WEBVTT

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 Thanks very much, Bogdan. And what you won't know is that I said to Bogdan, no, you can certainly read the passage tonight instead of me.

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 So you can have a go at all those names.

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 But it's a really great privilege of mine to be here tonight.

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 So as Bogdan said, my name's Craig.

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 I'm the pastor in training here at Brunsfield.

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 And all through the summer, we've been going through this great letter, 2 Timothy.

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 This wee, wee book towards the end of the Bible, but it's so packed full of really, really important stuff for how we operate as a church.

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 How gospel workers should, the things that they should really prioritize.

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 So it's a really, really key letter for us, even though it's so small.

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 But to start us off, I wondered if you've ever looked at an old photo album.

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 You know, the old photos that you used to get, the glossy, wee piece of paper that sort of size.

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 If you've ever flicked through an old photo album, there might be landscapes, there might be people in those photos,

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 there might be pets or family members, but there's usually one character who's missing in a photo album.

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 Who is the man behind the camera?

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 Who is the person taking the picture?

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 And most of the time, that person is not featured.

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 They're missing because they're on the other side of the camera.

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 Maybe you've watched a sports match and you're so familiar with a commentator's voice,

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 but you've no idea what the commentator looks like.

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 Who is the commentator behind the voice?

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 Or maybe the painter.

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 Who is the painter behind the painting?

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 So we're going to be thinking a lot about the man behind the pen.

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 Who is this Paul?

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 Paul.

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 So through most of this letter, we've been learning bits and pieces about him,

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 but most of his focus has been instructions to Timothy.

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 This is what I want you to do after I've gone, after I've died.

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 This is what I want you to focus on as you lead the church into the next generation,

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 as you take this gospel baton from me, and as you pass it on to the next generation.

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 And what we've learned about Paul in this letter is that he has committed his life to preaching the word.

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 And last week, in this passage that we looked at last week,

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 we saw him strongly command Timothy to do the exact same thing,

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 to make sure that preaching the word was his central task,

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 the main thing that he does, what he prioritizes above everything else in church.

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 Why must Timothy preach the word?

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 So that people will hear the gospel and be saved.

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 So that Christians might be built up in their faith and come to maturity.

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 And thirdly, so that a new generation of leaders might be identified and equipped

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 so that they can be the ones that lead the church into the future.

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 So Timothy must preach the word.

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 But all the way through this letter, we've also been remembering that Paul is in prison.

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 As he writes this letter, he is in a Roman prison,

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 and he knows that he's soon to be put to death

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 because he's remained faithful to Jesus,

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 he's stuck with Jesus,

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 and he's stuck to his task of preaching the word.

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 And that's why he's in prison.

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 That's why he's going to be put to death.

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 We know that Paul has fought the good fight.

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 He's finished the race.

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 He's kept the faith.

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 That's what he tells us just before this passage.

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 But we also know that Paul has been staunchly positive

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 about the fact that he's going to die.

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 Even though the storm clouds are gathering,

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 even though the gloom of death is getting nearer and nearer,

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 he has been staunchly positive.

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 But in this passage, we are drawing attention to his suffering.

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 Paul wants us to know that he is truly suffering.

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 He doesn't draw attention to his physical suffering, though.

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 The things that he wants Timothy to know about

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 are the things that are crushing his spirit,

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 namely the isolation that he's feeling

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 and the opposition that he's recently faced.

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 Isolation and opposition.

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 These are the things that he wants to draw Timothy's attention to.

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 But we've always got to ask the big question, why?

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 Why is Paul wanting to draw attention to these struggles?

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 Why does he give us this passage in 2 Timothy?

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 I think it's because he wants Timothy and all church leaders

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 and preachers and teachers

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 and all the people that are going to follow Timothy down through the ages,

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 he wants them to know that they are going to experience

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 the same things as Paul,

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 the same sense of isolation,

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 the same serious and painful opposition,

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 if they remain committed to preaching the word.

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 And these things, the sense of isolation,

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 the strong opposition that Paul faces,

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 we need to take this seriously

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 because these things can seriously knock the pastor

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 or the church leader or the elder.

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 And we need to take this seriously

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 because if a pastor is knocked hard enough by these things,

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 it can be enough to knock his church

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 it could knock his ministry,

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 it could knock his family,

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 it could stop him from preaching the gospel altogether.

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 But Paul doesn't just leave us with these negative things.

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 What does Paul say that's going to keep him,

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 Paul, and fellow pastors going to the end?

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 Well, it's another two things,

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 the companionship of fellow believers

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 and the Lord's strengthening presence.

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 So in times of isolation and opposition,

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 we're going to see that the pastor can depend

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 on the Lord's strengthening presence

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 and be bolstered by the companionship of Christian friends.

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 So we're going to look at the two things

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 that can crush the spirit of the pastor,

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 isolation and opposition.

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 But then we'll look at the two things that Paul says

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 can strengthen the pastor,

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 the companionship of believers

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 and the Lord's strengthening presence.

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 So let's jump in.

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 So let's look first at the pastor's sense of isolation.

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 So if we think about Paul,

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 if you know a thing or two about Paul,

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 we know that he had a mighty faith in the Lord Jesus.

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 But even still,

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 his prison experience must have been really tough.

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 How would you feel

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 if you were locked up in a hole in the ground

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 and at any moment,

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 the prison governor could come,

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 unlock your cell

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 and lead you out to the firing squad?

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 Imagine going to sleep at night

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 or trying to go to sleep at night,

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 not knowing if you would make it to the morning.

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 At any moment,

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 you could be led out and put to death.

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 This experience must have been

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 extremely trying for Paul

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 and a real test of his faith.

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 This was not a nice experience for Paul.

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 This was not a 21st century prison

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 where he could play on his PS5

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 and go out for his exercise in the gym every day.

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 This was really tough for Paul,

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 but what would make it even worse

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 would be having to endure all these things

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 utterly alone.

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 Paul is alone.

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 But we've got to ask the question,

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 where is everyone else?

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 I don't know if you noticed,

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 if you counted,

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 but there are 18 individuals

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 mentioned in this passage.

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 Where is everyone?

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 Well, the first person we're going to focus on

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 is someone who's abandoned Paul

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 and we read that in verse 10.

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 We're told that Demas had deserted Paul

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 and he'd gone to Thessalonica

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 because he loved the world.

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 Demas is mentioned in two other places

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 in the New Testament

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 which shows us that he's quite a key player.

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 He shows up in Colossians

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 and he's mentioned in Philemon as well

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 and he's described as a fellow worker of Paul's.

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 He seems to be on a par

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 with Paul's dear friend, Luke,

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 the physician who writes the gospel of Luke.

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 So Demas is a proper player.

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 Demas had been a longtime companion

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 and a close friend of Paul's.

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 He'd been a fellow worker in the gospel.

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 He'd likely witnessed and experienced

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 the same massive highs of preaching the gospel

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 to the Gentiles,

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 seeing people coming to faith,

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 but he'd also experienced the massive lows

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 of gospel ministry as well

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 and experienced that same persecution.

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 But I think when push came to shove,

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 when Demas began to feel the heat of persecution,

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 it clearly became too much for him.

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 And when Paul was arrested,

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 he ran for the hills.

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 He abandoned Paul.

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 And when it says he loved the world,

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 what does it mean?

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 Well, I think it means that Demas desired the comfort

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 that the world offers

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 rather than the suffering that the gospel guarantees.

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 And then I suppose we need to just imagine

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 what it felt like for Paul then

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 when Demas abandoned him.

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 Well, I think it must have been

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 an absolute kick in the teeth for Paul.

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 Paul had taken this man under his wing.

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 He'd possibly led him to faith.

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 He discipled him.

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 He'd given him opportunities to step up and be useful.

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 He had loved him.

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 And he'd spent many highs and lows with him

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 only for Demas to turn his back on it all

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 and to walk away.

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 Now, I think every pastor that we meet today

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 could share a similar story of desertion.

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 It is crushing when we see keen

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 and promising Christians walk away.

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 But can you imagine how crushing it must be

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 for the pastor

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 who has taught that person

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 and who's invested in that person

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 and done all that they can?

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 Desertion can be deeply unsettling for the pastor

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 because they can begin to question,

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 what did I do wrong?

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 Could I have done more?

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 Could I have prayed for that individual more?

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 Were there any warning signs that I missed?

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 Were there some struggles behind the scenes

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 that I could have helped with?

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 Paul keenly feels the pain of Demas' desertion.

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 And I'm sure he writes,

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 I'm sure as he writes about him,

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 I'm sure he's also praying for Demas.

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 Paul knows where Demas is after all.

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 And he's told Timothy where Demas is.

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 He's in Thessalonica.

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 And we can only imagine

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 what Paul must be thinking about Demas.

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 But I think Timothy might even be tasked to go,

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 go and visit him on his way back to Ephesus.

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 We can only wonder.

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 There are some people we shouldn't give up on just yet,

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 but we need to pray for them.

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 So that was Demas.

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 Demas the deserter.

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 But where's everyone else?

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 Well, Crescens has gone to Galatia.

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 Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

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 Mark has gone to Philippatia.

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 No, I'm just joking.

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 We don't know exactly where Mark is,

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 but he is a really helpful worker, we're told.

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 But he's elsewhere.

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 He's not with Paul.

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 Tychicus is on his way to Ephesus.

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 Carpus is in Troas.

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 Priscilla and Aquila are in Ephesus.

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 And so is the household of Anesiphorus.

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 Erastus is in Corinth.

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 Trophimus is sick in Miletus.

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 It seems that only faithful Luke has stuck with Paul.

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 But these people who are scattered all over Europe,

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 these people are not like Demas.

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 They haven't deserted Paul.

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 These people have been sent out

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 to preach the gospel in other places.

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 But as a result of these people being scattered

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 all over Europe,

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 Paul has been left alone.

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 And he's missing the company of these other believers.

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 Now, if we think about pastors today,

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 despite shepherding the flock,

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 despite being in church,

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 despite having their own families,

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 despite being surrounded by people all the time,

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 pastors can end up feeling isolated.

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 How can this be?

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 Well, perhaps they alone are laboring

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 for the gospel in their church.

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 Perhaps people are unaware of the demands

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 that they are experiencing.

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 Perhaps they are unaware of the sleepless nights

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 that the pastor has been having.

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 Perhaps they're unaware of the pastoral strains

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 that he is experiencing

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 and the burdens of caring for the flock.

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 And pastors who are feeling isolated

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 can begin to ask themselves the question,

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 does anybody truly understand what I'm having to do?

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 Does anybody really know about the burdens

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 that I'm having to carry?

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 If only I had someone laboring alongside me,

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 getting alongside me,

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 to share these burdens with me.

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 Pastors can feel isolated.

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 And when Paul is at his lowest ebb,

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 when his life is fading away,

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 when he's got maybe just weeks to live,

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 he is feeling isolated

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 and he's needing the support of his friends.

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 Pastors today can experience feelings

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 of isolation and loneliness

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 and they can take a real knock

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 when people walk away.

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 Pastors are in need of Christian companions

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 who will come alongside them

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 and who will stand with them.

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 And we're going to think a little bit more

00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.460
 about that in just a minute.

00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.580
 But the next thing we're going to think about

00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:47.840
 is the other thing that can crush

00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.420
 the spirit of the pastor

00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:50.600
 and that is opposition.

00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:53.720
 So if we look again

00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.800
 at verses 14 and 15

00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:57.200
 in our passage,

00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:59.820
 we see that Paul has faced

00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:01.480
 some serious opposition.

00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.840
 He explains that Alexander,

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.440
 the metal worker,

00:15:07.160 --> 00:15:09.460
 did him a great deal of harm

00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:12.820
 and he strongly opposed

00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:14.240
 the gospel message.

00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.580
 Now we don't know exactly

00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.780
 what this harm looked like.

00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:21.580
 Maybe Alexander physically harmed Paul

00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:24.560
 or maybe Alexander played a key role

00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:26.439
 in Paul's recent arrest.

00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:29.539
 Maybe he gave evidence against Paul

00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:33.179
 as he stood trial in court.

00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:35.599
 Whatever harm Paul experienced

00:15:35.599 --> 00:15:37.019
 at the hands of Alexander,

00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.479
 Paul considers this man

00:15:39.479 --> 00:15:42.259
 a considerable threat to Timothy.

00:15:43.619 --> 00:15:44.839
 And Paul trusts that the Lord

00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:46.079
 will repay Alexander

00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:46.919
 for what he's done,

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:49.059
 for the harm that he's inflicted

00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:51.619
 because he has opposed

00:15:51.619 --> 00:15:53.299
 the proclamation of the word.

00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.519
 This guy hasn't just come along

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.099
 and just given Paul

00:15:57.099 --> 00:15:57.979
 a whack in the chin.

00:15:58.599 --> 00:16:00.639
 This guy has seriously opposed

00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:02.240
 the proclamation of the gospel.

00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:03.859
 And this is precisely

00:16:03.859 --> 00:16:06.339
 how Satan operates.

00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:09.219
 Satan denies the good news of Jesus

00:16:09.219 --> 00:16:11.859
 and he tries all that he can

00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:13.979
 from the Bible message

00:16:13.979 --> 00:16:14.879
 from being shared

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.639
 and he seeks to harm

00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.859
 the servants of Jesus

00:16:17.859 --> 00:16:19.459
 who dedicate themselves

00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:21.199
 to preaching the word.

00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:23.560
 So what this guy is doing

00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.280
 is serious.

00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.700
 Might there be redemption

00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.980
 for this man, Alexander?

00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:29.580
 Well, we know that anything

00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.960
 is possible with the Lord.

00:16:31.660 --> 00:16:32.759
 Paul, after all,

00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:34.020
 was a type of Alexander.

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.280
 If we remember his life,

00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.060
 he was going out there,

00:16:36.140 --> 00:16:37.120
 he was bashing Christians,

00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.940
 he was putting them in prison.

00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:41.660
 But the Lord visited him

00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:43.900
 and turned him around.

00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:46.420
 But Paul's instruction to Timothy

00:16:46.420 --> 00:16:48.080
 is not to reason with Alexander,

00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:50.600
 not to visit him,

00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:53.180
 not to explain the gospel to him.

00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.139
 Paul says,

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:56.040
 be on your guard against him.

00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:57.680
 Watch your back, Timothy.

00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.960
 Avoid him altogether if you can.

00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:02.220
 It's quite possible

00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.320
 that Timothy might have to

00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.420
 cross this guy's path

00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.759
 on the way up to Rome.

00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:09.799
 But again, we ask the question,

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:12.100
 why is Paul writing these things

00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:13.480
 to Timothy

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.720
 and why has he left them

00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.700
 for us today?

00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:17.100
 Well, I think he wants

00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:18.140
 to remind Timothy

00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:21.460
 and all pastors like him

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.380
 to be aware of opposition.

00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.420
 There are dangerous people

00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.759
 who will confront you

00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.140
 and harm you

00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:30.180
 and oppose your gospel message

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.880
 and they will try all they can

00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:33.319
 to prevent it from being preached.

00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.440
 So be on your guard.

00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.059
 So a pastor's spirit can be crushed

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.980
 when they experience isolation.

00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:43.039
 A pastor's spirit can be crushed

00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:44.720
 when they experience opposition.

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:48.000
 And they can experience this opposition

00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.680
 outside the church.

00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.080
 We know that.

00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:53.120
 But they can also experience opposition

00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:54.880
 within the church as well.

00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:56.980
 There are people who are going to

00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:58.080
 strongly disagree

00:17:58.080 --> 00:17:59.720
 with what the pastor preaches.

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.480
 There's going to be people

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.019
 who are going to strongly deny

00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:04.279
 what the Bible says.

00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:06.019
 There are people who are going to

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.360
 try and drag their pastors

00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.059
 through the mud

00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:10.100
 and write about them in the papers

00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:11.279
 and take them to court.

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:15.000
 Often the opposition

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.619
 from within the congregation

00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.660
 will be less obvious.

00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.599
 Nobody, after all,

00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:22.079
 sees the barbed emails

00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.500
 that the pastor receives

00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.299
 on a Monday morning.

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.779
 Nobody will be aware

00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.799
 of the recent thing

00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.160
 that the pastor hasn't gotten right

00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.920
 in their eyes.

00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.759
 This opposition from within

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:34.680
 can be very wearying

00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:37.080
 and it can leave the pastor

00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:38.980
 again questioning themselves.

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.980
 Am I doing it right?

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.460
 Am I actually preaching

00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.420
 what the word says?

00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.720
 So we've seen the ways

00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.580
 that the pastor's spirit

00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.299
 might be crushed.

00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.740
 But what is the hope

00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:51.840
 for battered pastors

00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:53.820
 like Paul and Timothy

00:18:53.820 --> 00:18:55.180
 and those ministering today?

00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:57.600
 Paul has two things

00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.879
 that will strengthen

00:18:58.879 --> 00:19:00.079
 the pastor's heart.

00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.819
 Christian companionship

00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:04.419
 and the Lord's presence

00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:05.439
 with him.

00:19:06.439 --> 00:19:07.819
 So Christian companionship

00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:09.000
 and we've already hinted

00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.599
 at this already

00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:12.059
 but we've skipped over

00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:13.399
 what Paul says

00:19:13.399 --> 00:19:14.299
 in the first verse

00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.459
 of this passage

00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:16.819
 and that is

00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:18.679
 a big request.

00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.539
 Paul wants Timothy

00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:22.579
 to come and visit him

00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.839
 before he dies.

00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.419
 In verse 9 we read

00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.940
 do your best

00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:29.500
 to come to me quickly.

00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.220
 Verse 21

00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.660
 do your best

00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.660
 to come before winter.

00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.800
 I might not make it

00:19:35.800 --> 00:19:36.259
 till then.

00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.360
 But this is not

00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:38.920
 the first time

00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.680
 that we've seen Paul

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.800
 making this request.

00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.440
 All the way back

00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.279
 in verse 4

00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.820
 in chapter 1

00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.539
 Paul says

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.140
 I long to see you

00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.300
 so that I might be

00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:49.740
 filled with joy.

00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.860
 Paul wants Timothy

00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:53.080
 to come and see him

00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:54.340
 so that he will be

00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:55.060
 filled with joy.

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:57.359
 What can lift

00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.639
 the apostle's spirit

00:19:58.639 --> 00:20:00.899
 his faithful friend

00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:02.440
 coming to be with him

00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.819
 catching up

00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:05.319
 praying together

00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:07.079
 encouraging one another

00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:08.039
 face to face.

00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.200
 And in verse 11

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:11.960
 we say that Paul

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.559
 wants Mark

00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.379
 to come along too.

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:16.139
 If we know

00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:17.299
 the story

00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.379
 of this guy Mark

00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.659
 we know that

00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.819
 he abandoned Paul

00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.460
 at one time

00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.480
 just like Demas.

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.720
 he walked away

00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:25.059
 the heat was too hot

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:27.839
 but they had reconciled.

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.599
 Paul and Mark

00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.779
 had got back together again.

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.559
 They'd gone on

00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.599
 some missionary journeys

00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.059
 together

00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:34.200
 and now Paul says

00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.779
 in verse 11

00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.660
 that he considers

00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.559
 this guy Mark

00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.539
 to be helpful

00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.599
 to him in his ministry.

00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.380
 How helpful it is

00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.099
 for the pastor

00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.079
 to be supported

00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:44.559
 by those who have

00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.519
 proven themselves

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.460
 to be useful

00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:48.059
 and who are willing

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.440
 to come alongside them

00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.320
 and labour

00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:52.080
 in this costly ministry.

00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.240
 So guys like Paul

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.960
 even though they

00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:55.380
 ran a mile

00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.240
 in the past

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.279
 they've proven

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:57.960
 themselves faithful

00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.900
 they're willing now

00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.120
 to get alongside Paul

00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:00.779
 and to suffer

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.779
 with him.

00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:03.640
 Bring Mark along too.

00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:06.940
 Then in verse 13

00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.500
 we see a couple

00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.799
 of very practical things.

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.920
 Paul wants Timothy

00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.019
 to bring his cloak

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.820
 and his scrolls

00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:14.480
 and especially

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.400
 the parchments.

00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:17.440
 Why is this?

00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.840
 Well for starters

00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:19.700
 we thought already

00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.519
 this is no 21st century prison.

00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:22.920
 There's no central heating

00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.220
 in his cell.

00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.900
 Paul needs his thick cloak

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.940
 to keep him warm

00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.360
 as winter approaches

00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:31.220
 and he needs something

00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.779
 to occupy his time.

00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:37.340
 Now during the week

00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:38.480
 when I'm working

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:40.840
 I often go and work

00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.680
 in a cafe somewhere

00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.980
 and Costa Drive-Thru

00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.559
 down at Cameron Toll

00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.940
 is probably my favourite

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.660
 place to work.

00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.960
 It's a great space

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.880
 if you've ever

00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:50.420
 been there.

00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:52.460
 But as I've sat in there

00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.060
 whether it's been

00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:53.880
 Costa Drive-Thru

00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.620
 or Pret-Manger

00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.400
 just around the corner

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.140
 or Cafe Nero

00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.500
 I've often seen

00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.700
 the retired folk

00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:00.000
 coming in through the door

00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:02.300
 and I've often been envious

00:22:02.300 --> 00:22:03.540
 as I've seen them

00:22:03.540 --> 00:22:04.759
 opening up their newspapers

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:06.100
 and as they read

00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:06.720
 through their papers

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.900
 and then as they get

00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.680
 to the puzzle section

00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.220
 at the end

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.500
 and as they do

00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.940
 their Sudoku puzzles

00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.920
 I thought

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.460
 oh man

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.220
 what a way to live.

00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.460
 I love that.

00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:18.579
 But I wonder

00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:20.600
 will God be pleased

00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:22.160
 that when we get

00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.319
 to the end of our lives

00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.420
 as we go to be with him

00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.480
 will he be

00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.799
 pleased

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.299
 to

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:29.539
 see that we've become

00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.900
 masters of crosswords

00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:32.460
 and Sudoku puzzles.

00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.019
 God wants us

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.600
 to use our years well.

00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:39.460
 Paul wants his scrolls

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.220
 I think

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.420
 so that he can meditate

00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.240
 on God's word.

00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:45.480
 he can use his time

00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.400
 reminding himself

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.339
 of what God has said

00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:47.859
 in his word

00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:49.559
 and his parchments

00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.700
 so that he can write

00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.940
 so he can write letters

00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.759
 like 2 Timothy

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:55.240
 so he can write his thoughts down

00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:56.440
 write down his prayers

00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:59.099
 maybe copy some of the things

00:22:59.099 --> 00:23:00.039
 that he's written up before.

00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:01.859
 Paul wanted to make

00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.339
 the best use of the time

00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.059
 that he had left

00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:05.039
 in prison.

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:08.779
 So that's Christian companionship.

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.819
 Paul wants Timothy

00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.460
 to come along

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.599
 and spend some time with him

00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:13.180
 but the second thing

00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.700
 that we see

00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.779
 is the Lord's

00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.799
 strengthening presence.

00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.079
 This is the second thing

00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.099
 that's going to strengthen

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.259
 the pastor

00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.720
 and Paul.

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:23.200
 In verse 16

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:25.180
 if we look there again

00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:27.519
 Paul shares a story.

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:29.799
 This is a story

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.299
 where Jesus himself

00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:33.339
 stood by Paul's side

00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.139
 and strengthened him

00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.539
 and enabled him

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.720
 even in handcuffs

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:40.299
 to preach the word.

00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.879
 And Paul says

00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:42.940
 in verse 16

00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.539
 At my first defense

00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:47.039
 no one came to my support

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.700
 but everyone deserted me

00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:52.779
 may it not be held against them.

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:55.819
 Paul is probably speaking

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:57.599
 about his most recent arrest

00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.420
 and trial.

00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.420
 When Paul stood up

00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:01.980
 in the dock

00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.559
 after he'd been arrested

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:05.660
 and he made his first defense

00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.759
 to the Roman court

00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.859
 he says that everybody

00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.879
 deserted him.

00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.779
 Again

00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:12.299
 he's been deserted.

00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:15.700
 Nobody stood with him.

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.059
 Nobody defended his cause.

00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.960
 Nobody stood up and said

00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.160
 I'm with Paul.

00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.639
 What are you saying is true?

00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:23.200
 There was nobody

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.120
 that stood up

00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.020
 and defended Paul.

00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:26.540
 Paul's support team

00:24:26.540 --> 00:24:27.280
 vanished

00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:29.320
 leaving him utterly alone

00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:31.060
 when he needed them the most.

00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:33.220
 Just in the same way

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.340
 that Jesus' followers

00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.320
 all scattered

00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:36.500
 in the Garden of Gethsemane

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:38.220
 when Jesus was arrested.

00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:40.020
 How crushing

00:24:40.020 --> 00:24:40.759
 must it have been

00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.700
 for Paul

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:43.240
 when none of his friends

00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.780
 were willing

00:24:43.780 --> 00:24:45.340
 to stand with him.

00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.980
 But Paul continues

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.620
 But the Lord

00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.880
 stood at my side

00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:52.820
 and gave me strength

00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:54.360
 so that

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.300
 through me

00:24:55.300 --> 00:24:56.460
 the message

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.940
 might be fully proclaimed

00:24:57.940 --> 00:25:00.300
 and all the Gentiles

00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:01.300
 might hear it

00:25:01.300 --> 00:25:02.940
 and I was delivered

00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.200
 from the lion's mouth.

00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.220
 Paul explains that

00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.900
 though everyone

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.600
 deserted him

00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.520
 in this time of need

00:25:08.520 --> 00:25:10.260
 ever faithful

00:25:10.260 --> 00:25:10.940
 Jesus

00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.580
 stood with Paul

00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:14.080
 as he stood up

00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:14.660
 in the dock

00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.720
 and made his defense

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.779
 Jesus

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.360
 Jesus was there

00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:18.480
 strengthening him

00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.940
 taking away

00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.360
 his fear of man

00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:23.019
 and remarkably

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.299
 Jesus used

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.140
 this situation

00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:27.200
 to open the door

00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.500
 for Paul

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.440
 to preach the word

00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.220
 to the masses.

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.100
 Paul was sustained

00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:34.799
 so that the message

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:36.259
 might be fully proclaimed

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:38.220
 and all the Gentiles

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.960
 might hear it.

00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.500
 Now

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.819
 this guy Paul

00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.720
 he's been going around Europe

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:45.079
 for probably 15-20 years

00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.940
 a lot of people

00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.420
 are going to know

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.299
 who this guy is

00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.640
 and now he's in prison

00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:50.120
 and everybody

00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:51.100
 wants a piece of it.

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.720
 It is likely

00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.180
 that there are

00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.440
 many hundreds of people

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.180
 who are there

00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.240
 in the court

00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.460
 who want to witness

00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.200
 Paul's trial

00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:01.539
 and Jesus stood

00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.080
 with him

00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:03.299
 and he presented

00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.660
 Paul with a golden

00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.380
 opportunity

00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.519
 to fully

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.660
 explain

00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.640
 the message

00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.240
 of the gospel

00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.539
 even in his handcuffs

00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.960
 to the masses.

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.860
 Paul could have

00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.720
 used this opportunity

00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.799
 to save his own skin

00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.140
 and say

00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:18.620
 look

00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:19.519
 I didn't do it

00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.880
 trust me

00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.960
 I'm not

00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.880
 who you think I am

00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.539
 but he was prepared

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.720
 out of season

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:27.380
 to preach the word

00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.720
 to everyone

00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.640
 listening.

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.000
 Now

00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.620
 when we think

00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.339
 of lions

00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.799
 if you imagine

00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.839
 a lion for a minute

00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.700
 I wonder

00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.600
 where your mind goes

00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:40.960
 maybe you're thinking

00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.880
 of the lion king

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:43.600
 or Aslan

00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.880
 maybe you're thinking

00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.460
 of a cute

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.339
 and cuddly version

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:46.799
 of a lion

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.900
 or maybe you think

00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:49.579
 about the sleepy lions

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.339
 who lays around

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.180
 all day in the sun

00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.680
 well

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.380
 I think we often

00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.400
 forget

00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.579
 that lions

00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.220
 like all

00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.420
 carnivorous animals

00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.060
 are looking

00:26:59.060 --> 00:26:59.720
 for something

00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.940
 to devour

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.640
 to rip to shreds

00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:04.320
 they are immensely

00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:05.480
 powerful beasts

00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.820
 and when they hunt

00:27:06.820 --> 00:27:07.380
 their prey

00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.840
 they are brutal

00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:10.380
 and if you've ever

00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.200
 seen a video

00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.980
 of a lion

00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.700
 on the hunt

00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.580
 you'll know

00:27:13.580 --> 00:27:14.019
 what I mean

00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.480
 I certainly

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.380
 wouldn't want to meet

00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.720
 one of these lions

00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.800
 Paul says

00:27:19.800 --> 00:27:20.519
 that when Jesus

00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.440
 stood with him

00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.259
 at his defence

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.680
 he wasn't just

00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.380
 presented with

00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.460
 an amazing opportunity

00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.600
 to preach the gospel

00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.840
 but he also says

00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.700
 that he was delivered

00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:30.180
 from the lion's mouth

00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:32.480
 Jesus delivered

00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.100
 Paul

00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:34.420
 from the schemes

00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:35.279
 of Satan

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:37.279
 the one who prowls

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.360
 around like a lion

00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:39.920
 looking for someone

00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.700
 to devour

00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:42.140
 and despite

00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:43.460
 standing before

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.960
 Satan's representative

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.960
 on earth

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.700
 at that time

00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.600
 the evil

00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.380
 emperor Nero

00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:49.420
 who was doing

00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.440
 all that he could

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.880
 to crush the Christians

00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:53.140
 and crush the gospel

00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:54.800
 Paul's life

00:27:54.800 --> 00:27:55.680
 was spared

00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:57.400
 for a little longer

00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:59.020
 enabling him

00:27:59.020 --> 00:28:00.020
 to write this letter

00:28:00.020 --> 00:28:01.060
 2nd Timothy

00:28:01.060 --> 00:28:02.720
 and to meet with

00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.600
 friends like

00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:03.980
 Timothy

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.840
 one more time

00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:06.820
 so Paul

00:28:06.820 --> 00:28:08.320
 preserved him

00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:09.340
 and in light

00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:09.820
 of this

00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:11.000
 past tense

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.320
 remarkable event

00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:12.920
 that Paul

00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.500
 is remembering

00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:15.080
 Paul now says

00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.900
 in verse 18

00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:17.680
 that in the same way

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.280
 that the Lord

00:28:18.280 --> 00:28:19.300
 rescued him then

00:28:19.300 --> 00:28:20.140
 physically

00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:22.000
 Paul has complete

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.460
 confidence

00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.820
 that Jesus

00:28:23.820 --> 00:28:24.920
 will rescue him

00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.160
 from every

00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.540
 spiritual attack

00:28:27.540 --> 00:28:28.600
 and safely

00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.380
 deliver him

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.980
 not into physical

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.480
 safety

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.860
 but into his

00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:34.259
 heavenly kingdom

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.900
 notice the difference

00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.380
 he's not going to be

00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.060
 spared from

00:28:38.060 --> 00:28:39.080
 physical suffering

00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.780
 but he's going to be

00:28:39.780 --> 00:28:41.480
 rescued into heaven

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:43.340
 Paul is no fool

00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:44.800
 he knows he's going

00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:45.340
 to be killed

00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:47.300
 but as his death

00:28:47.300 --> 00:28:48.040
 gets closer

00:28:48.040 --> 00:28:48.780
 and closer

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.319
 he can be confident

00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:50.960
 in Jesus'

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.000
 ongoing

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.599
 strengthening presence

00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.099
 with him

00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:55.559
 and the eventual

00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.279
 rescue

00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.420
 out of this

00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.339
 dark world

00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:59.740
 into Jesus'

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.779
 marvelous

00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:02.279
 kingdom of light

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:04.339
 and we see that

00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.299
 as Paul thinks

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.799
 about that

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.619
 glorious day

00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:08.680
 he is excitedly

00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.839
 anticipating that day

00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:11.200
 and we can see

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.559
 that in the way

00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.339
 that he praises

00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.099
 the Lord Jesus

00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:14.139
 in verse 18

00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:14.680
 he says

00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.379
 to him

00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.519
 be glory

00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.879
 forever and ever

00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.440
 amen

00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:20.540
 Paul is so excited

00:29:20.540 --> 00:29:21.180
 about that day

00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:22.840
 when God will

00:29:22.840 --> 00:29:23.820
 rescue him

00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.980
 out of this world

00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.540
 and into his

00:29:25.540 --> 00:29:26.140
 heavenly kingdom

00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:29.040
 for the last time

00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:29.600
 we're going to ask

00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:29.980
 ourselves

00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.260
 why did Paul

00:29:31.260 --> 00:29:32.840
 write these things

00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:34.780
 to Timothy

00:29:34.780 --> 00:29:35.320
 well

00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.280
 so that Timothy

00:29:36.280 --> 00:29:37.840
 and all pastors

00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:38.380
 like him

00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.360
 can have complete

00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:40.180
 confidence

00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.320
 in Jesus'

00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.780
 strengthening presence

00:29:42.780 --> 00:29:43.380
 with them

00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:45.080
 to continue

00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:46.000
 preaching the word

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.780
 and to have

00:29:47.780 --> 00:29:48.800
 complete confidence

00:29:48.800 --> 00:29:50.020
 in Jesus'

00:29:50.280 --> 00:29:51.540
 spiritual protection

00:29:51.540 --> 00:29:53.500
 from ferocious

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.840
 lion-like attack

00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:56.920
 and complete confidence

00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.060
 in Jesus' promise

00:29:58.060 --> 00:29:58.900
 to rescue them

00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.680
 and take them home

00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:02.200
 and this is what

00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.020
 Paul speaks about

00:30:03.020 --> 00:30:03.960
 as he signs off

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.720
 in verse 22

00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.800
 the last recorded

00:30:05.800 --> 00:30:06.680
 words of Paul

00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.980
 may the Lord

00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:09.100
 be with your spirit

00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:10.720
 may his grace

00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.480
 be with you

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:13.079
 did you notice

00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:13.720
 the all

00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:16.519
 may the Lord

00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.880
 be with you all

00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.539
 may his grace

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.240
 be with you all

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:20.440
 I thought this letter

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.019
 was just written

00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.539
 to Timothy

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:23.240
 what does he mean

00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.819
 you all

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:26.519
 who are these people

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.339
 well I think this letter

00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.140
 was intended to be

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.200
 shared with the church

00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:31.500
 so that we also

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.019
 might know

00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.740
 what Jesus

00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.900
 intended to say

00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.559
 what Paul

00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.460
 rather intended

00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.360
 to say to Timothy

00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.660
 and so that we

00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.480
 might also know

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.000
 that Jesus

00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.980
 is going to stand

00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.500
 with us

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:43.200
 and he is going

00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.819
 to deliver us

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.099
 too

00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:45.319
 from all of

00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.500
 sitting's evil schemes

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.660
 and rescue us

00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:49.059
 into his glorious

00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.500
 kingdom

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:51.700
 may his grace

00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.319
 be with you

00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.039
 may the Lord

00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:54.200
 be with your spirit

00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.860
 Paul writes

00:30:55.860 --> 00:30:57.500
 so as we draw

00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:57.900
 these things

00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.420
 to a close

00:30:58.420 --> 00:31:00.799
 we've

00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:02.220
 considered

00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.039
 Paul's

00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.980
 last few days

00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.559
 on earth

00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:06.140
 we thought about

00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.500
 the way that

00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.279
 he was deserted

00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:09.079
 we've seen the way

00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.900
 that he felt

00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.660
 isolated

00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:12.040
 we've seen the

00:31:12.040 --> 00:31:12.880
 opposition that he

00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:13.400
 faced

00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:14.840
 and we've drawn

00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:15.980
 parallels with

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.360
 pastors and church

00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:18.120
 leaders in our

00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:18.779
 day today

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:21.120
 now if we think

00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.920
 as we start to

00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.660
 apply these things

00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.660
 as we think about

00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:24.660
 our church pastor

00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:26.240
 or other pastors

00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.140
 and churches that we

00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:27.420
 know

00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.460
 or if we think about

00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.200
 church leadership

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.360
 as we think about

00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:31.040
 our elders

00:31:31.040 --> 00:31:33.340
 we don't often know

00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:34.720
 the particular issues

00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.860
 that our church leaders

00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:37.000
 are dealing with

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.940
 we don't know

00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.579
 the pastoral

00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.400
 burdens that they

00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:39.980
 are carrying

00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:41.700
 we maybe don't

00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.380
 recognize the

00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.099
 strain of

00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.799
 responsibility

00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.900
 that they feel

00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:46.140
 as they seek to

00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.859
 teach the word

00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.420
 faithfully

00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:48.440
 week in week out

00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:50.460
 we maybe don't

00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:50.940
 know what they're

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.480
 experiencing

00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.920
 down to a T

00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:54.420
 but that aside

00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.619
 we need to

00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.480
 consider how

00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.539
 we can be a

00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.660
 support to our

00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.200
 leaders

00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:00.519
 people like

00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:00.859
 Paul

00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:03.019
 and here are some

00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:03.440
 of the ways

00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.220
 that we can

00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:04.799
 support them

00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:06.299
 I've just got a

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:06.700
 couple of

00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.360
 a few bullet

00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:07.680
 points

00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:08.640
 some questions

00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.660
 to ask ourselves

00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:12.740
 can we be a

00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.019
 friend

00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:15.259
 to our

00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.640
 leaders

00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:17.240
 will we

00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:18.220
 champion them

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.220
 or will we

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.860
 shoot them down

00:32:19.860 --> 00:32:21.980
 are we willing

00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.700
 to labor

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.600
 alongside

00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.799
 our church

00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.080
 leaders

00:32:25.080 --> 00:32:26.740
 are we willing

00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.660
 to get behind

00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.779
 them in their

00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.940
 central task

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.080
 of preaching

00:32:31.080 --> 00:32:31.620
 the word

00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:34.179
 I think this

00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:34.619
 is the most

00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:35.299
 important one

00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.719
 will we commit

00:32:36.719 --> 00:32:37.639
 to praying

00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.639
 for our church

00:32:38.639 --> 00:32:38.939
 leaders

00:32:38.939 --> 00:32:42.599
 will we be

00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.219
 an encouragement

00:32:43.219 --> 00:32:43.739
 to them

00:32:43.739 --> 00:32:45.399
 can we tell

00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:45.779
 them what

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.119
 we've been

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.459
 learning

00:32:46.459 --> 00:32:48.019
 can we tell

00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.500
 them the ways

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:48.819
 that God

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.079
 has been

00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.439
 working

00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:50.479
 in your life

00:32:50.479 --> 00:32:51.639
 that can be

00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:53.239
 very encouraging

00:32:53.239 --> 00:32:54.479
 for our church

00:32:54.479 --> 00:32:54.859
 leaders

00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:56.439
 will you

00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:57.419
 align yourself

00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:58.479
 with them

00:32:58.479 --> 00:32:59.579
 will you be

00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.119
 willing to

00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:01.139
 share in

00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:01.880
 their suffering

00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:03.200
 for the sake

00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:03.840
 of the gospel

00:33:03.840 --> 00:33:05.920
 and then the

00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.240
 other thing

00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.440
 that we

00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.060
 acknowledge

00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:07.440
 is that

00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:07.940
 Jesus can

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.620
 do a much

00:33:08.620 --> 00:33:09.320
 better job

00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:11.860
 than humans

00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:12.460
 can at

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.100
 standing with

00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:13.540
 our leaders

00:33:13.540 --> 00:33:14.440
 and strengthening

00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:14.820
 them

00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:17.880
 so how can we

00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.400
 be pointing

00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:18.820
 our leaders

00:33:18.820 --> 00:33:19.259
 back to

00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:19.700
 Jesus

00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:22.740
 can we ask

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.240
 God to

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.040
 deliver our

00:33:24.040 --> 00:33:24.540
 leaders from

00:33:24.540 --> 00:33:25.420
 spiritual attack

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.060
 again can we

00:33:26.060 --> 00:33:26.560
 be on our

00:33:26.560 --> 00:33:27.280
 knees praying

00:33:27.280 --> 00:33:27.880
 for our

00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.140
 leaders

00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:29.720
 leaders and

00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.520
 finally can we

00:33:30.520 --> 00:33:32.140
 ask God to

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.880
 preserve our

00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:34.480
 leaders to

00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:34.960
 keep them

00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:36.200
 going so

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.440
 that they can

00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:37.940
 faithfully

00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.180
 proclaim the

00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:40.920
 gospel and

00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.600
 to preach it

00:33:41.600 --> 00:33:42.300
 to the masses

00:33:42.300 --> 00:33:45.600
 so I'm going

00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:47.600
 to pray and

00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:49.200
 let's just be

00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:49.880
 thinking about

00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:50.300
 the ways that

00:33:50.300 --> 00:33:50.759
 we can be

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.480
 getting behind

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.780
 our church

00:33:52.780 --> 00:33:54.960
 leaders and

00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.759
 being a support

00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.140
 to them but

00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:57.020
 remembering that

00:33:57.020 --> 00:33:58.259
 Jesus can do a

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.980
 much much better

00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.520
 job than we

00:33:59.520 --> 00:34:01.600
 can so

00:34:01.600 --> 00:34:02.400
 let's pray

00:34:02.400 --> 00:34:10.340
 our heavenly

00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:12.400
 father thank

00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.140
 you so so

00:34:13.140 --> 00:34:13.880
 much for

00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:14.880
 giving us

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.340
 second

00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:15.740
 timothy

00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:17.240
 thank you for

00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:18.200
 the months that

00:34:18.200 --> 00:34:18.740
 we spent

00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:19.940
 looking at it

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:21.200
 thank you for

00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:21.780
 this message

00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:23.119
 from paul to

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.640
 this next

00:34:24.640 --> 00:34:25.559
 generation leader

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:27.739
 timothy and

00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.599
 thank you for

00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.059
 the way that

00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.679
 you've preserved

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.900
 your gospel all

00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.420
 the way down

00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:31.719
 through the

00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.679
 ages 2,000

00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:33.960
 years of

00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:35.039
 faithful passing

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.980
 the gospel

00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.639
 baton from

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.179
 one church

00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.299
 leader from

00:34:38.299 --> 00:34:39.019
 one generation

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.880
 to the next

00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:41.400
 thank you for

00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:41.960
 all that we've

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:43.059
 seen in second

00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:44.019
 timothy and for

00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.699
 this central

00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:46.579
 task that all

00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.299
 church leaders

00:34:47.299 --> 00:34:48.039
 must commit

00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.820
 themselves to

00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:49.679
 preaching the

00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:51.239
 word lord would

00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.139
 you help us to

00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:53.059
 get behind our

00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.820
 leaders as they

00:34:53.820 --> 00:34:55.080
 seek to commit

00:34:55.080 --> 00:34:56.120
 to that task

00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:57.660
 lord we

00:34:57.660 --> 00:34:58.380
 acknowledge that

00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:59.380
 we don't always

00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:00.660
 see what our

00:35:00.660 --> 00:35:01.539
 church leaders are

00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:03.240
 experiencing we

00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:04.400
 don't always know

00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.380
 the sense of

00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:06.400
 isolation that they

00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.880
 may face we

00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.539
 maybe don't know

00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.440
 the opposition

00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.400
 that they are

00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.820
 experiencing we

00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.519
 maybe don't see

00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.420
 the emails that

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.120
 they are receiving

00:35:14.120 --> 00:35:16.100
 but lord would you

00:35:16.100 --> 00:35:17.900
 show us how we

00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:18.900
 can be a

00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:20.260
 christian companion

00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:21.680
 to our

00:35:21.680 --> 00:35:22.539
 leaders

00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:24.180
 filling them

00:35:24.180 --> 00:35:24.720
 with joy

00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.940
 would you show

00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:26.500
 us how we can

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.160
 be an encouragement

00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:27.660
 to them

00:35:27.660 --> 00:35:28.940
 would you help us

00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:29.680
 to commit to

00:35:29.680 --> 00:35:30.440
 praying for them

00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:33.619
 and would you

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.139
 help us to

00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:35.360
 remember that

00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:37.539
 you are truly

00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.320
 the one that can

00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:38.880
 strengthen them

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.639
 we thank you

00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.280
 that the lord

00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:41.740
 jesus at that

00:35:41.740 --> 00:35:42.539
 time when paul

00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.160
 stood in the

00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:44.639
 dock he stood

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.680
 with paul when

00:35:45.680 --> 00:35:46.460
 paul felt alone

00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:47.240
 and he strengthened

00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:48.759
 him and lord we

00:35:48.759 --> 00:35:50.139
 know that jesus

00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.959
 can do the same

00:35:50.959 --> 00:35:53.459
 today and lord

00:35:53.459 --> 00:35:54.159
 we thank you that

00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:55.059
 he jesus has

00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:55.639
 promised to be

00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.479
 with every single

00:35:56.479 --> 00:35:58.139
 one of us through

00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:59.419
 our lives and so

00:35:59.419 --> 00:35:59.919
 would you help

00:35:59.919 --> 00:36:00.859
 every one of us

00:36:00.859 --> 00:36:02.619
 to trust in

00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:04.059
 jesus's committed

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:05.939
 faithful ever

00:36:05.939 --> 00:36:07.439
 present and

00:36:07.439 --> 00:36:08.659
 strengthening presence

00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:10.319
 with us help us

00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:11.079
 not to lean on

00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:12.099
 ourselves but to

00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:12.899
 lean on him

00:36:12.899 --> 00:36:15.519
 fully completely

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:18.239
 so lord please

00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:19.340
 take all my

00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:21.699
 messy rambling

00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:22.820
 words and would

00:36:22.820 --> 00:36:24.739
 you press them

00:36:24.739 --> 00:36:25.659
 into our hearts

00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.400
 that the true

00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:27.079
 message that you

00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:27.780
 want to leave us

00:36:27.780 --> 00:36:28.980
 by your spirit

00:36:28.980 --> 00:36:29.880
 and would you

00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:31.280
 be with us in

00:36:31.280 --> 00:36:32.019
 the week to come

00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:33.539
 we thank you that

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.300
 jesus will be there

00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.599
 with us and we

00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.139
 ask all these

00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:37.059
 things in his

00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.280
 name amen