In 2011 Billy Graham wrote a book called Nearing Home. In the book Dr. Graham writes about growing older and finishing strong as we near our own finish line in this life.
As I grow older, the desire to finish strong grows more intense in my life.
The book of 2 Timothy is the most personal of all of Paul’s writings. It is the most intimate as he shares more of himself.
It is the last of Paul’s letters and it is written to a young man, Timothy, who Paul loved. Paul viewed Timothy as his own son.
2 Timothy is Paul’s “finishing strong” manifesto.
In 2 Timothy 1:1-5, Paul talks about passing on his faith to others. He specifically focuses on passing it on to the next generation.
We, as followers of Jesus, need certain things.
We need to know what our purpose is.
2 Timothy 1:1 (NLT)
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent to tell others about the life He has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul says that he has been sent out to tell others about the life that God offers through following Jesus.
In Acts 9:15 we are told that Paul is a chosen instrument of God to take the name of Jesus to the whole world.
Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Our purpose, our calling, our task is to pass on the Gospel of God’s grace to others.
We need to have deep affection for those who are fellow followers of Jesus and for those who have rejected Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul refers to Timothy as he beloved child. This is a young man Paul lead to Jesus, discipled him, and helped him to grow to a radical disciple and servant of Jesus.
Paul loved him because he had poured his life into him.
When we pour our lives into others, we grow to love them with deep affection. If we stay comfortably protected in our spiritual fortresses and isolated from others, we will never grow to love others like Jesus does.
Paul prays for the things we need to pass on to others.
He prays for us to have and pass on grace.
He prays for us to have and pass on mercy.
He prays for us to have and pass on peace.
These are what the world needs!
We need to be prayer warriors.
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
Paul prays constantly night and day.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing.
We have made praying going to God with our “to do” list. Prayer for many is outlining what, how and when they want God to do stuff for them.
Prayer is the relationship we have with God. Prayer is talking to God about our lives. Prayer is submitting our lives to God. Prayer is about listening to God. Prayer is getting on God’s wave length.
There are people I will never meet or talk to or share my Jesus story with, but there is no one I cannot talk to my Abba about.
We need great passion.
2 Timothy 1:4
I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
Paul mentions tears and joy.
We need to pass on passion for Jesus to others as we show them Jesus with our lives.
In Philippians 3:10 Paul tells us that we can share in Jesus’ sufferings.
What did Jesus suffer over? - SIN!
Sin brought Jesus to tears.
Sin breaks Jesus’ heart.
Sin should do the same in our lives as followers of Jesus.
We as Christians too often let sin move us to anger. Sin leads Jesus to broken-heartedness.
Sin is why Jesus died for us. His death for our sin doesn’t show anger; it shows great, great love.
So we are to be passionate about sin and let that passion lead us to share with others and serve them. We are to serve all people, even those caught in the slavery of sin.
We are also to rejoice.
1 Thessalonians 1:16 tells us as disciples of Jesus to “rejoice always.”
As followers of Jesus, we should be the biggest partiers in the world. We should celebrate Jesus and what He has done for us. We should celebrate all the time.
We who belong to God are to be passionate:
About what hurts God
About what pleases God.
We need faith.
2 Timothy 1:5
I remember your genuine faith, for you share that faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
Faith is not saying you believe something and then living like you don’t. Faith is saying you believe something and then living it out every day in every situation.
Paul refers to Timothy’s “genuine” faith. Paul attributes Timothy’s faith to the fact that his grandmother and his mother has genuine faith.
Not only had Paul passed his faith on to Timothy, but so also had Timothy’s mother and grandmother.
We know it didn’t stop there because Timothy passed his genuine faith to others.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about passing on to others our faith in Jesus as the absolute Ruler of our lives.
If we are to pass on our faith, and if we are to finish strong, then we will need:
God-Given Purpose
Deep Godly Affection
Lives Characterized By Prayer
God-Driven Passion
Genuine Faith in Jesus
Following Jesus is like a marathon, not like a sprint. It is about being able to have a great kick at the end. It is not measured by how you start, but how you finish. We need to finish strong so we can pass our faith and love for Jesus on to the next generation.
Finishing Strong Raising the Roof and Removing the Wall
Joe
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