As the time that Paul has left on this earth comes to a close, his final words to Timothy focus on encouraging him to keep fanning the flames of the spiritual gift God has given him. He reminds him that God has not given him a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and sound mind. In that spirit, he has the power to love others and have confidence in God in all circumstances.

Paul exhorts Timothy to the treasure which had been entrusted to him. The treasure is the biblical truths Paul has been teaching him. Paul wants him to teach what the Bible teaches and emphasize what it emphasizes. Every believer has also been entrusted with these treasures. Truths like grace need to be guarded. The best way to guard the truth is to entrust it to many others. This is why discipleship is serious business.

Making disciples is about making community where good relationships are formed, people know the Word and people are meeting the needs of others. It is where each person is growing in all respects into Him who is the head, that is Jesus Christ. It is sharing truth in the context of a close personal relationship where you model, help, teach and mentor a younger believer.\r\n

After you have received the free gift of God's forgiveness, you have the option of learning to follow His way of life, that is, serving love. It is not required, but if you choose not to, you miss out on the best Christianity has to offer, a life full of purpose and meaning. For those who do decide to follow God's way of serving love, expect to be opposed by God's enemy, Satan. We will suffer hardship if we engage in this battle. Paul gives three models of how to deal with this opposition. The first is a soldier in active service, then an Olympic level athlete, and finally a good farmer.

Paul instructs Timothy on important ministry leadership principles. With all the heresy trying to sneak into the church, Paul emphasizes of the importance of truth found in the Word of God and how it must be interpreted correctly. He also advises him to teach his church to avoid squabbling and pointless fussing.

Paul warns Timothy that in the last days, that period from the resurrection of Jesus until He returns, people will turn away from loving God to loving themselves. This will result in a multitude of relational problems. God designed relationships to be other-serving, not self-serving. God gives us the ability to love others but we often misdirect our love toward ourselves.

The best way to battle falsehood among God's people is to know the Word of God and preach it! Scripture is God-breathed, meaning the authors of the Bible were supernaturally inspired by God to write everything God directed them to write. By studying His Word Christians are equipped for every good work and able to discern truth from falsehood.

Paul, in his final admonition to Timothy just before his execution, strongly encourages him to preach the Word. He implies God has a plan for Timothy when he exhorts him to complete the ministry God had given him. It also implies that following the plan God has designed for us is optional. It is up to us to choose to follow it.

Paul knows that this might very well be his last message to Timothy before his execution. He reminds Timothy of our certainty of the afterlife where we will receive the crown of righteousness that the Lord will give to us on the day of His return. Knowing that there is an afterlife where we will receive rewards, how does that affect your outlook?