See: 2 Timothy 4: 1-8
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I. To Be Consistent vv.1-4
v.1
Paul exhorts Timothy to do his duty with all care and diligence. A solemn charge to Timothy, to be consistent in preaching the gospel, and in the whole work of the ministry. It is not something we do as Christians from 9 to 5, but we should always be sharing His wonderful message whether convenient or not.
Mankind needs to know that only Christ brings eternal life, hope in a living resurrection. Paul was charging Timothy to see and practice just that. As believers we are called to be diligent with consistency to the ministry of Christ.
I. To Be Consistent vv.1-4
v.1
Paul exhorts Timothy to do his duty with all care and diligence. A solemn charge to Timothy, to be consistent in preaching the gospel, and in the whole work of the ministry. It is not something we do as Christians from 9 to 5, but we should always be sharing His wonderful message whether convenient or not.
Mankind needs to know that only Christ brings eternal life, hope in a living resurrection. Paul was charging Timothy to see and practice just that. As believers we are called to be diligent with consistency to the ministry of Christ.
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v. 2
This literally means to proclaim as a herald. To tell the gospel of Christ even though it offends many. To share the truth of God, for the power of salvation in Christ alone.
Paul warns us why we should do just that. He warns us why we should be consistent in the faithfulness to the ministry of Christ. Look at verses 3 and 4
How can we be faithful and consistent to the ministry of Christ? By always proclaiming his word.
Romans 10: 14-15 says this, “14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Consistently preach the gospel! If you don’t love the gospel, you have lost your purpose! If you can be good at one thing, be good at sharing the gospel and making disciples! That’s the only thing that will last!
v. 2
This literally means to proclaim as a herald. To tell the gospel of Christ even though it offends many. To share the truth of God, for the power of salvation in Christ alone.
Paul warns us why we should do just that. He warns us why we should be consistent in the faithfulness to the ministry of Christ. Look at verses 3 and 4
How can we be faithful and consistent to the ministry of Christ? By always proclaiming his word.
Romans 10: 14-15 says this, “14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Consistently preach the gospel! If you don’t love the gospel, you have lost your purpose! If you can be good at one thing, be good at sharing the gospel and making disciples! That’s the only thing that will last!
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II. To Be Confident vv.5-6
II. To Be Confident vv.5-6
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Lets look at verse 5.
See Paul taught this because he knew and had experienced that persecutions would come. There has to be a confidence in a living redeemer to withstand afflictions, the confidence we should have is in the cross. We have to live as though the tomb is empty.
At the end of the day, you’re not going to always feel like you’ve made an impact. Satan, your flesh, or even a person in passing will cause you to doubt your purpose! Be confident! 1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
Lets look at verse 5.
See Paul taught this because he knew and had experienced that persecutions would come. There has to be a confidence in a living redeemer to withstand afflictions, the confidence we should have is in the cross. We have to live as though the tomb is empty.
At the end of the day, you’re not going to always feel like you’ve made an impact. Satan, your flesh, or even a person in passing will cause you to doubt your purpose! Be confident! 1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
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1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
An interesting item found in verse 5 “Endure sufferings”, the Greek word here is the same as to “endure hardness.” This is found in 2 Timothy 2:3 “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3: 12, “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This takes confidence in a higher sovereign power.
You will suffer, but Christ is worth it! At the end of the day when even you’re dog hates you! Christ says, rest in me!
An interesting item found in verse 5 “Endure sufferings”, the Greek word here is the same as to “endure hardness.” This is found in 2 Timothy 2:3 “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3: 12, “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This takes confidence in a higher sovereign power.
You will suffer, but Christ is worth it! At the end of the day when even you’re dog hates you! Christ says, rest in me!
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Lets look at next part of verse 5, “Do the work of an evangelist – On the word “evangelist,” the phrase here means, “do the work of preaching the gospel,” or of one appointed to proclaim the good news of salvation. Just like taking a beating for Christ, I’m not going to preach to dry bones knowing that they will not come to life unless I’m confident in Christ alone. I am confident that my Lord reigns. He lived here on earth and died so whosoever will come to Him for eternal life. That my friends, takes confidence that the truth of the Bible are indeed real. If they were not what are we doing here?
Then “fulfill your ministry” Paul lived this out. We too must consistently, confidently live this! Paul said in Acts 20:24 ” But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Lets look at next part of verse 5, “Do the work of an evangelist – On the word “evangelist,” the phrase here means, “do the work of preaching the gospel,” or of one appointed to proclaim the good news of salvation. Just like taking a beating for Christ, I’m not going to preach to dry bones knowing that they will not come to life unless I’m confident in Christ alone. I am confident that my Lord reigns. He lived here on earth and died so whosoever will come to Him for eternal life. That my friends, takes confidence that the truth of the Bible are indeed real. If they were not what are we doing here?
Then “fulfill your ministry” Paul lived this out. We too must consistently, confidently live this! Paul said in Acts 20:24 ” But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
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Verse 6
“Being poured out as a drink offering”, or as the blood was poured out at the bottom of the altar; which is expressive of martyrdom, and shows that the apostle Paul knew what death
Verse 6
“Being poured out as a drink offering”, or as the blood was poured out at the bottom of the altar; which is expressive of martyrdom, and shows that the apostle Paul knew what death
he should die.
Paul was so confident in the ministry of Christ that if need be he’d die serving Him. Knowing what is beyond and being with Christ in heaven is the ultimate reward. “and the time of my departure has come.” Paul saw his ministry coming to close. He had been faithful to the ministry of Christ by being consistent, confident in Christ alone,
Paul was so confident in the ministry of Christ that if need be he’d die serving Him. Knowing what is beyond and being with Christ in heaven is the ultimate reward. “and the time of my departure has come.” Paul saw his ministry coming to close. He had been faithful to the ministry of Christ by being consistent, confident in Christ alone,
and being changed by all of this.
Paul’s confidence in Christ was such that even in prison, in affliction, he saw his life in chains as a way to advance the gospel.
Paul’s confidence in Christ was such that even in prison, in affliction, he saw his life in chains as a way to advance the gospel.
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III. To Be Changed vv.7-8
III. To Be Changed vv.7-8
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Verse 7
A huge transition from Paul’s earlier life before Christ noted in Acts 9
Paul was so radically changed that he turned from a devotion of ridding the world of Christians, to a devotion of sharing the saving message of Christ.
The more you fall in love with Christ, the more you will be changed! The less of self and the more of Him is what you’ll thirst for.
Verse 7
A huge transition from Paul’s earlier life before Christ noted in Acts 9
Paul was so radically changed that he turned from a devotion of ridding the world of Christians, to a devotion of sharing the saving message of Christ.
The more you fall in love with Christ, the more you will be changed! The less of self and the more of Him is what you’ll thirst for.
Let John 3:30 be your mantra
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
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Like Paul I hope this is what we too can say. Will verse 8 be true in your life.
Be consistent, be confident, while being changed to Christ likeness.
Like Paul I hope this is what we too can say. Will verse 8 be true in your life.
Be consistent, be confident, while being changed to Christ likeness.