"6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timotht 4:6-8
A drink offering -- once it is poured out it is gone.
In the above passage, Paul mentions three things: Fight the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
1. Fight the Good Fight
In a fight, the minute you drop your guard you lose your offensive position and go on the defensive.
The minute you surrender you lose.
You can't quit fighting.
Discipline and Disciple are from the same root word.
Grab hold of Jesus and continue to fight. Survival isn't enough.
"24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Not a "losing salvation" passage. A non-fruit kind of life when you don't run right.
2. The Good Fight of Faith
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1-3
We fight based on faith. Our faith is something we can't see. You have to hold onto that faith. The finish line is not a funeral. Finish line is eternity. We each have a different fight. We have to be passionate about the role God has given us. Passionately follow Jesus!
"35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:35-37
Beat that fear down with faith and grab hold and walk the faith; run the faith.
The Fight is Worth the Struggle
" No man who is really a man ever could enjoy the easy task. There is no enjoyment in the game that is easily won. It is that in which you have strained every muscle and sinew to achieve victory that provides real joy."
Eric Lidell, olympic gold metalist
Finish the Race Strong
"13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
Philippians was the last letter Paul wrote.
Run with Perseverance
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
He ran all the way so we could finish strong.
The Father's will is the completion of His purposes; for each of us to finish strong; to have that final kick.
Victory -- stand steadfast and immoveable
Consistency!
"57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
We try the hardest when we work toward the goal. Stick to that goal -- give yourselves fully to the completion of God's will for you.
Keep the Faith
"6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:6-10
What we do with it. Continue established and firm.
"20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." Colossians 1:20-23
You have to finish.
The Lord is Faithful
"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance." 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
God knows I can't do it -- But He can!
God knows I don't have the will -- But He does!
God knows I don't have the strength -- But He does.
Don't coast. Sometimes it will be hard, but God is there. Just stay with Him. "Go ahead and puke. Just don't quit."
No matter what -- even if you stumble -- keep going.
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
Are you?