2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Introduction
: Super Bowl Sunday. Sunday where champions are crowned.
Paul speaks on behalf of three different groups;
us
,
them
and
me
.
I. US – 4:1-2
Starts with a Blast – Charge – vr. 1
Illustration
: Trump blast…. CHARGE!
Charge
= To testify; to confirm a thing by testimony, cause to be believed.
“I solemnly testify/charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,”
“Who will someday judge the living and the dead…”
Question
: But I’m not a preacher! Timothy was…that’s right.
2. Be Prepared
Question
: How can I/we do this if not a preacher. (My simplest of recommendations)
We are called to:
Correct
– to convict, refute, generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted, to bring to light
Rebuke
– show honor, to raise the price of, to mete out due measure, hence to censure
Encourage
– strengthen, comfort, support
All rebuke and no encouragement = harshness, resentment, bitterness and rebellion.
All Encouragement without rebuke = apathy, entitlement, shallowness and immaturity.
Transition:
Transition
: Paul speaks about all believers, then address those who aren’t and then concludes with himself….gives a testimony.
III. ME
–
3:6-7
Paul says clearly that he is pretty much done. He realizes that time and ministry are soon to run out. He considers himself as on the eve of being sacrificed, and looks upon his blood as the libation which was poured out on the sacrificial offering.
Listen to the incredible Faith of a Champion!
A. Fought
(A Good Fight)
Application
: When I think of wrestling or today’s modern boxing and now MMA stuff, I think of a couple of things:
Paul is saying, “I have struggled hard, and have overcome, in a most honorable way.”
B. Run
(Race) /
Finished the Course
Application
: Training regiments for
Application
: Some have lost their sight; others have actually lost their lives!
C. Finished / Kept
(Faith/Course)
Application
: As the laws of these games must most diligently be observed and kept, (for though a man overcome, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully),
So, Paul is saying, I have kept the rules of the spiritual combat and race; and thus, having contended lawfully, and conquered in each exercise, I have a right to expect the prize!
Conclusion
: It takes a lot to be a real champion! Through Christ, (his work on the cross and the resurrection) and by his grace which keeps us and empowers us to live, we too have the goal of being crowned a champion!
Post Resurrection Options
John 11:25-26 Introduction: Now that Resurrection Sunday is behind us, what’s next? Question: What happened with the people and the disciples after the ‘dust had settled?’ “Doubting Thomas” refers to Thomas the Apostle, one of Jesus’ disciples who famously doubted the resurrected Jesus’s presence. He initially refused to believe the other apostles’ claims of seeing…
Resurrection Life
Easter Sunday 2025 John 11:25-26 Introduction: The Power of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is seen as a powerful affirmation of God’s victory over death and sin. What we need to understand is that there was a tremendous demonstration; a magnificent display of God’s power at the resurrection of Christ from the dead, which…
On His Way
Palm Sunday 2025 John 12:12-16 Jesus On His Way Introduction: This message provides a detailed account of significant events leading up to Palm Sunday 2025, emphasizing the miracles performed by Jesus, His teachings, and the importance of Bethany in His ministry. Miracles and Blessings: Jesus performed numerous miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead and healing…
By His Stripes
Isaiah 53:4; James 5:13-15 In the context of Christian faith, the command to “lay hands on the sick” refers to the belief that believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can participate in healing through prayer and the laying on of hands, as seen in verses like Mark 16:18 and James 5:14-15. NLT Mark 16:17-18 ‘These…
New Every Morning
Lamentations 3:22-24 Introduction: (NLT) ‘Because of the Lord’s Covenant Faithfulness, we do not perish. His Mercies never end; they are new every morning, how great is your faithfulness oh God, “the Lord is my inheritance, I will put my hope in Him”’. NKJ – ‘that we are not consumed’ Deuteronomy 4:31 ‘For the LORD your…
Hold On Tight
Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12 NKJ Isaiah 35:3 ‘Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees’. NLT Isaiah 35:3 ‘With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees’. NKJ Hebrews 12:12 ‘Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees’, NLT Hebrews 12:12 ‘So take…
Called and Appointed
John 15:12 John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, than1 to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you servants,…
Onesimus – The NT Hobo
Book of Philemon Introduction: For some, especially the young, the word or term ‘hobo’ might not be familiar. Growing up there was an understanding in my mind that there were actually hobos who would jump onto trains to get them to and from wherever they were going. What is the history of the hobo? They…
Me and My Church
Introduction: There is the Church Universal And then there is the Local Church. Question: What is the Local Church. Place of gathering; The Location (could be at the beach), the structure or the building or the facility where one gathers for: • Worship and teaching: A place to regularly gather for worship, prayer, and hearing…