“ No Regrets ” ( 2 Timothy 4:6-8)

1. Key Question: How do we live our lives without regret and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God? “No Regrets”(2 Timothy 4:6-8) Bruce F. Sloan -- Church Planting Catalyst Northwest Baptist Convention – Region 4 Vancouver, Washington

2. Two Choices? GLAD-I-TUDE SAD-I-TUDE

3. “re·gret” - defined VERB (used with object) • 1. to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.): He no sooner spoke than he regretted it. • 2. to think of with a sense of loss: to regret one's vanished youth.

4. John Ortberg • “Regret keeps me awake at night because it’s not just that I’m in pain; it’s that I know it was in my power to have been a better self, and I didn’t do it. Regret has a unique sting because it’s not just I wish things had turned out differently. It’s I know things could have turned out differently if I would have acted other than the way that I did.”

5. Billy Graham – John F. Kennedy • At the 1963 National Prayer Breakfast. “I had the flu,” Graham remembers. “After I gave my short talk, and he gave his, we walked out of the hotel to his car together, as was always our custom. At the curb, he turned to me.” • “Billy, could you ride back to the White House with me? I’d like to see you for a minute.” • “Mr. President, I’ve got a fever,” I protested.

6. Billy Graham – John F. Kennedy • “Not only am I weak, but I don’t want to give you this thing. Couldn’t we wait and talk some other time?” • It was a cold, snowy day, and I was freezing as I stood there without my overcoat. • “Of course,’ he said graciously.” • But the two would never meet again. Later that year, Kennedy was shot dead. Graham comments, “His hesitation at the car door, and his request, haunt me still. What was on his mind? Should I have gone with him? It was an irrecoverable moment.”

7. John Goddard – “Bucket List” • In 1940, as a 15 year old High School student, John Goddard compiled a list of 127 goals that he hoped to complete in his lifetime. • By 1972, Goddard has accomplished 103 of his original goals. • He was motivated by father’s friends who were ”filled with regrets over failed dreams!” • Check out -- http://www.johngoddard.info

8. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV) • “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.”

9. 1. Fight the Good Fight • “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12, ESV).

10. @ WAR with the WORLD • “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17, ESV).

11. @ WAR with the FLESH • “But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:20-24, ESV).

12. @ WAR with the DEVIL • “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV).

13. @ WAR with the DEVIL • “Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world” (Ephesians 6:10-12, CEV).

14. 2. Finish the Race • “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 2o:22-24, ESV).

15. 2. Finish the Race • “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Corinthians 9:23-25, ESV).

16. 3. Keep the Faith • “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faithhe went to livein the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrew 11:8-10, ESV).

17. 3. Keep the Faith • “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3, ESV). • “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV).

18. The Victor’s Crown • “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12, ESV). • “Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8, ESV).

19. What 50 / 95 year olds said about Life: • They would REFLECT more (consider with intensity their options and resources) • They would RISK more (not recklessness, but intentional trust in themselves and God) • They would DO MORE THINGS that would leave a lasting legacy for future generations. • Tony Campolo, “If I Had It to Live Over Again!”

20. Application: “My Bucket List” • Dailyput on the armor of God and walk in obedience to Him • Urgently do what God has called me to do and leave the results to Him • Finish the course (calling) that God has started in my life • Serve for the sake of others and not for myself • Build / Leavea legacy of faith, hope and love for future generations