Finishing Well

Acts: The Gospel in the City PART XXX

Dr. Timothy Keller

30 June 2013

Acts 28: 30-31
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.  31He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ--with all boldness and without hindrance.

2 Timothy 4:6-22
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time for my departure is near.  7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.  Crescnes has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.  11Only Luke is with me.  Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.  12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.  13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm.  The Lord will repay him for what he has done.  15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.  May it not be held agaist them.  17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.  And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.  18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.  To him be glory fo ever and ever.  Amen.

19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.  20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletys.  21Do your best to get here before winter.  Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.  22The Lord be with your spirit.  Grace be with you all.

What does it take to finish well?

LIFE IS A STRUGGLE
--2Timothy 4:6-8
--Life is training and self-control.
--Life is a struggle against the natural sins of the ego and self centeredness.
--I'm here for you
--Only through love and service do you escape the ego.

DEATH IS AN ADVENTURE
--1 Thessalonia 4:13
--Don't grieve without hope.
--God didn't invent the world with suffering and death--came from the Fall.
--We should be angry and grieve over death.

HISTORY IS A MASTERPIECE
--Sometimes God rescues you from suffering and sometimes through suffering.
--Romans 8:28
--Book of Job
--All things work together through God.

GOSPEL CAN'T BE STOPPED
--Acts ends abrubtly because it's not the story of Paul---but of the Gospel.
--Gospel is alive--breaks free and finds a way.

STRENGTH OF GOD'S PRESENCE
--v.16-17-- Friendship and presence of God required to finish well.
--Jesus becomes vulnerable for us; we weren't abandoned.
--v.21 - Come before winter--Don't put things off.