A DYING CHRISTIAN’S TESTIMONY

II Timothy 4:4-8

  1. Intro.
    1. this joyful testimony was written by Paul the prisoner, in a dungeon at Rome
    2. he was waiting for the time of his execution [ready to be offered]
  2. a victorious past
    1. as a soldier, he "fought a good fight" – 7
      1. against all the principalities and powers of evil, whether seen or unseen
      2. against sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil
      3. there was a battle to be fought, and he fought it
      4. he was a soldier in the Lord’s army
        1. he endured hardness – II Timothy 2:3, 3:10-11
        2. he didn’t get overly involved in the things of this life – II Timothy 2:4
        3. he never gave up
        4. he stood in the battle, even when he was physically unable – Ephesians 6:13-14
    2. as a racer, "finished my course" – 7
      1. his course was specially marked out for him – Act 9:15-16
      2. the course that God had laid out for him had many obstacles
      3. Paul was a disciplined runner, who strived to win the prize – I Corinthians 9:24-27
      4. he attempted to live the Christian live in such a way so that he would not be disqualified [castaway]
      5. as an athlete he ran with patience – Hebrews 12:1-2
    3. as a believer, he "kept the faith"
      1. he never strayed from the great truths and doctrines of God’s Word
      2. he guarded the truth revealed to him, and preached the gospel of grace
      3. life had been given to him from God, and he was a good steward
  3. a peaceful present [I am now ready … the time of my departure is at hand] – 6
    1. death had no sting or terrors to him
      1. Christ had taken the sting out of death for him
      2. to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ, which is far better
      3. death is only the doorway to heaven and eternal life
    2. he had no regrets of a wasted life
    3. he was at peace because of his confidence in Christ
  4. a joyful future – 8
    1. he had hope and a bright outlook for the future
    2. the crown of righteousness is for those that have lived a God-pleasing life
    3. this reward is not just for Paul, but all who love His appearing
    4. loving his appearing implies an inspiring influence in our life
    5. to love His appearing means that we will have to love Him
    6. the second coming of Christ is not a vain imagination, but a holy incentive to live right – I John 3:1-3
    7. the second coming of Christ is the believers expectation that enables us to endure
    8. "Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" - Revelation 22:12