- Be an evangelist: (4:5): Timothy must not look at others who are going after the fables or Gospel entertainers, but he must focus on the Gospel. Every good shepherd has his eyes open and watch what is going on. In the ministry, he is bound to face afflictions. For many people this is disturbing. We always think that there are many wonderful blessings in serving God, but they all come with the tag of afflictions. Be an evangelist also means that his heart must be very sensitive to soul winning. This does not mean that every time a preacher must give a fiery sermon with alter-call as if hell-fine is pouring upon them. The believers of the church need the spiritual food and feeding also. But the importance is that no matter what the pastor’s message is, he should be sensitive to new souls and thus make his preaching a balanced one. Although Timothy was not a highly gifted preacher like Paul, he should faithfully do the work of a preacher of God’s Word.
Some evangelistic ministry go unfulfilled because they are grappling with some of the problems viz. Fear, unbelief, small congregation, criticism and discouragement, besting sins etc. An evangelist must pray.
Ex: An young evangelist once came to Charles Spurgeon and complained that he did not have as big a church as he deserved. “How many do you preach to?” Spurgeon asked. “Oh, about 100,” the man replied. Solemnly Spurgeon said, “That will be enough to give account for on the day of judgment. ”
We should not measure the fulfilment of a ministry only on the basis of statistics or on what people see. We realize that faithfulness is important and that God sees the heart. So we must be satisfied in each and every circumstance and fulfil our ministry as an Evangelist.
Paul’s greatest personal testimony: ( 4:6-8): He was about to move off the scene and Timothy would have to take his place. Paul speaks of 3-things: Already being poured: (4:6): This verb, occurring only here and in (Phil. 2:17) is used by Paul in a figurative sense with a libation or drink offering (Gen. 35:14). Peter spoke of the death with similar metaphor (2 Pet.1:15) and for Christ (Lk.9:31). Here Paul was thinking of his imminent death as an offering in the service of Christians and their faith. His whole life had been a sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), and now his death would complete the life with a drink offering. “The time has come for my departure” is a parallel statement of his approaching death. under a different figure. Thus he faced death calmly knowing that he would be rewarded by Christ.
Paul looked around and realized that the time was very short and his end was near. However he did not tremble at the face of death. He was brewing with confidence that he will see the Lord Jesus Christ. “Caesar is not going to kill me. I am going to give my life as a sacrifice to Jesus Christ. I have been a living sacrifice, serving the Lord since the day I was saved. Now I will complete that sacrifice by laying down my life for Him.”
Fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith: (4:7): For Paul it was more than a grim and momentous battle. It was a contest, a race that demanded all the enthusiasm of a fervent, consecrated spirit. He summed up his life and ministry. Two of the images here are athletic. Like a determined wrestler or boxer, he had fought a good fight. Like a runner, he had finished his lifelong race victoriously. He had kept the rules and deserved a prize (Acts 20:24; Phil. 3:13-14). The third image is that of a steward who had faithfully guarded his master’s deposit.
Paul had no regrets. To remain faithful is what really counts. To have fought the good fight implies having won the fight. The irony is that though he appears to be conquered is about to die, yet he has conquered, for he has finished the course Jesus set before him; he has kept the faith by committing it to faithful men and establishing churches. All those who die in faith (Heb. 11:13) will ultimately receive the promise and carry off the prize (1 Pet. 1:9; 5:4; Heb. 10:30). Paul had successfully finished his course and passed on the faith to others. The figure of the relay race seems to fit the following verse, for not Paul only, but the whole ‘team’ will receive the prize. Kept. Keep means not only “guard” but also “observe and do.” For a believer to persevere and be faithful unto death is a triumph of grace (Rev 2:10).