2 Timothy 1:8-12 says,...
Today's verses are 2 Timothy 1:8-12, which read,
v.8-11 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I am was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.
This might be Paul's longest run on sentence. He is the master of the comma. Paul is speaking to Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord because he has had a great upbringing under his mother and grandmother. Timothy has been mentored by Paul and had confirmation of God's call on his life. An official ordination service of the laying on of hands was done in the eyes of the church. Paul is in a cold dark dungeon cell not speaking of personal needs but praying night and day for Timothy to go strongly into the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. All these things and experiences are things to stand upon to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. Paul further invites Timothy to join him in suffering for this great gospel that a cold dark dungeon cell could not diminish.
This great gospel of Christ has saved us. This great gospel of Christ has called us with a holy calling. This great gospel is not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace. This great gospel was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. This great gospel was revealed by the physical coming of our Savior Christ Jesus. This great gospel abolished spiritual eternal death and brought spiritual eternal life to us in the light. This great gospel appointed Paul a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
In light of all that this great gospel provides how does Paul respond from that dark cold dungeon cell? Listen to verse 12.
v.12 - For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Paul from the cold dark dungeon cell proclaims that he is still standing on the Solid Rock of Jesus. He still believes and is still convinced that Jesus is Lord and He, the Lord, is guarding his, Paul's, salvation until that day when they will be face to face. The current persecution and terrible physical situation hasn't changed the gospel and its power in Paul's eyes. He is still singing loudly of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
How much do outside temporal circumstances affect the inside permanent commitment of Jesus through to gospel to you? How many times to you run with the temporal over the eternal and let it dictate your thoughts, words, and actions? A follower of Christ is not ashamed of Jesus at any point. You might not understand completely why you are walking through this valley but you are not alone on your journey to heaven even though it might feel like you are walking through hell at the moment. Jesus is ahead of you and the Holy Spirit is within you and God is watching over the preparations of your heavenly dwelling. All of the Godhead is on this and they don't have your back because that would put you making the first step and them backing you up. God took the first step for you and you follow after Him. God provided this great gospel that you stand upon no matter the physical situation you are in. You stand believing and you stand convinced of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, who died on the cross and rose on the third day, who ascended and is coming again.
May these words this morning take your eyes from the temporal to the eternal. May they change your thoughts, words, and actions to reflect something so much larger and greater than your present situation. Let's pray.
"Lord, Satan wants us to focus so close on ourselves when You give us long range vision. You provided before there ever was a me; You provide for me presently; and You will continue to provide for me after this world thinks that I am dead and gone. Help me keep my eyes on You today who gave me this new set of glasses to put on. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.8-11 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I am was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.
This might be Paul's longest run on sentence. He is the master of the comma. Paul is speaking to Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord because he has had a great upbringing under his mother and grandmother. Timothy has been mentored by Paul and had confirmation of God's call on his life. An official ordination service of the laying on of hands was done in the eyes of the church. Paul is in a cold dark dungeon cell not speaking of personal needs but praying night and day for Timothy to go strongly into the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. All these things and experiences are things to stand upon to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. Paul further invites Timothy to join him in suffering for this great gospel that a cold dark dungeon cell could not diminish.
This great gospel of Christ has saved us. This great gospel of Christ has called us with a holy calling. This great gospel is not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace. This great gospel was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. This great gospel was revealed by the physical coming of our Savior Christ Jesus. This great gospel abolished spiritual eternal death and brought spiritual eternal life to us in the light. This great gospel appointed Paul a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
In light of all that this great gospel provides how does Paul respond from that dark cold dungeon cell? Listen to verse 12.
v.12 - For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Paul from the cold dark dungeon cell proclaims that he is still standing on the Solid Rock of Jesus. He still believes and is still convinced that Jesus is Lord and He, the Lord, is guarding his, Paul's, salvation until that day when they will be face to face. The current persecution and terrible physical situation hasn't changed the gospel and its power in Paul's eyes. He is still singing loudly of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
How much do outside temporal circumstances affect the inside permanent commitment of Jesus through to gospel to you? How many times to you run with the temporal over the eternal and let it dictate your thoughts, words, and actions? A follower of Christ is not ashamed of Jesus at any point. You might not understand completely why you are walking through this valley but you are not alone on your journey to heaven even though it might feel like you are walking through hell at the moment. Jesus is ahead of you and the Holy Spirit is within you and God is watching over the preparations of your heavenly dwelling. All of the Godhead is on this and they don't have your back because that would put you making the first step and them backing you up. God took the first step for you and you follow after Him. God provided this great gospel that you stand upon no matter the physical situation you are in. You stand believing and you stand convinced of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, who died on the cross and rose on the third day, who ascended and is coming again.
May these words this morning take your eyes from the temporal to the eternal. May they change your thoughts, words, and actions to reflect something so much larger and greater than your present situation. Let's pray.
"Lord, Satan wants us to focus so close on ourselves when You give us long range vision. You provided before there ever was a me; You provide for me presently; and You will continue to provide for me after this world thinks that I am dead and gone. Help me keep my eyes on You today who gave me this new set of glasses to put on. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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