A Study of Paul's Life

II Tim. 4:6-8

Introduction:

    1. Paul had been before Caesar already one time --- cf. vrs. 16.
      1. This now is the second time he would be presented to Caesar and Paul displays his great confidence in the fact that he would receive His crown of righteousness and life.
      2. He had the confidence for he knew his heart and he knew his life.
    2. A study of Paul's Life as is described in II Tim. 4:6-8 should encourage us to examine our own Christian life as to find out if we have the same confidence that Paul had of his salvation.

Body:

  1. PAUL SAID --- FIRST OF ALL, "I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT" vrs 7.
    1. The "good fight" is the fight of faith --- I Tim. 6:12.
      1. This fight involves:
        1. A defence of the gospel --- Jude 3.
        2. Doing battle against Satan and the world --- I Peter 5:8 ; James 4:7.
        3. Against false doctrine and teachers --- I John 4:1.
        4. Our ability to avoid temptation to sin --- I Cor. 9:27 ; 10:12-13.
      2. To gain the victory as Paul states we need:
        1. To have the proper equipment ---- Eph. 6:10-ff.
          1. Illust: Desert Storm, did not go in with bows and arrows, or with pea shooters or with sling shots, but equipped themselves adequately and fully for the fight they expected.
        2. To have the proper training and self discipline --- II Tim. 2:4.
        3. To have complete obedience to our commander - in - chief --- Heb. 2:10.
    2. Secondly we need to be sure that we are fighting on the Lord's army and not against the Lord.
      1. The Lord's army is comprised of volunteers, not forced or mandatory service.
        1. Entrance into the Lord's army have certain qualifications that need to be met.
        2. These are the same as that which involves becoming a Christian --- H + B + R + C + B = Sal.
      2. Must realize that we are in a fight for our Souls eternal life.
    3. There are many who have not fought the "good fight".
      1. Many have just talked about the fight.
      2. Some have deserted over to the enemies ranks.
      3. Some have surrendered to the opposing forces.
        1. Departed the faith for the things of the world.
        2. Lack of interest in spiritual things.
      4. Some have become delinquent in service.
      5. Some have stopped to fight because of:
        1. Age.
        2. Infirmities.
        3. Indifference to the Word.
        4. Or just plain discouragement --- Matt. 24:12-13
    4. How have we been fighting the "good fight?"


  1. NEXT PAUL SAID ---- "I HAVE FINISHED THE COURSE/RACE" vrs. 7b.
    1. One needs to realize that the Christians life is a race.
      1. It is a divinely marked course --- Heb. 12:1.
        1. This is a course laid out by God, man has no right to try and re-route or change the course as he sees fit.
        2. Men who have no respect for God's appointments, will establish their own rules and courses.
        3. We need to realize that God will not reward us if we run in some other race or on some other course --- II Tim. 2:5.
      2. We also need to realize that we cannot finish the race if we have not yet begun or done some preparation.
        1. Preparation starts at having a good and honest heart.
        2. Become a child of God is the beginning of the race.
    2. In order to finish the race we ought to:
      1. Remember those who have run before.
      2. Lay aside every weight.
      3. Lay aside every sin.
      4. Have patience.
      5. Keep our eyes focused on the Lord and the crown.
    3. We also need to realize that the Lord will not reward those who:
      1. Have good intentions but never start the race.
        1. "The road to Hell is lined with good intentions"
        2. Many talk about doing something about it, but never commit to anything.
      2. Constantly breaks the rules and stays away ---- II Tim. 2:5.
      3. Starts well but fails to finish ---- Gal. 5;7.
    4. Once again the question How well are we running the race?
      1. As our lives draw to a close will we be able to say "I have finished the course!"


  2. NEXT PAUL SAID ---- "I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH" vrs. 7c.
    1. Paul kept his faith in God, Christ and their promises.
      1. He always trusted that things would work out for the good --- Rom. 8: 28 ; Eccl. 8:12 ; Heb. 10:36-39.
      2. Paul never lost faith in the crown of life he would receive by being faithful --- Rev. 2:10.
        1. Through all that he suffered II Cor. 6:4-10 ; 11:24-28.
    2. Paul had kept, guarded and defended the faith.
      1. He always stood ready to defend the faith --- Phil. 1:17.
      2. He kept the faith before others not allowing that it should vanish away --- cf. Gal 1:6-9.
    3. Paul had kept, observed and obeyed all the commandments that where set out in the Faith.
      1. Acts. 22:16.
    4. The Lord will only reward those who:
      1. Have kept the one faith --- Eph. 4:4
      2. Have obeyed the one faith --- Acts 6:7.
      3. Those who have held to the one faith --- I Tim. 1:19.
    5. How did Paul know that he had kept the faith?
      1. He examined himself --- II Cor. 13:5.
      2. He disciplined himself --- I Cor 9:27.
      3. Gave his life for the faith.
    6. Have you Kept the Faith?


  3. PAUL ALSO SAID ---- "FINALLY/HENCEFORTH" vrs. 8.
    1. After a closer examination of his life Paul concluded that he had gained the eternal resting place with the righteous ones who have gone on before him --- cf. vrs 8.
      1. Paul realized that the outward body must first die to reap the benefits of the spiritual life --- II Cor. 4:16.
      2. It is sad to think that man must first die, in order to gain heaven, yet the description of that eternal resting place is by far a better and happier place than this world could ever be.
    2. Let us consider some of the characteristics of this final resting place.
      1. It is an eternal place --- Rev. 22:5 ; I Peter 1:3-4.
        1. It is interesting to note that man once again will have access to the tree of life --- cf. Gen. 3:22 ; Rev. 22:14.
      2. It is a place of righteousness --- Rev. 21:27.
        1. Think about all the filth and corruption about us today, and then think how wonderful heaven must be without all this.
        2. In heaven there will be no law making bodies legalizing the actions of sin.
        3. There will be not threat of war.
        4. No fights and squabbles and character assination...ect.
      3. It is a beautiful place --- Rev. 21:10
        1. It is a mansion ---- John 14:2.
        2. Yet man trades all this for the handful of tinsel that Satan has to offer us for this short life while on earth.
      4. It is a happy place --- Rev. 21:4.
      5. It is a place of rest --- Heb. 4:9 ; Rev. 14:13.
        1. The spirit body does not grow old and fatigued --- II Cor. 5:2 as does the physical body.
      6. Finally it is a place of pleasant associations --- II Tim. 4:8
        1. Matt. 8:11-12 --- "sit down with Abraham ...ect."
        2. II Sam. 12:23 --- David.
        3. With the Lord and with the Father.
        4. With all those who are righteous who have gone on before --- Heb. 11.


Conclusion:

    1. Brethren all of these have gone on before us, they will never come to us again, but we can so live as to go on to them.---Heb. 9:27.
    2. Let us strive to go to that beautiful place and follow those examples that have been left behind for us --- Phil. 3:17 ; I Cor. 11:1.
    3. Let us stive to follow the example of Paul --- I Cor. 15:58.


Return to Sermon Index Page