Evening star., 1921-12-17
Sunday School Lesson

ton. Only those who were not afraid
Of death dared to show any sympathy
with Paul. He could not have been
located easily. A few were loyal and
faithful in their devotion to him. He
refers to the fidelity of Luke, and
mentions by name four others. of
whom we know nothing except their
names-EubuluS. and Pudens, and
Linus, and Claudia. They were with
out doubt great comfort and help
TO 'h1m. but as he faced the end of
ms life. Paul longed to see once more
the face of Timothy, who had min
istered to the apostle, with his mother
and grandmother. when he was stoned
at Lystra. The bravest of men wish
their loved ones to be near when their
end draws near.
Death possessed no terrors for the
courageous champion of Christianity.
The conviction that his end WIS RAP
idly approaching filled Paui's SOU
with the thought of others. He was
disappointed at the failure of Demaa.
who had gone back to the world
when the apostle needed the hclp.
support and aid of Sympathe
friends. In his need Paul had though
of the churches and dispatched mes
sengers to them to encourage them ir
stand fast in the faith. His hop.
grew stronger as the day of doom
drew near. because 'the Lord stood
by him in the hour of darkness and
would stand by until he completed il.
triumph his good fight by a personal
victory over death. There is a calm
ness and confidence when he speak
of being offered and the time of his
departure. He saw in his death two
Old Testament figures. viz. drink
offering and an exodus. He saw his
blood about to be offered like a drinis
offering which was about to be poured
out as a sacrifice to God. and tina
a Ch hnf6 ,,F hi H.
would pass from the bondage Of the
dreary and damp dungeon into the
glorious liberty of the sons of God
by an exodus that would not separate
him from the love Of God, which IL
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Looking back upon his career.
which he describes as fight. race
and trusteeship. he announces that Ia.
was prepared to go hence. He had
fought like a faithful soldier the bat
tie with sin for the glory of Christ
and the salvation of men. He looked
upon the race. that he realized Wa
about completed. with satisfaction.
He saw the goal of his life within
sight. This meant the completion ol
his missionary work. He had never
turned back when difficulties Were
before him. He was sure that he had
been faithful to the trust which God
had committed to him, for he had
preached the gospel to the Jew first
and then to all mankind. He saw the
triumph that awaited him and the
trials which the church must face.
This letter was written to encourage
Timothy to become a true minister of
Jesus Christ II was for this that h"
recalls his mother and grandmother
to help his son in the faith to keep
the fires of the spiritual gifts and
graces afiame for the Lord.
He wanted Timothy not only to re-
l. hnc two
in his work of building up character.
He called upon him to study the
Scriptures and to preach the word
He urged upon him the duty to carry
on the work which Paul had intrusted
to him. He summoned him to he his
successor. He tried to persuade MN
not to be moved by the Sordidness or
Demas. the treachery Of Alexander or
the prosecutions of Nero. He did not
want Timothy to be 4 Stacker. He
encouraged him by his personal tes-
timony of how Christ Jesus stood by
the apostle supplying not only
sympathy but strength to endure the
sufferings He had kept him from the
mouth of the lions. who devoured
many faithful Christians when Nero
ordered them to fight them in the
arena of the Coliseum. Paul altrih-
uted his courageous stand to christ'
who was leading him to TRIUMPH IN
every place even in the dark hours.
Paul looked beyond the walls OF
the Mamertine prison. He saw be
yond the shadow of the clouds the
glory of the Lord Jesus. He knew
that Christs glory would never end,
His final appeal was to arouse IN
Timothy the same spiritual depen-
dence and trust that had marked the
apostles life. so that he could say
with Paul when the end came TO MIN.
.tI have fought the good fight. I have
finished the course, 7 have kept the
faith" The worlds greatest need al
this very moment is for men with the
vision. faith and fidelity of Paul VINO
will apply the teachings OF Christ chris ITO TO
solve the problems pressing upon ths
nations of the earth for solution. A
victory crown awaited the apostle;
It awaits all men who. like Paul, Will
fight on with unfainching courage 10
the end, looking unto Jesus for the
guidance need and help requirea
to make of their lives good hght.
winning race and an encouraging
faith to others to follow and carry
on for Christ.