Endurance in the gospel and the mission of God.

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:15-18

15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

2 Timothy 2:1-13

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Introduction:

1. Paul’s Context:

When Paul wrote his Second Letter to Timothy, he was again a prisoner in Rome. He was imprisoned in a dungeon in chains for his preaching the gospel (cf. 2 Timothy 2:9). Because of Paul's imprisonment, a number of individuals had deserted him when he needed them the most. All in Asia Minor in the area of Ephesus, where Timothy was serving as pastor, had turned away from Paul (cf. 2 Timothy 1:15). At Paul's first trial no one had supported him. Everyone had deserted him (cf. 2 Timothy 4:16). A certain Alexander, identified as a metal worker, may have even testified against Paul at his trial (cf. 2 Timothy 4:14,15). Only the Lord himself had stood by Paul and had strengthened him that he might be delivered on that occasion from the lion's mouth (cf. 2 Timothy 4:17). One Christian who did not desert Paul was Onesiphorus. He had come to Rome and searched for Paul until he had found him (cf. 2 Timothy 1:16-18). At the time Paul wrote his Second Letter to Timothy only Luke, the physician and Paul's co-worker, was with him. Paul had sent Tychicus to Ephesus, who seems to have again served as Paul's mail carrier who delivered this second letter to Timothy. Paul appears to also have sent Tychicus to Ephesus to relieve Timothy, so Timothy could travel to Rome to be with him. Paul may possibly have written this second letter out of fear that Timothy might not be able to arrive in Rome before his death. By means of this letter Paul wanted to tell Timothy what he hoped to tell him in person.

2. Timothy’s Context:

Ever since Rome had burned in July of A.D. 64 and Nero had blamed the Christians, it had become dangerous to be a Christian. It was also dangerous to have contact with leaders of the church such as Paul.1Consequently many believers, including some of Paul's coworkers, had chosen to seek a much lower profile and become less aggressive in their ministries. Timothy faced temptation to do the same. Paul wrote this epistle to urge him to remain faithful to his calling and loyal to his father in the faith. Timothy needed to stand shoulder to shoulder with Paul and the other believers and to continue to "preach the Word" as he had done.

To understand Paul's role with Timothy better, it is helpful to understand the specific issues that Timothy was facing. The pressures that Timothy faced in Ephesus were both from inside and outside the church itself. From within the church, Timothy was dealing with false teachers (2 Timothy 2:14-18) which would undermine the faith of believers if left unchecked (Mappes, 1995). From outside the church, Timothy was dealing with a culture that is described by Paul as terrible due to qualities of extreme hedonism and insolence (2 Timothy 3:1-5). It was during Timothy's pastorate that the church experienced its first persecution under Nero, who according to tradition was instrumental in the execution of the Apostle Paul. By many accounts, Nero was considered insane. Under his regime it is recorded that Christians were tortured with great cruelty, which included (a) cladding them in the hides of beasts to be torn asunder by dogs, (b) crucifying some, and (c) setting others on fire to serve as illumination on poles). With the heretical trouble from within the church and the extreme pressures upon the church Paul responds "keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5.

In this whole chapter Paul uses seven figures of speech to describe the duty and activity of “endurance in the gospel and the mission of God”.

Endurance in what?  - Paul has been imprisoned, persecuted, tortured etc…. for the sake of his stand on Jesus Christ and the gospel. He has endured much from the time of his conversion in Acts 9 to his present condition, where he is “In Chains” Imprisoned in Rome. He has been abandoned by all except for a few close followers.

He begins his exhortation of “endurance in the Gospel and mission of God” towards Timothy, but we can clearly see how this can apply to all Christians everywhere.

A Son – Follow and Teach. (Son of God, and Son in the faith to Paul) Mentored and Mentor. He should follow the example of Paul, and teach others, so that they might teach others 

A Soldier – Endure and Avoid. Endure hardships and avoid the entanglements of the world (Civilian affairs) His eyes, heart, mind, steps are to be focused, on the oders, will, instructions of his commanding officer. (Jesus) 

An Athlete – Contend and Abide He is to contend for the reward. He is to abide by the rules. Keeping the finishing tape in his gaze.

A Farmer – Labour and Partake. To do the hard work, but also to share in the harvest (A share of the crops) 

There are three other figures of speech that Paul gives Timothy to describe the duty and activity of endurance, which no doubt will be covered in the next passage that you will study.

A Student-- must "rightly divide" the Word of God --v.15

A Vessel or Utensil-- a vessel must be clean to be usable-- v.20-2

A Servant -- a disciple is a servant, gentle, apt to teach, patient -- v.24.

In verse 7 Paul calls Timothy to a time of reflection on what he is saying. Reflection to find insight and instruction.

Starting in v 8 Paul begins to share with Timothy his own focus (Jesus Christ and the gospel of the good news) by saying. Paul reminds Timothy about the truth’s about this gospel, and by reminding Timothy of the truths of the gospel, encourages his endurance in the gospel and mission of God.

1.An Individual Gospel - “This is my gospel”v8 - Paul is incarnating the Gospel, fleshing it out, living it if you like, it’s all that he does, it’s in his vision all of the time.

2. A Liberated Gospel- “God's word is not chained” v9 - The Gospel is free, unbound, it has wings. It cannot be  stopped, altered, put down, destroyed. Because it’s Gods.

3. A Gospel of Salvation-  “Salvation that is in Christ Jesus”v 10 A Gospel of Salvation,. (What does it mean “for the sake of the Elect?”

4. A Gospel of Resurrection and Transformation – “If we died with him, we will also live with him” there are thoughts here of the resurrection and the transforming of life. In Paul’s other epistles this is one of those abiding themes.

5. The Gospel of God’s faithfulness – “he will remain faithful” Although here Paul is speaking of the faithfulness of God when his people are not faithful. I cannot help see the wider picture of the God of past, present and future and his faithfulness that carries his people into eternal glory.

Application:

What can we learn for our Christian life today.

1. What does this passage say to you individually?

2. What message has this passage for God’s church?

You can't always get what you want

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" was recorded on 16 and 17 November 1968 by The rolling Stones, at London's Olympic Sound Studios and was released on their 1969 album Let It Bleed.

This song speaks about the rawness of disappointment and those that seek for something better in life.

“You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, you get what you need”

There are always going to be people in the journey of life that fit into this category, people that have their hopes dashed, people who wish for things and never get them, people who desire to be different and have different circumstances, to have some thing better.

Jesus, when he was on the road with his mates often encountered people in the gospels who knew only to well the raw edge of disappointment, people who were ill and had no cure, people who were seen as having no value in life, people who were ill treated, people who were on the edge, in the gutter, on the road, the outcasts, the marginalised, the vagabonds, the rebels, the untouchables but who longed and hoped for something different.

Jesus was a friend to such as these, he gave welcome and hospitality, he gave them the time of day, put value back in their lives, listened to there stories, soothed their bruised souls and gave back their dignity and self esteem, patched them up and sent them on their way, or invited them to be on the road with him.

What really matters is this, in the same ways many who are on the fringes, who feel they have been dealt them a bad hand in life’s game of cards. Even some of us who have been hurt, bruised and disappointed. Just because things have not made sense so far does not mean they cant. Maybe we have felt like the wheels have fallen off. One thing to gain from this is the Jesus of the outcast is a relevant today as he ever was.

God’s quiet providence - The Epistle of James (Chapter 1:17-18)

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (NIV) JAMES 1:17 ;18

Introduction:
God’s Providence. What is it?

James 1: A passage on temptation, Vs 13-18 explains the source of temptation, but also explains the source of providence and provision. Creation is the gift of God’s quiet providence. The overarching sovereignty of God may not always be expressed in mighty acts. But we can see the gift of God’s quiet providence in the seasons of the year. A visible reminder of God’s sovereignty and perfection and nothing less.

(a) The gifts are nothing less than complete:
James 1:17a
NIV” Every good and perfect gift is from above,
KJV “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”

Good – Useful, Profitable- A reflection of God’s goodness
Perfect – Completeness, wholeness, mature, full grown.
Gift- God the giver, not man the giver. Different concept.

(b) The giver is nothing less than unchanging:
James 1:17b
NIV “coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”
KJV “and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Father of the heavenly lights, – An interesting way of saying God., Lights –presumably the stars and planets. (Father -Creator.)

No variableness- Does not change, Stable, Constant, Secure, Dependable.
NIV: ” shifting shadows”
KJV: “shadow of turning.” Changeable,

(c) The word is nothing less than gracious :
James 1:18
NIV “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
KJV ” Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

The Word- God’s way, (Genesis – Creation) God’s choice.
First fruits - We are part of God’s Creation .We are Included. O.T Image- meaning. A portion of the initial harvest, given back to God as an offering. Return to Creation- Adam and Eve, Serving God in relationship with Him.
Begat = Birth- A beginning. The God of Beginnings.

Conclusion:
The giver’s gift of creation is a sign of His grace toward us.
The Lord pours out his blessings, in plenty towards us. In the words of Peter in 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

"Yes It's True" Reflection from John 12:15-18

“YES IT’S TRUE, I LOVE HIM!”
Adapted from John 12:15-18

So chock-full of shifting shadows is the human heart,
So jam-packed the moments of indecision, and prevarication.
Never barren of excuses and deceptions.
The self willed heart, the human indifference, the godless enthusiasm which drives away responsibility at every turn and seeks to justify the most grievous of things.

But even as I live with this burden of heart and soul and life, if you challenge me to tell the truth about Jesus and I, my reply would always be this……

“YES IT’S TRUE, I LOVE HIM!”

For he comes to me, with his humble manners, his perfect caring, his gentle, all embracing mercy, his grace filled eyes, his sensitive hands, and Oh, his words, as he calls and comforts me. Yes me!
Me who has disappointed God, let him down. Me who so often, for one solitary moment cannot find a place in my life for him.

But even as I dwell on this love, this welcome, this coming of Jesus, if you challenge me to tell the truth about Jesus and I, my reply would always be this……

“YES IT’S TRUE, I LOVE HIM!”
“YES IT’S TRUE, I LOVE HIM!”

In the moments of MY failures, MY neglected dreams, MY hopeless labour he comes.
In the moments of MY hardness of heart, MY confusions, MY fighting with doubts he comes.
In the moments of MY weaknesses, MY hesitations, MY disappointments he comes. he comes.

He comes with comfort in his voice, with welcome in his heart, with acceptance in his hands, with invitation, in his eyes.

And as he comes if He were to challenge me to tell the truth about my life, I have to say…..

“YES IT’S TRUE, LORD, I LOVE YOU!”
“YES IT’S TRUE, LORD, I LOVE YOU!”
“YES IT’S TRUE, LORD, I LOVE YOU!”

Sermonette - A Confession of Bread and Wine

Scripture:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Introduction:

So what is it that we proclaim? In this supper what is the primary event that is declared? What do we confess?

1. God did not become the Incarnate Word just to teach us. 

Of course the teaching helps us live – We could not live the life of a disciple if it was not for the teaching of Jesus. In Bread and Wine we do not just the life of Jesus.

2. Jesus did not walk this planet just to show us His miraculous power

Of course the miracles help us believe – We praise God for the miracles as they are signs of the kingdom. In Bread and Wine we do not just confess the miracles of Jesus.

3. Jesus did not die just to show us that He is Lord of Life in the Resurrection. 

Of course the resurrection gives us our hope – We need the resurrection, it points and gives hope to eternal life itself. In Bread and Wine we do not just confess the Resurrection of Jesus.

The miracles help us believe; 

The teaching helps us live; 

The Resurrection gives us our hope –

All these things are important but these are not the primary event that Paul points us to  here. Paul says “you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes” by breaking beard and taking wine, WE the congregation declare that “Christ has died” and in doing so we confess that his death has brought us salavation

We Confess.......

4. God came to die. 

God came to die as the sacrifice for our sins, the atonement which takes away our sin. 

The sacrifice of Christ in death brings us salvation, and what is this salvation? This is the Apostle Paul's primary confession. It is also the primary confession of the early church.

The death of Christ and what that death has achieved for us.

1.      The Grace and forgiveness of God.

2.      The Conquering of Sin.

3.      A Transformed life.

4.      The back of Evil broken.

5.      The way to God is open.

6.      A free relationship with the living God is offered.

Conclusion:

So what are we “declaring?”  What do we proclaim? What is our confession in Bread and Wine. Simply this:  SALVATION. We confess that Jesus of Nazareth, God in the flesh, died -- that we might have eternal life. 

The fountain of his mercy is free and flowing fully, for all who will.  We state that every time we take the cup and the loaf.   

It is the central message of the Christian faith:  Jesus died -- for us. 

This is our confession of Bread and Wine