In Paul's final admonition to Timothy, he gives him some final advice--some final lessons that if he would keep, they would be greatly beneficial.

Paul understood that he not only had to run his race, he needed to pass the baton to the next in line. We need to realize we do not run alone or for ourselves, we run our race as laid out by God: to win and to pass the baton to someone else.

Paul told Timothy to preach the Word--not ideas or philosophies, but the Word. He encouraged him to fulfill his ministry or his service and to do it all with love and patience.

Paul admonishes Timothy to not only to remember the Word, but to hear the Word and to live by the Word.

Paul lets Timothy know that hard times are coming. The Message Bible tells us that some have become allergic to God. Wouldn't it be good to be so full of God that some would not want to be around us? Not because of arrogant behavior, but because God is felt in our presence.

Paul tells Timothy to flee youthful lust, and then he tells him how: by pursuing righteousness, faith and love.

Paul admonishes Timothy to correctly divide the word of God and not to be ashamed.He also warns him of foolish bickering and arguing over words. We must keep the main thing the main thing and avoid foolish debates.

While in prison and bound to a prison guard, Paul made the awesome statement that the word of God could not be bound. Many are trying to silence the word of God, but it cannot be bound. It will continue to go across the world as God's Spirit uses the efforts of men to spread the glorious Good News!

Paul told Timothy to be strong in grace. But what does that mean? Let's see how God desires us to entrust to others what has been entrusted to us. The only successful way to do that is to be strong in the grace of God.

Paul admonishes Timothy to not be ashamed, either of him, nor the Gospel, but we are to guard those things entrusted to us.

Paul encourages his son in the faith, Timothy, to hold on to the things that had been entrusted to him. Paul tells him to guard the deposit. God tells us to do the same thing and reminds us to encourage one another in the Lord.

Paul encourages his son in the faith to fight for, pursue, and to guard the things of God and be rich in good works.

It is God's desire that we be content. He tells us how that can be accomplished. Let's see what He says.

Paul, in writing to Timothy was instructing him in a number of areas. Basically, he was preparing him so he could pass the baton of ministry to him. He wanted Timothy to know that ministry was not always easy, but in the midst of all our difficulties we still need to know how to act in certain instances.

Paul reminded Timothy of the calling God had placed on his life, and he encouraged his son in the faith to stir up his gifts as well as to know that God does not give fear or timidity but of love power and a sound mind.

Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight--to stand firm. There will be seducing spirits trying to deceive us and lead us astray. We must continually submit to him and lean not upon our own ability.

God speaks of several mysteries in the Scriptures. Most of those mysteries are secrets of God that he reveals through His Word, His revelation and His Spirit. We Christians have this secret, but He does not want us to keep it or hide it but let shine before the whole world.

"God qualifies the called, he does not call the qualified" is a true statement. Yet we also realize that there are certain qualifications that need to be met as we serve in the ministry. What are those qualifications?