“A Life Well Lived for Christ”

📖 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

Introduction:
The Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life, reflected with peace and confidence. Like Paul, our dear
Pastor Josue Langbayan lived a life fully committed to Christ. This verse reveals what it truly means to
live well—not in riches or recognition, but in faithfulness to Christ.

I. A Faithful Fight – “I have fought a good fight”

Key Thought: The Christian life is a spiritual battle worth fighting.
 Not a perfect life, but a faithful one
 Pastor Josue fought against temptation, discouragement, and spiritual opposition.
 He stood for truth, defended the faith, and lived with integrity.
Illustration: Like a soldier staying in the battle until the end—not giving up when it got tough.
📖 Ephesians 6:12 – "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood..."
How can we, like Paul and faithful servants like Pastor Josue Langbayan, fight the good fight and remain
faithful?

I. Recognize the Enemy

📖 Ephesians 6:12 –
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...”
A. The Devil opposes us
 He is the accuser and deceiver
📖 1 Peter 5:8
B. The World distracts us
 It lures us from God’s purpose
📖 1 John 2:15–17
C. The Flesh betrays us
 Our old nature must be crucified daily
📖 Galatians 5:17
Application: You can’t win the fight if you don’t know who you’re fighting.

II. Wear the Armor of God

📖 Ephesians 6:13–17 –
“Put on the whole armour of God…”
A. Truth must hold you together
📖 Ephesians 6:14 – “Having your loins girt about with truth…”
B. Righteousness must guard your heart
📖 Ephesians 6:14 – “Having on the breastplate of righteousness…”
C. Faith must shield your walk
📖 Ephesians 6:16 – “Above all, taking the shield of faith…”
Illustration: Just like a soldier never goes into battle unarmed, the believer must never face life without
spiritual armor.

III. Stay Focused on the Mission

📖 Philippians 3:14 –
“I press toward the mark…”
A. Remember your calling
📖 2 Timothy 1:9 – “Called with a holy calling…”
B. Endure hardship as a good soldier
📖 2 Timothy 2:3 – “Thou therefore endure hardness…”
C. Refuse to be entangled
📖 2 Timothy 2:4 – “No man that warreth entangleth himself…”
Application: A distracted soldier is a defeated soldier. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

IV. Finish Strong by Faith

📖 Hebrews 12:1–2 –
“Let us run with patience... looking unto Jesus…”
A. Don’t give up in trials
📖 Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not be weary in well doing…”
B. Keep your faith anchored in Christ
📖 1 Timothy 6:12 – “Fight the good fight of faith…”
C. Live for the reward ahead
📖 2 Timothy 4:8 – “There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…”
Illustration: The faithful fight ends not in defeat but in eternal reward.

Conclusion:
A faithful fight is not about being perfect—it's about being persistent.
 Recognize your real enemy
 Wear God’s armor daily
 Stay focused on your mission
 Finish your race in faith
Let the testimony of Paul—and the life of Pastor Josue Langbayan—inspire us to fight faithfully until
the end.

II. A Finished Course – “I have finished my course”

Key Thought: He completed the mission God gave him.
 Each of us has a personal calling and purpose.
 Pastor Josue stayed the course through seasons of blessing and burden.
 He did not run someone else's race—he finished his.
Illustration: A marathon runner finishing strong—not quitting halfway.
📖 Acts 20:24 – "But none of these things move me... so that I might finish my course with joy..."
Many people start the Christian journey—but not everyone finishes well. Paul, near the end of his life,
confidently declares: “I have finished my course.”
To finish the course means completing the mission God has given you—faithfully, fruitfully, and with
joy.
Let’s look at how we, like Paul—and like faithful servants such as Pastor Josue Langbayan—can finish
the course God set before us.

I. Start with God's Calling

📖 Acts 20:24 –
“…that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry…”
A. God has a specific race for each person
📖 Hebrews 12:1 – “…let us run with patience the race that is set before us…”
B. You must know what He has called you to do
📖 Ephesians 2:10 – “…created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”
C. Starting right requires surrender
📖 Romans 12:1 – “…present your bodies a living sacrifice…”
Application: You can’t finish a course you’ve never truly started in Christ.

II. Stay Focused Along the Way

📖 Philippians 3:13–14 –
“Forgetting those things which are behind… I press toward the mark…”
A. Don’t get distracted by the world
📖 1 John 2:16 – “The lust of the flesh… the lust of the eyes…”
B. Don’t give up during trials
📖 Galatians 6:9 – “Be not weary in well doing…”
C. Keep your eyes on Jesus
📖 Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
Illustration: A runner who looks back or sideways will stumble—keep your focus on the goal.

III. Stay Faithful Until the End

📖 Revelation 2:10 –
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
A. Be consistent in your spiritual disciplines
📖 2 Peter 3:18 – “But grow in grace…”
B. Be steadfast in ministry and service
📖 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Always abounding in the work of the Lord…”
C. Be ready to meet the Master
📖 Matthew 24:46 – “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
Application: Finishing the course means living every day ready to hear: “Well done.”

IV. Surrender to God's Grace

📖 2 Corinthians 12:9 –
“My grace is sufficient for thee...”
A. You can't finish in your own strength
📖 Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit...”
B. God's grace will carry you when you're weak
📖 Isaiah 40:31 – “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”
C. He who called you will sustain you
📖 1 Thessalonians 5:24 – “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Conclusion:
To finish the course:
 Start with surrender
 Stay focused
 Stay faithful
 Rely on grace
Let Paul’s words—and Pastor Josue Langbayan’s life—inspire us to run until the finish line, never
quitting, never looking back.
📖 2 Timothy 4:8 –
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…”

III. A Firm Faith – “I have kept the faith”

Key Thought: He remained loyal to the truth and to Christ until the end.
 Pastor Josue never compromised his beliefs.
 He preserved the gospel message and passed it on to others.
 Even in suffering or trials, his faith remained unshaken.
Illustration: Like a faithful steward guarding a treasure until the Master returns.
📖 Hebrews 11:6 – "But without faith it is impossible to please him..."
Faith is not optional in the Christian life—it is essential.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him...” (Hebrews 11:6)
If we are to please God, serve God, and finish well, we must be people who keep the faith.
But what does that really look like?

💡 To Keep the Faith Means:

1. Believing God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
📖 Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Even in confusion, suffering, or silence—we trust that God is still in control. Like Job, we say: “Though
he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” (Job 13:15)
2. Trusting His Promises When They Seem Distant
📖 Romans 4:20–21 – “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief… being fully persuaded
that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
Abraham waited years to see the promise fulfilled—but he kept the faith. So must we when answers are
delayed.
3. Staying Loyal to Christ When the World Turns Away
📖 John 6:66–68 –
“From that time many of his disciples went back… Then Simon Peter answered… Lord, to whom shall we
go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”
Even when others abandon Christ, we stay—because we know who we believe in and why we follow
Him.

Transition:
That’s what it means to keep the faith—not just believing in God, but continuing to believe God in every
season.
Now let’s look at how we can strengthen and protect that kind of enduring faith…

Conclusion: A Legacy That Lives On

 Pastor Josue’s life reflects Paul’s words—he fought, he finished, he kept the faith.
 His legacy continues in the lives he touched, the churches he planted, the souls he led to Christ.
 The greatest reward? Not earthly applause—but hearing the words:
📖 Matthew 25:21 – "Well done, thou good and faithful servant..."

Invitation/Reflection:
 Are you living your life well—for Christ?
 Will you finish your course with joy?
 Let’s honor Pastor Josue not only by remembering his life, but by continuing his legacy of faith.