SUNDAY June 29, 2025

Follow and Finish Well

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love,  perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2 Timothy 3:10-11

Paul knew Timothy’s integrity; he followed Paul’s doctrine implicitly. He was committed to teach the Word of God carefully and accurately. At Calvary Chapel, we are committed to the teaching of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. We diligently teach people the whole counsel of God. Sometimes on Sunday mornings, we do things differently. Recently, I have been teaching topically––the person God uses.

Timothy followed Paul’s manner of life, not only his doctrine, but also in his sacrifice and suffering. Timothy watched Paul count the cost as he followed Christ. He saw his longsuffering, love and perseverance in the face of persecutions and afflictions. He witnessed Paul’s unshakeable faith as he lived his life for Christ––a life full of purpose.

What happened to Paul in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra? Jews gathered from those towns, stoned him, and left him for dead, but God was his Deliverer. He not only delivered him from this occasion, but from all of his persecutions and sufferings.

However, in this season of life, Paul knew he was coming to the end of the road; he would die for his Christian faith. Yet God was still His Deliverer. Why? Paul had a hope in eternal life: We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus conquered death!

Like either Timothy or Paul, you might be beginning in ministry or coming to the end of your ministry. Those of you who are young, follow in the footsteps of those who have counted the cost and served God to the very end. If you are coming to the end of your life, then make sure you finish well.

Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best, I put before you what I have found to be the best – one who is worthy of all our devotion – Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour for the young and the old. Lord, here I am.
~Eric Liddell~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!