WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.120 Please do have a seat. 00:00:03.960 --> 00:00:04.960 Can I just add as well, 00:00:05.060 --> 00:00:07.740 a thank you to Alberto for drumming for us. 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:09.120 I didn't catch him at the corner of my eye there, 00:00:09.259 --> 00:00:11.859 so sorry for not mentioning you earlier, 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:13.280 but it is great to be here together, 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.359 and we trust that as we come to God's words 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:16.980 that he will speak to us. 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:20.519 So can I massively, massively encourage you 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:22.760 to have your Bibles open there at 2 Timothy, 00:00:22.900 --> 00:00:24.760 and let's come expectantly to God's words. 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:27.339 You should have also received one of these sermon outlines 00:00:27.339 --> 00:00:27.980 when you came in, 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:30.339 and that's going to be helpful for us, 00:00:30.339 --> 00:00:32.159 as well as we journey through this passage together 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:34.880 to see what Paul is saying and what it's saying to us. 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:35.799 So if you don't have one of them, 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:36.820 then please put up your hand, 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:39.460 and Ali Jackson will get one to you. 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:42.000 And let's still ourselves 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:43.840 as we come to God's word this evening. 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:44.820 Let's pray together. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:57.240 Gracious Father, we would thank you so much for this day. 00:00:57.979 --> 00:01:00.619 And we would thank you for your mercies that are new to us 00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:02.039 each and every morning. 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:06.439 And we pray now as we come to the close of a busy week, 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:09.479 and as we sit on the cusp of another busy week, 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:13.819 that you would help us to block out any distractions to you this evening, 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:17.099 and that you would help us to focus our minds 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:19.739 and our hearts on you, 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:22.059 and help us to hear your voice. 00:01:23.259 --> 00:01:24.679 As we turn to this passage now, 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:26.280 we think of the words that we read, 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:29.419 that Paul instructs Timothy to think on these things. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:30.839 And we pray, 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:32.000 gracious Father, 00:01:32.039 --> 00:01:33.679 that you would help us do that this evening. 00:01:34.259 --> 00:01:35.299 All for your glory, 00:01:35.739 --> 00:01:37.280 and for the upbuilding of your church 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.179 in this nation, 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:39.060 and in this world. 00:01:39.479 --> 00:01:39.819 Amen. 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:39.979 Amen. 00:01:39.980 --> 00:01:46.240 So I wonder if you have any pet hates in life. 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:48.700 I'll come clean with you this evening. 00:01:48.800 --> 00:01:50.880 I've got one big pet hate in my life, 00:01:51.100 --> 00:01:53.640 and it's when I read small print. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:55.500 Don't know if you find that. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:58.980 We are inundated through our letterbox all the time 00:01:58.980 --> 00:02:00.439 with people trying to sell us stuff. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:01.859 The other day, 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:02.659 I'm just thinking of this week, 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:05.439 I've opened two letters that come through our letterbox. 00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:07.039 First one is Virgin Media. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:11.079 High fiber optic broadband for eight pounds a month. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:11.500 I thought, 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:11.900 yes, 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:12.659 let's do it. 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:13.780 Small print. 00:02:14.579 --> 00:02:15.120 Line rental, 00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:16.300 15.99 a month. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:16.699 All right, 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:18.060 so it's 23 pounds a month. 00:02:19.020 --> 00:02:19.579 You know the thing? 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:21.460 I think of another one. 00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:23.300 I think of banks, 00:02:23.379 --> 00:02:24.659 when they try and sell us mortgages, 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:25.360 what do they say? 00:02:25.419 --> 00:02:25.599 They say, 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:27.159 fantastic interest rates. 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:29.919 You can leave all your mortgage worries behind 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:31.099 if you come to us. 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:32.400 Small print, 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:33.599 product fee, 00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:34.599 500 pounds. 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:35.159 Small print, 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:35.719 small print, 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:36.319 small print. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:37.659 Your home will be repossessed 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:39.159 if you do not keep up repayments. 00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:41.259 I hate it when people try and sell me stuff. 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:43.340 They sell me fudged truths, 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:44.699 trying to get me in, 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:46.979 and they just don't tell me the reality of the situation. 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:49.359 Do you feel like that sometimes in your life? 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:52.599 And the thing this evening, 00:02:52.719 --> 00:02:53.939 as we come to this letter, 00:02:54.079 --> 00:02:56.159 the reason I spent this week in this letter, 00:02:56.979 --> 00:02:58.180 and I wonder if you've noticed it 00:02:58.180 --> 00:02:59.000 as we've journeyed through it 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:00.039 over the last couple of weeks, 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:00.579 Paul, 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:03.099 as he tries to sell Timothy, 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:05.460 what gospel ministry looks like, 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:06.960 he doesn't hide the small print. 00:03:07.739 --> 00:03:08.960 He doesn't hide the small print. 00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:12.379 He just tells Timothy the reality of the situation. 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:15.319 This is what gospel ministry entails. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:17.840 This is what being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:19.120 means for you. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:22.280 Paul writes this letter to Timothy. 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:23.620 We've seen it the last couple of weeks. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:25.539 This guy who he's left in Ephesus 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:29.200 to look after Ephesus Evangelical Church. 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:32.219 Things were going swimmingly for so long, 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:34.879 but as John reminded us a few weeks ago, 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:36.700 things have gone very sour, 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:38.400 very quickly in Ephesus. 00:03:39.420 --> 00:03:42.180 False teaching infiltrating the church. 00:03:42.860 --> 00:03:45.640 Big personalities dominating the church. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:49.159 Good gospel people leaving the church. 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:50.560 Things have got really bad, 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:53.319 really quickly in Ephesus in this church. 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:55.539 So how does Timothy feel? 00:03:57.560 --> 00:03:58.759 Disillusioned with the gospel. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:02.020 What is he probably already doing? 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:04.699 Drifting from the gospel. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:07.300 What is he tempted to do? 00:04:07.740 --> 00:04:10.539 Well, he's tempted to depart from the gospel, 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:13.039 and especially from any kind of links 00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:14.500 with this apostle Paul, 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:16.000 who he heard this message from. 00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:17.879 Things have got bad in Ephesus, 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:19.740 and they've got bad really quickly. 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:24.600 And we saw last week that if he does depart and run, 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:26.840 well, he's not the first person to do that from Paul. 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:29.879 Verse 15 of chapter 1, what we read there, 00:04:29.960 --> 00:04:30.720 what does Paul write? 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:33.560 All who are in Asia turned away from me. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:35.699 All of them turned away from me. 00:04:36.379 --> 00:04:37.680 When the heat got turned up, 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:40.079 all of them, they got out of there. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:42.400 Especially, Timothy, 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:44.379 especially, I want you to know 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:46.879 about Phygelus and Hermogenes. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:48.800 Do you see these two men that he mentions here? 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:50.680 Personally mentions them. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:52.240 Could it be that Timothy knows these men? 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:54.639 Why does he mention their names? 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:57.180 Does it just bring it home a bit personally a bit? 00:04:58.500 --> 00:04:59.980 Timothy probably knows these guys. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:00.860 Paul wants them to know 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:01.819 that in his time of need, 00:05:01.900 --> 00:05:03.020 these guys got out of there. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:05.580 But Onesiphorus, 00:05:05.840 --> 00:05:06.600 oh, I can't say that name. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:08.460 I tried so hard this week to learn that name. 00:05:09.840 --> 00:05:11.100 Onesiphorus, we'll call him that, okay? 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:14.019 Do you notice how he gets a massive pat on the back 00:05:14.019 --> 00:05:15.400 from Paul in these verses, doesn't he? 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:17.819 He's a massive big up from the apostle Paul. 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:19.579 He refreshed Paul. 00:05:20.299 --> 00:05:22.019 He stood by Paul. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:23.679 He went towards Paul 00:05:23.679 --> 00:05:25.479 when others were running away from Paul, 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:27.120 and he stood by him. 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:28.419 What a guy. 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:32.740 Two men deserted Timothy. 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:34.680 I want you to know about these two men who deserted. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:37.120 And I want you to know about this one man 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.140 who came towards me. 00:05:39.020 --> 00:05:41.140 What is the question that he's asking Timothy 00:05:41.140 --> 00:05:42.680 as we come to these verses? 00:05:43.520 --> 00:05:44.319 Big question. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:45.920 Who are you going to be like, Timothy? 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:48.160 Who are you going to be like? 00:05:48.200 --> 00:05:50.840 Are you going to be like these men who ran? 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:53.179 Are you going to be like this man who came towards? 00:05:54.179 --> 00:05:56.799 Are you going to turn away from me? 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:00.060 Or are you going to turn towards me? 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:04.219 And you see, that takes us to the personal summons 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:06.359 of verse 1 of chapter 2. 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:07.219 What does he write? 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:08.899 You then. 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:13.000 Do you feel that the pointy end of his finger 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.839 as he writes these words, 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:15.739 as Paul writes these words? 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:17.259 You then. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:20.239 Does it all the way through this letter? 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:21.460 Just flick with me. 00:06:21.540 --> 00:06:22.900 Chapter 3, verse 10. 00:06:23.660 --> 00:06:24.360 You've got it there. 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:30.259 What does he write? 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:32.100 You, however. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:34.800 Chapter 4, verse 1. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:35.560 What does he write? 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:39.519 I give you this command. 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:42.759 What does he want Timothy to do? 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:44.360 Stay in the game. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:46.460 Keep running, Timothy. 00:06:46.960 --> 00:06:47.360 Question. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:50.439 How is Paul going to do that? 00:06:51.580 --> 00:06:54.780 How do you convince a man who is on his way out 00:06:54.780 --> 00:06:57.819 that things are worth keeping going for? 00:06:58.980 --> 00:06:59.879 What's his method? 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:01.360 What's Paul going to write? 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:03.480 Well, here's my question for you this evening, 00:07:03.580 --> 00:07:04.960 one I was thinking about this week. 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:07.680 If you had to design a poster 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:10.740 that recruited people for being a disciple 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:11.939 of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.199 what would you put on that poster? 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:19.920 What do we see so often on church websites in the West? 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.560 We see all the time. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:23.860 Happy people, right? 00:07:24.659 --> 00:07:25.539 Smiley people. 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:27.259 As in, if you come to this church, 00:07:27.339 --> 00:07:29.219 you can be happy like the rest of us. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:31.120 Now, don't get me wrong, 00:07:31.219 --> 00:07:34.139 there's joy aplenty in knowing God our Father. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.120 Isn't that joy to call him our Father? 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:41.120 But I wonder if churches, 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:45.399 our brothers and sisters in Syria and in North Korea, 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:47.280 do they have happy people on their church websites? 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:52.120 What's the reality of following Jesus Christ? 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:54.699 Well, do you see how Paul doesn't hide the small print 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:57.939 from Timothy as to what it will mean for him 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:59.939 to be a disciple of Jesus Christ 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:02.660 and to be a gospel minister in particular? 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:03.920 What's it going to mean, Timothy? 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:08.140 It's going to mean hard, hard, hard work. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:12.699 Following Jesus Christ, if you do it faithfully, 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:15.800 if you stand in a hostile world 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:17.720 and proclaim the gospel, 00:08:18.080 --> 00:08:21.060 it's going to mean that life is not going to get easier for you, 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:23.520 it's going to get so much harder. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:26.160 And Timothy, that's the reality. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.540 I'm not going to fudge it for you. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.800 You just need to get your head around that. 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:33.019 To stand for Jesus Christ, it is hard. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:35.340 Now, do we know that this evening? 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:39.100 Isn't it hard to stand for him in this world? 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:42.259 We're not the only ones to feel that, are we? 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:44.519 Just straight from the outset there, 00:08:44.579 --> 00:08:45.699 be comforted by that. 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:46.460 It is hard. 00:08:46.939 --> 00:08:48.120 And when we feel it hard, 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:49.559 it should be hard. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:52.980 And there are two great realities in this section 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:56.840 that I think Paul is bringing to Timothy's mind. 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:58.939 He's bringing them straight to the front of his mind. 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:00.039 What are those realities? 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:01.039 The suffering. 00:09:01.599 --> 00:09:02.000 Suffering. 00:09:03.079 --> 00:09:04.480 And the risen Christ. 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.980 Do you see what he does in those verses? 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:09.279 Suffering, front of your mind, Timothy. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:11.939 But right beside it, the risen and the reigning 00:09:11.939 --> 00:09:14.120 and the ruling and the returning Jesus Christ. 00:09:14.219 --> 00:09:15.339 Right there in front of you. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:19.459 I think they're the two ideas that hold this section together. 00:09:19.579 --> 00:09:20.939 If you just look at the section, 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:21.980 I'll show you how that works. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:24.059 The suffering idea, 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:27.219 here it comes up at verse 3 of chapter 2. 00:09:28.719 --> 00:09:31.559 And it comes up again at verse 9 of chapter 2. 00:09:33.359 --> 00:09:35.179 And the person of Jesus Christ, 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:37.119 well, he comes up all the way through this section. 00:09:37.199 --> 00:09:38.000 What does Paul write? 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:39.459 In Christ. 00:09:39.979 --> 00:09:41.359 Verse 1 of chapter 2. 00:09:42.079 --> 00:09:44.679 A good soldier of Jesus Christ. 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:45.379 Verse 3. 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:49.139 Remember Jesus Christ at verse 8. 00:09:49.459 --> 00:09:50.239 Verse 10. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:54.000 The salvation that is in Jesus Christ. 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:55.560 Do you see what he's doing? 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:57.620 Suffering right at the front of your mind 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:59.740 and the risen and returning 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:02.460 and ruling Jesus Christ right there as well. 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:05.180 What is the ministry principle 00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:06.460 that he's trying to get Timothy 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:08.279 to understand and embrace? 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:11.860 Pain now, glory later. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:13.799 Big idea for this evening. 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:16.560 Pain now, glory later. 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.340 What does he do? 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:20.620 Well, he lists six imperatives, I think. 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:24.480 Six things that he wants Timothy to do in this section. 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:28.139 Four of them are to do with how Timothy is to work. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:30.019 That's verses 1 to 7. 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:33.660 And two of them are to do with why Timothy is to work. 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:35.280 And that's verses 8 to 13. 00:10:36.280 --> 00:10:37.600 That's where we're going this evening. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:39.899 But as we travel, 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:43.139 the big question that we need to have in our minds, 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:45.639 the big question that we need to ask of this text, 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:48.899 and the question that will make a 2D study 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:50.200 into a 3D study, 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.420 is to ask the question, 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.000 why? 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:58.060 Why is Paul writing these things 00:10:58.060 --> 00:11:02.080 to this man at this specific time? 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:04.320 Why is he writing these things? 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.920 Because if we get to the heart of that question, 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:11.000 then we can begin to see what these things mean to us. 00:11:12.160 --> 00:11:14.080 So let's journey through this section together. 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:15.180 Let's see what Paul writes. 00:11:15.280 --> 00:11:16.340 Firstly, verse 1. 00:11:17.300 --> 00:11:19.060 Timothy, be strengthened. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.540 Be strengthened. 00:11:21.760 --> 00:11:24.080 Now, why does Paul need to write that? 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.700 Because Timothy's weak. 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:29.220 He's weak. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.660 And what does he need to be strengthened by? 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.379 The grace. 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:37.279 And where is the source of that strengthening grace? 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:40.440 It's in Christ Jesus. 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:42.800 Now, it's not the first time in this letter 00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:44.399 that Paul has introduced this idea. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:46.519 If you look at verse 9 of chapter 1, 00:11:47.660 --> 00:11:49.700 you'll see very similar wording there. 00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:51.340 Paul writes, 00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:53.600 because of his own purpose and grace 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:56.240 which he gave us in Christ Jesus. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.940 So this is the second time in the letter 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:59.160 that he's brought this up. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:02.440 How are you going to be strengthened, Timothy? 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:03.420 By grace. 00:12:04.040 --> 00:12:05.800 How is that grace shown itself? 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.379 Do you notice how Paul doesn't just throw that out there 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.660 as a token word? 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:13.660 He shows, Timothy, how the grace has shown itself. 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.940 Well, the God of the universe 00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:19.019 before the foundation of the world, Timothy, 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:20.980 planned to save you. 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:24.259 And he sent his son, Jesus Christ, 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:25.180 in the fullness of time, 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.660 who came to give his life for you, Timothy, 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:29.699 and saved you, Timothy. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.579 That's grace. 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:34.079 But even more than that, 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.899 he didn't just leave you to go about life 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:37.079 in your own strength. 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:39.860 Verse 14 of chapter 1, 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:42.839 he sent his spirit to live inside of you, 00:12:42.959 --> 00:12:44.199 his adopted child. 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:51.320 God has taken you who was dead in your sins and transgressions, 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:53.860 and he has forgiven you and restored you 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:56.280 and put a new heart and a new spirit inside you, 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:58.680 and he's adopted you as his child. 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:01.240 He's with you. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:03.779 We're going to look at it another way. 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:06.620 God has shown redeeming grace, 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:09.340 and God continues to empower you, Timothy, 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:11.080 with sustaining grace. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.340 That's the reality of grace. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:15.659 It's what we sing when we sing amazing grace, isn't it? 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:19.360 It's his grace that has brought me safe thus far, 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:21.320 and it's grace that will lead me home. 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:24.100 Timothy, grace, if you get your head around it, 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:26.659 it should massively encourage you. 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:30.839 Let grace sink into your mind and into your heart, 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:34.439 and let it strengthen you, Timothy. 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:37.419 Be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ. 00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:41.039 Now, I wonder whether some of us here this evening 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:44.379 need to be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.100 Are you here this evening, friends, 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:48.839 and you find yourselves running flat? 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:53.079 Are you here this evening, and you are drifting? 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.199 Are you here this evening, 00:13:54.199 --> 00:13:56.439 and the fire that was once there for Jesus Christ 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:58.080 is beginning to go out? 00:13:59.140 --> 00:14:02.160 Are you running from one thing to the next in life, 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:03.560 and spinning plates, 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:06.540 and carrying the weight of the world on your back all the time? 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:10.240 And do some of us need to stop this evening 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:13.240 and take stock of the grace that is in Jesus Christ? 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:16.100 That it is he who is in heaven, 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:18.220 that it is he who is holding the cosmos in place. 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:18.980 It's not us. 00:14:20.260 --> 00:14:22.180 We need to be strengthened by the grace, 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:25.220 the grace that saved us when we couldn't save ourselves. 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:30.100 The grace that God gives to us as his children daily 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:33.440 to sustain us in this life every moment of every day. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:35.400 Do you see how Paul says these things? 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:39.520 He says these things not just to simply fill up 00:14:39.520 --> 00:14:42.040 Timothy's theological bookshelf, okay? 00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:45.640 He says these things for Timothy's strengthening. 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:49.500 Be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ. 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.860 Let that encourage you this evening. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.120 Be strengthened, Timothy. 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:55.440 Secondly, what does Paul tell Timothy to do? 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:58.220 Well, verse 2, he tells him to entrust to. 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:03.179 Now, what's the issue in Ephesus that Timothy is feeling the sharp end of? 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.039 What is he feeling? 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.919 Well, he's feeling probably lonely, 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.639 and he's most likely feeling outnumbered. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:16.279 His go-to guys, the guys in his church who understand the gospel and fight with him, 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:20.159 they're either leaving or their voices are being drowned out 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.840 because these false teachers are dominating the church. 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:23.860 How does Timothy feel? 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:27.879 He feels on his own, and he feels isolated. 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:33.139 I think what, in the context, Paul is saying is, 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:34.980 Timothy, if that's how you're feeling, 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:38.060 then what you need to do to solve that is you need to find, 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.740 and you need to train, 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.320 and you need to invest in, 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:44.879 and you need to deploy more people to stand beside you 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:47.740 and fight for the battle that is gospel ministry. 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:51.580 And what you need to do is you need to expend yourself 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:56.480 in getting that gospel DNA into people who will stand with you. 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:58.800 Get that into them, 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:01.120 and they will pass it on to others, 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.680 and they will pass it on to others yet. 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:07.980 You see how Paul has got four generations of people in mind? 00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:10.420 I mean, this guy is a long-term strategist, 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.220 four generations in mind. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.940 Paul is going to pass it to Timothy. 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.980 Timothy is going to pass it to reliable men. 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:20.840 Reliable men are going to train and teach others. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:23.440 Passing on this gospel message, 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:25.200 passing on the gospel DNA. 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:27.940 What is the principle behind that? 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:30.440 What Paul is saying there, 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:34.280 well, it's that the main way that the gospel message 00:16:34.280 --> 00:16:36.060 is going to be protected, 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.720 and it's going to be strengthened, 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.820 and it's going to be furthered in the church, 00:16:39.880 --> 00:16:40.500 and in the world, 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.200 and in the city of Ephesus, 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:45.360 is by passing it on to others. 00:16:46.040 --> 00:16:46.580 In other words, 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:48.600 it's going to be by training people. 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:52.020 Let me ask you this evening, 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:55.159 what are you doing by the way 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:56.939 of passing on the gospel message, 00:16:57.079 --> 00:16:58.340 the whole counsel of God 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.480 to the next generation? 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.360 You think about it, 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.600 just practically in your life, 00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:04.579 what does this look like? 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.379 In our families? 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.319 Husbands, 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:09.059 the way that we lead our wives 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.839 and sacrificially care for them 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.379 and lead our children, 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.180 what does it look like 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.700 as we pass on this gospel message? 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.900 The way that we participate 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:18.500 in our home groups, 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.519 what does this look like? 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.940 The way that we plan 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.339 our kids' church lessons, 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.500 what does this look like? 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.759 The way that we do 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.379 one-to-one Bible studies with people, 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.680 the way that we visit people, 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.960 the way that we conduct ourselves 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.799 on Sunday morning, 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.519 do we have this mindset in mind 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.639 that we are passing on 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.579 this gospel message, 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.960 that we're helping one another 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.639 as we do that? 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:41.019 That's why we do these things, 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.420 all these activities in church. 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:44.500 It's not just so that me and John 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:46.019 can feel good that we're doing stuff 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.660 in church. 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.900 It's not just ticking a box. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.000 We do it because we need 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.960 to be passing on 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.859 the gospel message 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.619 to one another. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.680 Friends, this evening, 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.740 have you got that mindset? 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.400 Would your diary reveal 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.019 that mindset? 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.200 What are you passing on 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.920 to the next generation? 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.240 It's interesting, 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.380 I was listening to Five Live 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.200 in the drive up, 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.700 I had the football phone in, 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.660 I love the football phone in, 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.819 listening to it in the drive up, 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.460 and I don't know if you've been 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.960 following the Leicester City story 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.859 in the English Premier League 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:13.259 this year, 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.539 but the guy, 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:16.420 they're interviewing a Leicester City fan 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.240 who was sitting in the pub 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.140 with his son and he said, 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.099 I wanted to be here 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.720 because I wanted to tell my son 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:23.620 that I watched Leicester City 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.039 win the league. 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:24.920 No, they didn't win the league today, 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.799 but they'll probably win it. 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:27.519 I wanted to tell my son 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:29.759 and him to see Leicester win the league, 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:31.200 and I wanted him to tell his son 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.180 about Leicester winning 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:32.720 the Premier League, 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:34.079 and I wanted him to tell his son 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.920 that he was there 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:36.460 when Leicester winning 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.019 the Premier League. 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.779 And I thought to myself, 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:39.259 if that is worth passing on 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.200 to the next generation, 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.839 if football is worth passing on 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.559 to the next generation, 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.960 how much more the gospel, 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.599 the eternal gospel. 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.279 Now, why is this important? 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:52.119 Well, if we don't pass it on, 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:52.720 the message, 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.440 it probably is going to die with us. 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.639 Isn't it? 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:58.220 That if we fail to pass this on, 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:58.819 what happens? 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.899 The next generation, 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.740 they assume it. 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:02.359 What happens next, 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.200 that and past, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.259 the next generation, 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.240 they question it 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.559 and probably depart from it. 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.720 All the churches we know 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.980 up and down this land 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.579 that were once thriving centers 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.379 for the gospel 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.399 and are now nowhere. 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:14.839 Why is that? 00:19:14.919 --> 00:19:16.220 Because of this, 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:18.899 that they didn't pass on 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.859 the gospel. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.199 Are we taking seriously 00:19:21.199 --> 00:19:22.039 the command 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:24.199 and making this a priority 00:19:24.199 --> 00:19:26.000 in the life of our church 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.960 and in our lives? 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.639 And especially, I think, 00:19:29.699 --> 00:19:31.079 those in Christian leadership. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.339 You know, you think about those 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:34.079 probable interns 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.980 that we'll have in September, 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:36.119 those who are raising their hands 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.480 and saying, 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.720 yes, we want to give this a shot. 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.339 We feel like God 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.199 has given us this gift. 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:39.879 What are we doing 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:40.939 to encourage them 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.259 and to push them on 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.600 practically as they do that? 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.799 And what are we passing on? 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:46.440 We're passing on 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.840 the whole counsel of God, 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.700 the whole thing, 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.480 not just the bits that we like, 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:51.799 not just a soft 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.080 and easy discipleship, 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.460 not just rules and regulations. 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.680 What are we passing on? 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.700 A living faith in 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:59.059 and a burning love 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.480 for our Savior 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.740 and King Jesus Christ. 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.539 That's what we're passing on. 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.140 Be strengthened, Timothy. 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:08.200 Be strengthened in grace 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.580 and pass it on. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.759 Thirdly, 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:14.900 what does Paul tell Timothy, 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.519 verse 3? 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.120 Timothy, join me in suffering. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.900 Why does Paul need to say that? 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.140 Was it not most likely 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.440 that Timothy thinks suffering? 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:28.460 Nah, I'm not up for that. 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.860 Paul's saying, 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.259 lift your head above the parapet. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.420 And what's Timothy doing? 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:35.080 He's lowering his head 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:37.779 lower and lower below the parapet. 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:39.359 Do you see again 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.799 how Paul is not hiding 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:42.099 the small print from Timothy? 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.839 Now what is it going to look like 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.819 for him to share in the suffering? 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.599 Well, do you see how Paul 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.619 gives him three pictures 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.940 of what this is going to look like 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:51.079 in these verses, 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.119 4, 5, and 6? 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.899 The soldier, 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.720 the athlete, 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.019 the farmer. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.639 Now why does he use 00:20:58.639 --> 00:20:59.799 those three illustrations? 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.940 What do each of them 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.940 have to tell and teach Timothy? 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.920 Well, let's look at them together. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.840 Firstly, the soldier. 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.720 What does a soldier, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.140 why does Paul commend the soldier? 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.340 For not getting entangled 00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:12.519 in civilian affairs. 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:13.720 Now what is that speaking of? 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.840 Not getting distracted. 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.180 Not getting distracted. 00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:18.700 A soldier, 00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:19.820 he knows why he's there. 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:21.180 A soldier knows his job. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.340 A soldier knows 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:23.600 who he's trying to please. 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.060 Let's think of the guards 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:27.640 that stand outside 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.480 Buckingham Palace 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.880 every moment of every day. 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.060 Have you ever seen those guys? 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:33.400 I mean, they are unflinching, 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:33.880 are they not? 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.520 The people come up to them 00:21:35.520 --> 00:21:37.120 and try and take selfies with them. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.800 They'll try and make them laugh. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.440 And I've never seen 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.760 a soldier that's standing 00:21:41.760 --> 00:21:43.260 outside Buckingham Palace laugh. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.060 In fact, when I googled it before, 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.160 the first thing that came up 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.320 was soldier falls. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.860 A soldier had, 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.580 they did the changing of the guard 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:51.420 and he'd fallen over. 00:21:51.560 --> 00:21:52.020 And so this, 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.480 because this never ever happens, 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.760 this was big news. 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:56.420 The soldier had fallen and tripped. 00:21:56.520 --> 00:21:57.460 It was all over the news 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:59.200 because it never happens. 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.480 Because these soldiers are dedicated 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:03.500 and they know what their job is. 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.900 Like the soldier, Timothy, 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.299 you need to not get distracted. 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:12.279 You need to keep your mind 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:14.420 on the reason why you're doing 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.019 what you're doing. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.120 Let me ask you this evening, 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.380 are there things in your life 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.720 that are distracting you 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.360 from pursuing Jesus Christ? 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:25.019 Are there things in your life 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.360 that are drawing your attention 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.439 and your concentration 00:22:27.439 --> 00:22:28.579 away from Him? 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:29.979 Like it just, 00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:31.579 it can be so many good things, 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.439 can't it, in life? 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.139 Like a new house 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:36.039 or our hobbies 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.699 or our job 00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:38.899 that just slowly 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:40.619 diverts our attention 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.699 from Jesus Christ. 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.859 See, that's the challenge, isn't it? 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:46.279 To never allow good things 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.079 to rise up 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:48.459 and become bigger than God. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.919 There's the soldier, 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:51.959 but what about the athlete? 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:53.279 What is the thing about the athlete 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.079 that Paul draws 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.740 Timothy's attention to? 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.939 He competes 00:22:56.939 --> 00:22:58.399 according to the rules. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.039 Big point, 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:00.899 Timothy, 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:02.059 don't cheat. 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:04.500 Now why does Paul write that? 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.299 Why do you have to tell him 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.939 not to cheat? 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.559 Well, could it be 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.799 that Timothy is tempted 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.500 to cheat, 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.919 to take shortcuts 00:23:12.919 --> 00:23:13.859 in his ministry, 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.919 to avoid those 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:16.559 awkward conversations 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.740 that need to be had, 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.699 to avoid 00:23:19.699 --> 00:23:21.819 addressing the false teaching 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.699 that's making its way 00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:23.319 into church, 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.539 or even could he 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.159 be tempted 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:25.919 to cheat 00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:27.439 by subtly 00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:29.659 changing the gospel message 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:31.159 to avoid conflict 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.059 and to avoid people 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:33.220 leaving the church? 00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:35.200 Always the temptation, 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:35.579 isn't it, 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:35.960 to cheat, 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.539 to change the message. 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.740 Don't cheat, Timothy. 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.379 And what about the farmer? 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.000 Well, the farmer 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.619 is up early in the morning 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.519 sowing his seed. 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.179 Big point, 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:45.799 Timothy, 00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:46.619 like the farmer, 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.879 work hard. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.439 Work hard 00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:50.379 and don't be lazy. 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:52.800 Why does the farmer 00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:53.380 have a crop 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:54.500 at the end of the season? 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.620 Well, because he did 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.200 the hard work 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.840 of getting up 00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:58.020 at 5 a.m. 00:23:58.020 --> 00:23:58.800 to sow the seeds 00:23:58.800 --> 00:23:59.560 every morning. 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.680 Why is Paul 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.680 saying this to Timothy? 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.000 Well, 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.520 it's the easy 00:24:05.520 --> 00:24:06.360 and lazy thing 00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:07.580 not to do 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.860 when things get hard 00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:10.500 in the life 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.040 of the church. 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:11.700 Is it not easy 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.940 just to ignore things? 00:24:13.760 --> 00:24:14.200 Or, 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.160 worst case scenario, 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.120 just to walk away? 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.880 Do you think that's what 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.260 Timothy's being faced with? 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:20.660 Investing in people? 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.519 Hard work. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.420 Dealing with people? 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.119 Hard work. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.420 Addressing false teaching? 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.240 Hard work. 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.900 Listening to people? 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:29.099 Hard work. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.339 Visiting people? 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.160 Hard work. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.339 Praying for people? 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.119 Hard work. 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.599 Putting Ephesus 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.140 Evangelical Church right? 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:38.220 Hard work. 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.660 Timothy, 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.480 don't get distracted. 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:43.539 Don't cut corners 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.039 and cheat. 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.200 Don't get lazy. 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:48.340 What's the big thing 00:24:48.340 --> 00:24:49.319 that holds these three 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.120 images together? 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.740 The soldier, 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.360 the athlete, 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.819 the farmer. 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.799 What holds them together? 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.640 Pain now. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.039 Glory later. 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.340 Pain now. 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.000 Glory later. 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.120 Time spent carrying out 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:02.140 your orders now, 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.940 being faithful 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.740 to your duties. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.440 You get your well done 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:07.279 from your commander-in-chief 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.660 later. 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.740 Time sweating out 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.180 in the gym 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.019 or on the track, 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.299 building those muscles. 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.720 Pain now. 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.080 Gold medal later. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:17.379 Time up early, 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.659 sowing in the field. 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.559 Hard work now, 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.419 harvest later. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.299 Do you see what he's saying? 00:25:23.439 --> 00:25:24.139 Pain now, 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.519 Timothy. 00:25:24.699 --> 00:25:25.359 Pain now. 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.859 Glory later. 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:29.500 And what does Paul say 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:29.980 to Timothy, 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.539 verse 7? 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:30.859 He says, 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:32.019 reflect on these things. 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:35.259 Think about these things, 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:35.619 Timothy. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:37.240 If you've got an ESV there, 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.919 that's what it says. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.019 Think about these things. 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.000 These are the lessons 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.240 that I want you to 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.659 mull over, 00:25:43.659 --> 00:25:44.139 Timothy. 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.660 Think over what I'm saying 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.020 to you. 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:47.200 Now, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.360 why is Paul saying that? 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:50.820 Well, 00:25:50.820 --> 00:25:51.640 could it be that Timothy 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.540 has stopped 00:25:52.540 --> 00:25:54.420 stilling himself 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.180 before God? 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.540 That he's stopped 00:25:57.540 --> 00:25:58.880 listening for God's voice? 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.780 Could it be that 00:25:59.780 --> 00:26:00.980 Timothy has stopped 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.780 allowing the Holy Spirit 00:26:02.780 --> 00:26:03.640 that God has put 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.500 to dwell in him, 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.140 convicting him 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.080 of things in his life 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:08.200 that he needs to change? 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.200 Could it be that 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.160 Timothy has stopped 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.820 opening the Scriptures 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:13.759 every day 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:15.480 and doing the hard work 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:17.080 of stilling himself 00:26:17.080 --> 00:26:18.519 and thinking upon 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.580 what God is saying? 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:24.120 Is that some of us 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.600 this evening? 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.380 Are we neglecting 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.840 to listen to God's voice? 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.800 Are we resisting 00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:30.700 the Holy Spirit 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.600 as he seeks to 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:33.140 shape our lives 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.980 more and more 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.540 into the image 00:26:34.540 --> 00:26:35.519 of Jesus Christ? 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.860 And probably particularly 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.660 in terms of our 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.900 faithfulness to God 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.380 the Father 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.720 and our faithfulness 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.400 to the Gospel? 00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:43.740 Some of us here 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.120 this evening, 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.080 do we need to seriously 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.280 think upon 00:26:46.280 --> 00:26:47.360 these things? 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.120 Think over what I say, 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.480 Timothy. 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:52.120 Meditate on these things. 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:53.519 Pray over these things. 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.060 Go out 00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:55.500 and look at these things 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.220 and study them. 00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:57.740 Because God, 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:59.040 in his grace, 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.820 has stuff to teach us there. 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.460 Fifthly, 00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:03.920 verse 8, 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.500 what does he write? 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:04.940 Timothy, 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:07.700 remember Jesus Christ. 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:11.140 Remember Jesus Christ. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.220 What is it in particular 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.660 that Paul brings attention to? 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.140 The fact that Jesus Christ 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.280 is risen. 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:18.880 He's risen. 00:27:19.780 --> 00:27:21.240 That is the realm 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.820 in which Timothy operates, 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.120 the risen Christ. 00:27:25.040 --> 00:27:25.720 That is the thing 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.820 that's got to define 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:28.740 how Timothy lives his life. 00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:30.680 That it's not just 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.500 any old captain 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.700 that Timothy serves. 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:35.000 His captain is the creator 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.440 and the sustainer 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.460 of the universe. 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.240 He is the judge of all 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.140 and he's the one 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:41.120 who has conquered death. 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.920 That is the captain 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.779 that he serves. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.740 Has Timothy 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.799 maybe lost sight of that? 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.860 Jesus is risen 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.900 as God promised 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:53.120 in the scriptures 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:54.039 that God is faithful 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.920 in keeping his words. 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.259 Do you see how we're on 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.380 to the second section now? 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.799 If suffering is the big one 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.460 that he's got to have 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.059 in his mind, 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.259 right next to it 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.380 is the risen Christ. 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:06.040 And I wonder 00:28:06.040 --> 00:28:06.560 if some of us 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.240 need to get 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.340 the person 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:09.160 of Jesus Christ 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.100 back to the forefront 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.760 of our minds 00:28:10.760 --> 00:28:11.300 this evening. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.880 That things may be hard 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.540 but we serve 00:28:14.540 --> 00:28:15.640 our conquering king, 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.600 not an impotent king. 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.380 We worship 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.240 a living saviour. 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:20.500 We don't worship 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.960 a distant memory 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.860 from the past. 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.760 We have a brother 00:28:24.760 --> 00:28:26.400 who walks beside us 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:28.000 and who is able 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:29.160 to sympathize with us 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.780 in our weaknesses. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.640 Now how is that 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:31.460 going to make a difference 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.340 in Timothy's life? 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:35.220 Well the same way 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.899 that it transformed 00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:36.559 and it shapes 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.359 Paul's life 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.279 day after day 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.759 it's going to mean 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.899 that he will endure everything. 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.959 Do you see how he writes that? 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.959 Endure everything. 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.559 Why is Paul in chains? 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.879 Because of his faith in Christ. 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:48.459 Why is Paul mocked? 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.799 Because of his faith in Christ. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.379 Why is Paul suffering? 00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:52.599 Because of his faith 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:54.000 in Christ. 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.179 And notice the link 00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:57.980 that Paul makes. 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:59.259 Why does Paul do this? 00:28:59.419 --> 00:29:00.319 Why does he do it? 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:03.240 Well a bound apostle, 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.019 a chained apostle, 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.759 means a free gospel. 00:29:07.939 --> 00:29:09.019 Now the logic is 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.720 that if Paul, 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.619 he's saying if he did 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.399 the easy thing 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.240 and he didn't preach 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.819 the gospel, 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.059 he would be free. 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.799 Because no one would want 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.599 to arrest him 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.299 and put him in prison 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.019 for preaching something 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.980 that everyone wants to hear. 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.599 In fact he'd probably 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.220 have his own show 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.319 on the God TV channel. 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.799 Isn't he going to be free 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.460 because he's 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:26.200 not preaching 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.279 the full gospel? 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:29.079 But if he did that, 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.660 then the very message 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.539 that has the power 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:34.119 to save men and women 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:36.119 would be in chains 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:37.240 and would be unable 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:37.859 to move 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.500 because he would 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.200 robbing it 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.920 of its power. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.720 Why does Paul 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.740 make himself vulnerable? 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.259 Well he makes himself 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.839 vulnerable because 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:46.220 he knows that the gospel 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.119 is the power 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.059 of God 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.279 unto salvation. 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:52.200 It's the consistent 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.240 shape of his life. 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.879 That's why Paul 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:55.000 does these things. 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:57.559 And that's what I love 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.619 about this man Paul. 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.500 That he may be 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.980 the most persecuted man 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.339 that I have ever read about. 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.880 Ever read about. 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.279 But he strikes me 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.819 as the most freest man 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.480 that's ever walked 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.380 the face of this planet. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.339 Does he not? 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.180 To live is Christ 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.240 and to die is gain. 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:17.339 That's where I want to be. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.920 It's where I want to be. 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:21.299 Oh to have that mindset 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.759 that I endure everything. 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:23.980 That everything 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.480 that life throws at me 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.660 for carrying this message. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.360 I'm going to take it 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:27.880 on the chin 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.559 because I know 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.480 what is at stake. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.200 And I know 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.740 what is ahead of me. 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.380 And particularly 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:35.220 I know who is beside me 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.660 and who is ahead of me. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.839 And he is worth it. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.799 And I endure everything 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.960 because I want others 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.240 to know that message too. 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.920 I want to play my part 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:47.120 in seeing men and women 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.460 from around this world 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.420 who God has elected 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.519 to come to himself. 00:30:50.860 --> 00:30:52.599 To enter into the joy 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.659 of knowing Jesus Christ 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.759 and to one day 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:56.659 stand in eternity 00:30:56.659 --> 00:30:57.240 with them 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.659 worshipping before the Lamb. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.859 That's what I want to see. 00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:01.139 Timothy, join me. 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:04.099 Endure everything. 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:08.119 And I think that's what's going on 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.459 in verses 11 to 13. 00:31:10.959 --> 00:31:11.959 What does Paul write? 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.199 If we died with him, 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.159 Jesus Christ, 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.099 if we died with him, 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:15.980 we'll live with him. 00:31:16.939 --> 00:31:18.039 If we endure, 00:31:18.179 --> 00:31:19.319 we will reign with him. 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:22.139 If we disown him, 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.259 he will disown us. 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.899 It's a little line 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.859 from Paul probably 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:27.000 correcting Timothy 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.779 because that's the way 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.279 he's heading. 00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:29.119 Paul wants him to know 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:29.859 about the stakes. 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.679 If we are faithless, 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.740 he remains faithful. 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.879 When we are up and down, 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.299 Timothy, 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.139 when we stumble, 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.859 when we fall, 00:31:37.939 --> 00:31:38.919 when we know our flesh, 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.960 when we know our weakness, 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.539 remember that our God 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.779 does not change. 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.500 He does not change. 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.079 He's a God 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:46.839 full of steadfast love. 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.579 A loving Father 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.299 in whom there is 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.439 forgiveness aplenty 00:31:50.439 --> 00:31:51.519 if we were to confess 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.559 and to turn to him. 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.699 He's a compassionate brother 00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:55.879 who is right there 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:57.220 throughout all of this 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.059 with us. 00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.859 Do you notice there 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:01.919 the tight-knit connection 00:32:01.919 --> 00:32:02.639 that Paul makes 00:32:02.639 --> 00:32:03.599 between the believer 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.559 and Jesus Christ? 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.819 He is right there 00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:08.019 with his people. 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.819 Maybe that's a word 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.899 for some of us this evening. 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.939 Let that encourage us 00:32:11.939 --> 00:32:13.480 that he knows 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.899 and he walks beside 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.800 with us 00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.920 because we are in him. 00:32:18.840 --> 00:32:19.780 No small print, 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.100 Timothy. 00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:22.440 No small print, 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.540 no being around the bush. 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.320 Gospel ministry, 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.120 it is pain 00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:26.180 and it is pain now. 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:27.660 It just is. 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.940 It's tough following 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:30.640 and standing for Jesus Christ. 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.840 But the truth of it is 00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:35.519 that it is hard work now, 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:36.360 it is pain now, 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:38.320 but it is glory later. 00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:40.440 Glory later. 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.280 You're one of my favorite 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.359 examples of someone 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:45.059 who didn't hide 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.700 the small print 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:47.639 in his advertising 00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.859 was Ernest Shackleton. 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.259 Have you ever heard 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.019 the famous advert 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.779 that he placed 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.700 in the paper 00:32:52.700 --> 00:32:54.259 trying to recruit men 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.180 for his upcoming 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:56.940 Arctic expedition? 00:32:57.940 --> 00:33:00.160 And he puts the advert 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:00.859 in the paper 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.839 that reads this, 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:04.200 Men wanted for hazardous 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:04.720 journey, 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.399 low wages, 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:07.700 bitter cold, 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:08.899 long hours 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:09.899 of complete darkness. 00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:11.460 Safe return, 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:11.880 doubtful, 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:14.360 but honor and recognition 00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:15.660 in event of success. 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.559 Paul seems to be saying 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.279 something similar, 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:19.680 doesn't he, 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.220 to Timothy? 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:21.940 Pain now, 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.319 Timothy, 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.259 glory later. 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.539 Brothers and sisters, 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.240 let me leave you 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.420 with the big question 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:28.380 that Paul asks 00:33:28.380 --> 00:33:29.120 of Timothy 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:29.980 in this section. 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:31.039 What about you then? 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:34.380 Are you prepared for it? 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.960 Are you up for it? 00:33:36.340 --> 00:33:36.940 Are you willing 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:38.160 to follow Jesus Christ 00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:39.279 wherever he may take you 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.440 and whatever comes at you? 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:42.960 Are you prepared 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:43.440 to do it? 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.840 Well, here's what 00:33:45.840 --> 00:33:46.539 I want us to do 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.519 as we finish our time 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.380 together this evening 00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:49.559 before we rush off 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.420 into the busyness 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:51.240 of another week. 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.320 Let's just take 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:54.480 a few minutes now 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.700 to do what Paul 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.480 instructs Timothy 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.299 in these verses 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.299 and to think 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.600 on these things. 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.640 So I found 00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:02.380 in my preparation 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:02.880 there were 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:05.660 five big questions 00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.900 that I was challenged on 00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:08.960 as I prepared for it 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.099 and as I studied 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.760 this passage 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:11.460 and I've jotted them 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.119 down on the back 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.720 of the sheets 00:34:12.720 --> 00:34:13.340 that you've got 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:13.679 you should have 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.380 in front of you there. 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.699 So what I invite you 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.760 to do just as we close 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.380 let's just take 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.039 a few minutes 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.760 and let's just 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:21.679 think about these things 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:23.400 and let's pray 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.320 about these things 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:24.840 and let's see 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.260 if God 00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:26.340 has got stuff 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.300 that he still 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:27.900 wants to say 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.740 to us this evening 00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:29.800 and then I'll close 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.639 in just a few minutes 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:30.880 time. 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.360 Let's pray. 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:39.480 Our loving Heavenly Father 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.320 we would thank you 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:41.340 for our time together 00:34:41.340 --> 00:34:41.940 this evening 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:45.099 and we would ask 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:45.539 that you would 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.660 continue to help us 00:34:46.660 --> 00:34:48.300 to think on these things 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:50.340 that we've seen 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:50.840 in your word 00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:51.400 this evening. 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.200 We ask that you 00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:53.740 would continue 00:34:53.740 --> 00:34:54.840 to strengthen us 00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:55.680 by the grace 00:34:55.680 --> 00:34:56.960 that is in Jesus Christ. 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.740 Would you help us 00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.500 to love you 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.519 and cherish you 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.660 above all things? 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.380 And this is our prayer 00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.740 made through the precious 00:35:05.740 --> 00:35:06.480 name of your Son 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.200 Jesus Christ. 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.360 Amen.