Three Important Looks Or Paul's Last Testimony

An outline from the book The Bumps Are What You Climb On "Three Important Looks" by Warren Wiersbe pg 17 1980

THREE IMPORTANT LOOKS OR PAUL'S LAST TESTIMONY

INTRODUCTION: Just looking in department stores. Often looking with no purpose.

II Timothy 4:6-8 Paul was looking with a definite purpose.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

As Paul awaited execution, he wrote a farewell letter to his dear comrade in service, Timothy. He knows he faces death, but this does not frighten him. He knows that his work is almost over, but this does not discourage him. His words come with courage and calmness, and in this statement of faith, Paul looks in three directions and bears witness to his confidence in the Lord. Pg 17

I. PAUL LOOKS AROUND AND BEARS WITNESS THAT HE IS READY

A. Phil 1:23-25 (60-64 A.D.) Abiding not departing --> needful for you

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

II Tim 4:6 (66 A.D.) Departing not abiding --> far better for me

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

B. Not a prisoner being executed, but a sacrifice being offered Phil 2:17.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

Eph 5:2 Christ a sacrifice to God for Paul. Paul a sacrifice to God because of Christ.

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

C. Paul's life is not being taken, but offered to the Lord.

John 10:15 Jesus --> I lay down my life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life

for the sheep. Paul now lays down his life for the Shepherd.

Jim Elliot, one of the martyred missionaries of Ecuador, wrote in his journal: "He is no fool to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."

D. Departing Not Dying

1. Means to take down your tent and move on, the way a soldier would

do when the army strikes camp.

II Cor. 5:1 Earthly tabernacle dissolved--> a house „³eternal in heavens

1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2. Means to loose a boat and set sail

II Cor 5:8 Absent from body, present with Lord

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Use Spurgeon Morning and Evening Illustration pg 222

O child of God, death has lost its sting, because the devil's power over it is destroyed. then cease to fear dying. Ask grace from God the Holy Ghost, that by an intimate knowledge and a firm belief of thy Redeemer's death, thou mayst be strengthened for that dread hour. Living near the cross of Calvary thou mayst think of death with pleasure, and welcome it when it comes with intense delight. It is sweet to die in the Lord: it is a covenant-blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment, it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell. The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home--a moment will bring us there. The sail is spread: the soul is launched upon the deep. How long will be its voyage? How many wearying winds must beat upon the sail ere it shall be reefed in the port of peace? How long shall that soul be tossed upon the waves before it comes to that sea which knows no storm? Listen to the answer, "Absent from the body, present with the Lord." Yon ship has just departed, but it is already at its haven. It did but spread its sail and it was there. Like that ship of old, upon the Lake of Galilee, a storm had tossed it, but Jesus said, "Peace, be still," and immediately it came to land. Think not that a long period intervenes between the instant of death and the eternity of glory. When the eyes close on earth they open in heaven. The horses of fire are not an instant on the road. Then, O child of God, what is there for thee to fear in death, seeing that through the death of thy Lord its curse and sting are destroyed? and now it is but a Jacob's ladder whose foot is in the dark grave, but its top reaches to glory everlasting.