Middletown transcript., 1921-12-17
=, IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Si11n!ldaySc:hoel
' Lesson '.
By REV. P. B. FITZWATER. D. d.
Teacher Of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
Copyright. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 18
PAUI'S LAST WORDS.

LESSON TExT-u Tim, 4:6-&.
GOLDEN TEXT have fought good
dght, I have finished my course. I nave
kept the faith.-II Tim. ~.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Rom. s:S7-
80; Cor. 1851; Rev. 3:N.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Last Words From
Paul.
JUNIOR ToP1c-The Close Of a victo-
rious Life.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Pauls Final Triumph.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Lessons for Today From the Lie OF
Paul.
I. Paul's View Of Death ". g..
Set forth in two metaphors:
1. An Offering ". g.. II am ready
to be offered" This specifically
meant drink offering-a libation.
The shedding Of his blood was to be
an offering poured out upon the sacred
altar as an act Of worship. Death can
only be an offering to God when the
life has been wholly yielded to the do
ing Of Gods will. This was preemi-
nentIy true Of Paul, for he could say,
"For to rie to live is Christ" (Phil.
Ply.
2. A Departure ". g.. 'The time
Of my departure is at hand" The
same Idea is expressed in Philippians
1 :23. "Departure' Is q nautical term
which signifies the loosing Of ship
from its moorings, in order to enter
upon its voyage. It is not the end OF
the voyage, but its beginning. The
same idea is expressed In Luke 9:31,
where the theme of conversation on
the Mount Of TRANSPORTATION is said
to be the departure" or "exodus"
which Christ should accomplish at
Jerusalem. What the "exodus" meant
to Israel, and more, death means to
the Christian. To Israel it meant
freedom from slavery, freedom from
suffering, freedom from sorrow. 1t
also meant entrance upon q condition
Of plenty and Joy in life.
II. Paurs Backward Glance at Life
". y.
This backward look is presented in
three figures:
1. II have fought good fight"
The figure here is that Of soldier.
The Christian life is warfare Of dif-
ficulties, conflicts, dangers and tempta-
tions. AS q soldier, the Christian must
fight and overcome all these.
2. II have finished my course" The
figure is that of an athlete who sets
out to win a race. The Christian life
is q race to be run; we must not only
begin the race, but persistently run
to the end.
3. II have kept the faith" The fig
ure Is that Of q husbandman to whom
had been entrusted treasure. This
treasure was the Christian faith. He
was conscious Of having been faithful
to the trust committed. He had many
temptations to give it up. but to the
end maintained his fidelity Of his vow
to Christ.
III. PauPs Forward Look to the Fu.
ture ". 81.
This is q beautiful picture Of calm
confidence at the end Of a period Of
faithful service. Though knowing that
death was awaiting him, there was no
dark cloud before him, because the
glory Of a completed task rested upon
him.
l. He saw before him life with
God. Fellowship with God is a prize
greatly to be desired.
2. A prize laid up-A crown Of
righteousness. This award will be
given at the coming Of the Lord to all
who love His appearing.
~. PauI's Associates wv. 9-12}.
1. Demas, the renegade ". 10).
Demas has become immortalized as
one who was religious, but because Of
the attractions Of the world he went
after it. The love Of the world caused
him to turn his back upon principle,
friendship, honor and duty.
2. Luke, the faithful ". 11). Per
haps he was the best fitted of all to
minister unto Paul. Luke was faith
ful whether in shipwreck, imprison-
.nent, journeying by land and sea.
B. Mark, the restored runaway ".
11). Mark had gone buck, but he was
restored. Though we have failed, we
can redeem ourselves and become
trustworthy.
v. Personal Matters (vv. 1879.
/. Bring the cloak, books and parch-
ments ". 13). In the Jail the cloak
would be needed for his comfort. The
! books and parchments would be
needed for his study and writing.
2. Alexander, the coppersmith wv.
II, 15). We have no way Of deter
mining when this deed was committed.
It was given as warning to Timothy.
8. Defended by the Lord though for
saken by men wv. 1919. Paul iEhis
last trying hours was much like his
Lord-left alone. He says, "All men
forsook me-" It was said Of Christ,
"They all forsook Him and fed" Paul
manifests a like spirit, ,'T pray God
that it might not be laid to their
charge" Christ said, Father forgive
them for they know not what they
DO" Though 1t was wrong for them
to leave Him alone, He not only for
gave them, but prayed that the Lord
might forgive them. Paul had so com.
pletely lived for Christ, and his fel-
lowship with Him was so complete,
that hn ,r,oC o10ro tn <h{c Juoo