Last Words: Week 4
2 Timothy 4
We’ve made it to the final chapter of Paul’s final letter — his last recorded words before stepping into eternity. If this moment were a movie, the camera would be slowly zooming in as Paul takes a heavy breath, knowing his time on earth is nearly over. And with these last lines, he gives Timothy (and us) something deeply personal and incredibly practical.
Last week we talked about the two types of people Paul warned Timothy about: Drainers and Developers. But here in chapter 4, Paul shifts. He shows Timothy what to do when good people — people you trusted, loved, and built with — end up hurting you.
Church planting has taught myself and Brittany the same truth:
Some people stay.
Some people leave.
Some grow.
Some don’t.
Some will surprise you.
Some will disappoint you.
And ultimately, you can’t control what other people do. You can’t control when someone misunderstand you, or lies about you, or walks away from you, or disappoints you.
Paul knew that. And he’s going to finish with these words. You can’t control how other
people live their lives. But… you CAN control how YOU run.
So church, that’s the message today. Run YOUR race, not theirs.
We’ve made it to the final chapter of Paul’s final letter — his last recorded words before stepping into eternity. If this moment were a movie, the camera would be slowly zooming in as Paul takes a heavy breath, knowing his time on earth is nearly over. And with these last lines, he gives Timothy (and us) something deeply personal and incredibly practical.
Last week we talked about the two types of people Paul warned Timothy about: Drainers and Developers. But here in chapter 4, Paul shifts. He shows Timothy what to do when good people — people you trusted, loved, and built with — end up hurting you.
Church planting has taught myself and Brittany the same truth:
Some people stay.
Some people leave.
Some grow.
Some don’t.
Some will surprise you.
Some will disappoint you.
And ultimately, you can’t control what other people do. You can’t control when someone misunderstand you, or lies about you, or walks away from you, or disappoints you.
Paul knew that. And he’s going to finish with these words. You can’t control how other
people live their lives. But… you CAN control how YOU run.
So church, that’s the message today. Run YOUR race, not theirs.
What Makes a Good Pastor?
Before Paul gives any final warnings, he tells Timothy what spiritual leadership should look like. Not based on opinions, trends, or preferences, but based on God’s Word.
“Preach the word of God… Correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2
According to Scripture, a good pastor will:
1. Preach the Word of God. Not opinions. Not culture. Not trends. The Word.
2. Correct you. Not to shame you, but to bring clarity when you’ve drifted.
3. Rebuke you. Not to embarrass you, but to protect you from choices that lead to destruction.
4. Encourage you. Not with empty compliments, but with reminders of God’s truth, His presence, and His power at work in you.
At Zeal City, our goal isn’t to entertain you... it’s to equip you, guard you, guide you, and help you run your race well.
Everyone needs a pastor. The question is:
Will you let yourself be pastored?
Before Paul gives any final warnings, he tells Timothy what spiritual leadership should look like. Not based on opinions, trends, or preferences, but based on God’s Word.
“Preach the word of God… Correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2
According to Scripture, a good pastor will:
1. Preach the Word of God. Not opinions. Not culture. Not trends. The Word.
2. Correct you. Not to shame you, but to bring clarity when you’ve drifted.
3. Rebuke you. Not to embarrass you, but to protect you from choices that lead to destruction.
4. Encourage you. Not with empty compliments, but with reminders of God’s truth, His presence, and His power at work in you.
At Zeal City, our goal isn’t to entertain you... it’s to equip you, guard you, guide you, and help you run your race well.
Everyone needs a pastor. The question is:
Will you let yourself be pastored?
Paul ends his letter by mentioning three people — and each of them teaches us something about how to keep running well.
1. Demas — The One Who Walked Away
“Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life…”
2 Timothy 4:10
Demas wasn’t a random acquaintance. He had served with Paul. Traveled with him. Done ministry with him. He was a friend.
And yet… somewhere along the way, he drifted.
He loved the world more than the mission, and he walked away.
Here’s what Paul is teaching Timothy: Don’t let someone else’s quitting become your reason to stop running.
Some of your greatest heartbreak won’t come from strangers, it’ll come from people who once ran beside you.
But their quitting doesn’t cancel your calling.
2. Alexander — The One Who Hurt You
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm… Be careful of him.”
2 Timothy 4:14–15
Unlike Demas, Alexander didn’t just leave, he actively caused damage. Some believe he may have sabotaged Paul’s legal defense and helped lead to his death sentence.
And still… Paul chooses freedom.
He doesn’t deny the wound.
He doesn’t pretend it didn’t happen.
But he refuses to carry bitterness into the finish line.
Unforgiveness is like running with ankle weights.
You can’t run well while replaying every hurt.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean it was “fine.”
It means you’re releasing it to God and refusing to let it define your pace.
Give your Alexanders to God.
3. Luke and Mark — The Ones Who Stayed (and the One Who Returned)
“Only Luke is with me… Bring Mark with you, for he is helpful to me.”
2 Timothy 4:11
Luke stayed. He didn’t run when things got dark.
Everyone needs a Luke.
And Mark?
The same Mark who disappointed Paul years earlier?
The one Paul said he wouldn’t travel with?
He grew.
He changed.
He returned.
People can change. People can come back. Redemption is real.
Don’t overlook the people who stayed.
Don’t underestimate the people who return.
This is why community matters.
This is why serving matters.
This is why CityGroups matter.
We don’t run alone, we run with developers.
1. Demas — The One Who Walked Away
“Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life…”
2 Timothy 4:10
Demas wasn’t a random acquaintance. He had served with Paul. Traveled with him. Done ministry with him. He was a friend.
And yet… somewhere along the way, he drifted.
He loved the world more than the mission, and he walked away.
Here’s what Paul is teaching Timothy: Don’t let someone else’s quitting become your reason to stop running.
Some of your greatest heartbreak won’t come from strangers, it’ll come from people who once ran beside you.
But their quitting doesn’t cancel your calling.
2. Alexander — The One Who Hurt You
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm… Be careful of him.”
2 Timothy 4:14–15
Unlike Demas, Alexander didn’t just leave, he actively caused damage. Some believe he may have sabotaged Paul’s legal defense and helped lead to his death sentence.
And still… Paul chooses freedom.
He doesn’t deny the wound.
He doesn’t pretend it didn’t happen.
But he refuses to carry bitterness into the finish line.
Unforgiveness is like running with ankle weights.
You can’t run well while replaying every hurt.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean it was “fine.”
It means you’re releasing it to God and refusing to let it define your pace.
Give your Alexanders to God.
3. Luke and Mark — The Ones Who Stayed (and the One Who Returned)
“Only Luke is with me… Bring Mark with you, for he is helpful to me.”
2 Timothy 4:11
Luke stayed. He didn’t run when things got dark.
Everyone needs a Luke.
And Mark?
The same Mark who disappointed Paul years earlier?
The one Paul said he wouldn’t travel with?
He grew.
He changed.
He returned.
People can change. People can come back. Redemption is real.
Don’t overlook the people who stayed.
Don’t underestimate the people who return.
This is why community matters.
This is why serving matters.
This is why CityGroups matter.
We don’t run alone, we run with developers.
As Paul closes his final letter, he asks us a question:
Whose race are you running?
Are you weighed down by someone who left?
Are you limping from someone who hurt you?
Are you ignoring the people God placed to support you?
Are you resisting the leaders God placed over you?
Are you forgetting the God who never left you?
Run your race.
Finish strong.
Stay faithful.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
2 Timothy 4:7
That same victory is possible for you.
Whose race are you running?
Are you weighed down by someone who left?
Are you limping from someone who hurt you?
Are you ignoring the people God placed to support you?
Are you resisting the leaders God placed over you?
Are you forgetting the God who never left you?
Run your race.
Finish strong.
Stay faithful.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
2 Timothy 4:7
That same victory is possible for you.
No Comments