Sermon Tone Analysis

!! A.      Listen to Paul’s own words:

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8

 

How much do you desire to be able to say these same words at the end of your life?

Are you currently on track to be able to do so?

!! B.      What is “finishing well”?

*Paul is a supreme model* of a person who ends their life “*finishing well*”.

Other men and women since Paul have also *finished the race and kept the faith*.

What characteristics are true of their lives?

Characteristics of those who finish well:

 

*1.

**They maintain a personal, vibrant relationship with God right up to the end.*

a.

*Isaiah 58:7-9*

                  1.

This verse talks about doing what is right.

….

RECEIVE the Blessing of the Lord

                  2.

Listen to what the *Amplified translation* says for verse 8:

                              “Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and *your right relationship with God*) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”[1]

b.

*Romans 5:8*

                  1.

This verse sounds like we are *JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD*, and we are.

i.

This word "*JUSTIFIED*" means among other things, "*RELATIONSHIP*."

ii.

*RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD*

                  2.

Again the *Amplified Bible* says, “Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation /and/ wrath of God.[2]

                  3. *2 Corinthians 5:17-21*

                              i.

Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments."

ii.

We have been given a new relationship with God, but like with any relationship you have to walk with them.

*2.

**They maintain a learning posture and can learn from various kinds of sources – life especially.*

a.       Jesus said in *Matthew** 11:29,* “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

[3]

b.      Turn to *Isaiah 5:13*.

1.

The KJV says, “*CAPTIVITY*” *NASB* says, “*EXILE*”

2.      They have been *exiled from the promises of God* by not having a knowledge of God, or limited knowledge.

i.                    Exiled also means removed.

c.

Turn to *Hosea 4:6*.

      1.

In the word “*DESTROYED*” The verb means to come to an end, but it is always a violent end [4]

      2.

In one of the Bibles I was looking at, it had a little note which said the Word "*destroyed*" actually means *"CUT OFF"*.

d. *Romans 12:1-2*

e. *James** 1:21*.

      1.

The Word of God is able to save (Sozo) the soul.

2.

*Joshua** 1:8* says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”[5]

i.

In order for you to finish well like the apostle Paul, you have to be a continual learner.

ii. Always learning more about him, through studying the Word and through relationship with Him.

      f.

Not only do we learn from the written word, but we need to learn to follow His voice (His direction).

i.

Learn by a observance, knowing how God will move in certain circumstances (the will of God).

*3.

**They evidence Christ likeness in character (godliness ‑ you see Jesus in them).*

a.       *Galatians 3:27* says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”[6]

1.

We have been clothed with Christ and His anointing.

2.      Walk in the character of God.

(Minister for a long time on the subject)

*i.                    **Galatians 5:22*

ii.

The *NIV* translation says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.”[7]

b. *Ephesians 5:9*

1.

The *Amplified* translation says, “For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light /or /the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.”[8]

2.      (Luke 9:23) *Amplified *“And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [idisown himself, jforget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, krefuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [lcleave steadfastly to Me, *conform wholly to My example in living* and, if need be, in dying also].”[9]

3.      We need to put on the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"*Be imitators*" (Ephesians 5:1)

*4.     **Truth is lived out in their lives.

They have godly convictions and God is real in their lives.*

(Difference between 3 and 4, 3 outward, 4 inward)

a.       *Romans 6:18* *Amplified *says, "And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will *in thought, purpose, and action*).”[10]

*b.      **Mark** 7:5-6*

1.

A godly man who is going to reap the blessings and promises of God, is a man who is sincere, genuine, and real.

*c.       **Psalms 18:20*

1.

The *Amplified translation* says, “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness (my conscious *integrity* and *sincerity* with Him); according to the cleanness of my hands has He recompensed me.”[11]

i.                    *Definition of integrity*: “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.”[12]

ii.

According to the *Bible it means*, "*purity of purpose*, *no deception*, *no falsehood*, but *honest and sincere*, and *the truth*, *blameless*, *a state or condition of moral goodness in a life*, *with a focus of not having guilt or sin*[13]"

 

2.

They are truly a godly man~/woman, not just in the public's eye, but where it really counts; in their own personal walk and relationship with the Lord.

i.

They are truly a man or woman of God.

*5.     **They leave behind one or more ultimate contributions – legacies that make a difference to those that come after them.

*

a.       Be ye followers of me, even as I also /am/ of Christ.[14]

(1COR 11:1)

b.      *Matthew 6:33*, says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”[15]

1.

Not only are they putting the kingdom of God 1st in their own lines, but their goal is to do the work of the kingdom.

i.

To be about the Father's business.

ii.

To leave a legacy, how can I make a difference.

2.      *Ephesians 4:10-12*.

i.

Notice, "*The Work of the Ministry*."

*6.     **They walk with a growing awareness of God.*

*a.      **Phil.

3:10*

b.      Paul, who has such a great revelation of the Lord and had such a deep relationship with Him, cries out, "That I may know Him.”

c.       Paul said in *2nd Timothy 1:12*, "I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed.”

d.

In *Acts 19:15* it says, "And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”[16]

*CONCLUSION:*

      Paul said in *2 Timothy 4:7-8*, “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.”[17]

One day the Lord will return and say to you when you appear before His throne, "His lord said unto him, Well done, /thou/ good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”[18]

(*Matthew** 25:21*)