I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; PREACH THE WORD; BE INSTANT IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2 Timothy 4:1-6

All the apostles repeated the last commission because they were the great commandments of Jesus Christ to us all.  Apostle Paul was also concerned about souls.
The apostle Paul had a son in the ministry called Timothy.  Timothy is someone he gave instructions to.  He poured out his heart and shared the word of God with him. At the very end of his life, he shared “these last words with him.  This is the Great Commission according to Paul!

How do I know that these were Apostle Paul’s last words?  They were his last words because they are in the last chapter of his letter to Timothy.  They were his last words because as soon as he said, Do the work of “an evangelist,” he informed Timothy that he was ready to die.  “I am now ready to be offered”, he said and “…the time of my departure is at hand. (2 Timothy 4:6)
What exactly were the last words of Paul to Timothy?

1. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS A COMMISSION TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD:
A commission to preach the word: Paul gave a commission to Timothy to preach the word of God.  Today, many are preaching sermons that are more relevant in the university than in the church.  God is calling us to become sound preachers of the word of God. Let us stick with hard, true scripture.

2. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS A COMMISSION TO PREACH IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON:
A commission to preach in season and out of season:  In season and out of season speaks of preaching at all times.  There are only two possible times to preach; in season or out of season.  Preaching out of season is preaching when it seems inappropriate.  The time must come when preaching must be continuous and persistent.  Preaching only on Sundays is an old tradition.  God has taken us way beyond once-a-week “preaching. Preaching must go on every day.

3. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS A COMMISSION TO GIVE SOUND DOCTRINE:
A commission to give sound doctrine:  Sound doctrine speaks of things that are based on the Word.  A lot of preaching is not sound.  Stay with sound preaching and avoid false teachers. False teachers look just like good teachers.  False teachers are real otherwise they would not be mentioned in the Bible. Do you know any false teachers?  There are plenty around today.

4. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS A COMMISSION TO ENDURE AFFLICTIONS:
A commission to endure afflictions:  Paul then gives a commission to endure afflictions and sufferings.  The concepts of sacrifice, suffering and losing have been thrown out of the church.  The apostle Paul, in his last words to Timothy, asked him to endure difficulties, afflictions and sufferings.  He did not tell him to enjoy a good life, pleasant times, pleasant days, nice experiences and nice conferences.  He warned him to endure and go through sufferings that he was destined to go through.  Church planting will involve affliction and suffering.  Church planting may involve sleeping on the floor for one year. Church planting may involve living in difficult towns and villages.  Soul winning may involve risking your life to preach the gospel.

5. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS A COMMISSION TO DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST AND TO MAKE FULL PROOF OF THE MINISTRY:
A commission do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of ministry:  The very last words that Paul spoke to Timothy were “Do the work of an evangelist” and “fulfil your ministry.”  (2 Timothy 4:5, NASB)

These are truly great last words from a great person who walked with God.  DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST!  DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST!  DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST!  DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST!
These are the last words Paul declared before he informed Timothy of his impending death.  It is amazing how the last words are the most important words.  They contain the most important things of all.
You will notice how Paul did not speak to Timothy about his marriage.  He did not tell Timothy that a good marriage was the most important thing for a minister. His last words were not about Timothy’s business ventures. Paul’s last words were not about having a good life or having nice times, nice experiences and nice friends.
Paul did not seem to emphasis human happiness and human achievements. His very last words were “do the work of an evangelist” and “fulfill your ministry. This must be the most important thing!

“Care for the perishing souls!  Think about the creatures in agony! Think about the drowning multitudes! Become an evangelist to the lost souls in the dark ocean of sin and wickedness! Share God with someone.  God is real!  He is alive!  We shall all see Jesus one day and we shall know that telling people about Jesus was the most important thing a man could have done with his life!