Our gate today is a lonely gate … near the bottom of a steep hill. It is a chained gate.
In the book of 2 Timothy, we see that the Apostle Paul is lonely. Everyone has deserted him.
(2 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 4:9-16)
His life is at the end of a steep downhill … his days on earth are almost over.
(2 Timothy 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 4:18)
He is chained … in a terrible Roman dungeon.
(2 Timothy 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:9)
In the book of 2 Timothy Paul writes once again to his dear friend Timothy:
– Please come … please come soon! (2 Timothy 4:9)
– Please bring my cloak … I’m cold. (2 Timothy 4:13)
– Please bring my scrolls, especially the parchments [God’s Word]. (2 Timothy 4:13)
– Please try to get here before winter! (2 Timothy 4:21)
If you knew that your life on earth was almost over, what would your final parting words be? The book of 2 Timothy is the Apostle Paul’s final parting words.
* God has gifted you! Fan that gift into a flame! – 2 Timothy 1:6
* God has not given us a spirit of timidity … but of power! – 2 Timothy 1:7
* Do not be ashamed to share the message of Jesus! – 2 Timothy 1:8
* Guard the good deposit given to you! Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit! – 2 Timothy 1:14
* Pass the message of Jesus on to others! – 2 Timothy 2:2
* Endure hardship like a good soldier. – 2 Timothy 2:3
* Be a faithful worker! – 2 Timothy 2:15
* Correctly handle God’s Word! – 2 Timothy 2:15
* Flee evil desires! – 2 Timothy 2:22
* Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. – 2 Timothy 2:22
* Do not quarrel. But rather, be kind to everyone. – 2 Timothy 2:24
* Continue in what you have learned regarding the Scriptures! – 2 Timothy 3:14
* Preach the Word of God! – 2 Timothy 4:2
* Be prepared in season and out of season – 2 Timothy 4:2
* Correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. – 2 Timothy 4:2
* Finish the race well. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Paul knew that things were going to become very difficult for Timothy in the near future. And certainly they did. At some point after this letter from Paul, Timothy was imprisoned for his faith. (Hebrews 13:23)
In the book of 2 Timothy, Paul was standing on the brink of death … yet even in that place Paul trusted God had him right where He wanted him. As a result, Paul’s focus was on encouraging others and strengthening the church.
Jesus Christ in 2 Timothy
Jesus is the Judge of the living and the dead – 2 Timothy 4:1
Jesus strengthens us in times of weakness – 2 Timothy 4:17
Jesus rescues us in times of danger – 2 Timothy 3:11
