Opening: Coffee Chat & Listener Feedback

    •    Seth visited Fresh Grounds and chatted with David (shoutout).

    •    Tried a developing Tiramisu Iced Drink (Monin tiramisu syrup, mocha, cinnamon).

    •    Feedback: try cocoa powder instead of mocha; steam powders into milk; mascarpone flavor is hardest to replicate.

    •    Noah’s drinks: hot vanilla latte + black coffee.

    •    Noah shares his dad’s feedback: “Less weird coffee hot takes!”

    •    Noah’s dad will send coffee for on-air tasting; Seth commits to trying it black.

    •    Plans to invite David from Fresh Grounds on the podcast soon.

⸻

📖 Main Passage: 2 Timothy 4:1–8

Read aloud (NIV).

⸻

1. The Setting and Authority of the Charge (v. 1)

    •    Paul charges Timothy “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.”

    •    This is a divine commission, not a suggestion—rooted in ultimate authority.

    •    Eschatological tone shows urgency and seriousness (Douglas Mangum).

⸻

2. Preach the Word – A Call for All Believers (v. 2a)

    •    “Preach” (Greek: proclaim) goes beyond pulpit preaching—every believer is a truth-teller.

    •    Connected to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20; Rom. 10:14–15).

    •    Every Christian is called to proclaim the gospel wherever they are.

⸻

3. Be Ready In and Out of Season (v. 2b)

    •    Be prepared whether convenient or not—faithful in every season.

    •    Analogies:

    •    Pro athletes train in the off-season.

    •    Hurricane preparedness—too late to prepare once the storm hits.

    •    Quotes:

    •    John Wooden: “When opportunity knocks, it’s too late to prepare.”

    •    Abraham Lincoln: “I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.”

    •    Challenge: fill our lives with Scripture now so we’re ready when opportunities come (1 Pet. 3:15).

    •    Conviction over convenience: spiritual formation takes time—no “microwave” shortcuts.

⸻

4. Correct, Rebuke, and Encourage (v. 2c)

    •    Hold truth and love together: speak truth, but with patience and gentleness.

    •    Testimony: worship pastor’s mother who prayed 25 years for her family’s salvation—God answered in full.

    •    A picture of patient perseverance and faith in God’s timing.

⸻

5. The Danger of “Itching Ears” and False Teaching (vv. 3–4)

    •    People reject sound doctrine and seek teachers who affirm desires.

    •    “Myths” are compelling cultural stories that sound true but distort the gospel (Mangum).

    •    Modern parallels: influencer culture, prosperity teaching, and compromise masked with “Jesus language.”

    •    Practice discernment: read in context; prioritize exegesis over eisegesis.

    •    Example: a misleading video exposed when reading just one more verse beyond its claim.

⸻

6. Sober-Minded Endurance and Evangelistic Work (v. 5)

    •    Be steady, endure suffering, and “do the work of an evangelist.”

    •    Evangelism isn’t a title—it’s obedience in every vocation.

    •    “Big-C calling”: make disciples.

    •    “Little-c calling”: how and where God calls you to do it.

    •    Nicholas Zinzendorf: “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.”

⸻

7. Finishing Well and the Crown of Righteousness (vv. 6–8)

    •    Paul faces death with confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

    •    The focus is finishing, not winning—Christ is the Victor.

    •    The “crown of righteousness” = Christ Himself, the reward of His presence.

    •    Encouragement for believers facing hardship: stay faithful, look forward to Christ’s appearing.

⸻

Looking Ahead

    •    Next week: conclude the 2 Timothy series.

    •    Plan to bring Fresh Grounds’ David on as a guest.

    •    Awaiting coffee shipment from Noah’s dad for live tasting and review.