as the end approaches 2 timothy 4:6-8

As the End Approaches

2 Timothy 4:6-8

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

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

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.

2 Tim. 4:6-8

The Setting of the Text

The Setting of the Text• Paul's life was ending


• A time for sober reflection



• Confidence or despair?




The Obvious Application




The Obvious Application• Your life is ending

The Example of David 20 For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:20-24

As The End Approaches

As The End Approaches• Life is a Race


• Life is a boxing match



• Life is a battle




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. 2 Tim. 4:6-8


• Run lawfully

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Tim. 2:5


• Run lawfully

• Expect to receive the prize



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.

2 Tim. 4:6-8


• Run lawfully


• Remember the witnesses

1 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.

Heb. 12:1


• Run lawfully



• Keep your eyes on Jesus

1 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…


• Run lawfully




2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb. 12:1-2


• Run lawfully




• Finish the race 1 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. Heb. 12:1





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. 2 Tim. 4:6-8


• Life is a boxing match• Not shadow boxing

26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

1 Cor. 9:26



• Keep eye on the enemy

11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Cor. 2:11




• Keep in shape

25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

1 Cor. 9:25




• Keep in shape

• Complete all rounds 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Heb. 10:38-39



• Life is a battle

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Tim. 2:3



• Life is a battle• Don't get entangled

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Tim. 2:3-4




• Using offensive weapons

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Eph. 6:16-17

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Eph. 6:16-17




• Using offensive weapons

• Don't ever surrender!

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

Rev. 12:9-11

2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

Psalm 26:2

2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

Psalm 26:2

40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD;

Lam. 3:40

Winning the Race of Life


• Believe John 8:24



• Repent 2 Pet. 3:9




• Confess Faith Rom. 10:9





• Be Baptized Acts 2:38






Added to His church, His body, His kingdom






Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

• Be Faithful Rev. 2:10

as the end approaches 2 timothy 4:6-8

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