What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Paul about PERSEVERANCE?• Only True Perseverance Can Say,

“I Have Fought the Good Fight”– There Is “The…Good…Fight”• “Fight” (Gk, agon = agony) – struggle, warfare (1 Ti. 1:18)• “Good” – on behalf of the Lord, His cause & eternal issues• “The” – there is only one fight & all must take part

– I Must Be Able to Say, “I Have Fought” • “Fought” (Gk, agonizomai = agonize; perfect middle)• Looking back, over the past and up to that very moment:– I have fought, agonized, struggled, warred the good…– Cf. 1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:3-4

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Paul about PERSEVERANCE?• Only True Perseverance Can Say,

“I Have Finished the Course”– There Is “The…Course”• Christian life is like a race (1 Cor. 9:24-26; Heb. 12:1-2)• “The” – there is only one course & all must stay on it

– I Must Be Able to Say, “I Have Finished” • “Finished” (Gk, perfect tense) – complete, arrive at goal• Looking back, over the past and up to that very moment:– I finished, completed, fulfilled & did not give up– Cf. Acts 20:24; 2 Tim. 4:5

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Paul about PERSEVERANCE?• Only True Perseverance Can Say,

“I Have Kept the Faith”– There Is “The…Faith”• “The Faith” = objective body of Christian doctrine (Acts

6:7; 1 Pet. 1:25; Jude 3)• “The” – there is only one & all must hold to it

– I Must Be Able to Say, “I Have Kept” • “Kept” (Gk, perfect tense) – preserved, held true• Looking back, over the past and up to that very moment:– I kept, preserved and did not stray from– Cf. 1 Tim. 6:20; 1:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:18-19

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Paul about PERSEVERANCE?• Only True Perseverance Can Say,

“There Is Laid Up for Me a Crown”– There Is “A Crown of Righteousness”• The crown of the victor, reserved as a reward

– I Must Be Able to Say, “There Is Laid Up for Me” • Present tense emphasizes confidence and assurance