Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the
time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid
up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only
but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. A candid understanding of life and ministry
a) Paul realised he was a much older man
b) He had served the Lord faithfully and fruitfully
c) Soon, his departure (death) was at hand

2. Effective comparison of life and ministry
a) It may be compared to “a good fight”
b) It may also be compared to “a race”

3. A humble assessment
a) He had fought well
b) He had finished his race
c) He had kept the faith

4. The end of life
a) God would give him a crown
i) This is a reference the victory crown
ii) This is not a reference to the crown of a king

b) This crown is called “a crown of righteousness”
i) Because life should be marked by righteousness
ii) Ministry should be done in righteousness
iii) Paul had lived and serve in righteousness

5. The Lord as the righteous Judge
a) The Lord Himself would judge wisely and correctly
b) Paul looked forward to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. To all who are much older servants of God
a) We need to be as spiritually mature in our outlook of life and ministry
b) We need to prepare for the way when our life on earth will end
c) We must ask ourselves how God would judge us

2. Questions we must ask ourselves
a) Have we fought a good fight?
b) Have we run well in our race of life?
c) Have we been righteous before God?

3. The next generation
a) They must be challenged to serve the Lord faithfully
b) They must seek to practise righteousness
c) They must continue to serve as faithfully as possible

Let us seek to ponder and pray over how we must continue to serve God faithfully.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan