2 Timothy 4:6-7

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

2 Timothy 4:8

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The enemy of our souls wants us to give up, pull back, quit, walk away, throw in the towel, isolate, and withdraw.

The Holy Spirit is saying the opposite: Step in, step up, recommit, engage, rededicate, go forward, go deeper.

1. FINISH STRONG!

2 Timothy 4:6

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Departure – Describes a ship leaving the dock and headed to sea.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

How do we finish strong?

2. KEEP FIGHTING

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight.

1 Timothy 6:12a

Fight the good fight of faith.

Fight – contest, struggle, conflict, opposition, contest, emphasis is upon intensity and effort.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Peter 5:9a

Resist him, steadfast in the faith.

James 4:7

Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We are in a fight against the evil one, a fight against the flesh, and a fight against sin.

Steve Farrar - Sin will take you further than you wanted to go, sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay.

We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting to enforce and stand in the victory already won on the cross.

Colossians 2:15

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

To stand in victory the Holy Spirit wants us to know three things: the power of the blood, the power of the Word, and the power of the Name of Jesus Christ.

3. KEEP RUNNING

2 Timothy 4:7b

I have finished the race.

Race – foot race

Hebrews 12:1-2a

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Race – A mission, a cause

Every believer has a mission, an assignment from the Lord for this season of life.

Rick Warren – Every believer has a ministry in the church and a mission in the world.

Acts 20:24

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

The Holy Spirit wants to help us discover and complete Heaven’s assignment for our lives.

4. KEEP BELIEVING

2 Timothy 4:7c

I have kept the faith.

The apostle Paul kept believing in Jesus Christ and he guarded the Gospel that had been entrusted to him.

In 1945 there were three famous young preachers: Billy Graham, Charles Templeton, and Bron Clifford.

How do we cross the finish line?

Keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12:2)

Stay rooted and grounded in the Word of God. (Psalm 119:11)

Stay connected to other believers. (Hebrews 10:25)

Grow in the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 8:13)

2 Timothy 4:8

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousness Judge, will give to me on the Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Revelation 4:10

The twenty-four elders fall before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne.

 

Discussion Questions

1. In what area of your life do you need to finish strong?

2. What are some of the things making it difficult for you to finish strong?

3. What is the Holy Spirit whispering into your heart?

4. How did the apostle Paul finish strong?

5. Which part of 2 Timothy 4:7 speaks to you the loudest?

6. What practical action steps is the Holy Spirit calling you to take today?