2 Timothy 4 Part 4 Paul Ran His Race Well And Was Ready to Go Home To Jesus.

Finish your race well, anticipating the Lord's reward for faithful service. 

2 Timothy 4:5-8  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6)  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7)  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8)

  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Paul poured out his heart of love for Timothy, knowing that this young pastor needed truth to guide him in ministry from the apostle. 

His last exhortation to Timothy concerning his ministry after Paul's martyrdom, is to be diligent and endure any hardship that may arise from preaching the Word of God. 

Paul wanted Timothy to have the same heart for missions and evangelizing the world that he manifested during his apostolic ministry.

He wanted Timothy to be a church planter and to travel from church to church as the apostles did, to strengthen them or to address any problems that arose. 

Then, it seems that Paul knew his time on earth was short and he speaks in terms of a sacrifice as his life being poured out in death, as one who faithfully served Jehovah.

Paul exhorted the Philippians to live for God's glory and preach the Word. 

Philippians 2:14-18  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16)  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17)  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18)  For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

Paul's letter to the church at Philippi contains similar language. He urged them to remain faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ, and to live according to the gospel.

They must hold forth through witnessing, preaching and teaching the word of life from God. 

Paul was willing to be offered (martyred) knowing that this church family he loved would continue steadfast in their commitment to Christ. 

Paul also wrote to the church at Rome to remind all of us that we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord (See Romans 12:1-2). 

This connects with our body being the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we must live a holy life (See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Paul speaks with a joyous anticipation of dying. He calls it his departure though he knew that he must die a violent death. He calls it his departure, or his release. 

Paul was ready to be with Christ, but also wanted to serve the churches.

Philippians 1:21-24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24)  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you

Paul plainly told the Philippians that his life was wrapped up in Jesus Christ, and that he considered death to be great gain.

Yet, he loved those believers and felt torn between death which would bring him to Jesus in heaven, and staying alive to help the churches with their needs. 

Death to a good man is his release from the imprisonment of this world and his departure to the presence of the Lord. 

Death is like a portal where we leave this physical world behind and enter into eternal glory through faith in Jesus Christ.  

In writing to the Corinthians, Paul spoke of his desire to put off the tabernacle of flesh and to put on the new, glorified body that God promises to all believers (See Philippians 3:21).

Paul continued in expressing his desire to see Jesus Christ. As a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. 

He faithfully served his Master, endured the difficulties of his warfare, and was used by God to achieve glorious victories for Christ over the powers of darkness. 

His life was a course, a race to be run, and he had finished it. Paul could say truly that  “I have kept the faith."

Final requests for Timothy and update on other gospel workers. 

2 Timothy 4:9-13  Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10)  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11)  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12)  And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13)  The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 

Paul requested that Timothy bring him some personal items like his cloak and books of scripture to study. He also asked for parchment in case the Spirit of God moved him to write any additional letter to the churches.

It is sad to note that a man named Demas fell away and loved the world instead of Christ. 

Paul also updated Timothy on where other ministers of the gospel were traveling to. 

Jesus Christ helped Paul withstand the evil attacks of Alexander. 

2 Timothy 4:14-18  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15)  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16)  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

Alexander was a coppersmith who was a fierce opponent of Paul's preaching and one who rejected the gospel of Christ. 

When Paul attempted to make his defense, no other Christians rallied to his cause, and this too, was a disappointment. 

Yet, it was okay as the Lord stood by His apostle and gave him strength to endure. Paul knew that the Lord Jesus Christ would deliver him from all evil works. 

Final greetings to other fellow workers who spread the gospel. 

2 Timothy 4:19-22  Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20)  Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21)  Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22)  The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul listed some Christians with whom he served in evangelization efforts. He wanted Timothy to bring the apostles final greeting to them, to encourage them in their walk with the Lord. 

May we have the heart of Paul as we think about running this faith race together with other like minded Christians.

May we endure the hard things of ministry and service for Christ, as Paul did. His eyes were firmly fixed upon the Lord he loved so much. 

He put the needs of others before his own personal needs.

He did his very best to prepare the next generation of church leaders to be fully equipped for ministry.

He spoke of his death as departing, or as falling asleep in Christ and awakening in His presence.

Let us pray for the Spirit of God to help us take in and meditate upon the profound truths that He led Paul write. 

Let us ask the Lord to use us as He sees fit, in advancing His kingdom purposes.

Bob