A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
…
A Final Letter Of
A Final Letter
Encouragement Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
Examining Paul’s
2nd Letter To
Timothy
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
Not “unexpected” because of who
wrote it
– We know the character of Paul
– We have come to “expect” such
principled & spiritual conduct
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
“Unexpected” re: where he wrote from
– Paul was in his final imprisonment
– He was at his end 4:6-7
– Such dismal places don’t usually
produce anything “encouraging”
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
Encouragement to Timothy based on
4 different “mindsets” (perspectives)
– Perspectives Paul knew personally
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
A Soldier 2:3-4
Hardship as an enlisted member in an
army must be “endured”
At times, fighting can be fierce 1 Tim 6:12
1 Cor 15:32 Col 2:1
Primary goal please the one who
enlisted you (no other “entanglements”)
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
A Soldier 2:3-4
This dedicated soldier was ready to lay
down his armor Eph 6:10-18
He had valiantly fought with the might of
the Lord that had been within him
Encouraged Timothy re: the same mentality
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
An Athlete 2:5
Self-discipline needed to compete for the
prize 1 Cor 9:27
No one else can provide this (coaches, etc.)
Primary goal training for obtaining the
prize 1 Cor 9:24-26
Foregoing of temporal pleasures
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
An Athlete 2:5
This athlete was near the end of his
competition
He had paid close attention to the “rules of
the game” (respected authority)
The crown was within his reach 4:7-8
Encouraged Timothy re: the same mentality
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
A Farmer 2:6
Investment in a crop = personal (time,
resources, care & concern, etc.)
Fruits of labor enjoyed at harvest
Success depends on factors beyond his
control (sun, rain, germination, etc.)
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
A Farmer 2:6
Great patience is required to wait for
God’s blessings over the crop Jas 5:7-8
Also requires a willingness to work with
others re: the crop 1 Cor 3:5-8
No concern for self-glory…all that matters
is trying to plant, grow, harvest the crop
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
A Farmer 2:6
This farmer had sown his last crop
No more harvests for him
Encouraged Timothy re: the same mentality
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
A Minister 4:1-5
One who “serves” the Lord re: the gospel
Constant awareness re: the Judge v. 1
Knowing the audience will not always be
receptive to what is taught vv. 2-4
A desire to be true to the word in sobriety
and obedience v. 5
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
A Minister 4:1-5
This minister had preached his last sermon
No more exhortations to give
Encouraged Timothy to “…make full proof”
(fulfill) his own ministry
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
Some Closing Thoughts…
Paul’s most emotional letter in the N.T. is
probably 2 Corinthians
A glimpse into his heart re: how he felt about
the gospel & a church he dearly loved
The most personal letter he wrote in the
N.T. has to be 2 Timothy
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
Some Closing Thoughts…
The most personal letter…2 Timothy
Imagine Paul’s thoughts as he wrote the final
chapter
He desperately wanted to see Timothy 4:21
Others had forsaken him 4:16
The Lord had stayed with him 4:17-18
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
Some Closing Thoughts…
Why was Paul so firm in these 4 mindsets?
It had to be his faith 2 Tim 1:12
Saints today need to adopt these same 4
perspectives…be as sure in their faith as
Paul was in his
Like Paul, our lives will end one day
A Final Letter Of
Encouragement
Examining Paul’s 2nd Letter To Timothy
…