Fighting the Good Fight

Introduction

Charles, Gary, and Tami, I told you that you gave me my text when I met with you on Monday.

I loved hearing about your relationship with Helen. I loved hearing about her love of dancing.

In our time of sharing, Tami, I believe it was you who used the phrase, “fight the good fight.” I knew the text I was going to use for our time together. (Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Transition: Helen’s life was poured out as offering to God until the day that God brought her home to himself.

Life as Being Poured Out until the Appointed Time (v. 6)

Let me give you a little background on this passage.

Paul is in prison and knows that he will be executed for his faith in Jesus Christ

Writes to Timothy to encourage him to not give up even though he would never see Paul again.

Paul is reflecting on his life of faith.

We’re here today to reflect on Helen’s faith. There is so much of what Paul shares about his faith journey that applies to Helen.

Helen shared with Paul the view of life as a life poured out to God.

Helen’s life was poured out as offering to God.

Helen’s life was poured out in service to others, especially her family. Tami wrote down seven principles by which Helen lived. I don’t remember all of those principles, but they dealt with human relationships.

Paul recognized that there was a time when this offering would be completed. There is an appointed time. Paul reflects the Preacher in Ecclesiastes who stated that there is a time to be born and a time to die.

None of us knew that the appointed time for Helen would be January 26 except God. And on that day, that sacred day, God received Helen into his presence to await the glorious day of Jesus return and her resurrection from the dead.

Transition: Paul gets more specific about what it meant for him to live is life as an offering to God in verse seven. Let’s look at that verse again (Read 4:7)

Finishing What God has begun (v. 7)

What Paul says about his life is what you can say about how Helen lived her life.

She ought the Good Fight

Life is a struggle and Helen had her battles.

Paul modifies this fight by calling it a good fight which seems counter intuitive.

Helen’ battles were good battles in Christ.

Ran the Race: Beginning, Middle and End

Every race has a beginning, when the gun goes off. Helen’s began on November 1, 1928. It began in the waters of baptism.

What you remember especially is the middle of the race and the time you have had with Helen.

Her race this side of eternity came to an end on January 26.

Kept the Faith

Throughout this race, she kept the faith. She never let go of her hope in Jesus Christ.

Transition: Most translations of verse 8 begin with the word, henceforth, which might give us the idea that Paul and Helen earned the crown of righteousness. A better translation would be to say, Now, now what has been laid up for Helen is a crown of righteousness. But what is this crown of righteousness?

Receiving What Christ has Laid Up for Us (v. 8)

The crown which Helen has received is the crown that Jesus won for her

The crown which Helen has received is the crown of a life lived in the righteousness that Jesus won for her.

Helen now waits for the day when Jesus will call her out of her grave.

Conclusion

We don’t want to miss what Paul says at the very end of verse 8. “…not only for me BUT for all those who have loved his appearing.” His Epiphany. Even in her death, Helen would want all of us to know that this crown of righteousness not only awaited her, but for all us who have loved his appearing. What does it mean to love his appearing? Helen has given us a good example. Amen.