At the End

There’s a question about life that often keeps me awake at night. It frequently plagues my mind during the day. It’s a question only one who knows all things and sees all things can truly answer. And try as I might to avoid thinking about it, it’s something I always come back to. But it’s a good thing to think about regardless. The question is this:

Have I done my best? Have I done my best to live life well?

I’ve found my birthday to be a helpful marker in the year to spend time reflecting upon this question. For me, each birthday is another year of life that God hasn’t promised, but has given to me nonetheless. And I am speechless for it. I know my own sinfulness, and how I do not deserve life. Yet he has placed me on earth for a reason, and a purpose. And every year on my birthday I think back through the year prior. What all has happened since my last birthday. The people who I’ve interacted with. The places I’ve been. The things I’ve done. And I am brought back to the question of whether I’m living for God’s purpose, or whether I have squandered my time.

In a way, you could say that every year at my birthday, I rehearse my death. At 11:59pm on August 4th, I picture myself taking my final breath here in this world, and as soon as 12:00 in the morning of August 5th hits, my life has passed. At 12:01 I stand face to face with the Lord. There, he requires an account of my life, for all that I have ever thought, said, or done. And I’m left with the question: Will I be found to be faithful on that day? To be found in Christ? a faithful believer to whom God will say “Well done, good and faithful servant?” or will I be found unfaithful, a deserter, a fraud?

It’s a question all of us must face. This question becomes especially significant when we know the end of our life is near.

It’s a question Paul has thought through and grappled with before writing this second letter to Timothy. In our passage today, he reveals a few key takeaways from the wisdom of thinking through death and how we live our life.

2 Timothy is Paul’s reflection on the end of his life. It’s one of the saddest books in the Bible. The whole letter is Paul’s swan song. His wick is about to be snuffed out. The end of his life is near. And as he’s thinking and reflecting, on all of those thoughts about life, purpose, mission, and hope.

From a worldly standpoint, Paul has much to despair over. His life did not end in glamour. He did not retire to a mansion in the woods. To our knowledge, he left behind no heirs or descendants. He had no wealth, no connections, no societal honor. In all the world’s accounts, Paul was just to be another nobody, forgotten to the annals of history.

But Paul doesn’t look at his life and define his success in the same way someone of this world would. Instead, he looks back at the years spent for the ministry of God’s kingdom. He thinks back to the people he’s encountered, whom he had a life impact upon. Many of them have wandered away or abandoned him. Others he has launched into ministry. But in all things, he is able to say that he ran the race faithfully. He lived life well.

Those are the same words we want to be able to say when we face the Lord.

And looking over our passage today, we can see three principles that will help us in our quest to finish our life well.

Live for God (v.5)

Hold Firm (vv.6-8)

Trust God (vv.9-22)

Let’s read the entire passage together and then jump in to the text.

2 Timothy 4:5–22 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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. Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Let’s pray.

1. Live for God

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

As Paul is reflecting on the end of his life, these are the final words that he gives to possibly the one who he was closest with. The one who he considered his own son. So they are important, and concise. All of these things are directed toward a life lived for God. Let’s take a closer look at each of these specific instructions.

A. Live for God by being Sober-minded

What is the difference between someone who is drunk and someone who is sober?

A sober person remains in control, while someone who is drunk loses control.

When you live for God, you want to keep a clear focus. Don’t let anything distract you. Because when you have lost focus, your ministry is hindered.

If you’ve lived at all in this world and come to recognize your own sin, you know That’s easier said than done.

It’s a fight. It’s a test of endurance that we must train ourselves for. We need the renewing of our minds, each and every day, in order to help us to be sober-minded, not distracted by other things.

Paul gives an example of someone who did not remain sober-minded:

2 Timothy 4:10 ESV

For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Demas let himself become distracted. He chased after the things of the world and left the ministry to pursue his own interests.

As a result, he has not been able to join in the work and the ministry that Paul is conducting. Consequently, his actions are now recorded in God’s divinely inspired word which will never fade or be forgotten. He was sidelined from the mission that God gave to those who know and follow him.

There is a mission and a purpose for Christians here in this life. We have been given instructions by the master. Let us seek to be a faithful servant who does what the master says.

B. Live for God by Enduring Suffering

Paul sets up his life as an example here:

2 Timothy 4:14–16 ESV

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

Paul suffered. He was abandoned. He faced hardship. This is yet again another repeated theme: that when you follow Christ, there will be hardships and challenges. You will be faced by many difficult things: whether it’s a lifelong illness, a difficult family life, or increased hardship from the world around you.

And if you picture the end of your life, you will think about these things. You may wonder, “Why didn’t God step in?” “Why did God allow me to suffer?” “Why was it necessary to endure hardship?”

The answer is, “It’s because God requires faith rather than sight.” God requires faith for salvation.

We have many examples of faith in scripture. Jesus being our primary example, but also of others.

I think of Hebrews chapter 11, which reads:

Hebrews 11:32–38 ESV

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

God worked mighty things through those who had faith in his name. It didn’t meant that they were excused from suffering and hardships. Yet God was faithful to deliver what he had promised to them.

If you are questioning why God has sent something into your life, do you see it as a testing for your faith? Of your endurance? To show that you genuinely believe in God to deliver? There are many sufferings in this life that we cannot explain why they happen or see what the purpose is for. But whenever there is hardship, whenever there is affliction. But also remember that God is faithful in his promises. And he has promised new life to those who believe in him. So have faith and trust in him to deliver on his promises to you.

Live for God by enduring suffering.

C. Live for God by Working for the Gospel

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The words to Timothy are to “do the work of an evangelist”.

Jesus has instructed all of those who have followed after him to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them all that I have commanded”

So in all things, we should be kingdom-minded. Everything that we do should focus on raising up faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. This includes sharing the gospel with others, being ready to defend your faith against what the world throws at it, speaking forth Truth when no one else will do so. It means managing your finances well. It incorporates and includes all aspects of your life. All things that you do are to be oriented around loving God, and out of that love, being obedient to his commands. Remember: all disciples of Christ have been commanded to “Go and make disciples.” It’s a calling God has placed on the life of each and every believer here.

And think about how those without the gospel exist:

Romans 10:14 ESV

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?

We must speak forth the gospel in order to faithfully live up to God’s instruction to us and to let others know about God’s kingdom. It will take work and effort to reach those who are lost. It will mean pooling together resources to send believers to places where the gospel is needed. It will mean long nights of prayer for the salvation of those who do not believe. Living for God requires work.

But it’s not bad work. It’s good work! It’s a work that is rewarding and fulfilling!

Boy, what a great reward it is when someone comes to faith through a ministry you’ve partaken in! What joy fills up in your heart when you see someone you’ve labored long hours for come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!!

Luke 15:10 ESV

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

There is joy in heaven when a person repents and puts their faith in Jesus Christ.

Are you going to partake in that joy?

There is no 401k plan that will match the true and lasting reward of seeing that person in heaven.

There’s only ever going to be one blip in the timeline of your existence that you’ll be able to share the gospel with others. That time is right here, right now, in this life. Once judgment day comes or the day of your death comes, you will no longer have that opportunity.

This is a limited time offer. You don’t know when the Lord will require your life from you. But you will be faced with an eternity of sharing or not sharing the gospel with others: whether you were able to partake in the joy of a person’s life when they come to Christ! To celebrate with them that they were redeemed from a life of sin and get to live with God forever.

Let me assure you, it’s well-worth whatever effort and energy and finances you put forward.

Paul lists many believers in this section whose lives he’s been able to impact through his ministry. As he reflects on his life, he sees how many people he’s prayed for, worked for, sought after. And he is able to find comfort and encouragement at the end to say it is well worth the work.

So Live for God by working the gospel.

So we’ve seen Paul instruct Timothy to be sober-minded, to endure suffering, to do the work of an evangelist, but now he encourages Timothy to live for God by fulfilling the ministry.

D. Live for God by Fulfilling your Ministry

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Picture yourself at the end of your life, thinking about everything you have done. If that day came tomorrow, could you honestly say that you have fulfilled your ministry? That you were on mission for God and were faithful to live for him?

In scripture, we are told to present ourselves as a living sacrifice.

Romans 12:1 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Present your bodies as a living sacrifice … everything that you do is for God’s glory. It’s meant to be for his worship. You keep yourself from sin and from the ways of this world in order to express to God your worship of how he has forgiven your sins. Do you see your life that way? That anything you do with your body is an act of worship? Whether you’re bowing down toward God or toward something else.

He has given you a mission while you are here in this body, in this life.

And when you live according to that mission in this lifetime, you are bowing down toward God. You are expressing your love toward him.

If you still have a pulse, God has a ministry for you. All of you sitting here today are still living and breathing, and that means that today, and the next day, and the day after that, are all gifts from God to you. He has given you life for a reason. Now use it! Use it all up. Until like Paul, you are completely poured out.

And then, and only then, will we be able to have rest and find full peace with God in heaven.

So we are to Live for God. We live for God by being sober-minded, by enduring suffering, by working for the gospel, by fulfilling the mission.

We are called to present action in an ongoing ministry that is both challenging in this life yet utterly rewarding.

But living for God isn’t easy. There are challenges in our way. So, Hold Firm. Our second point today, Hold Firm.

2. Hold Firm

Paul writes:

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.

Paul sets himself up as an example to emulate. He’s already offered everything he has to offer. And he is looking back on his life and answers the question: “have I been faithful” with a resounding YES. He has Fought the good Fight. He has finished the race. He has kept the faith.

So what does this mean for us? Like Paul, we should

A. Hold Firm by Looking to the Future Hope

Paul says his life was one that was poured out. It required sacrifice, expended energy. At this point, Paul’s tank is empty. But he held on because of the future hope that he had.

Sometimes it may feel like you’re running on an empty tank before the end of your time has come. But remember

2 Corinthians 5:1–2 ESV

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

This life is not the end. There’s something greater at hand. You are able to continue that one year more. That one month more. That one week, day, hour more. Finish the race. You are nearing the end with every passing moment.

Indeed, this life is just a wisp that will pass:

James 4:14 ESV

yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

In the grand scheme of eternity, this life is just a miniscule moment. But what an important moment it is! Especially when the faith that you exercise or do not exercise in this life will determine where you spend the rest of eternity, whether in life and peace or in wrath and torment.

But for those who have faith in Jesus Christ there is a future hope.

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

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.

God will reward those who hold firm in hope. And what is the future hope?

Ezekiel 37:27 ESV

My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Isaiah 25:8 ESV

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.

Revelation 21:3 ESV

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Revelation 21:4 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

The future hope is living with God, in whose presence there is no more sin, no more pain, no more death, no more suffering. We will dwell with Him and He with us. There will no longer be a space of separation caused by sin: for Christ has defeated sin and death.

When we are going through difficulties here in this life, it is easy to become fixated on our immediate circumstances. But God leads us and directs us to a hope. Looking to that hope will allow you to hold firm through the difficulty and to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So Hold Firm to God’s path in faith.

Thirdly,

3. Trust God

A. Trust that God will sustain you here and now.

2 Timothy 4:17 ESV

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

For Paul, the Lord is the one who remained with him when all others had abandoned him. When Paul says he was rescued from the lion’s mouth, this might be a literal statement: Romans had a tendency to throw Christians to wild beasts. But Paul saw that as long as the Lord had a plan for him in this life, he would live for him. Paul knows what that plan was: “That through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” When the Lord has a plan to make things happen, he will sustain you and carry you through that journey. He invites you to participate in the great work of sharing salvation with others. And he is right there alongside of you, working in the hearts and minds of those who do not yet see the truth of the gospel so that they might know God, repent, and believe.

So trust the Lord who has told you “Behold, I am with you to the end of the age” and “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. He is a present help to those in need.

B. Trust that God will deliver on his future promises.

2 Timothy 4:18 ESV

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Through Jesus, we have a secure eternity. We follow after him in death in hope of coming to life through him and reigning with him.

I know for many of you, death might be something you don’t like thinking about. It is unpleasant, saddening, hurtful. Maybe it’s very close on your doorstep. But let me encourage you ... don’t avoid thinking about it. That would be a very foolish thing. Rather, engage it. Wrestle with the idea of not being on earth anymore. There is much benefit to your life and walk with Christ when you think about the implications of death.

Psalm 90:12 ESV

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

It is wise to think through your life and its end. It helps you step outside of the humdrum of this life, and it helps you to see the bigger picture.

And the bigger picture says that For the Christian there is no need to fear death or anything in this life because Jesus has overcome.

2 Timothy 1:10 ESV

and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

But there are other implications of death that we must face: we do have to come to terms with how we stewarded the time we were given; we must come to terms with aspirations and hopes that were not realized; we have to come to terms with the sadness and joy of relationships in our lifetime; our own failures and successes. Thinking about death prepares the heart and the mind of the believer in Jesus Christ for the day when they will stand before him in eternity. But for the one who has held on to faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and who has called him Lord of their life, there will be no need to worry. For there is life and rest in God. Trust his promise. He will bring you safely to his heavenly kingdom.

So Trust that God will carry you through this life and on into the life to come. Find the rest and peace that he offers to you now.

And if you don’t think about your death, I recommend that you set aside some time to plan ahead. For some, the start of the new year is a good time to do this. Like me, it might be your birthday when you present your life before the Lord and lay out everything before him. Or you may not even need a special event in your life to do this: this is something you can do this afternoon, this week. But think about what those final moments of your life will be like.

At the end of your life, where will you be? Will you be able to say, like Paul, that you have lived for God? That your life was poured out for Him? That you held firm, that you finished the race, that you carried on God’s mission and purpose, and that you trust in him to carry you through, even past death?

I hope and pray that you do.May

2 Timothy 4:22 ESV

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Let us pray.

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