2tim4v6-8

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READING: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-8 TEXT: v6-8 [SERIES #15]

Bishop Ryle gives a great outline/passage that I must borrow (Why reinvent the wheel?)
1) Paul looked downward – thinking of the grave (v6)
2) Paul looked backward – reviewed his life/ministry (v7)
3) Paul looked forward – anticipated heaven (v8)

These words are really the swan song of the great Apostle
Perhaps he wrote other letters – but none inspired like this
I don’t know how he knew that he was going to be soon offered
He doesn’t tell us if he had already been judged/condemned
Did he receive an extra revelation? i.e. perhaps when the Lord stood by Him and strengthened him (v10)
Perhaps this phrase stood by me means he felt the gracious power of God giving him strength (as in the next phrase)
Perhaps it means that the Lord Jesus or His spirit literally stood by Him – appearing supernaturally unto him
Whichever – was he told that his days were finally numbered?

He wanted Timothy to come shortly unto him (v9)
This denotes a great urgency – supported/word: Diligence
OTOH: It was to be before winter (v21) with request for the cloak (for the cold weather) and also a few books
This suggests that he anticipated time to study/read

However, evidently the grave loomed on Paul’s horizon
So words that he leaves behind are full of victory
It is clear that he has no regrets
Where did Paul ever write that Christianity was a waste of time?
Where does he ever say that he could have done something better with his life?
He was a highly educated man – His credentials in the Jewish world could hardly be bettered – He had learned a good trade
He had many of the noble traits of human nature
He was clearly industrious, studious and courageous (A good outline too!)
Yet he never considered himself to be wasted/ministry
He finished his life exhorting Timothy to make full proof of his ministry (v5) and to instruct other ministers likewise (2:2)

Let’s look at Bishop Ryle’s great outline:

1) PAUL LOOKED DOWNWARD: v6
He realised that he was staring death in the face

A/ Paul viewed death/general as a departure
Nowhere/Bible is it ever viewed as an end/existence
(As taught by atheists/materialists/JW’s and other cults)
It is always viewed as a removal from one place to another

For the Christian: it is from life on this earth to heaven
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)
Again: 2 Corinthians 5:8 Absent from the body and present with the Lord
Death is a relocation
We leave our place in this life and we enter immediately into life in the next (eternal) dimension
Therefore, the Lord said to the repentant thief: Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)

For the unsaved wicked – it is a removal from this life to hell
And it came to pass …the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:22-23)

B/ Paul viewed his own death as an offering: (v8)
It may be argued: it was wicked Caesar who was doing/offering
I think that if Paul could’ve lived longer, without compromise, then he would have:
Certainly, he had a duty to do so
We cannot go about arranging our own death in that sense
It is the flip side of the 6th Commandment: Thou shalt not kill
WCF S/C Quest 68 What is required in the 6th commandment?
Ans:- The 6th Commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life and the life of others
It would not have been lawful for Paul to have chosen life in exchange for his faith or his duty towards God
Therefore Paul was being offered to die

C/ But it was Paul then who was in control
Part of the acceptability of the offering is that it is offered up voluntarily and with the whole heart
Paul certainly wanted to glorify God in his death

Certainly when Peter was martyrdom for Christ glorified Him:
Having prophesied that Peter would be crucified as a martyr:
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (21:19)
Paul’s death would not be any the less glorious: God (Philippians 1:20) would be glorified whether in life/death

Consider the Covenanting martyrs of the Scots kirk
Some of them died horrible physical deaths and their tortured bodies hung up as warnings to others
But they died in glory – not of men but of God
Likewise Paul – he yielded his body/soul to the will/God

D/ Our death will always be according to the will/God
Paul speaks here of the time to be offered
Think not that this time has been set unilaterally by Caesar
There is a time to be born and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
This time has been set by God and none can tinker with it
Of course, we take all precautions as necessary
We eat healthily – we protect our bodies – we stay safe
But the time of our death has been appointed (Hebrews 9:27)
So we do not give the wicked any more fear than we should
We do not see ourselves as being in their hands – but God’s

Yes – somewhat calmly, Paul looked downward
He felt that the grave was looming and spoke freely about it
There are not many wicked people ready to do that
If you can get them unto eternity at all – they will only deny it
They must either debate it or fool themselves into thinking that they are ready to die – but Paul/ in a different class altogether

2) PAUL LOOKED BACKWARD: v7

A/ Paul’s fitness to die was not based on what he had done
Paul isn’t taking here about his salvation
That was settled entirely 100% on what Christ did for Him

Upon a life, I did not live _ Upon a death I did not die
Another’s life and Another’s death – I stake my soul eternally

Paul gave us the great texts like Ephesians 2:8-9/Romans 3:28
These words relate: his service for God rather than justification

He gives us a threefold insight into his ministry
Evidently this is what God wants us to be able to say:

B/ He says that he fought a good fight

[i] It was a fight – a battle royal
He had enemies who actively opposed him because of his faith in God and the Bible
This is something that needs to be stressed in this day/age
Paul did not see himself as being somewhat exclusive/unique
Not because he was an Apostle or Apostle born/due time
In this matter, he saw himself simply as a typical Christian
He exhorted Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier (2:3)
Ephesians 6 (written to whole congregation): Put on the whole armour of God
Explained what this armour consisted off and why needed

Contrary to popular opinion, Christianity is not for softies
Some of the most aligned men/society have been Christians
The cream puff Christianity of Archbishops/Canterbury: false
It is a fight to the bitter death

[ii] It was a good fight
Not every fight Christians get involved in are good fights
We are only blessed if we are persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:11-12)
Often we can off/tangent and bring trouble on our own heads
Or we can start something fleshy or for fleshy reasons and then try and bring the Bible in to it to cover our tracks
That is prostituting the good fight rather than fighting it

A good fight is when we fight the Lord’s enemies the Lord’s way
Fighting sound brethren over secondary doctrine is not good
Paul talked about those caused unnecessary division/church
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17)
He is not speaking here about secular forces etc.,
He is speaking here about professing Christians who have introduced new doctrine into the church – other than what they had learned from Bible – mark them and avoid them
Sometimes, we are not even to fight them
Probably be an original fight – but let it not linger on
Mark them, avoid them and get on with the good fight

[iii] I remind you from earlier passage: Good fight of faith (6:17)
These are our weapons of warfare (Cp Ephesians 6:10-17)
They are spiritual and not carnal
Rome (and hijacked Anglicanism) used the sword/flame to fight her spiritual battles – both lost out with God
Our sword is the word/God and we wield in it preaching (4:2)
We preach it in faith that God will use it for His own glory

[iv] We fight this good fight of faith
Pretty easy to talk about it and even talk about fighting it!
Paul actually went to the battle field and fought
Sometimes we can borrow the words of David’s brother:
I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. (1 Samuel 17:28)

The word for fight is transliterated: Literally agonise
Same word as Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in
So it was no minimal involvement either
This was something that had been real

C/ Not only fought good fight – but he finished/course
John Gill allows this to refer either to his life (as in v6) or his ministry (previous clause)
I tend to run with the latter
Christian life has been likened unto a race (2:5)
Best reference on this subject is 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
Also reference: Hebrews 12:2

Paul makes reference to Demas who dropped out (v10)
QUEST: Does a true believer drop out of the race?
ANSWER: If we are linking this question in with Demas?
Certainly questionable whether Demas was a true believer
A man may profess to run the race i.e. profess to be a Christian
And yet in reality do/be neither

We certainly see some professing Christians hardly running
Often got waylaid into by path meadow (Cp Pilgrim’s Progess)
I wouldn’t sit in absolute judgement over them
Neither would I extend them much comfort except to return

Even if we have gotten waylaid or have fallen down into the dirt
We can always get up again
Paul didn’t say that he won the race ahead of anyone else
He didn’t say that it was a pretty sight to behold
He never claimed to have set world records etc.,
He just said that he finished the course

In this, he was like John/Baptist of whom he previously spoke:
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. (Act 13:25)

Let us finish our course
Keep on keeping on – looking unto Jesus is the key!

D/ He kept the faith also
[i] Kept it doctrinally: Never modernised his faith
Might have developed his understanding and maybe reworded a few things for greater clarity
But he was as true/Bible and basics/faith as when he started
This was when others had abandoned it for whatever reason

[ii] Kept it practically
Not only maintained his doctrine but also his walk/God
No wonder Solomon observed:
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. (Proverbs 16:31)

3) PAUL LOOKED FORWARD: v8

A/ What could be more hopeless than a condemned cell?
Waiting to be dispatched as an undesirable out of this world?
If Paul was hated of men – He was greatly beloved of God
In many ways – his life was only beginning!

B/ God had already laid up the crown/righteousness for Paul
God does not have crowns left over unclaimed
This verse is akin to John 14:2 “Gone to prepare a place”

C/ Crown will be given in the Day of Judgement i.e. that day
Let this encourage us to keep going
You cannot waste your life in doing God service
I’m sure there may be thousands of faithful Christians labouring away for God unheard, unappreciated and unsung of men
But they are not forgotten or unpaid by God
Our wages on that day will far expend our costs
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

D/ Such is not for Paul alone
All (great or small – talented or untalented) will partake
Condition: That we love the Lord’s appearing

This is perhaps something we need to work on
[i] How familiar are we with this subject?
We need to study it as revealed in the word/God

[ii] We need to study it devotionally
You do not need to be in any prophetic school to do that!

[iii] Need to be very practical about it – as Paul was here

THE END

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