A Great Christian's Dying Testimony

Introduction

Doris was a great person

My introduction to Doris

Doris was a great wife and mother

Loving, always smiling, legacy of 4 great daughters and her grandchildren

Doris was a great Christian

Faithful attender, wife of a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School worker (ministry is tough)

Like another great Christian, Apostle Paul, Doris had a dying testimony! We can learn from both of them today!

Scripture

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.

Who is the Apostle Paul?

Leader in the Church

About to die (imprisoned, soon to be executed)

Writing to his disciple Timothy. Going to pass the torch

Paul’s Past Testimony

A fighter

A runner

A believer

Believer in What?

Jesus Christ - but not just the facts, but a commitment of life

to Jesus and his teaching

Doris read the Bible everyday

Recorded herself reading the Bible

Her involvement in the Church

That’s commitment!!

Paul’s Present Testimony

Paul’s View of Life - ready to be poured out

Willing to give everything for the sake of Jesus and the kingdom of God

Acts 20:24 ESV

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul was “ready to be offered” ready doesn’t not anxious, but prepared

Doris loves her family, Doris loved life, Doris loved her friends and Church

I’m sure that a part of her would want to stay with them, but like Paul, she was prepared to go

Because of her faith and trust in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior she knew that she was forgiven and ready to be with Jesus.

Are you ready??

Paul’s View of Death - A departure (not and end)

Gone From My Sight - Henry Van Dyke

Gone From My Sight - Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

And that is dying...

You one day will depart - what will be your destination?

Paul’s Testimony about his future

Absolute confidence in the life to come (vs8) “Henceforth”

This life is not all there is - there is a “henceforth”

Absolute Confidence in the return of Christ

His appearing! Are you looking forward to his appearing?

You should love his appearing whether on earth or heaven

Absolute confidence in the Day of reward

A crown of righteousness

An incentive plan!

God not only saves us from punishment but rewards us!

Doris is enjoying her eternal life and her reward right now!

What is prepared for you? Do you have a testimony? Do you have absolute confidence? Do you know for sure that you will go to heaven? You can know for sure by placing your faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior!