which will we choose? UnfaithfulFaithful

Keys to Faithfulness! Don’t be ashamed! Preach boldly! Stick to God’s Word! Pursue righteousness, faith, and love! Finish your race, fight the good fight, just like Paul!!!