WEBVTT

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 All right, we're continuing on through the letter that Paul wrote to Timothy, the second one.

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 So please open your Bibles up to 2 Timothy.

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 We're in chapter 3, and as you flip open, let me just remind us what's going on here.

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 Paul is writing this letter from prison.

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 He's writing it to Timothy, who has been a leader in the church in Ephesus,

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 a city in the province of Asia, which is now modern-day Turkey.

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 And the tone of this whole letter has been encouragement and instruction and warning.

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 If we look just back over the last chapter, chapter 2,

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 we see that Paul has been encouraging Timothy to continue in the cause of Christ,

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 no matter how difficult things get.

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 Serve like a soldier, he said.

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 Run like an athlete to win.

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 Work like a hard-working farmer.

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 And Paul reminded Timothy, just in the last chapter, about the gospel,

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 emphasizing the kingship of Jesus

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 and the eternal life and glory that await those who believe in him.

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 And then as we continued on in chapter 2,

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 we saw Paul encouraging Timothy to live a holy life,

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 to set himself specially apart for the honorable purposes of God.

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 In contrast to how some of those false teachers were doing,

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 they were giving themselves to the dishonorable purposes of the devil, said Paul.

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 Last Sunday, we heard Paul warning Timothy about how things would be difficult in the days ahead.

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 How these last days, this last part of God's great story from Timothy's day until the end

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 will be characterized by religious pretenders and false teachers

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 and depraved infiltrators who claim to know God

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 and have an outward form of godliness

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 but can be recognized as false by their persistent sinful attitudes and behaviors.

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 Their love of themselves.

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 Their love of money.

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 Their love of pleasure rather than God.

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 And these kinds of people, if they do not respond to gentle instruction with repentance,

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 Paul says we're to avoid and to have nothing to do with them.

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 Well, now as we come to verses 10 to 15 this morning,

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 we see Paul now contrast himself with these false teachers and influencers.

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 So if the point of what we heard last Sunday in verses 1 to 9

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 was to help Timothy identify religious pretenders and false teachers.

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 The point of these next verses that we're looking at this morning

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 is to assure Timothy of who he can trust

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 and how he can be confident that his faith is well placed.

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 And so let me just read the passage for us here in 2 Timothy chapter 3.

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 And I'm just going to start it up in verse 8

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 and we'll read right down to the end of 15.

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 Just as Janus and Jambras oppose Moses,

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 so also these teachers oppose the truth.

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 They are men of depraved minds who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

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 But they will not get very far,

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 because as in the case of those men,

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 their folly will be clear to everyone.

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 You, however, know all about my teaching,

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 my way of life,

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 my purpose,

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 faith,

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 patience,

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 love,

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 endurance,

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 persecutions,

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 sufferings.

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 What kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,

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 Iconium, and Lystra?

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 The persecutions I endured.

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 Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

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 In fact,

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 everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus

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 will be persecuted,

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 while evildoers and imposters will go from bad to worse,

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 deceiving and being deceived.

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 But as for you,

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 continue in what you have learned

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 and have become convinced of,

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 because you know those from whom you learned it,

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 and how from infancy you have known the holy scriptures,

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 which are able to make you wise for salvation

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 through faith in Christ Jesus.

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 So what is Paul doing here?

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 Paul is reminding Timothy

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 of why he,

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 as an apostle of Christ Jesus,

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 can be trusted.

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 He's saying,

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 Timothy,

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 unlike these false teachers

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 and religious pretenders

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 who are claiming to have revelation from God

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 and to speak for God,

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 you can trust me.

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 You know me,

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 me,

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 Timothy.

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 Quite literally,

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 you have closely followed my teaching,

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 my way of life,

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 my purpose.

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 And Paul lists nine things from his life.

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 This phrase here,

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 it's a little different translation on screen,

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 but literally,

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 you have closely followed.

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 The sense of this is not like

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 how we might closely follow,

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 you know,

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 a story in the news

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 from a distance.

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 The verb that's used here,

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 the context here,

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 it implies a much closer kind of following.

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 It implies

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 intimate knowledge.

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 Timothy,

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 you were there.

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 You were with me.

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 Timothy was there himself

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 when Paul first came through his town.

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 He heard Paul's teaching firsthand.

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 And then later on,

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 he traveled with Paul

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 and worked together with him.

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 And so not only does he know

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 the teaching of Paul,

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 but he knows Paul's character.

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 He knows Paul's attitudes

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 and his conduct.

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 You closely followed my way of life,

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 says Paul.

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 You know that my living

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 matches my confession.

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 You know my purpose,

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 he says.

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 Timothy,

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 you know the reasons

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 why I've been doing

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 all that I've been doing.

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 You've witnessed firsthand

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 my faith,

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 says Paul.

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 Why was Paul doing all that he did

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 in the cause of Christ?

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 It was because he believed

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 that Jesus really is the Christ.

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 And Timothy,

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 you've seen that in my life.

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 You've seen it.

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 You know it.

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 He says,

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 you've seen and known

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 my patience,

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 my love,

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 and my endurance.

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 This is the big difference

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 between Paul

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 and the false teachers

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 and the religious pretenders

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 mentioned above.

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 If you glance back up

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 to verse 3 of chapter 3,

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 people will be

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 lovers of themselves,

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 lovers of money.

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 They'll be without love,

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 said Paul.

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 Without love,

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 lacking love.

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 But Timothy,

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 you've seen firsthand

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 my genuine love

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 and concern for you

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 and for others.

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 You've seen the patience

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 that I've had towards

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 all kinds of difficult people

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 and how I've borne with them.

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 Enduring all kinds of things

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 for the sake of Christ

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 and his good news.

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 Timothy,

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 you have seen

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 and you have known

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 my persecutions

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 and sufferings.

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 Paul really belabors

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 this point.

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 He expands on it.

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 He says,

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 what kinds of things

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 happened to me

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 in Antioch,

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 Iconium,

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 and Lystra,

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 the persecutions

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 I endured.

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 And we notice there

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 that he's very specific

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 about three spots

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 where Paul was persecuted.

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 Antioch,

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 Iconium,

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 and Lystra.

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 What's the significance

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 of these three locations?

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 All of these are places

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 in Timothy's home region

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 that are fairly near

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 to each other.

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 Antioch was a city

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 where the Jews

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 became angry

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 that Paul was preaching

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 the gospel

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 to the Gentiles.

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 And so they began

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 in that city

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 to contradict Paul

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 and it says

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 to heap abuse on him

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 and incite the leaders

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 of the city

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 against Paul

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 and Barnabas

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 until they had

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 basically expelled him

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 from the area.

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 So what did Paul do?

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 Well,

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 he carried on

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 to the next city

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 just down the road,

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 Iconium.

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 And Paul proclaimed

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 Jesus there.

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 And some of both

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 the Jews

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 and the Gentiles

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 there in that city

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 were plotting

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 against Paul

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 to mistreat him

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 and to stone him,

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 it says in the book of Acts.

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 Paul escaped

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 just in time.

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 What did he do?

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 He went down the road

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 to the next city,

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 Lystra.

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 And in Lystra,

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 Paul performed

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 a miraculous healing.

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 And the people there

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 began,

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 they became confused

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 and they started

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 trying to worship

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 Paul and Barnabas.

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 It says in the book of Acts

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 that they thought

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 Paul and Barnabas

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 might be the Greek gods

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 Zeus and Hermes.

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 It was kind of

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 a kerfuffle there.

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 And then in the midst

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 of all that,

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 the Jews from Antioch

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 and Iconium arrived

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 and they won

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 the whole crowd over

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 and they stoned

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 Paul,

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 so hurling rocks

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 at him violently,

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 they dragged him

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 outside the city

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 and they left him

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 for dead.

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 You can read all of this

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 in the book of Acts

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 or at least they thought

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 he was dead.

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 What's the significance

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 of this?

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 Well, Lystra

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 is the town

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 that Timothy was from.

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 That was his hometown.

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 That's why Paul's

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 reminding Timothy

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 of these locations

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 because Timothy,

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 you were there.

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 you saw how

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 they treated me.

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 You saw how

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 they persecuted me.

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 You saw how

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 I suffered.

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 Reflecting back

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 on all that persecution

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 and suffering,

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 this is what Paul says.

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 He says,

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 yet the Lord

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 rescued me

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 from all of them.

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 All my persecutions,

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 all my sufferings,

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 up until this day,

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 the Lord

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 has rescued me

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 from all of them.

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 Not that Jesus

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 kept him

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 from suffering

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 or being persecuted,

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 but that

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 from out of the midst

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 of that persecution

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 and suffering,

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 he rescued me.

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 He delivered me.

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 And Paul sort of

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 takes a step back here

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 to make a point.

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 Verse 12 and 13,

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 he says,

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 in fact,

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 everyone who wants

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 to live

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 a godly life

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 in Christ Jesus

00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:13.579
 will be persecuted.

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 While evildoers

00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:17.419
 and imposters

00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:18.500
 will go from bad

00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.419
 to worse,

00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.620
 deceiving

00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:22.100
 and being deceived.

00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.259
 And there's a lot here.

00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.340
 A general truth,

00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:28.460
 a general principle

00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.460
 of the Christian life

00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.299
 for all followers

00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:30.879
 of Jesus

00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:32.320
 is that we will

00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:33.059
 be persecuted.

00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:35.360
 We will be opposed.

00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:37.860
 And we kind of notice

00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:38.340
 a contrast

00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:39.120
 in this verse.

00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:39.740
 There's those

00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:40.539
 who want to live

00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:41.259
 a godly life

00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.100
 in Christ Jesus

00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:44.000
 and then there's

00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.179
 the evildoers

00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:45.960
 and imposters.

00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:48.259
 They kind of share,

00:11:48.660 --> 00:11:51.019
 at least in the moment,

00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.920
 a different course.

00:11:56.920 --> 00:11:58.200
 The Christ followers

00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:59.220
 will be persecuted,

00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.379
 he says.

00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.660
 But somehow

00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.480
 the imposters,

00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.860
 they seem to avoid that,

00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:06.220
 at least for the time.

00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:08.700
 I think Paul's

00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.420
 making the point

00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:10.300
 that persecution

00:12:10.300 --> 00:12:12.080
 and suffering

00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:13.840
 are marks

00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:14.980
 or are evidences

00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.320
 of true faith

00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:16.840
 in Jesus.

00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.100
 Paul wants Timothy

00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.080
 to remember

00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:21.980
 his sufferings

00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.080
 and his persecutions

00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:24.800
 because they are evidence

00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:25.879
 that his faith

00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.420
 in Jesus

00:12:26.420 --> 00:12:27.740
 is genuine.

00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:29.780
 Why?

00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:31.879
 Because people

00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.940
 generally

00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:33.920
 won't choose

00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:34.560
 to suffer

00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:37.540
 or even to die

00:12:37.540 --> 00:12:39.120
 for what they know

00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.639
 is a lie

00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:42.059
 or for something

00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:42.539
 that they don't

00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.620
 even really believe in.

00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.220
 Kind of believe it

00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:45.819
 but not really.

00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:46.740
 They won't suffer

00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.240
 for that.

00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.460
 What are the marks

00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.379
 of the false teachers

00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:51.299
 and the imposters?

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:51.980
 Well,

00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.699
 if we just glance

00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.980
 back up to verse 4,

00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:55.679
 we see that they're

00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:56.740
 lovers of pleasure

00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:58.259
 rather than lovers

00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:58.819
 of God.

00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:00.720
 They'll take

00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.460
 the easy road,

00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.559
 the comfortable road,

00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.480
 the path

00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.399
 of least resistance.

00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:05.299
 Pleasure

00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:06.639
 and persecutions

00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.700
 are like opposites

00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.480
 here.

00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:10.159
 they love pleasure,

00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.120
 they love comfort

00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.539
 and so when the moment

00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:13.420
 of decision comes,

00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.460
 they're not going to choose

00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.940
 to suffer for the name

00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.480
 of Christ.

00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:18.240
 But Timothy,

00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.500
 you know that I was willing

00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.659
 to give up all of that

00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.659
 as I risked my life

00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:24.440
 and suffered painfully

00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.519
 in the cause of Christ.

00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:29.480
 Paul's main purpose here

00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:31.200
 is to anchor Timothy.

00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:32.580
 Yes,

00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:34.340
 there will be difficult days

00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.180
 in the days ahead

00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:37.220
 because of wicked people

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.060
 and imposters

00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.419
 who creep in

00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.419
 and deceive.

00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.259
 But remember

00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.219
 how the teaching

00:13:43.219 --> 00:13:44.119
 that I gave you

00:13:44.119 --> 00:13:45.699
 matched my life.

00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:49.939
 People are going to try

00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:50.819
 and say all kinds

00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:51.639
 of things about me.

00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:52.979
 They'll try to discredit me.

00:13:55.199 --> 00:13:56.000
 But Timothy,

00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.599
 you were there.

00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:58.779
 You heard me.

00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:59.659
 You saw me.

00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:01.599
 You followed me closely.

00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:04.320
 You can trust the gospel message

00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:05.139
 that I gave you.

00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:07.100
 You know that I am the real deal.

00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.899
 I am no hypocrite.

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.980
 I am no imposter.

00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:13.379
 I practiced what I preach.

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.320
 Speaking of imposters,

00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:20.320
 in verses 12 and 13,

00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.420
 last Sunday I suggested

00:14:22.420 --> 00:14:23.340
 that the first half

00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.120
 of this chapter

00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:25.519
 was not so much

00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.800
 about the world in general

00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:28.259
 or unbelievers in general,

00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.500
 but specifically

00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:31.220
 about religious pretenders

00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.759
 and devious

00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:34.299
 spiritual influencers,

00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:35.240
 false teachers.

00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.240
 And this is kind of confirmed

00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.200
 as we get down here

00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:39.720
 to verse 13

00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:41.600
 where Paul draws

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.340
 this contrast

00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.460
 between all who seek

00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.279
 to live a life

00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.379
 devoted to Christ

00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:47.500
 and those who are

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.279
 evildoers

00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.220
 and imposters.

00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.559
 Imposters.

00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.340
 We notice that word.

00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.899
 someone pretending

00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:58.060
 to have a form

00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:59.340
 of godliness,

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.980
 but it's just a form.

00:15:02.040 --> 00:15:02.980
 Someone confessing

00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:03.780
 the name of the Lord

00:15:03.780 --> 00:15:05.660
 is up in verse 19

00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:06.820
 of chapter 2,

00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.740
 but not turning away

00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:10.100
 from wickedness.

00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:12.080
 In a manner of speaking,

00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.220
 Paul's kind of reiterating

00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.019
 what he just said

00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.639
 in the previous verses.

00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:18.440
 These kinds of people,

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:20.019
 evil doing imposters,

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.440
 will go from bad

00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.240
 to worse.

00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:24.860
 This is going to be

00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.879
 the normal behavior

00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:27.259
 of some people

00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.879
 who are confessing Christ.

00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.600
 We need to be careful

00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:33.480
 how we understand

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.720
 this statement

00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.240
 that evildoers

00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.460
 and imposters

00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.360
 will go from bad

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:37.860
 to worse.

00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:40.039
 We need to be careful

00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.379
 that we don't lose sight

00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.419
 of what Paul just said

00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:44.060
 up above in verse 9.

00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:46.000
 He made two statements.

00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.600
 First, he said,

00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:49.860
 they will not get very far

00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.720
 because their folly

00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.919
 will be clear to everyone.

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.659
 Then he said

00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.860
 that they will go

00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:58.039
 from bad to worse,

00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:58.879
 deceiving

00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.620
 and being deceived.

00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:02.240
 So Paul is not saying

00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.159
 that these evildoers

00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.960
 and imposters

00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:05.560
 will be more and more

00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:07.060
 successful at deceiving

00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:07.840
 the true followers

00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.399
 of Jesus.

00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.720
 I think verse 9

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.039
 up in chapter 2

00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.560
 kind of says the opposite.

00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.519
 They're not going

00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.460
 to be successful.

00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.259
 Their folly

00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.659
 is going to be clear

00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.320
 to the true followers

00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:19.899
 of Jesus.

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:21.919
 So in what sense

00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.379
 will they go

00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.399
 from bad

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.639
 to worse?

00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:26.799
 Well, Paul doesn't

00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.959
 really flesh this out

00:16:27.959 --> 00:16:28.819
 in a lot of detail

00:16:28.819 --> 00:16:29.579
 except to say

00:16:29.579 --> 00:16:31.059
 they will be deceiving

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.679
 and being deceived.

00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:34.939
 It could mean

00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:36.000
 that as time goes on

00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.740
 there will be more

00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.779
 of these kinds of people.

00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.600
 It could be

00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.159
 that as time goes on

00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.899
 the sheer number

00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.559
 of lies

00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:45.100
 and deceptive doctrines

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.939
 being promoted,

00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:46.840
 false teachings,

00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.740
 will increase.

00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.280
 It could mean

00:16:50.280 --> 00:16:51.019
 that the deception

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.420
 as we get closer

00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:53.040
 to the end

00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:54.420
 will be of a higher

00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:56.360
 quality and caliber

00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:59.139
 perhaps more and more

00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.440
 helped by the deceptive

00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:01.920
 work of the devil

00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:03.980
 and demonic influence.

00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.240
 And we glance back

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.860
 up to verse 26

00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.799
 of chapter 2.

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.319
 It could be

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.960
 that the evil

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.559
 being done

00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.480
 by these evildoers

00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.140
 and imposters

00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.339
 is just that much

00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.120
 more widespread

00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:17.860
 and influential

00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.799
 in the world

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:20.819
 all while claiming

00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.599
 a form of religion,

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.620
 a form of devotion

00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.559
 to God.

00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.039
 That's implied

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.920
 with the word

00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.480
 imposter.

00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.579
 My sense is that

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.799
 the closer and closer

00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.759
 we get to the end

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.339
 when Christ returns,

00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.940
 the truer

00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.259
 that these words

00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:39.099
 in verse 13

00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:39.640
 will feel

00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.680
 that things

00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.960
 are getting worse.

00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:47.240
 we also notice

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.880
 in this verse

00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.740
 that these

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.799
 evildoers

00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.500
 and imposters

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.160
 are not only

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.140
 doing the deceiving

00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:54.160
 but that they themselves

00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.539
 are being deceived.

00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.299
 This suggests

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:57.960
 that many of them

00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:59.400
 will actually believe

00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:00.720
 the lies

00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.860
 that they're spreading.

00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.740
 They themselves

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.980
 have bought into them

00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.660
 hook, line, and sinker.

00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:08.980
 Again,

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.620
 we glance up

00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:10.539
 to verse 26

00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.779
 of chapter 2

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.299
 where we see

00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.099
 that Timothy's

00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:14.039
 false teaching

00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.619
 opponents

00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:16.220
 are described

00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.839
 as those

00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:17.579
 who have been

00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:19.000
 ensnared

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.659
 by the devil

00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:22.259
 and taken captive

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.859
 to do his will

00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.919
 and it seems

00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:26.200
 without even realizing it

00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.859
 they need to come

00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:27.559
 to their senses.

00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.240
 They don't even

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.559
 really understand

00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.619
 what's going on here.

00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.740
 Let's come back

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.399
 for just a moment

00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:36.220
 to Paul's statement

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.440
 about Christian persecution

00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.059
 here in verse 12.

00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:41.099
 everyone

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:42.740
 who wants

00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.139
 to live

00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:44.019
 a godly life

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.179
 in Christ Jesus

00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:46.700
 will be persecuted.

00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.460
 First,

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:50.940
 we should know

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.759
 that this was something

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:53.159
 that Jesus himself said

00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:55.919
 in John chapter 15

00:18:55.919 --> 00:19:00.639
 verse 20.

00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:04.019
 Remember what I told you.

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.480
 A servant

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.200
 is not greater

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.059
 than his master.

00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:09.200
 if they persecuted

00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.619
 me

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.099
 they will persecute

00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:12.460
 you also.

00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.299
 Jesus said

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.960
 a similar thing

00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.700
 in Luke 21

00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.379
 verse 12

00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:20.480
 specifically applying

00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:20.879
 to his

00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.899
 disciples

00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:23.980
 but also

00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.700
 in principle

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.879
 to all of his followers.

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.319
 He said

00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.700
 before all this

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.419
 speaking of some

00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:28.879
 of the things

00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:29.440
 that will happen

00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:29.960
 at the end

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.059
 they will seize you

00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.099
 and persecute you.

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.639
 They will hand you

00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.599
 over to synagogues

00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.519
 and put you in prison

00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.799
 and you will

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.799
 be brought

00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.720
 before kings

00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.319
 and governors

00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.299
 and all on account

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.980
 of my name.

00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.299
 That's actually

00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.059
 being fulfilled

00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.740
 right now

00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.559
 as Paul writes

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.119
 this letter

00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:50.160
 in prison

00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:52.059
 being brought

00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.720
 before kings

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.339
 and governors

00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.839
 on account

00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.319
 of the name

00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.819
 of Jesus.

00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.400
 So Jesus

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.879
 taught

00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.720
 that generally

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.460
 his followers

00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.579
 would be persecuted.

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:04.859
 next we should

00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.379
 appreciate

00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.179
 the immediate

00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:06.699
 relevance

00:20:06.699 --> 00:20:07.319
 of this

00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.599
 statement

00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.639
 to Timothy.

00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:12.659
 Paul is in jail

00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.579
 he's soon

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.539
 to be executed

00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.919
 as we've already

00:20:15.919 --> 00:20:16.740
 heard the majority

00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.720
 of professing

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.059
 Christians

00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.579
 in the whole

00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.179
 region where

00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.059
 Timothy lives

00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.059
 the province

00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.519
 of Asia

00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.259
 have deserted

00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.639
 Paul

00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.199
 that's back

00:20:23.199 --> 00:20:23.939
 in chapter 1

00:20:23.939 --> 00:20:25.179
 verse 15

00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:26.799
 they're distancing

00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.779
 themselves from him

00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.740
 things are getting

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.220
 hard.

00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.400
 One of the

00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.539
 major things

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:32.900
 that Paul

00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.460
 has been doing

00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:33.960
 in this whole

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.839
 letter is calling

00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.359
 Timothy

00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.839
 to join with him

00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.480
 in suffering

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:39.339
 for the gospel

00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.779
 and so in

00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.500
 Timothy's day

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.759
 this was written

00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.779
 in his region

00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.319
 and time

00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.319
 it's not an

00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:45.900
 understatement

00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.680
 for Paul to say

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.480
 everyone who

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.079
 wants to live

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.799
 a godly life

00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.660
 in Christ Jesus

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:51.259
 will be persecuted.

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.400
 This would have

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.299
 felt so true

00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.200
 to Timothy

00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.019
 and to everyone

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.859
 in his church

00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:58.259
 in light of all

00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.719
 that they knew

00:20:58.719 --> 00:20:59.500
 was going on.

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.579
 That's the second

00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.459
 thing about this

00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:05.079
 statement on

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.079
 Christian persecution.

00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.599
 Finally I do

00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.419
 think it's important

00:21:08.419 --> 00:21:09.559
 that we take this

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.699
 as an enduring

00:21:10.699 --> 00:21:11.240
 principle

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.199
 not just for that

00:21:12.199 --> 00:21:12.599
 time

00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.699
 but also

00:21:13.699 --> 00:21:14.899
 for the centuries

00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.619
 that followed

00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:16.559
 and even for today

00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:18.579
 but not to the

00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:18.879
 point

00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:20.579
 that we judge

00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.779
 and criticize

00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.419
 Christians

00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.219
 who are not

00:21:23.219 --> 00:21:23.839
 presently

00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.659
 experiencing

00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:26.079
 persecution

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.679
 persecution.

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.899
 Persecution

00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.619
 is the normal

00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.399
 for the true

00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:31.559
 devoted follower

00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.379
 of Christ Jesus

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:34.099
 and that's

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.899
 because we live

00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:35.799
 in a fallen

00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.819
 and sinful

00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.259
 world.

00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:39.240
 It's a world

00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.500
 in the words

00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:40.960
 of Paul

00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.740
 full of

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.639
 unrighteousness

00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:43.659
 that seeks

00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:44.299
 to suppress

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:44.919
 the truth

00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:46.799
 that in the

00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.480
 book of Romans

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.839
 but we've been

00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.299
 called to

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.879
 proclaim the

00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.199
 truth.

00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.480
 It's a world

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.279
 full of

00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.659
 darkness

00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.779
 and evil

00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.259
 deeds

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.839
 said Jesus

00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.859
 in John

00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:58.559
 chapter 3

00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.559
 while he

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.039
 is the

00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.299
 light

00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:00.519
 that

00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.140
 exposes

00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.480
 that

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.039
 darkness

00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:04.339
 we're

00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.879
 proclaiming

00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.379
 the king

00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:06.680
 that was

00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.039
 hated

00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.900
 and that

00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.259
 was

00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.099
 rejected

00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.839
 and that

00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.160
 was

00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.720
 murdered

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.960
 by the

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.420
 majority.

00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.799
 So for

00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.420
 those reasons

00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:16.940
 persecution

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.559
 in its

00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.480
 various forms

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.079
 and degrees

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.700
 is to be

00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.259
 expected

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.700
 just for

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.279
 seeking to

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.980
 live a life

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.519
 devoted to

00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.259
 Christ Jesus.

00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.620
 However,

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.380
 that does not

00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:29.880
 mean that we

00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:30.880
 should automatically

00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:32.380
 question the

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.380
 genuineness of a

00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.200
 person's faith

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.240
 simply because

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.019
 they have no

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.559
 persecution in

00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.759
 their life at

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.259
 the moment.

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.680
 In the larger

00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:43.099
 story since

00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.200
 Jesus came,

00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.420
 there have been

00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.299
 notable exceptions

00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.660
 to this general

00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.220
 principle.

00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:49.819
 There's been

00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.759
 times and places

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.299
 where by the

00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.099
 grace of God

00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:53.519
 in answer

00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.279
 to the

00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.680
 prayers of

00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.220
 his people,

00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.839
 God has

00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.759
 given his

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.639
 people favor

00:22:58.639 --> 00:22:59.879
 in the eyes

00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.519
 of leaders

00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:02.119
 and governments

00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:02.700
 and he's

00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.440
 brought renewal

00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.259
 and revival

00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.740
 in whole

00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.240
 regions.

00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.159
 And if God

00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.319
 works like

00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:08.919
 that in a

00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:09.339
 place,

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:11.639
 then we

00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.299
 should expect

00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.940
 the natural

00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:14.159
 expectation is

00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:14.799
 that this

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.940
 principle of

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.539
 persecution

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:18.339
 may lessen

00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.200
 in that place

00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.039
 for a time.

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:22.339
 there was a

00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.639
 time when

00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.079
 many of the

00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.740
 early settlers

00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.539
 and colonists

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:24.920
 of North

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:26.420
 America were

00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.299
 either Christian

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:29.460
 or if not,

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.019
 were at least

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.539
 raised to

00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.619
 respect and

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.579
 uphold Christian

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.899
 values by

00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.420
 their parents

00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.059
 and grandparents

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.059
 in England

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.700
 or in Europe.

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.379
 And so in

00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.099
 Canada and in

00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.519
 the U.S.

00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.019
 in the past

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.839
 100 years or

00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.700
 so, we've

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.460
 enjoyed much

00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.420
 less persecution

00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.279
 than the norm

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.659
 because of the

00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:47.159
 way that our

00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:48.019
 nation and our

00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.980
 society started

00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.339
 off.

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:49.759
 There was a

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.720
 time not

00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.339
 that long

00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:51.819
 ago when

00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.620
 everybody went

00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.099
 to church.

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.339
 That was

00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:54.819
 just the

00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.120
 thing.

00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:57.860
 And so

00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.380
 their Bible

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:58.920
 believing,

00:23:59.339 --> 00:23:59.900
 Christ-centered

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.740
 churches all

00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.279
 over North

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.059
 America like

00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:03.660
 ours, who

00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.220
 for the past

00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.279
 several generations

00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.839
 have known

00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:07.240
 very little of

00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.620
 government

00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:09.079
 interference or

00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.860
 anti-Christian

00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.160
 violence, but

00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:11.620
 have enjoyed

00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.759
 tremendous religious

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.220
 freedom.

00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.759
 But of course

00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.640
 all of that is

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.620
 we're starting to

00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.339
 see is now

00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:18.819
 changing.

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.359
 It's shifting

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.199
 back to the

00:24:21.199 --> 00:24:22.199
 normal for

00:24:22.199 --> 00:24:22.859
 Christians around

00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:24.099
 the world and

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.619
 for Christians

00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.139
 throughout the

00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:25.500
 centuries.

00:24:25.679 --> 00:24:26.459
 So that's

00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:27.019
 thing number

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.239
 three about

00:24:28.239 --> 00:24:29.219
 Christian persecution.

00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:30.179
 This does apply

00:24:30.179 --> 00:24:32.279
 to us, but we

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.000
 just need to think

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.799
 about it carefully.

00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.039
 Some people have

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.899
 used this verse in

00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.839
 really weird ways.

00:24:36.939 --> 00:24:37.379
 They've kind of

00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:38.019
 looked at it and

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.619
 said, well, since

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.719
 this is true, that

00:24:39.719 --> 00:24:40.479
 everyone who wants

00:24:40.479 --> 00:24:41.179
 to live a godly

00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:41.979
 life in Christ

00:24:41.979 --> 00:24:42.699
 Jesus will be

00:24:42.699 --> 00:24:44.839
 persecuted, and I'm

00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.819
 not being persecuted,

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.720
 well then we must

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.339
 not be living

00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.079
 faithfully.

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.179
 Therefore, maybe we

00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:50.960
 need to pray, we

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.059
 need to ask God to

00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.439
 bring some persecution

00:24:53.439 --> 00:24:54.000
 our way.

00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:56.240
 I don't think so.

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.339
 That's not what Paul

00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.859
 said in the first

00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.659
 letter to Timothy.

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.759
 Pray that we might

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.919
 have peace and favor

00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.740
 in the eyes of

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.200
 governments.

00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.599
 So let's not pray

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.259
 and ask God to

00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.059
 bring persecution.

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.919
 Let's not fear that

00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:10.839
 our faith is less

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.759
 than genuine simply

00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.379
 because we've

00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.139
 experienced very

00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.799
 little of it.

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:15.299
 let's just keep

00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.379
 focusing on being

00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.980
 faithful to King

00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.639
 Jesus and on

00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.379
 declaring him

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.299
 whatever comes our

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.579
 way.

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.019
 Let's thank God

00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.960
 for the freedom

00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:26.119
 that we have had

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.539
 to gather and to

00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:29.279
 worship and to

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.159
 speak about Jesus.

00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.480
 But let's not be

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.839
 surprised if in the

00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.480
 days ahead,

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:38.319
 persecution is

00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.039
 much stronger,

00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:41.139
 opposition has much

00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:42.460
 more teeth than in

00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.480
 the years behind us.

00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:47.419
 verse 14,

00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.579
 Paul writes,

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.480
 but as for you,

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.980
 continue in what you

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.059
 have learned and

00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.039
 have become convinced

00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:54.960
 of because you know

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.960
 those from whom you

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:57.500
 learned it and how

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.639
 from infancy you have

00:25:58.639 --> 00:25:59.480
 known the holy

00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.119
 scriptures which are

00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.940
 able to make you

00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:03.639
 wise for salvation

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:05.180
 through faith in

00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.879
 Christ Jesus.

00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.020
 promises.

00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:09.180
 So no matter how bad

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.840
 things get,

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.300
 Timothy,

00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:12.060
 continue on in what

00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:13.100
 you have learned and

00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:14.660
 become convinced of.

00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.980
 Think about that.

00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:17.680
 What is that?

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.440
 Well, it's the truth of

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.760
 God,

00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.480
 the gospel,

00:26:21.760 --> 00:26:22.920
 the good news of

00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.720
 Jesus Christ.

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.100
 And who has Timothy

00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.900
 learned these things

00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.180
 from?

00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:28.540
 Well, Paul's already

00:26:28.540 --> 00:26:29.700
 just mentioned himself.

00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.220
 He says,

00:26:30.300 --> 00:26:30.940
 you know me,

00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:33.440
 you know my life and

00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.140
 my teaching,

00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:37.160
 but Timothy,

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.039
 you also know the

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.900
 truth of God and

00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.880
 what led you to all

00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.559
 this in the first

00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.240
 place from your

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.860
 mother and your

00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:43.299
 grandmother.

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.019
 They're the ones who

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.960
 taught you the holy

00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:48.279
 scriptures which was

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:50.140
 the foundation to you

00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.279
 receiving and

00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:51.940
 accepting and

00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.880
 believing the gospel.

00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.640
 Paul mentioned them

00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.400
 earlier in the letter

00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.380
 back in chapter 1,

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.000
 verse 5.

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.819
 Timothy's mother,

00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.420
 Eunice,

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.500
 and his grandmother,

00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:01.700
 Lois,

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.559
 and how they had a

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.319
 sincere faith.

00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.200
 And so I think that's

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.819
 who he's probably

00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.839
 referring to here.

00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.279
 They were the ones

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.640
 that taught him the

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.599
 holy scriptures since

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.420
 the time he was a

00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.000
 young child.

00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.220
 You know them,

00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:12.619
 Timothy.

00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:13.880
 You know the

00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.799
 genuineness of their

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.220
 faith.

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.880
 You know their

00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.380
 conduct.

00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.619
 You know that they

00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.420
 have integrity,

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:21.019
 that their love was

00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.799
 genuine, that they

00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.859
 were faithful people.

00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.640
 And at this point,

00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.839
 Paul shifts and he

00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.700
 actually encourages

00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.759
 Timothy not just to

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:32.079
 anchor his faith and

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.859
 his knowledge of his

00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.480
 mother and his

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.339
 grandmother and of

00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.900
 Paul, but he

00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.019
 encourages Timothy to

00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:38.279
 anchor his faith in

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.880
 the scriptures

00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.599
 themselves.

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.400
 And oh, I hate to

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.740
 do this, but we're

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.559
 going to hold off on

00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:46.420
 these next verses until

00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.000
 September.

00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:50.700
 16 and 17, the

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.779
 verses that follow are

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.519
 some of the most

00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.839
 important verses in

00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.859
 the entire Bible.

00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:57.339
 memorizing these

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.399
 verses when I was a

00:27:58.399 --> 00:27:59.439
 kid and being

00:27:59.439 --> 00:28:00.639
 reminded of them over

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:01.579
 and over again in

00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.639
 Bible college has made

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:04.240
 all the difference in

00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.740
 my life.

00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.099
 These verses for me

00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.699
 have been one of the

00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:09.740
 golden keys to my

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.599
 Christian growth over

00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:11.859
 the past two decades.

00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.119
 They're the foundation

00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.139
 of all my preaching

00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:15.839
 and teaching and any

00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:18.179
 spiritual leadership

00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:19.000
 that I've been able

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.519
 to give.

00:28:20.219 --> 00:28:21.519
 And so they really do

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.359
 deserve their own

00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:22.659
 sermon.

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.660
 And we're going to

00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.800
 dig into them deeply

00:28:24.800 --> 00:28:26.440
 in September when I

00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.180
 return from my

00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:27.759
 sabbatical.

00:28:28.540 --> 00:28:30.120
 But let's just collect

00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:31.060
 up some of the things

00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.620
 that we've heard

00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.740
 already this morning

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.980
 in these few verses

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.740
 we looked at.

00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.800
 Paul's main thing

00:28:37.800 --> 00:28:39.200
 here is to encourage

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.480
 Timothy to be

00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.220
 steadfast.

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.700
 Difficult times are

00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.019
 coming.

00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.160
 Persecution is

00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.920
 intensifying.

00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:48.820
 And it's going to get

00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.240
 worse.

00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:51.599
 Evil people and

00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.519
 imposters are going

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:54.019
 to make it hard in

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.819
 the days ahead.

00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.900
 And so be steadfast

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.380
 Timothy.

00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:59.200
 Continue in the

00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.680
 gospel which you

00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.660
 have learned, which

00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.380
 you have heard from

00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:03.480
 me and from others.

00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.519
 Follow my example

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.380
 just as you have

00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.940
 until now,

00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.299
 Timothy.

00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.380
 Look at my life,

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.079
 my way of life.

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.660
 Look at my approach

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:13.259
 to things, my

00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:13.620
 purpose.

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.920
 Look at my faith.

00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.779
 Look at my patience.

00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.620
 Look at my love.

00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.859
 Look at the

00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.579
 opposition I

00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:20.960
 endured.

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.099
 Paul really puts

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.980
 himself forward as

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.359
 just this example

00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:27.559
 of the truth of

00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.140
 the gospel.

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.779
 An example to

00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.460
 follow as the

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.259
 days get darker.

00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:34.579
 We often wonder,

00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.920
 what can I do

00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:38.519
 to encourage

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:40.620
 my kids to be

00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.620
 steadfast in

00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.140
 their faith?

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.720
 We've been

00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.319
 teaching them at

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.579
 home.

00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:45.980
 We've been

00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:47.000
 teaching them here

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:48.620
 at church for

00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.219
 the kids that

00:29:49.219 --> 00:29:50.000
 are in alive.

00:29:51.459 --> 00:29:52.019
 And as they

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.559
 grow up, we

00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.079
 know that they're

00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.599
 going to face

00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.399
 the full pressure

00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:56.059
 of our world to

00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.399
 be anything but a

00:29:57.399 --> 00:29:58.159
 devoted follower

00:29:58.159 --> 00:29:58.719
 of Jesus.

00:29:59.719 --> 00:30:00.479
 How can we

00:30:00.479 --> 00:30:01.879
 encourage them to

00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.739
 be steadfast?

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.439
 Paul's encouragement

00:30:05.439 --> 00:30:06.359
 here for Timothy

00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:08.279
 is his life.

00:30:09.959 --> 00:30:11.139
 How I have

00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:11.699
 lived.

00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.679
 You know,

00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:15.039
 Timothy, since the

00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.759
 beginning when you

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:17.359
 first believed and

00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:18.119
 came on those

00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:18.960
 journeys with me.

00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:20.819
 Let's not

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.700
 underestimate the

00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:23.480
 power of a life

00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:25.119
 lived for Christ

00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.900
 to encourage

00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.779
 others and to

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.940
 help them be

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.920
 steadfast.

00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.660
 Isn't this what we

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.319
 want to be able to

00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.079
 say to our own

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:35.460
 kids and to the

00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.480
 younger Christians

00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.379
 in our church?

00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.140
 Son,

00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:42.119
 difficult times

00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:43.140
 are coming.

00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:44.960
 And it's going to

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.680
 continue to get

00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.020
 worse.

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.940
 Evil people and

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.759
 imposters are going

00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.600
 to make it hard in

00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.380
 the days ahead.

00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.820
 But be steadfast.

00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:52.920
 Continue in the

00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.120
 gospel, in the

00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:55.640
 word of God that

00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.259
 you have learned

00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.759
 from us.

00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:58.620
 Follow my

00:30:58.620 --> 00:30:59.480
 example, son,

00:31:00.080 --> 00:31:01.560
 just as you have

00:31:01.560 --> 00:31:02.120
 until now.

00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.160
 Look at my life.

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:03.980
 Look at my

00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.420
 conduct.

00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:05.540
 Look at my

00:31:05.540 --> 00:31:06.060
 purpose.

00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.840
 My faith.

00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.020
 My patience.

00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:12.040
 My love.

00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.240
 The hardships I've

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.940
 endured and how

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.360
 Jesus has rescued me

00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:17.140
 through all of them.

00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.940
 Be steadfast, my

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:20.700
 son, or my

00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:22.820
 daughter, young

00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:23.580
 man or young

00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:23.920
 woman.

00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:28.220
 To be able to say

00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.740
 that, though,

00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.200
 requires that we're

00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.020
 living that

00:31:31.020 --> 00:31:32.480
 ourselves, that we

00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:34.020
 have a life lived

00:31:34.020 --> 00:31:35.240
 for Christ to

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.780
 point to,

00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:36.900
 doesn't it?

00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:40.259
 It requires that

00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.000
 we ourselves are

00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.360
 living with gospel

00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:44.519
 conduct, striving to

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.400
 live uprightly.

00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:49.200
 It requires that we

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.540
 ourselves are living

00:31:50.540 --> 00:31:51.820
 with gospel purpose.

00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.340
 It requires that we're

00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:56.400
 really trusting Jesus,

00:31:56.580 --> 00:31:57.280
 and I mean really

00:31:57.280 --> 00:31:58.540
 putting the full weight

00:31:58.540 --> 00:31:59.920
 of our lives on his

00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:01.360
 word and his

00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:01.800
 promises.

00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:04.019
 To encourage someone

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:05.120
 like that requires that

00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:06.799
 we're actually living

00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.579
 patiently with

00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.000
 others.

00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:11.119
 I mean, if Paul had

00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.879
 been an impatient

00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:13.559
 guy, he wouldn't

00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.759
 have been able to

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.299
 say this.

00:32:15.459 --> 00:32:16.159
 No, Timothy, you

00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:17.099
 know my patience.

00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.500
 You saw it.

00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.779
 It requires that we're

00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.859
 actually loving one

00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:25.000
 another truly from the

00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.259
 heart.

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.559
 This is the kind of

00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.119
 life that will

00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:29.239
 encourage our kids

00:32:29.239 --> 00:32:30.500
 and our young people

00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.559
 to be steadfast,

00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.859
 even through hard

00:32:32.859 --> 00:32:33.399
 times ahead.

00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.360
 They need to see

00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:36.080
 that our faith is

00:32:36.080 --> 00:32:36.440
 real.

00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.360
 They need to see

00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:39.060
 that we have more

00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:40.140
 than just a form of

00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:41.880
 godliness that lacks

00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.400
 power.

00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:46.019
 Like the impostors up

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.759
 in verse 5.

00:32:47.840 --> 00:32:49.019
 They need to see that

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.540
 Jesus Christ really

00:32:50.540 --> 00:32:51.860
 does live in his

00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:53.940
 people and change

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.220
 them and changes

00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.519
 them.

00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.480
 How will they see

00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.220
 that unless we

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.420
 ourselves are,

00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:00.200
 like Paul said,

00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.660
 wanting to live

00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:03.660
 lives fully devoted

00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.660
 to Christ Jesus.

00:33:07.540 --> 00:33:08.560
 Before the days

00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:10.320
 of GPS and

00:33:10.320 --> 00:33:10.900
 electronics,

00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.120
 when sailors

00:33:12.120 --> 00:33:13.279
 lost their way

00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.860
 at sea,

00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:15.000
 how did they find

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.400
 their way?

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.660
 They navigated

00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.759
 using the stars

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.259
 at night.

00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.700
 And the apparent

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.640
 position of the

00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.460
 stars in the sky

00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.380
 changes with the

00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.180
 rotation of the

00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.779
 earth and with

00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.440
 each season.

00:33:27.580 --> 00:33:28.000
 You can see

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:29.160
 kind of the

00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:30.880
 movement over a

00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.800
 time lapse of the

00:33:31.800 --> 00:33:32.160
 stars.

00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.720
 But one particular

00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.920
 star was especially

00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:35.900
 useful.

00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.320
 It's the one right

00:33:37.320 --> 00:33:37.820
 in the middle.

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.860
 The north star,

00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:40.519
 Polaris.

00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.560
 It was so useful

00:33:42.560 --> 00:33:43.400
 because it's just

00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:44.519
 uniquely positioned

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.660
 directly above the

00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.460
 earth's rotational

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.980
 axes.

00:33:47.820 --> 00:33:48.420
 And as the earth

00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.460
 turns, every other

00:33:49.460 --> 00:33:50.640
 star seems to spin

00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:52.180
 around and move.

00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:53.240
 But the north star

00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.100
 appears to stand

00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:54.500
 still.

00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.360
 And so no matter

00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:57.220
 what time of night

00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:57.960
 or what season

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.220
 it is, following

00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.200
 Polaris will lead

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.640
 a traveler who's

00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:02.259
 in the northern

00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.620
 hemisphere due

00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:03.980
 north.

00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.339
 And so in this

00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.640
 dark world that

00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:08.300
 we're living in,

00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:09.039
 which is getting

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:11.639
 darker, our young

00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.360
 people are being

00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:13.340
 bombarded with all

00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.240
 kinds of messages.

00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.340
 And some are

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:17.059
 having doubts.

00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:17.900
 And some are

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.900
 getting lost in the

00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.340
 sea of deception,

00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:22.039
 in the sea of

00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:23.220
 misplaced priorities

00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:25.139
 and misdirected

00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:25.519
 loves.

00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.959
 How will they

00:34:27.959 --> 00:34:28.539
 find their way

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:28.899
 back?

00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:31.980
 I want my life

00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:33.139
 to be like Paul's.

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.639
 A spiritual

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.679
 north star.

00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:39.379
 Pointing to Jesus.

00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:41.039
 Pointing back to

00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.619
 the gospel.

00:34:42.839 --> 00:34:43.480
 And how it's

00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:43.799
 true.

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.679
 Pointing constantly,

00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.679
 day after day,

00:34:48.339 --> 00:34:49.379
 week after week,

00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.599
 year after year,

00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.559
 till the day that I

00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.759
 draw my last breath.

00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:52.860
 life.

00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:57.720
 So that no matter

00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:59.460
 how tough things

00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:01.420
 get for my kids,

00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.340
 for the youth,

00:35:02.660 --> 00:35:03.500
 for new Christians,

00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.560
 for anybody else

00:35:04.560 --> 00:35:05.400
 watching my life,

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.040
 that they will have

00:35:06.040 --> 00:35:07.620
 a view of the way.

00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:10.220
 A view of what's

00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:10.520
 true.

00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.400
 Should they leave

00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:12.980
 home like the

00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.720
 prodigal, that

00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:14.520
 they'll have a way

00:35:14.520 --> 00:35:16.520
 to see, yes, the

00:35:16.520 --> 00:35:17.580
 power of the gospel

00:35:17.580 --> 00:35:18.180
 is real.

00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:20.699
 I saw it in my

00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:21.399
 dad's life.

00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.919
 And so I hope

00:35:24.919 --> 00:35:25.579
 that's your heart

00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.279
 and prayer too.

00:35:28.799 --> 00:35:29.539
 Whether you have

00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:30.259
 kids or not,

00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.519
 there are people

00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.319
 watching us.

00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.399
 They are searching

00:35:34.399 --> 00:35:35.039
 for the way.

00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:36.960
 And we have an

00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.859
 opportunity through

00:35:37.859 --> 00:35:39.399
 our lives to show

00:35:39.399 --> 00:35:40.319
 them that this

00:35:40.319 --> 00:35:41.659
 really is the way.

00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:43.099
 Jesus is the way.

00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:45.639
 Let's pray.

00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:54.539
 Father in heaven,

00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:56.179
 we thank you that

00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:57.259
 you are patient

00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:57.880
 with us.

00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.440
 None of us,

00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.319
 not even Paul,

00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:02.099
 lived perfect

00:36:02.839 --> 00:36:03.299
 lives.

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.500
 We struggle

00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.099
 with sin.

00:36:05.779 --> 00:36:06.319
 We struggle

00:36:06.319 --> 00:36:07.279
 with impatience.

00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:07.880
 We struggle

00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:09.599
 with not being

00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.380
 loving as we

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:10.699
 should.

00:36:10.699 --> 00:36:13.099
 we are tempted

00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.659
 to take the

00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.419
 easy way out.

00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:16.859
 We would rather

00:36:16.859 --> 00:36:17.539
 be comfortable

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:19.359
 than suffer.

00:36:21.339 --> 00:36:22.119
 But I pray

00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.619
 that you would

00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:23.239
 work in us,

00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:23.939
 that we would

00:36:23.939 --> 00:36:24.659
 become more

00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:25.139
 and more

00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:26.759
 like Paul

00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:27.579
 in these

00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:30.119
 words.

00:36:31.699 --> 00:36:32.659
 That our lives

00:36:32.659 --> 00:36:33.239
 would point to

00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:33.859
 you and bring

00:36:33.859 --> 00:36:34.500
 glory to you,

00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:35.079
 that we be like

00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:36.000
 spotlights on

00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.879
 you for everyone

00:36:37.879 --> 00:36:38.419
 in our world

00:36:38.419 --> 00:36:38.879
 to see.

00:36:40.699 --> 00:36:41.719
 We especially

00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:42.779
 pray for those

00:36:42.779 --> 00:36:45.899
 in our families,

00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:46.659
 our children,

00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.879
 and our young

00:36:47.879 --> 00:36:48.719
 people that

00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.279
 we're connected

00:36:49.279 --> 00:36:51.099
 with in various

00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:51.539
 ways.

00:36:52.259 --> 00:36:53.000
 Lord, it's a

00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.639
 difficult world

00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:54.259
 to live in.

00:36:55.219 --> 00:36:56.059
 And we see

00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:56.679
 the things that

00:36:56.679 --> 00:36:57.719
 are online and

00:36:57.719 --> 00:37:00.399
 we just gasp

00:37:00.399 --> 00:37:00.879
 at some of

00:37:00.879 --> 00:37:01.439
 these things.

00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:04.439
 We ask that you

00:37:04.439 --> 00:37:05.019
 would work with

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.679
 power in the

00:37:05.679 --> 00:37:06.219
 hearts of our

00:37:06.219 --> 00:37:08.460
 children and in

00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:09.359
 our young people,

00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:09.920
 our youth,

00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:12.280
 and that you

00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:13.599
 would not allow

00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.360
 them to be swept

00:37:14.360 --> 00:37:15.260
 away or deceived,

00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.620
 but that you

00:37:17.620 --> 00:37:19.000
 would lead them

00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:20.440
 and guide them

00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:21.400
 through our lives.

00:37:22.780 --> 00:37:23.680
 Please do that

00:37:23.680 --> 00:37:24.140
 through us,

00:37:24.200 --> 00:37:24.539
 we pray.

00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:25.960
 In Jesus' name,

00:37:26.700 --> 00:37:26.980
 amen.

00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.079
 Amen.