Text: 2 Tim.4:6-8

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WE ARE ALL DRAWING CLOSER TO THE TIME OF OUR DEATH (Rom. 13:11).

          1.       This is no time to be weak or discouraged. 

          2.       This is the time we have, and this is the time to be preparing.

          3.       This is the time to start trying to save ourselves and our families. 

B.      PAUL’S FINAL WORDS ARE THE ONES WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO SAY WITH PAUL THE FOLLOWING?

I.      I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

A.      OUR LIVES DESCRIBED AS WARFARE (2 Cor. 10:4;  1 Tim. 1:18).

          1.       The fight is vicious (1 Pet. 5:8).

          2.       It is against a mighty foe (Eph. 6:12).

          3.       It is a fight to the death (1 Pet. 2:11).

B.      OUR WARFARE IS ON TWO LEVELS.

          1.       Personal – salvation is a struggle (1 Pet. 5:8;  Luke 13:24).

          2.       Truth! – The cause of righteousness! (2 Tim. 3:8;  Phil 3:18).

          3.       The Church – the body of Christ (Acts 20:29-30;  2 Cor. 11:28).

C.      EACH OF US IS A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS (2 Tim. 2:3-4).

D.      GOD EQUIPS US FOR VICTORY!

          1.       The weapons of our warfare (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

          2.       The Gospel Armor (Eph. 6:10-17).

          3.       A mighty ally (Rom. 8:31-39;  Phil 4:13).

E.      BUT WE MUST FIGHT (Eph. 6:13).

II.     I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE.

A.      PATIENCE IS REQUIRED TO FINISH (Luke 21:19;  Heb. 10:36).

B.      THREE DISTINCT IDEAS:

          1.       Endurance – in trial (James 1:3-4;  5:10-11).

          2.       Anticipation under control (Luke 8:15;  Rom. 8:25).

          3.       Persistence (Rom. 2:7;  Heb. 6:12).  Don’t run to finish – Run to Win!

C.      PATIENCE REQUIRES DISCIPLINE.

          1.       In training (1 Cor. 9:24-25).

          2.       In the race itself (Luke 9:62).

D.      TOTAL COMMITMENT – JESUS’ EXAMPLE (Heb. 12:1-2).

III.    I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.

A.      UNIVERSALLY, THE RELIGIOUS BELIEF OF CHRISTIANS Thayer                              (Rom. 14:12;  Acts 24:24;  Jude 3).

B.      CHRISTIANS HAVE ONE FAITH – THEY BELIEVE ONE THING (Eph. 4:4-5).

C.      KEEPING THE FAITH INVOLVES FAITHFULNESS TO A PATTERN (2 Tim. 1:13)

          1.       In the Scriptures we find a pattern (2 Pet. 1:3)

          2.       It is complete (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

          3.       Faithfulness involve keeping the faith (2 John 9;  1 Cor. 4:6;  Col. 2:8).

D.      JESUS IS LORD (Acts 2:36;  Col. 3:17).

IV.   THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

A.      THIS CAN ONLY BE SAID IF WE CAN SAY THE OTHER THINGS.

B.      A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS INVOLVES:

          1.       Justification (Titus 3:7).

          2.       Eternal Life (1 John 5:13, 20;  Rom. 6:23).

          3.       An Abiding Home (John 14:1-3).

          4.       Eternal Fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:17).

Conclusion: 

A.      ARE YOU FIGHTING THE FIGHT, STILL ON THE COURSE, FAITHFUL TO HIS        WORD?

B.      WE PATIENTLY ANTICIPATE HIS COMING (1 John 2:28).

C.      WE ARE PROMISED A CROWN! (Rom. 8:17)