Intro. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow and knew you had one more letter to write to person closest to you, what would you include in the letter?
A. Kind of car to buy, improve golf swing, good movie to see?
B. Such things would fade into insignificance: you would want to focus on what really mattered
C. We have in Bible what was Paul's last letter to one perhaps closest to him:
D. Good study to focus in on what really matters in life:

E. Three things
I. That Timothy be a worker approved by God
What necessary?
A. Rightly Divide Word of Truth (Literally: straight cut it, divide it, use it correctly)
1. Word is powerful, but any powerful tool can be abused
a. in hands of some, it saves lost, gives hope, gives life
b. in hands of others, it can confuse, discourage and damn
c. key - use properly.
2. Illustration: I was incapable of using trowell to lay brick. Billy Lovell made beautiful wall
3. It is necessary to train ourselves to use it: 3:16,17
a. study it b. go with good teachers to see how use c. practice
B. Don't entangle self in affairs of this earth (2:3,4)
1. Soldier in Germany (Distracted: language, buy land, vote, argue politics from German point of view)

a. A soldier overly concerned with Germany, would not be good soldier for USA
2. We are stationed here, but not of world
3. Concern when see Christians talk of world, money, degrees, advancement, judge others on basis
a. Forget where we're from?
4. To be effective must avoid entanglement
C. Compete according to the rules (2:5)
1. Baseball, cut accross pitchers mound for home. No credit will be given!
2. Lacksadaisical attitude towards rules: Presumption
a. social gospel, institutionalism, church hospitals
b. All human projects justified on the basis of being "good works"
c. A brother suggested we rent parking spaces to have money for the church
3. Idea is, "End justifies means"
4. Cannot be effective workers with that attitude
5. God wants a careful, cautious approach to scriptures Deep respect
D. Be patient in disputes (2:14; 23-26)
1. Some rgue about most trivial things "Where Adam get wife? constant arguments

a. Such detracts from effectiveness
2. God commands correction with gentleness: sarcasm, insults? no! gentleness
a. Surgeon taking out brain cancer must be gentle, yet must removethe cancer!
3. What about sharp rebukes of Jesus? Few occasions when necessary
a. False teachers Titus mouths must be stopped (1:11,13)
b. Someone close to spiritual death:

i. Doctors sometimes have to shock heart into proper rythm.

c. Someone demanding submission to men: (II Cor. 11:20)
i. such should not be dealt with lacksadaisically. Time for firmneess
4. But as general rule, whenever possible should be taken out with patience
E. Preach even when times are difficult (4:1,2)
1. Test of Christianity, when preach? only when among brethren? or when ridiculed?

II. Warnings against perilous times
A. Shallow religion (4:3-5): We live in such a time
B. Similar message in 3:1-5
C. What will our children see? 1. Wonder what newborn baby will see
D. Paul concerned that Timothy be prepared!

III. Plea for loyalty to Christ and then Pau

A. Paul wanted Timothy to be with him before death: hold hand, pray, give strength
Several concerns
1. Time short: 4:21 "Come Before winter" If delay no shipping,. Spring,too late
a. 4:9
2. In back of Paul's mind, Paul concerned Timothy might hesitate
a. Shame: Paul on death row
b. Fear for own safety: Nero wasn't in good mood towards Christians
3. Great part of the book: plea not to be ashamed, not to be afraid but to come on.
HOW DONE?
A. Paul reminds Timothy of his faith in the past
1. Timothy's tears (1:3,4)
2. Timohty's mother and grandmother (vs 5)
3. His spiritual gift (vs 6)
4. God gives us a Spirit of power (vs 7)
a. All these points designed to give confidence and boldness
B. Paul talks of himself as an example
1. Vs. 8
2. 3:10,11 Lystra Would Timothy have been eyewitness?
3. 1:12
C. Saddest part of book Disloyalty of some
1. Phygellus and Hermogenes (1:15)
2. Alexander the coppersmith (4:14)
3. Demas (mentioned in Colossians and Philemon: Luke and Demas greet you)
a. Now? 4:10
4. Christians in Rome 4:16
a. We must do all that is possible to stand by godly Christians when in difficulty

Paul's point? Timothy, don't be like them!
D. Thankfully not all, a precious few were willing to stand by Paul when he needed them most
1. Onesiphorus 1:16-18 Timothy, be like him
2. Luke Don't know much about him, everything good 4:11
a. Few I especially look forward to knowing Luke, beloved physician

b. left practice, spent life to easing way for Paul, attending to him.Timothy be like them!
E. Hope of heaven for the faithful
1. 2:11-13
2. 1:12 Bowed, bitter? No, confident
3. 4:6-8
a. 19th century agnostic "if there is a God.have mercy on my soul, if I have a soul."
4. Timothy even if you come and are arrested and killed, we will be victorious, we will be triumphant
F. That is the hope we need to develop: Easy to be swept up in worries, some natural, but happen whatever happens, we have hope of heaven.

Conclusion
A. Did Timothy get to Paul in time? No one knows
1. Theory - Heb. 13:23 Timothy set free had been arrested when he went to Paul, unlike Paul not killed

2. Will ask when I get to heaven, Did Timothy make it?
3. Imagine: when Timothy got letter, within hour his bags packed, and at docks looking for ship to Rome.
a. I would like to think that he was able to pray with Paul, even perhaps walk with him along with Luke down corredors to his execution place.
b. Whatever, we know the Lord was at His side. He died with courage in this letter
B. Thank God that he has given us book of 2 Timothy.
1. It helps us focus on what really matters
a. What concerns you now? School, job? put in perspective, concentrate on these 3
i. Be a worker approved by God

ii. Prepare for apostasy and difficulty

iii. Be loyal to Christ and His people!
C. How will you feel as you face death, final moment near, look back over life?
1. Hope, courage, satisfaction?
2. Desperation, pity, wish you had it over?
3. Depends on how you live now.!
D. Give life to One who is able to give it meaning, give you hope
1. Acts 2:38