Exit: How to be ready to leave.
1 Amens
God’s Road Signs: Exit: How to be ready to leave.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Intro: Mother’s do a lot. One of their first job’s is to make sure Dad doesn’t give their kids some weird name. Amy is not pregnant. But I have thought of some names if God blesses us with a boy one day: Shamua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, or Geuel.
In Numbers 13 these 10 men are sent with Joshua and Caleb to spy out the Promised Land that God had for
In 2 Timothy we have the final words of Paul the apostle. These are the last words of a dying man. We are reading the words of a man who lived for Christ better than anyone we know. And he is saying something to you.
Yesterday I saw my mom. Her cancer has reminded us all of her mortality. And one of the awesome things watching my mom is that she is fighting to live – but she’ll be ready to leave. I see qualities in her that I hope not only the mothers here – but all of us will have.
Proposition: No matter what your age, it is important to think about how to finish strong – how to live always being ready to leave. On the road of life we must all one day take the final exit off of it. Here Paul gives two ways we are to live today, so we are ready to live tomorrow. They describe my mom – and I hope they will describe you.
I. Live for the long haul. (6-7)
In verse 5 Paul had just told Timothy that serving God means enduring hardship. And now he tells Timothy that I have already been enduring hardship. I’ve allowed my life to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I’m about to die – but I know I have fought hard and I have finished strong. Paul had long-term thinking.
One of the biggest enemies of a successful life is short-term thinking.
“Beware of no man more than yourself, we carry our worst enemies within us.” - Spurgeon
Ex. Lady setting a record pace from island to
The best moms think long term. I’m not just raising my family for right now – I’m raising them for what they will be when they leave the home. Paul did not think in terms of the right now. He viewed life for the long haul. It was a fight. It was a course. Life is something that is going to take stamina.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 1 Corinthians 9:24
What is so bad about short-term thinking?
1. Short-term thinking rationalizes sin.
Every time we sin we are thinking in the short-term. We are saying we want pleasure now instead of the long-term pleasure of following Christ.
“I can’t tithe…I have too many bills. I can’t wait till I get married to be intimate…I have urges. I gossip, so I feel I have instant self-worth.”
2. Short-term thinking causes poor decisions.
10 spies did not see the long-term. The swimmer lady made a poor decision.
Ex. Man climbing mountain in the dark. Vision was limited – he was short sighted.
3. Short-term thinking usually leads to long-term pain.
Ex. The dentist vs. the abscessed tooth.
7 He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds. Romans 2:7-8
“How do I have long-term thinking?” Long-term thinking is made up of two key attitudes: persistence and commitment (P and C mode). Persistence is a never quit attitude. Consistent is really another word for integrity and faithfulness.
To be committed is to be committed to the long haul. And the only way to be persistent through all the junk of life is to focus on the long haul.
Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT)
II. Live out of a longing. (8)
Paul said what should drive us to live for Christ is our longing for His return. Longing for what is to come, longing to be with Jesus - this should drive us to live for Jesus.
Ex. Amy left for a week. I cleaned house, bought gifts, and wrote a poem. I was prepared for her.
We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 2 Corinthians 5:2
EX. Friday exercise. Jesus come back! Let pain produce a greater longing.
They (Heroes of the faith) were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16
Are you living out of a longing to see Jesus? Many Christians when they do what the Bible says they are actually living out of guilt instead. Many moms get a reputation for guilting kids into doing things. Ex. Son calls. How r u? Not good – haven’t eaten for 30 days. Y? Because I didn't want to have my mouth full in case you called. >God doesn’t work like that.
Why do you read your Bible? Why do you spend time in prayer? Why do you tell others about Jesus?
Do you do it just because it’s what you are supposed to do? Do you do it simply out of guilt? Are you just checking off boxes so you don’t feel bad?
What is wrong with living out of guilt?
1. It can be a way of trying to earn our sanctification.
NLT Galatians 3:3 Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
You can’t earn your way into God being pleased with you. You cannot obligate Him by doing all He says to do. Ex. Points for doing good in a relationship. God does not work that way.
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ” Luke 17:10
Living holy is your duty and it should be your delight – but it does not earn you anything.
2. It is denying the finished work of Christ.
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 7:24-8:1 (NLT)
Jesus took all your guilt at the cross. His dying words were: “It is finished.” He has done enough not only to save you, but also enough to make you holy.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
3. Living by guilt is the opposite of living by grace.
“My observation of Christendom is that most of us tend to base our personal relationship with God on our performance instead of His grace…(we believe we are) saved by grace, but we are living by the “sweat” of our own performance.” – Jerry Bridges
Be strengthened by grace. Hebrews 13:9 (NASB)
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Titus 2:11-13
Conclusion:
When I was dating Amy her dad warned me. “Paul, you will spend half your life waiting on Amy. Every man does for his woman. You might as well get used to it.”
Waitin’ On a Woman by Brad Paisley
Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall
He sat down in his overalls and asked me
You waitin' on a woman
I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you
He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been
Waitin' on a woman
When I picked her up for our first date
I told her I'd be there at eight
And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty
She said I'm sorry that I took so long
Didn't like a thing that I tried on
But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty
Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman
He said the wedding took a year to plan
You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous
Waitin' on a woman
And then he nudged my arm like old men do
And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it
Waitin' on a woman
Living day by day while waiting on Christ is often hard. But it’s worth it. When He pierces those clouds or you pass away and He welcomes you in as a good and faithful servant – You will say it was worth the wait.
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