July 8, 2014
FINISH THE RACE
2 Timothy 4:1–8
Justin Allen
Central Truth
We want to say the same thing as Paul -- that at the end of our earthly lives, we have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.
Key Verse | 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
2 Timothy 4:1–8
Preach the Word
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound 1 4:3 Or healthy teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.
Dive Deeper | 2 Timothy 4:1–8
"[T]o live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)
These famous words written by the apostle Paul are the goal for each believer in Christ. Death, for us in Christ, means freedom from the flesh and this world and ultimate freedom in Christ. Life, then, is devoted to Christ and the sharing of His salvation with all we encounter. Nothing of this world compares to the "surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord" (Philippians 3:8, NASB).
Knowing Jesus changes lives. And we who know Him yearn to live for Him. We desire to make His name known and to share His love with as many people as possible. We should seek to glorify His name in all that we do. From time to time, we will fall from weakness. But Christ's strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Showing love to people is definitely one of my weaknesses. For the past year and a half, I frequented my local IHOP almost daily to study Scripture and enjoy fellowship with friends. In the process, I got to know one of the waiters. I shared the gospel with him numerous times. He mostly rejected what I said.
I have moved away since then and don't patronize my favorite diner nearly as much as I once did. But I recently received a text message from the waiter my friends and I got to know. Through the love and care we showed him, he said we had restored his faith. And we didn't even know it.
It was an awe-inspiring moment from God. After all those rejections from the waiter, I began to feel as though I were weak. Paul boasted in his weakness, for he saw that Christ shined through his weakness. In this same way, I was able to see Christ work in my weakness.
Do you feel weak? Take heart. You're in good company. Keep going because the work you do is worthy. Finish the race. Keep the faith. A transforming relationship with Christ is the prize we seek.
Discussion Questions
1. What are some of your weaknesses? Do you tend to hide them?
2. Are you willing to let your weakness be evident in your life, so that Christ may work through them? Have you seen God work through your weakness lately?
3. Are you "fighting the good fight" and "keeping the faith"?