WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.299 2 Timothy is the text this morning. 00:00:04.419 --> 00:00:09.060 I'm going to look at the first bit of chapter 1 and the last part of chapter 4. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:18.039 As the years fly by, I find myself reflecting more and asking more questions that tend to 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:19.080 start with why. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:26.920 The questions are not so much about the providential workings of God and His sovereignty as He 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:30.120 directs my steps and opens and closes opportunities. 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:31.080 I get that. 00:00:31.540 --> 00:00:36.420 And I'm grateful for that, at least as I look back on those situations. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:43.799 My why questions are probably more regret for unwise behaviors or missed opportunities 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:49.900 wondering why I was so blind or foolish not to see or appropriately act. 00:00:49.899 --> 00:00:57.619 That, I've noticed, can easily morph into what if or if only. 00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:02.219 And that kind of moping, frankly, is pathetic. 00:01:03.299 --> 00:01:05.060 But it happens sometimes. 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:12.739 We need to reflect, but sometimes the reflection, rather than resulting in mid-course corrections, 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:15.539 turns into full-blown shutdowns. 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:17.099 Not good. 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:23.719 I suppose a very natural time to reflect is at the end of the year, looking forward to 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:24.919 the beginning of the next. 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:28.539 I have the need to know that my life matters. 00:01:29.619 --> 00:01:31.359 I want it to have meaning. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:36.259 I want to make sure that I'm living for something of value, something that will outlive me. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:42.919 I would hate to think that I lived my whole life and it counted for little or nothing. 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:50.640 I think that's why I'm drawn to this last correspondence from the Apostle Paul. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:53.799 Paul was in prison, probably better defined as a dungeon. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:55.960 This would have been late. 00:01:56.900 --> 00:02:04.820 I think a second imprisonment, at least, for Paul after the one where he wrote the prison epistles. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:10.939 Apparently, the verdict, though perhaps not officially known, was a foregone conclusion. 00:02:11.859 --> 00:02:13.479 Paul would soon die as a martyr. 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:22.340 Knowing that his earthly life was all but over, he poured out his heart to his son in the faith, young Timothy. 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:25.780 Actually, Paul had some last minute instructions. 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:33.199 Actually, most of those are in the second half of chapter 1 and chapters 2 and chapter 3 and the first part of chapter 4. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:38.860 And those would be a worthy text to consider this morning, but we'll leave that for another time. 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:45.259 I just want to focus in on the very beginning of the letter and the very end of the letter for us today. 00:02:45.259 --> 00:02:53.739 Here, I think we see Paul's heart and his mind in relation to how he saw his life and his reason for living. 00:02:54.459 --> 00:02:57.419 He not only answers the question, for what am I living? 00:02:57.579 --> 00:03:02.780 But he also provides some insight for us in our quest to try to answer that question. 00:03:04.399 --> 00:03:07.639 And so I think Paul begins in verse 1 with perspective. 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:08.859 Just listen to this. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:21.140 That's where Paul started. 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:25.120 That's his perspective regarding his life. 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:28.660 He saw his life first as driven by the will of God. 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:31.780 Paul's life was not self-determined. 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:34.820 He was an apostle by the will of God. 00:03:34.820 --> 00:03:36.280 You remember how that happened. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:40.280 He was on his way to destroy Christianity. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:45.639 And God made him his chief spokesman or his son. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:55.780 It was the will of God that Paul be called out of darkness in order that he might preach the glorious light of the gospel to those who were still in darkness. 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:58.719 And that's exactly what the apostle Paul did. 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:05.139 The recognition and the high position that surely would have come to this young Pharisee was forever lost. 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:11.840 But in Paul's perspective, we see this in Philippians 3 and other places in his writings, 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:18.259 he appropriately and gladly counted all those things as loss for the sake of Christ. 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:21.000 He was driven by the will of God. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:25.839 And in the process, he found Jesus Christ to be his greatest treasure. 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:29.759 That was his perspective on his life. 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:38.379 It was the will of God for Paul, as he says, apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. 00:04:39.599 --> 00:04:44.479 So are we willing to acknowledge and accept the will of God for our lives? 00:04:44.599 --> 00:04:46.120 Sometimes it won't be comfortable. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:48.319 Sometimes it will be painful. 00:04:49.599 --> 00:04:51.500 For Paul, it started with perspective. 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:53.739 His life was driven by the will of God. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:57.259 But he was also saying that his life was driven by the promise of life. 00:04:57.620 --> 00:04:59.780 The last phrase of verse 1 caught my attention. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:03.780 According to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus. 00:05:04.460 --> 00:05:06.960 So what kind of life do we have in Christ Jesus? 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:12.019 What kind of life would we have without Christ Jesus? 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:16.120 Paul was facing imminent martyrdom. 00:05:16.660 --> 00:05:19.939 But he clung to the promise of life that in Christ Jesus, 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:22.720 that's a life that nobody can take away. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:29.700 As believers, our entire earthly existence rests on the promise of life that we have in Christ. 00:05:29.820 --> 00:05:32.780 That is, it is our eternal hope. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:35.360 Our hope is eternal life. 00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:39.320 And that keeps us going through the trials and the hardships and the challenges 00:05:39.320 --> 00:05:43.940 and the inevitable difficulties that cross our paths. 00:05:44.760 --> 00:05:48.280 Our life here and in eternity is found in the promise of Christ. 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:54.219 It is, in Paul's words, in him that we live and move and have our being. 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:59.259 Or in another spot in the Bible where Paul says he is our life. 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:04.000 Or this one I love in Philippians chapter 1. 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:06.139 For to me to live is Christ. 00:06:06.539 --> 00:06:09.379 For to me to live is Christ. 00:06:09.799 --> 00:06:11.019 That was Paul's perspective. 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:14.259 That was the foundation on which he built his life. 00:06:14.259 --> 00:06:22.879 That must also be ours if we are to successfully navigate the challenges we face in our quest to reach the desired goal. 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:30.519 So our journey toward answering the question for what am I living begins with a perspective. 00:06:31.039 --> 00:06:34.300 Right perspective also includes some remembrance. 00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:38.819 And that's really what he says in the next few verses of chapter 1. 00:06:40.340 --> 00:06:44.520 We can't really answer the question for what are we living without some evaluation. 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:47.360 And we can't really evaluate without some reflection. 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:51.759 So as Paul begins his letter to his dear friend, he took some time to reflect. 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:55.519 Look at verses 3 and 4 and 5 for just a moment. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:07:21.899 So what was Paul remembering? 00:07:21.899 --> 00:07:28.120 He was remembering God's presence and God's power. 00:07:29.599 --> 00:07:32.060 We tend to remember what we practice. 00:07:32.919 --> 00:07:34.679 Paul prayed for Timothy all the time. 00:07:34.739 --> 00:07:36.039 That's what he says in verse 3. 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:40.159 And when he thought about Timothy, you know what immediately pops into his mind? 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:42.219 He's thinking about God. 00:07:42.779 --> 00:07:46.019 He's thinking about the way God was working in that young man's life. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.719 In that young man's heart. 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:50.899 To think about Timothy caused Paul to think about God. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:55.279 When we pray for one another, it will change our perspective of them. 00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:59.560 It does matter for what we pray and how we pray. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:04.000 We can nurse our anger and our frustrations under the illusion of prayer. 00:08:04.539 --> 00:08:10.399 Or we can pray focusing our attention on the truth that God is able to work in people 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:14.339 and change them even as he changes us. 00:08:15.419 --> 00:08:17.399 Paul could have been frustrated with Timothy. 00:08:17.539 --> 00:08:18.199 Think about it. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:20.279 Paul, this apostle. 00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:22.959 This apostle to the Gentiles. 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:29.560 This incredible man who was given the responsibility and opportunity and joy 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:34.080 of being able to produce 13 books of the New Testament. 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:41.700 He could have complained to God as to why God would have placed this young, inexperienced, timid, 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:45.300 second fiddle kind of a person to take over for the great apostle. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:53.100 But instead, Paul's focus was on a God who was able to equip and empower and embolden this young 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:55.879 Timothy for this worthy divine work. 00:08:56.280 --> 00:08:57.580 That was his perspective. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:09:03.300 So he was remembering God's presence and God's power as he prayed for Timothy. 00:09:03.540 --> 00:09:07.879 But he's also remembering Timothy's tenderness and Timothy's tenacity. 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:15.220 Whatever Timothy may have lacked in maturity and skill, he made up with a soft heart and a genuine faith. 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:25.920 People who are tender and teachable and are learning how to trust are frankly wonderful raw material for leaders. 00:09:26.920 --> 00:09:27.920 Paul remembered that. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:35.560 What he saw in Timothy was a great encouragement to him to continue investing in this young man. 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:38.220 See, Paul would soon be with the Lord. 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:47.879 Timothy and others whom Timothy would teach and train would be shouldered with the responsibility to carry out the work of the ministry. 00:09:48.040 --> 00:09:52.580 And as Paul contemplated his soon departure, he was encouraged with what he saw. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:56.980 So how are we building the next generation? 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:05.759 As I look back after a number of years of ministering God's word to people, 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:14.419 I sometimes wonder who is serving faithfully with a teachable spirit and a tender heart and a tenacious faith, 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:19.379 at least in some part due to my influence and involvement in their lives. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:30.019 Part of what helped Paul remain confident and faithful to the end was his own anticipation of the faithfulness of Timothy. 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:33.539 So to answer the question, for what am I living? 00:10:33.539 --> 00:10:35.240 I need perspective. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:38.679 I need to remember some things in the past. 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:42.779 But I also need to anticipate some things. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:43.679 I need anticipation. 00:10:44.599 --> 00:10:50.259 So we're going to move from the first chapter now to the last chapter of 2 Timothy. 00:10:50.459 --> 00:10:51.259 Chapter 4. 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:54.639 And we're going to look at this. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:56.679 At what Paul is anticipating. 00:10:58.219 --> 00:10:59.599 Let's start with verse 6. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:01.680 For I'm ready. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:02.360 I'm sorry. 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:05.779 I'm already being poured out as a drink offering. 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:08.779 And the time of my departure has come. 00:11:09.300 --> 00:11:10.540 I've fought the good fight. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:11.540 I've finished the race. 00:11:11.800 --> 00:11:12.879 I've kept the faith. 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:16.860 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:20.740 which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:24.360 And not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:29.180 So as Paul looked ahead, here is what he concluded. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:32.840 He's essentially saying, I'm ready now for this. 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:37.200 So are we living in such a way as to be ready to meet the Lord? 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:41.960 I don't know that I thought about that that much when I was younger, 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.940 but I'm starting to think about that a lot more now. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.960 Paul said he was. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.060 But how did he know? 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:51.779 How do we know if we're ready to meet him? 00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:55.039 For Paul, it was a matter of recognizing the time. 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:57.019 The time of my departure has come. 00:11:57.719 --> 00:11:59.659 He did not have any real control over that, 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:03.559 but he did have control over the way he would finish his earthly life. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:06.799 He saw his life as having accomplished God's will. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:08.859 That's what he said in chapter 1. 00:12:09.339 --> 00:12:11.599 He was not overly confident or proud. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:15.979 In fact, he saw his life as a drink offering. 00:12:16.119 --> 00:12:17.819 That's an interesting image. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:21.859 And sacrifices were made in the Old Testament, as you know, 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:23.819 and elaborate things happened. 00:12:23.979 --> 00:12:25.259 Lots of blood was spelt. 00:12:26.699 --> 00:12:30.779 And burning of animal flesh and all that was going on. 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:34.799 But then, I think it's in Numbers 15, somewhere in there. 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:39.179 There was something called a drink offering. 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:45.639 It was a liquid, perfumey kind of thing that was put on the sacrifice. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:47.419 So the sacrifice is burning. 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:52.659 You would have this little bit of a thing at the end. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.340 What happens when you throw liquid on a fire? 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:00.600 You hear the tsss, you know, and it's gone. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.439 Paul's looking at his life. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.639 It's just like a drink offering. 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:05.039 Just a little bit. 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:22.480 But in that little bit, whatever it was, there was this, maybe not a big deal, but there was this fragrant, fragrant aroma of one who gave his life and sacrificed for God. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.620 And it was pleasing to the Lord. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:28.460 That's how Paul saw his life. 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:29.899 He had fought the good fight. 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.920 He had finished the race. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.960 He had kept the faith. 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:34.259 Faithfulness matters, by the way. 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:37.539 It matters now, and it will matter at the end of our lives. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:41.820 It was not about being particularly skilled or amassing great accomplishments. 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:45.220 Faithfulness is about being faithful with what we have. 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:50.600 Paul had been faithful with many things, not the least of which was he was faithful with faith. 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:52.540 And by that, I mean the faith. 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:59.840 Sometimes we think of faith, we think of all of it as about believing, but faith is also the gospel. 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:05.620 We are entrusted with the faith, with what we have been given, the Word of God. 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:11.139 Paul reminded us in other places, it was like a treasure that was in these clay jars. 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:14.299 It was the faith that he was faithful with. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:18.919 So, are we faithful with the content of the gospel? 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:22.220 Are we faithful with the way we live? 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:27.500 When we're faithful, God is pleased and glorified, whether in life or in death. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.240 So, what has God given you? 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:31.319 Are you using that for Him? 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:34.019 Are you faithful with the gospel? 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:37.340 Are you faithful with the gifts He's given you? 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:40.220 Are you faithful living your life daily? 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.100 For the Lord Jesus? 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:44.939 That's what Paul was talking about. 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:48.899 But he also talks about something else. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:52.379 He said, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:58.500 Frankly, it bothers me when people tell me how good they are. 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.539 I'm skeptical. 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:08.559 But more importantly, usually, that says more about arrogance than it does about greatness. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:11.500 And arrogance is not greatness. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:17.239 Paul doesn't spend time talking about his greatness. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:21.000 He talks about himself being a drink offering. 00:15:22.119 --> 00:15:25.939 But also, when he says there's laid up for me a crown of righteousness, 00:15:26.199 --> 00:15:31.899 it's not he's thinking because I was so good and so righteous and so faithful and so wonderful 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:36.500 and so God-honoring that he's going to give me rewards for that. 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:39.579 It wasn't so much that, really, at all. 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:48.840 It was just another issue, really, when we think about this was already promised to Paul. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:52.580 If we're faithful, God recognizes that faithfulness. 00:15:52.660 --> 00:15:56.259 The issue is not based on what was accomplished so much, 00:15:56.680 --> 00:16:02.860 but on the motives involved and the quality of that accomplishment. 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:04.860 That's the idea. 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:11.519 And to love is appearing, I think, means that we live our lives with the anticipation of seeing him. 00:16:12.160 --> 00:16:14.680 People who do that are faithful. 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:17.339 Faithful people will be recognized. 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:23.419 And that recognition will be used not to point to us, 00:16:23.459 --> 00:16:26.379 but rather it will be used to glorify the Lord 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.919 because we're faithful to him. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.379 That brings glory to him. 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:36.479 If we're faithful to him, it says we do that because it's saying that we treasured him. 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:40.539 That's why he is glorified even when we're being recognized. 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.279 It's not about us. 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:44.099 It's about him. 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:48.799 Our faithful lives says he is our greatest treasure. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:53.979 That's the whole idea of this reward kind of thing. 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:58.259 It's not saying, oh, this is my very special person here and you get a reward. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:03.679 No, it's that this person treasured me more than anything else and he gave me glory. 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.379 That's the point. 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.619 It's pointing back to Jesus. 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:09.740 An unfaithful life devalues the Lord Jesus. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:12.259 It says he's not important to us. 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:17.420 What will you anticipate when the time of your departure comes? 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:23.039 Now, what we talked about mostly to this point has been positive, 00:17:23.300 --> 00:17:28.120 but life is filled with lots of discouragements, lots of disappointments, 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:31.600 lots of failures and hurts and misunderstandings, 00:17:31.800 --> 00:17:34.180 and frankly, a whole boatload of troubles. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:38.240 We will fail and others will fail us. 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:42.259 There will be times when we will be lonely and defeated and empty. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:46.240 Paul deals with that too in his quest to answer the question, 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.440 for what are we living? 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:51.120 When we try to answer that question, we need to be realistic. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.660 There are disappointments in life. 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:58.560 To answer that question, we're going to deal with disappointments. 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:05.259 So here's Paul in chapter 4, verses 9 to 16, 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:08.720 and he deals with some of these disappointments and discouragements. 00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:13.880 What happens, answering that question, 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:19.820 what happens when our circumstances are cold and lonely? 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.480 What happens? 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:23.059 Listen to Paul. 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:27.420 Do your best to come to me soon, he says to Timothy. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:30.299 Remember, Paul's in a dungeon. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:33.700 Do your best to come before winter. 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:35.819 Puts a time frame on it. 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.259 Bring the cloak. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:41.360 Also the books, especially the parchments. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:44.880 Those phrases show us the hard reality of life. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:48.059 Paul in prison, he would be executed soon. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:50.099 He longed for some companionship. 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:57.079 He longed to find warmth and comfort in an old garment that he'd left with someone else earlier in his ministry. 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:01.659 He longed for some books and the parchments, 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:06.699 probably referring to Old Testament manuscripts as well as other reading material. 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:12.619 He desperately wanted to read about the glory of God that God had revealed in his word. 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:19.239 Those words from God and about God would bring encouragement and help and blessing. 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:26.559 There are disappointments when we are no longer surrounded with people and things that bring us warmth and comfort. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:28.899 It's hard when we're cold and lonely. 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:32.919 And then Paul goes on to talk about some of his friends. 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.579 What happens when our friends and companions have gone away? 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:41.939 Paul mentions Demas and Crescens and Titus and Mark and Tychicus. 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:45.359 Some have been sent to minister elsewhere. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.519 Others were just gone. 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:52.139 One is singled out as having deserted Paul. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:58.659 Demas' problem was that he loved this present world more than he loved the work of God. 00:19:58.660 --> 00:20:00.940 We're not really told anything else. 00:20:01.040 --> 00:20:02.880 It doesn't mean Demas was not a believer, 00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:07.000 but it does mean that he abandoned Paul. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:12.960 When family has gone away, regardless of the reasons, 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.500 when friends have gone away, 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:18.100 when some have turned from us or even against us, 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:18.680 it hurts. 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:20.800 Disappointments are real. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:23.720 That's why we must return to the biblical perspective. 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:26.400 We are to live our lives according to the will of God 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:29.620 and driven by the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:33.660 Our friends and companions have gone away. 00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:36.100 Our circumstances are cold and lonely. 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:39.920 Paul also talked about being dogged by enemies 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:42.560 who desired to do him harm. 00:20:43.320 --> 00:20:46.460 Alexander the coppersmith didn't care for Paul's message. 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:49.100 He didn't want to hear what Paul was preaching. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:52.140 His response was to do much harm to Paul. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.920 Apparently he had been successful, 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:55.660 though Paul is not specific. 00:20:56.400 --> 00:21:00.680 There may be some in your family or circle of acquaintances 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:03.019 who really can't stand you 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:04.940 because of your relationship with Jesus. 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:08.320 They make every effort to undermine you 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:10.220 in what you say. 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:12.420 We need to stay clear of them 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:14.180 as much as possible and appropriate. 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.540 We also know that the Lord will 00:21:16.540 --> 00:21:19.300 ultimately deal with them for their deeds. 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:22.160 Is that enough to keep us going? 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:25.620 Is that an answer to our question? 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:27.500 I think Paul offers one more thing, 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:31.059 and that is in verse 18, resolve. 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:33.019 Listen to this verse. 00:21:33.939 --> 00:21:37.819 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:43.019 and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:46.359 To him be glory forever and ever. 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.299 Amen. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:50.740 So Paul concludes his letter with this resolution. 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:54.440 He resolved to believe that God would do two things. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:58.339 One, the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.720 Do you find comfort in that statement? 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:03.940 No matter what comes my way, 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:08.480 no matter what my enemies or the enemy might unleash against me, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.059 God will take care of me. 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:14.079 Sometimes my rescue may mean defeat of my enemies. 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:17.319 Sometimes it just may be a temporary lull. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:21.100 God is never unfaithful to his promises. 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:24.539 Nor is he unfaithful to his people. 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:27.959 Have I resolved that issue in my mind and heart? 00:22:28.219 --> 00:22:31.599 Do I really believe that the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed? 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:35.079 Got to think about that one, don't we? 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.719 But he will. 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.199 He's promised. 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:43.919 And then the Lord will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:48.240 That's where Paul anchored his hope and his confidence. 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:50.439 Every word of that promise is important. 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:54.180 It is the Lord himself who will bring us home. 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:57.160 And he brings me. 00:22:57.400 --> 00:23:02.120 He doesn't send for me or direct me or tell me he will see me later. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.779 He brings me. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.640 I love that. 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:08.740 And if he's bringing me, I know I'll arrive there safely. 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.279 That's a big deal. 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:14.880 I won't arrive beaten and battered and bewildered. 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.559 I will arrive safely. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:21.039 And the place where he is taking me is his heavenly kingdom. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:27.139 It belongs to him and it's heavenly which suggests perfection and glory and beauty and splendor. 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:32.860 It's a kingdom where he is the king and I get to be with him as part of his kingdom. 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:34.620 A kingdom that will last forever. 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:37.160 And he did all of this for his glory. 00:23:37.540 --> 00:23:43.080 And I have the grand privilege of fulfilling my destiny and bringing him glory forever and ever. 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:47.740 Our being present there magnifies his glory. 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.380 Think about that. 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:54.339 Sinners condemned to death and judgment forever. 00:23:54.339 --> 00:24:08.759 He rescued by the blood of his son in order that we might be brought as a gift to God of this rescued bunch of battered, broken people whom he has made perfect in him. 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.559 That is amazing. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:14.539 And that all, again, doesn't look good on us. 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:16.620 It looks wonderful on him. 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:20.739 It's glory to him of what he's done for this bunch of people. 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:24.619 So for what are we living? 00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:32.019 Are we living with the promise that if we belong to the Lord Jesus, he guides our lives according to his perfect will? 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:37.199 Through the good and the bad, the sweet memories and the horrible nightmares? 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:47.019 He will take note of our faithfulness and reward us accordingly when he personally brings us safely into his heavenly kingdom. 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:58.100 There, we will enjoy life forever with him and forever fulfill our intended purpose of bringing him glory throughout the ages. 00:24:58.099 --> 00:25:02.599 That, my friend, that, my friend, should be what we are living for. 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:08.159 Is that what we are living for? 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:12.559 In just a few hours, 2023 will be past. 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:16.839 For some of us, we are not sad. 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:26.279 Whether or not we responded to God this past year in faithful living, there's not much that we can do about the past. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:30.699 Like water poured out on the ground, we can't get it back. 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:35.599 But we can set our hearts to live faithfully from this moment on. 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:41.159 And may God grant us his grace and insight to understand how we ought to live. 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:45.459 And may he grant to us the strength and the courage to do so. 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:48.099 That will be good for us. 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:50.759 And that will be glory for him. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:53.819 I want to share one final passage with you. 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:57.240 The passage of Scripture, just the very end of that passage. 00:25:58.099 --> 00:26:02.919 The whole passage, frankly, would be a good commentary on what the Apostle Paul said. 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:08.440 But here it is, the final three verses of Psalm 91. 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.840 God is speaking. 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:15.360 First, the psalmist was speaking to God. 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.840 And he's speaking to others. 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:19.340 And now God is speaking to the psalmist. 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.840 And here's what he says. 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:25.620 Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:29.400 I will protect him because he knows my name. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:32.279 When he calls to me, I will answer him. 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:34.259 I will be with him in trouble. 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:36.539 I will rescue him and honor him. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:41.639 With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.299 What a promise. 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.920 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:50.879 And bring me safely into his kingdom. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:56.539 To him be the glory forever and ever. 00:26:58.420 --> 00:27:00.279 And Paul ends with, Amen. 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:04.200 May it be. 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:06.279 It is. 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.639 Let's pray. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:14.539 Father, thank you for being our God. 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:20.099 And for most of us in this room, thank you that Jesus is our Savior. 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:26.000 For some here that may not be true. 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.379 Oh, dear God. 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:35.819 May you open up their hearts and minds to see the wonder, the glory, the treasure, 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:42.000 the grace, the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:45.519 Who gave himself for us. 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:48.339 May you open their hearts to see and believe. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:51.179 May the end of this year be glorious. 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:56.799 They might enter into your salvation. 00:27:56.799 --> 00:28:03.119 For the rest of us, Lord, we've had times of great victory. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:06.379 And we've had difficulties and setbacks and problems. 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:11.720 For some, even this past week has been very, very hard. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:14.460 But you are a great God. 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:16.500 You are a faithful God. 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:19.440 You are a God who holds us up. 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:21.120 Who strengthens us. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:23.380 Who gives us courage and hope. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:26.460 Who provides for us everything that we need. 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:30.240 Who walks with us through the valleys of dark shadow. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:34.620 Who leads us and directs us in those narrow paths of righteousness. 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:38.880 Who provides for us in every way that we need. 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:43.780 And so, dear Father, may that be true for us as a congregation. 00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:48.800 May we be a people who live with the right perspective. 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:54.520 And who ultimately understand that we want to finish well. 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:59.380 And so we're going to treasure Jesus until we see him face to face. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.300 May it be so. 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.620 Thank you in your name. 00:29:04.260 --> 00:29:04.580 Amen.