I. Our
eventual farewell "the time of my departure is at hand."
A. Paul was
in prison at time of writing, forsaken by many of his friends II Timothy
1:15, 4:10. Paul had been tried and knew his life would soon be taken. Paul
may have even been anxious for his time to come Philippians 1:22-24.
B. We ought
to have the same attitude as Paul James 4:14, I Peter 1:24, II Peter
3:9-14, Matthew 25:13.
II. Our fight
"I have fought a good fight."
A. Several
times Paul alludes to a Christians life as a fight, or military battle
II Timothy 2:3-5, I Timothy 6:12.
B. As
Christians, we are to put on the whole armor of God and engage in warfare
Ephesians 6:10-18.
III.
Finishing the course "I have finished my course."
A. Here
Paul switches his illustration from an army to that of the Olympics.
Christians are encouraged to run with patience the race that is before us
Hebrews 12:1-2.
B. Paul
stressed the importance of "finishing the course" I
Corinthians 9:24-27.
IV. Our
adherence to the faith "I have kept the faith."
A. Paul did
not claim to have kept his faith, a faith, or some kind of faith, but the
faith once for all delivered to the saints Jude 3.
B. As
Christians, we are to keep the faith delivered by the Holy Spirit through
the apostles John 16:13-15.
V. Our future
"there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."
A.
Elsewhere called a crown of life James 1:12, and a crown of victory
I Corinthians 9:24-27. This involves eternal life, promised to us in this
life but given to us on the Day of Judgment Mark 10:30, Acts 17:30-31, I
John 2:25.
B. Why was
this crown laid up for Paul? Because of his obedience Acts 26:19, Acts
22:16, Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 3:27.
1. What must
we do in this life in order to receive eternal life on the Day of Judgment?
Romans 10:17, John 8:24, Acts 17:30, Matthew 10:32-33, Mark 16:16.
