Sunday, August 28, 2016 - Paul’s Three Major Accomplishment
Pastor Roger C. Marcos
August 28, 2016
God’s definition is contrary to the world definition. By the way, Corporate America measures success based on what you have done, what you have ACCOMPLISHED and what you have accumulated.
It is based entirely on YOU focusing all your time, efforts, resources, meriting titles, position and gathered all accomplishment.
As I speak today, hoping that you can see very clearly on God’s definition of success. We are living in a temporal world which I believe God own it. The world looks at WHAT you have, while God sees who you have. The world’s system is based on what you have done, WHILE God LOOKS at what JESUS has done on the cross for you and for me.
Fellow brethren, you can make a choice to decide to live your life depending on yourself to gain nor merit, earn, accomplish and most to accumulate treasures and success based on the world definition, OR YOU CAN MAKE A RIGHT DECISION TO LIVE AND TRUST THE LORD JESUS for the rest of your life journey.
I will talk today about Paul’s major accomplishment in his entire vocation life ministry and service to God and men.
Success is the result of who you have! IT IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIFE THAT MAKES US SUCCESS. It is sound simple right?
Here’s the great text today find in 2 Tim. 4:5-8
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing 2 Tim. 4:5-8
The Apostle Paul looking forward to give the young Evangelist the work of ministry.
What an appropriate time to examine the great passage in the fourth chapter of Second Timothy, where the Apostle Paul is looking on to his graduation day. Writing to his young son in the faith, Paul exhorts Timothy to certain endeavors in view of the fact that he must soon take Paul's place. That must have been a frightening prospect to Timothy. But some of us, too, must pass on eventually, and leave the work to others.
It is a great thing when we have a feeling of accomplishment in our life. When we look at the life of the apostle Paul we can see at least
Paul 3 Major Accomplishments in the Lord: Since God transformed his life nothing concerned him most than serving the Lord. So when we talk about accomplishment what accomplishment that matter to God that led you into a service of love.
I. Paul Fought the Good Fight. Verse 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
The first statement that Paul makes is, "I've fought the good fight." In the Greek, it's "the good fight." Now the word fought comes from the Greek word agonizomai, which means, "to struggle." In other words, it means to compete for a prize or to endeavor to accomplish something.
So in other word, Paul telling to young Timothy to get ready in spiritual battle by saying FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. This Statement Suggests A War! So Paul admonished the young evangelist to war the good warfare.
A. The War Is Spiritual Battle. Who is the enemy?
1 Timothy 6:12 FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF THE FAITH, TAKE HOLD OF THE ETERNAL LIFE TO WHICH YOU WERE CALLED. WHEN YOU MADE YOUR GOOD CONFESSION IN THE PRESENCE OF MANY WITNESSES.
At this point the enemy is going to put up fight to prevent us from laying hold of God’s promises blessings and the promise eternal life on Him.
Think about that statement: every member, all over the world Paul give the command to fight the good fight of faith. So the doctrine that I want to draw out of this portion of God's word and press home to your hearts today is this:
All Christians Must Lay Hold on Eternal Life by Fighting the Good Fight of Faith.
In What Sense Is Our Fight a Fight of Faith? Can you imagine, the apostle encourage Timothy to fight a good fight of faith. Have you ever wonder why Paul called it a good fight? It’s a good fight because the Lord will help us in any battle and we become more than a conquerors thru Him.
It is a Fight Against the Devil.
Ephesians 6:11-12
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.
As I look at the context of Paul's command to fight the good fight of faith, I see two ways to understand the term "fight of faith."
Two Ways to Understand "Fight of Faith"
1. Since Our Faith is Often Threatened by Doubt and Unbelief We Must Fight to Maintain Faith. So, the phrase "fight of faith" would mean: the struggle to keep on believing God, the fight to keep on trusting his promises.
2. The other way to understand the phrase "fight of faith" would be this: We must fight the fight of faith in the sense that faith is used as the weapon to attain some other victory beyond faith itself. The idea is not merely that we are fighting to maintain our faith, but that we are maintaining faith in order to attain some victory by means of faith.
It is a Fight Against the Devil. Here’s the recommend text on the Bible.
Ephesians 6:11-12 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.
For a Soldier of the Cross to Successfully Engage in the fight, he must be Properly Equipped. Paul States: Ephesians 6:13-17
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Fight to Maintain Faith.
In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul says at the very end of his life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Fighting the fight of faith, finishing the race, and keeping faith all mean the same thing. Fighting the fight of faith is the struggle to keep the faith. And it's a struggle that a true Christian never finally abandons until he attains the crown of righteousness from the Lord. So the first meaning of the term "fight of faith," is the fight to maintain faith, and it comes from the context of verse 11 and from 2 Timothy 4:7.
Fighting with Faith as a Weapon for a Further Victory.
II. Paul Finished the Race. Enduring to the end. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Next, Paul says, "I've finished the course." The Greek word for finished is teleo, which means completed, executed, concluded, or discharged. The Greek word for course is dromos, which means race, career, or course.
"Run with patience the race that is set before us ..." Heb. 12:1-3
In the world of competitive sports, many very good and promising athletes will compete for a title and even dream of obtaining the prize. However, relatively few will pay the price of the intense physical training and years of preparation that must take place prior to the competition. Even of those who try, many fall out of the race somewhere along the way.
What happen to Lot’s wife, the rich young ruler, Judas, and Ananias and Sapphira. God want them to be save but the reason for the fail they ignored God’s warning.
A. Endurance.
In any contest, the important factor is not how many begin the competition but who finishes the race and completes the course, who wins the prize. Late in life, Paul declared, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.
What is this race?
Acts 20:24 24 NIV However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
1 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb.12:1-3
Scripture says we are to "run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith ... For consider Him that endured ... lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Hebrew 12:1-3
B. Self-Control Is Necessary to Expect Finish the Race. I Corinthians 9:24-27
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.
From these scriptures we see various aspects must be considered regarding the race "set before us" -- the need for endurance; the focus of our vision; keeping the rules; self-discipline; and the desire and determination to win. If we lack in any of these areas, we will become vulnerable to defeat and failure.
2 Tim. 2:5 5 An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules.
III. Paul Kept the Faith. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
When Paul spoke of “keeping the faith” it was evident that saving faith is something that must be maintained and kept active.
Then, the last statement that Paul makes is, "I've kept the faith." The Greek word for Kept is tereo, which means to guard (from loss or injury), to hold fast, to keep, to serve, and to watch.
The Greek word for faith is pistis, which means truth, assurance, belief, faith, and fidelity. So, Paul is saying, "I've guarded the truth or assurance!"
A Christian life is real and dynamic and strong faith dependable, unchanged by trials and sorrows. They achieved significant accomplish for Christ and the church.
Jesus told the brethren in the church in Smyrna, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” Revelation 2:10
The faith He kept Was THE FAITH THAT FIGHT.
1 Timothy 6:12 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.
Because Paul had fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith, he had the assurance of a crown, not of olive leaves, but of righteousness!
Remember, that this crown was not promised to Paul only, but “also to all who have loved His appearing.”
That means that everyone of us may receive the crown if, like Paul, we fight, finish, and keep the faith all of our days that we serve our almighty God as a Christian!
Conclusion.
A. These three accomplishments that was realized by this beloved apostle should serve as an inspiration for each one of us.
B. These 3 things will be the greatest things that any Christian can accomplish in this life to ensure an eternal home.
Fight the good fight, Finish the race, and Keep the faith.
Receiving the crown of righteousness which is promised to all who have “loved His appearing!”
The only way that we can look at our life in the face of death and say we have kept the faith, fought the “good fight,” and finished the race is if we commit ourselves to live as we ought to each day. We can never know when the time of our departure is “at hand.” May it be that if that day is tomorrow, a year from now, or twenty years from now, we can like Paul, look at our lives confident that we have lived it as we should.