Holbrook argus., 1910-01-18
Paul's Last Words

LESSON TExT.-2 Tim. 4:1-1s Memory verses, 6-S. , GOLDEN TEXT-"For to me to i've is Christ, and to die is gain."-Phli- l'i
 Suggestion and Practical Thought.
 Paul's battlefields, victories ana crown.
 I. A Picture of One of PauIs Battle felds-Vs. 1-5. The advice which oaul urges upon the younger Timothy wa counsel he himself had often acted upon. He knew it was good, for he had tried it. So that in the evils and difficlties which Paul knew were con- fronting Timothy, we may see enc mics which Paul had been compelled to meet. And in the weapons and methods of warfare Paul charged Tim othy to use, we see the means by which Paul gained the victory
 The Three Kinds of Enemies. 1. Paul, like other men, had to fight ene- mics within himself. When we see a good man we are apt to think that he has natural qualities of goodness, or favoring circumstances that make it easy for him to be good.
 2. Paul had many outward enemies and difficulties with which to contend. Many of them were brought before us in Lesson VIII. where we studied his account of his life. His wrestling" was against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness."
 3. In the lesson today we find a series of dangers and enemies within the company of disciples which must be overcome.
 3. For the time will come when they will not endure" the sound, healthful, saving doctrine" teaching which Paul had preached, and all the apostles.
 4. "They shall turn away their ears from the truth" They are well pie tured in Southey's poem, "The Inch cape Rock" The holy abbot of Aber- brothock" had placed a bell over this rock, in such way that it was rung by the motion of the waves.
 II. How Paul Overcame These Enc mics to the Truth-Vs. 1, 2, 5. Paul gave to Timothy the most solemn charge, using the motives which had influenced his own life.
 l. Before God, that is, 'In the sight ] of God" R. ", who was always with him and watching to see if he did his duty" watching, not to find fault, but i to encourage and help.
 | And the Lord Jesus Christ His Mas ter and Teacher and Friend. Who i shall judge the quick, the living and the dead. This was more than the consciousness that he himself must be | judged according to what he was and what he did; but it added the even stronger motive that the fate of those to whom he preached depended on his faithfulness.
 The coming again of Christ. At his appearing and his kingdom. Christ's glorious second coming, possible at any time, should spur Timothy to be a faithful steward, and he should do his work well because 1t would help to establish Christ's rule on earth, his kingdom of peace and righteousness.
 Preach, proclaim like herald, the word, the gospel message, the Word of God, embodied in the life and teach ings of the Word who was made flesh
 Be instant, urgent, importunate, pressing on against all obstacles. In season, in the regular course of work. when the opportunity is favorable, and people wish to hear the gospel.
 III. Paul's Victory in the Conflict Vs. 6, ', 8. For I am now ready to kNA 1ffA p1 ssT already being poured out as a drink offering" His life was wearing away in foul dungeon, the infirmities of age after life of great toll and ex- posture were upon him, and at any time the sword of Nero might end his life by martyrs death. But this was merely death; his dying was a libation in honor of God, willing sacrifice of sweet savor, holy and ao- ceptable. It was the giving to God the choicest and most precious of all his possession. It was the fitting close of a life which had been for years living sacrifice. Pauls very death was a victory.
 ". Pauls Crown.-v. 8. Hence forth" Paul's life struggles were over; there remained only to receive the reward. There is laid up for me-" Deposited, reserved, put by in store out of the reach of all enemies and rows."-Bishop Wilson. A R. V. "the" crown of righteousness" The leaf garland of the Grecian games, taken by Paul as a symbol of his eternal reward in heaven. Of right eousness is the name of the race for which the crown is awarded, just as Pindar wrote: "Pytheas, broad-shoul- dered son of Lampo, won the crown of the double contest (wrestling and boxing) at the Nemean games" It is crown that marks the wearer as righteous before God" (Hervey). It is crown that righteous God be- | slows on one who has become worthy