What will be our final words to the ones we love the most?  What will we say that will encourage them to stay and cling to what they were taught of God, Jesus who laid down His life for ours, along with realizing we will always have help from His Holy Spirit?  We can only pass on what we know, read, studied, believe and have experienced ourselves in our relationship with God.  We not only pass on what we believe but how we lived our lives.  What will be those final words they our loved ones might cling to as much has the memories that will reflect who we are in Christ? 

Paul is at the end of his physical life on earth.  This second letter to Timothy has been known to be the last letter written among all the letters he wrote to the churches and to certain apprentices such as Timothy and Titus.  Timothy is the one who will carry on the work in Ephesus when Paul takes his last breath on earth.  What is Timothy thinking as he reads this letter and makes his way to Paul’s side?  Let us put ourselves in the story and think from Timothy’s perspective as he reads— “Proclaim the Message with intensity, don’t quit, just keep it simple.” 

Paul was transformed by Jesus.  He lived his life fully committed to Jesus.  He wanted to know Jesus, become like him, and share in his suffering. (Philippians 3) Paul had no regrets for running the only race worth running. “I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.” 

2 Timothy 4, The Message

^1-2 I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.

^3-5 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.

^6-8 You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.

* * *

^9-13 Get here as fast as you can. Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia. Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he’ll be my right-hand man since I’m sending Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks.

^14-15 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith. Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he’s got coming.

^16-18 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn’t matter—the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!

^19-20 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.

²¹ Try hard to get here before winter.

Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings.

²² God be with you. Grace be with you.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

May our lives reflect the glory of God!  May Jesus be seen on our faces.  May we “sing and shout the victory” because of our God whom we have believed and know intimately because of Jesus.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.

Refrain:  When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we’ll sing and shout the victory!

2 While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh. [Refrain]

3 Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving ev’ry day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay. [Refrain]

4 Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open–
We shall tread the streets of gold. [Refrain]

This familiar hymn to those of us who grew up in the church was written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, 1898.  Hewitt was born in Philadelphia June 28, 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher.

However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. She went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church.

Eliza—Just another committed believer who ran the race and won the prize!  In her weakness, God made her strong.  Sound familiar? Paul writes of his weakness that God did not heal or take from him but instead made Paul an even greater believer that solidified his faith forever!  “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)  

Like Paul we have “not arrived, or obtained all this” on this earth; so we learn, grow, and mature until we see Jesus.  We know without a doubt, that it will worth it all when we see Him.

Lord,

Thank you for the faith stories of those who have gone before us. Thank you for the giants of faith who poured themselves into me so that I would grow and mature in my  love and commitment to you.  Thank you for Paul who simply loved you with all his heart, mind, and soul and never gave on telling Your story for Your glory and our redemption.  Help us all to proclaim the Message with intensity; keeping on our watch to challenge, warn, and urge others about you and your salvation. May we run the race, without giving up.  Help us to keep it simple, pure, and holy.

In Jesus Name, Amen