What We Can Learn From The Apostle Pauls View of Death

1. He Fought The Good Fight - 2 Tim. 4:7

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

A. The Christian Life Is Often Described As That of A War - Eph. 6:10-17

Ephesians 6:10–17 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

B. Paul Could Look Back Over His Life With Satisfaction

- Not that he was sinless, but he found mercy - 1 Tim. 1:12-16

1 Timothy 1:12–16 NKJV

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

- Not That He Was Perfect, But He Always Tried To Do Better - Phil. 3:12-14

Philippians 3:12–14 NKJV

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

C. Will We At Life’s End Be Able To Look Back At A Fight Well Done? Having Fought The Good Fight of Faith, Laying Hold On Eternal Life - 1 Tim. 6:12

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2. He Finished The Race - 2 Tim. 4:7

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

A. Paul Compared The Christian Life To That of A Race - 1 Cor. 9:24-26

1 Corinthians 9:24–26 NKJV

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

- An Endurance Race, Not A Sprint - Heb. 12:1-2

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

B. Paul Could Look Back Over His Life Recognizing That He Had Run To Win, and Ran With Certainty

C. He Didn’t Give Up, But He Presses Toward The Goal - Phil. 3:13-14

Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

D. Will We At Life’s End Be Able To Look Back At A Race Well Run?

- Completing The Race of Faith Set Before Us?

- or Would We Let Sin Ensare Us? - Heb. 12:1

Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

3. He Kept Faith - 2 Tim. 4:7

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

A. Paul Looked Back Over His Life With Happiness

- He Kept The Faith (Gospel) That Had Been Entrusted To Him - 1 Tim. 1:11

1 Timothy 1:11 NKJV

11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

- He Maintained Faithfulness To The Lord, Despite Great Suffering - 2 Tim. 1:12

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

B. Will We At Life’s End Be Able To Look Back On A Faith That Has Been Kept?

- Holding Fast To The Words of Eternal Life In The Gospel of Jesus Christ?

- Remaining Strong In Our Faith In Jesus As Our Lord and Savior?

Conclusion:

A. If We Also Face Death Having Fought A Good Fight, Finishing a Race, and Having Kept The Faith.

B. Then We Too Will Say Concerning The Lord, “To Him Be The Glory Forever and Ever. Amen!” - 2 Tim. 4:18

2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV

18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

May Our Anticipation of Death One Day Mirror That of The Apostle Paul