Overview:
Only with integrity can a godly man or woman finish well in life. The journey of faith is a race to be run, a fight to be won. Uncompromising integrity that clings to the promises of God is one essential ingredient that gets us to the end. In this moving sermon on 2 Timothy 4:5–18, Pastor Chuck Swindoll examines Paul’s final words that he penned before his execution. Find guidance, encouragement, and hope from this man who proved to be full of grace and full of grit.
Message Summary:
In this concluding message of the series “Walking with Integrity through Times of Adversity,” Charles Swindoll focuses on the Apostle Paul’s final words to Timothy. Written from the squalor of the Mamertine dungeon in Rome, these words represent the ultimate example of finishing one’s life and ministry with integrity. Swindoll describes the physical and emotional conditions of Paul’s imprisonment—a cold, damp, and stinking hole in the ground—yet highlights that Paul’s tone is not one of bitterness or defeat, but of triumphant anticipation.
The sermon centers on Paul’s “ministry job profile” found in 2 Timothy 4, urging believers to remain clear-minded and faithful even when society rejects sound teaching for “itching ears.” Swindoll emphasizes that finishing well is not a sudden achievement at the end of life but a habit developed through daily persistence. By looking at Paul’s honest appraisal of his struggles, his affection for his friends, and his unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty, Swindoll challenges the audience to consider their own legacy and the eternal importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Message Key Facts:
- The Setting of the Message: Paul wrote 2 Timothy from the Mamertine Prison, a subterranean dungeon in Rome characterized by darkness, filth, and the stench of human waste.
- The “Minister’s Job Profile”: Swindoll breaks down Paul’s charge to Timothy into clear commands:
- Preach the word (not opinions or editorials).
- Be prepared in all seasons (favorable or unfavorable).
- Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage.
- The State of Society: Paul warned that a time would come (and Swindoll argues has arrived) when people would reject truth and follow myths that satisfy their “itching ears.”
- Paul’s Perspective on Death: Paul viewed his death not as a tragedy but as a “pouring out” of an offering. He famously summarized his life in three statements: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
- The Importance of Friends: Despite his isolation, Paul names 16 different friends in this chapter, showing his acute memory and deep appreciation for those who stood by him (and his forgiveness for those who deserted him).
- The Contrast of Destinies: The message concludes with a stark contrast between the hope of the believer (spirit immediately with the Lord) and the dread of those without Christ (eternal judgment).
Message References:
- 2 Timothy 4:1–22: The primary text containing Paul’s final charge, his reflections on his life, and his personal greetings.
- 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
- 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
- 2 Timothy 4:14–15: The mention of Alexander the coppersmith, who did “much harm” and opposed the message.
- 2 Timothy 4:21: “Do your best to get here before winter”—a poignant request showing Paul’s humanity and physical needs.
