Unfinished: A Work Worth Doing
2016-09-18
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Last week, we began walking through the book of 2 Timothy, a letter written by Paul to Timothy from a jail cell in Rome. Nearing death, Paul’s desire was to encourage Timothy to continue the important work of reaching others for Christ. It was a work that was unfinished and Paul wanted to be sure never stopped. And, it’s a work that even today we have a duty to continue.
2 Tim. 1:8-18 NKJV
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 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 given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day-and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
From last week, we ended with verse 7…For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. …THEREFORE:
1. Never be ashamed
vs 8a Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord
– While the world might attack, might laugh, the Gospel must be proclaimed
– Why? (Romans 1:16) It’s the only way
– Timothy had not yet been ashamed but Paul knew it was possible because of what was not underway, Paul wanted to remind Timothy what an important role he had
2. Because you are called
vs 9 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 given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
– It is a great honor, a holy calling, to pursue Him and reach others
– 2 Characteristics of Christ listed here:
1. He has always been…
2. He was always be the only way…
3. With the message of life
vs 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
– The effect of the Gospel – “Death has been defeated”
– Still physical death, but not eternal
– nothing to fear
4. Though the journey might be tough
vs 12a For this reason I also suffer these things;
– what reason? The sake of the Gospel
– “Use the pain of now to strengthen the hope of the future”
5. God is faithful
vs 12b nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
– Even with Paul knowing he would soon be executed, he was not afraid
– Nothing to lose
– ABLE TO KEEP
6. You are not alone
vs 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
– Don’t let culture or compromise destroy or diminish
– When it seems to much to bear, you are not alone!