CHRISTIAN FAREWELL

December 15, 2020

 

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

 

  1. Praying from: 2 Timothy 4

 

Solemn Charge Given

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2     Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Evil Times Foretold

3     For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4     And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5     But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

6     For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7     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.

9     Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10     For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thes-sa-lo-ni-ca; Cres’cens to Ga-la’tia, Titus unto Dal-ma’-tia.

Paul’s Loneliness in Prison

11     Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12     And Tych’i-cus have I sent to Eph’e-sus.

13     The cloke that I left at Tro’as with Car’pus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14     Al-ex-an’der the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

15     Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

 

 

 

Paul Deserted by Friends

16     At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17     Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18     And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. A-men.

Paul’s Last Salutation

19     Salute Pris’ca and Aq’ui-la, and the household of On-e-siph’o-rus.

20     E-ras’tus abode at Cor’-inth: but Troph’i-mus have I left at Mi-le’tum sick.

Companionship Desired

21     Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eu-bu’lus greeteth thee, and Pu’dens, and Li’nus, and Clau’di’a, and all the brethren.

22     The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. A-men.”

 

 

Solemn Charge Given

  1. THE CHARGE—vv. 1–4
  2. Preaching—vv. 1–2.
  3. When to preach. In and out of season.
  4. Ways of preaching. Reprove, rebuke, exhort.

Evil Times Foretold

  1. People—vv. 3–4
  2. a Fearless—v. 3. Preach all the Bible.
  3. Fables—v. 4. Fables are really man’s ideas.
  4. THE COMMAND—v. 5
  5. Careful—“But watch thou in all things.”
  6. Chastisement—“Endure afflictions.”
  7. Conversion—“Do the work of an evangelist.”
  8. Consecration—“Make full proof of thy ministry.”

III. THE CONSECRATION—vv. 6–8

  1. Consecration—v. 6. Paul is ready to face death.
  2. Control—v. 7
  3. Fight—“I have fought a good fight.”
  4. Finish—“I have finished my course.”
  5. Faith—“I have kept the faith.”
  6. Compensation—v. 8. A crown of righteousness waiting.

 

Paul’s Loneliness in Prison

  1. THE CONTROL—vv. 9–18
  2. Solemnity—vv. 9–12. Be careful how you live.
  3. Study—v. 13. Paul enjoyed studying and reading.

 

Paul Deserted by Friends

  1. Sorrow—vv. 14–16. God will punish persecutors.
  2. Strength—v. 17. God gives strength to His people.
  3. Sustained—v. 18. God keeps during persecution.

 

Paul’s Last Salutation

Companionship Desired

  1. THE CONCLUSION—vv. 19–22
  2. Christian thankfulness. Paul thanks those who were a help to him.
  3. Christian thoughtfulness. Paul shows his appreciation to all who helped him in any way.

 

  1. THE A-MEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20         “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A-men.”

16:24         “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men.”

16:27         “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. A-men.”