Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1–8

Introduction

A. When a task becomes wearisome, the easy thing to do is to quit.

B. This is what Demas did (2 Timothy 4:10), just as Mark had done earlier (Acts 13:13), but Paul finished his course (2 Timothy 4:7; Acts 20:24).

Discussion

I. God finishes everything that He begins.

A. He did not rest until His creative masterpiece was finished (Genesis 1:31–2:2).

B. He finished the plan of redemption (Ephesians 3:9–11; John 19:30).

C. He is the finisher of the faith (Hebrews 12:1–4).

II. Israel did not finish the conquest of Canaan and paid the price.

A. God warned Israel of the dangers of living among the Canaanites and ordered utter destruction (Deuteronomy 7:1–6; Numbers 33:55).

B. In spite of God’s warnings, Israel did not finish driving out these wicked people (Judges 1:19–33).

C. All that God warned came to pass (Judges 2:1–10; 3:5–7).

III. We have a race to finish!

A. We need to finish the conquest of sin in our lives (Romans 7:14–25; 2 Peter 2:19–20; Hebrews 12:1).

B. We must keep ourselves separate from this world (2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Peter 4:1–4; James 1:27).

C. We cannot grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9–10).

Conclusion

A. If you don’t finish your course, sin will finish you (James 1:15).

B. Jesus finished the work that the Father had given Him to do on earth (Luke 2:49; John 4:34; 17:4).

C. We have a race to run, and the prize—the “crown of righteousness”—is not to the swift (Ecclesiastes 9:11), but to all who finish (2 Timothy 4:7–8).