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own comfort is concerned, it would be bet ter to "depart, and to be with Christ”—no more shipwrecks, hunger, beatings, and other perils of land and sea. But on the other hand, if he died, he could no longer minister to his beloved converts as Philippi. And on this the final desire hinges—“to abide in the flesh is more needful [or you" (v. 24). 3. "For the prize o[ the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14). The "prize” here is not the “high calling” itself. Paul was sure of that (2 Tim. 1:9). What Paul pressed on to win was the “prize” which will be given only to those who run well among the great company who are "call ed.” The "high calling” cannot fail. But we can fail to win the "prize.” Some will be ashamed before Him at His coming. Said one man, as his spirit was about to leave the body, "I would gladly give $100,000 to have it proved to my satisfac tion that there is no such place as hell!” And another, looking back upon his past life as his dying hour approached, said: “What a fool I have been!” But how different is it for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ! A talented young woman, a daughter of a well-known Ameri can student of Bible prophecy, as she pass ed from earth to heaven only a few years ago, spoke these last words to her father: “I want you to know that I have no fears whatever. Jesus paid the price for my ad mission at the gate. " 'Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.’ ” With the Apostle Paul, she with count less millions of others could say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” —A lan S. P earce . Jesus’ Good Helper 2 T imothy 4:1-8 Memory Verse: “Lo, I am with you al- way, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). Approach: The time had come now Jor Paul to die and go to be with the Lord Jesus. He was an old man, worn and tired, but not too tired to tell out the Good News Golden Text Illustration 2 T imothy 4:7
the constant sustaining of weak brethren and continual warfare with false brethren. In place of these things there would be the glorious immediate presence of Him “whom having not seen” (1 Pet. 1:8) he loved. Moreover, there was satisfaction as he contemplated appearing before the right eous Judge. He often had stood before un righteous judges, such as Felix and Festus, the Jews of Jerusalem and elsewhere, the idolatrous and pagan Gentiles, but the last Judge before whom he was to stand would be die righteous One, and from that One he would receive his crown. Paul’s unfading laurel would be a crown of righteousness, the portion of all who love the Lord's ap pearing. Points and Problems 1. "The things which happened, unto me” (Phil. 1:12). The reader will notice that the two words "which happened” are in italics, and therefore are not found in the Greek original. It is probably necessary to supply some English words at this point in order to bring about a smooth transla tion. I feel sure, however, that the English word "happened,” with its present-day con notation, would scarcely have been chosen by the Apostle Paul. It is too much tinged with the pagan notion of "chance” in a world of uncontrolled events. The apostle would have repudiated violently such an idea. The very context proves that he looked at the world of events as something controlled by a sovereign God. For he says, "The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." That is to say, the “things” he has in mind—the Jewish mob at Jerusa lem, the arrest, the appeal to Caesar, the journey in chains to Rome, his imprison ment there—did not just "happen," but over and above all the human factors there was a divine Providence which turned these "things” in such a way that even the ene mies of the gospel actually helped its prog ress. Men are free, yes, but it is God who has the last word in human history. The Christian who sees this truth clearly can never be caught in the shackles of pessi mism and discouragement. Both human freedom and divine sovereignty are taught in Scripture, although irreconcilable to human reason. But let us beware of exalt ing human freedom above God’s sover eignty, lest we plunge men into complete despair and pessimism. There is no possible ground for optimism outside the infinite grace and love of a God who is sovereign in His ways. 2. "For 1 am in a strait betwixt two" (v. 23). When the apostle wrote these words, he was considering two great issues immediately before him, whether he would die or live. And the issues were not theor etical but very real, for he was in the hands of an iron government which held human life very cheaply. Now many of us in a similar position are inclined to regard life and death as two great evils, and our only problem seems to be to decide which is the greater evil. Now Paul reverses this entire attitude. He looks at life and death, seeing them not as two great evils, but two great blessings. And he can hardly tell which is the greater blessing. As far as his
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and to write helpful letters to his Chris tian friends. He was a prisoner at Rome, and he knew that he was soon to be put to death. But he was not afraid. He could look back over his life and be glad for all of the hard things that had happened to
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him. He was glad because God had used him mightily to preach the gospel in many countries and to many people. Lesson Story: He had suffered many things. Five times was he beaten, and three times with rods. He was stoned.
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