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“I have finished‭‭ ‭my‭ course‭,‬‬‬‬‬” 2 Timothy 4:7.

The word ‘course’ is linked in its meaning to the idea of ‘running’. I believe that Paul was referring to the course of his ministry, which he had desired to finish with joy, and was now declaring that it was finished. This desire he had stated earlier, as recorded in Acts 20:18-24.

“‭Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”‬

Although the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 have the air of the approach of an imminent death: “‭I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”‬, yet the words that follow indicated that Paul anticipated that he would not be put to death immediately.

He says to Timothy in verse 9, “‭Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me”‬. This request surely indicates that he expected to be alive for at least a little longer. Also, the words of verse 13 also indicate that he expected to live for some time yet.

“‭The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”‬

The books and parchments indicate that Paul felt that he had yet work and studying to do.

I. FROM THESE CONSIDERATIONS I BELIEVE WE MAY LEARN THAT A MAN MAY BE AWARE THAT HIS LABOURS FOR THE LORD HAVE REACHED THEIR END.

I believe that Paul felt that his life’s work for the Lord had reached its conclusion even though he might live yet for a time.

I must confess that these ponderings of the words of verse 7 came to me in the middle of the night as Monday dawned in the wake of the heart-stirring events of the death and funeral of Dr John Douglas, following on as it did just two months from the death of my dear and sweet life’s partner, my wife Ann, on June 8th.

1. Dear Christian, it is always right to mark the milestones of life’s journey. Many live as if they will never die. That is most foolish. It is absolutely true that man “‭knowest not what a day may bring forth,”‬ Proverbs 27:1. Nevertheless, the signs of aging and the approach of our demise should not be ignored.

Sinners do that in their blindness and folly. In my life I have stood at many a bedside and spoken to those who were near to death. It was plain for all around to see that was so, yet the one in bed often replied to my pleadings to receive Christ as their Saviour with the words, ‘I would like to take time to think about that’!

There was an ignoring of the ‘milestones’ of frailty, grey hairs and sickness. How wrong that is! We should heed the signals that indicate that our ‘course’ is nearing its end.

2. I have been active as a Christian now for just over sixty years. Strange to relate, although I can look back to my conversion by the grace of God on a Sabbath evening, April 5th 1964, I found assurance of my salvation the following Sabbath in Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church, when I responded to the appeal made by Dr Paisley at the end of his sermon and came out to meet with him in the little prayer room to the left of the main door as you enter the church. He opened the Word of God and showed me that “‭Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved,”‬ Acts 2:21, and other related Scriptures. Instantly, all doubts vanished and my heart was filled with joyful peace that has never forsaken me. (more…)

Rev. Ivan Foster (Rtd) delivered a tribute at the homegoing service of Dr. John Douglas, who was his brother-in-law and fellow labourer in the Lord’s work. The service was held at Lisburn FPC, where Dr. Douglas had ministered for decades.

I count it a great privilege and honour to be invited to take part in the funeral service of Dr John Douglas.

I sincerely thank Eunice and the family for allowing me to play a small part in today’s proceedings.

I wish to express first of all, the sincere condolences of the whole Foster family, to Eunice and all the family, even as they were our comforters in the time of our sorrow at the recent home-call of Ann, my precious wife and her dear sister.

View a video of the entire service:

John Douglas was my dear friend as well as a brother-in-law beloved. He was a companion in the faith, a fellow labourer in the gospel and one with whom I shared an earnest contending for the ‘Crown rights of King Jesus and crown jewels of His gospel’.

I first met John in 1964, 60 years ago. That was a year of ‘introductions’ for me.

On April 5th of that year, the Lord in mercy introduced Himself to me, a lost sinner, and graciously pardoned my sins and made me a new creature.

One week later, I met a man who was to become a great influence in my early Christian life, Dr Ian Paisley. He it was who led John to Christ, his first convert at the beginning of his ministry in Ravenhill.

It was shortly after that, that I met John in the old Ravenhill church. In September of that year, I also later met my dear wife to be, Ann, along with her sisters Eunice and Jennifer and brother Charlie. (more…)