WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.199 Please do sit down and take your Bibles again and we'll have a look at the passage of 2 Timothy that we read. 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:11.580 This is our second in our series of 2 Timothy. 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:16.240 This week we're going to do chapter 1 verses 6 to 18. 00:00:17.019 --> 00:00:19.920 Unashamed suffering for an unadjusted gospel. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:25.219 Unashamed suffering for an unadjusted gospel. 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:34.259 So one of the questions I wrestled with this week on the back of last week is why should we study this letter? 00:00:35.299 --> 00:00:39.739 What is it about this letter that is worth all of our time? 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:44.799 Because as I tried to show you last week, the remit for the letter is quite specific. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:57.559 It is written to the youngish church leader Timothy, who is ministering in a church gone rogue Ephesus with a leadership team that's gone feral. 00:00:58.979 --> 00:01:01.420 And it's all very tough. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:07.739 And Paul, the mentor, writes to his protege Timothy to say, keep going. 00:01:07.739 --> 00:01:12.339 So why is that important to all of us? 00:01:13.259 --> 00:01:19.140 Can't we just read this at pastors' conferences where everyone gets together and says how tough life is? 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:26.140 Why take time to go through it together as a whole congregation? 00:01:26.140 --> 00:01:34.099 If it's predominantly about church leadership and specifically about church leadership when things are really tough. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.259 It's a good question. 00:01:37.739 --> 00:01:42.879 Is it just that as I speak, it encourages you to love your pastors more? 00:01:44.119 --> 00:01:46.379 I think that's a legitimate reason to do it. 00:01:48.219 --> 00:01:53.899 Is it just here to allow preachers and pastors to feel sorry for themselves? 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:56.399 Maybe. 00:01:56.539 --> 00:01:58.599 It certainly made me feel better last week. 00:01:59.539 --> 00:02:00.719 And this week. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:03.879 Well, maybe, but not exclusively. 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:08.960 And I came up with four reasons why I think this letter is worthy of our time. 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:11.840 Our study and our serious consideration. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:12.680 Here's the first. 00:02:14.079 --> 00:02:18.599 Healthy churches are made up of healthy individuals. 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:19.599 Healthy individuals. 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:29.000 Healthy churches are made up of healthy individuals. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:34.859 And healthy individuals are matured through exposure to faithful gospel ministry. 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:40.940 Therefore, if we've all got an idea about what faithful gospel ministry looks like, 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:50.400 that's going to help us in our diets to make sure that we're those that are being matured as we're exposed to God's work. 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:58.060 2 Timothy gives us clear instructions as to the hallmarks of faithful gospel ministry. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:01.039 And therefore, if we can all join the plimso line. 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:03.520 Upon growing. 00:03:03.740 --> 00:03:04.520 There's point one. 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:05.620 Healthy churches. 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:06.340 Point two. 00:03:08.420 --> 00:03:11.300 As for leadership, so would the congregation. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:16.340 If you read the qualification for elders in both 1 Timothy and Titus, 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:26.000 it is predominantly a list of character traits that people appointed to the positions or to exhibit in their consistent Christian lives. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:30.740 The only real ability given is the ability to teach. 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:35.479 Everything else concerns consistent Christian character. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:50.139 And these character traits listed in 1 Timothy and Titus are also elsewhere in the Bible demanded of other and all Christians in the New Testament. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:04:01.659 And so therefore, what we learn in 2 Timothy is applicable far wider than just those in leadership and in pastoral ministry. 00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:05.619 As for the leaders, so would the congregation. 00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:06.719 Point three. 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:15.679 Clear and present dangers to the church are much more deadly when they arise from within than when they come from without. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:25.400 Churches predominantly die, not through pressure from outside, but from falsehood from inside. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:31.120 Wolves devour sheep. 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:42.199 And therefore, the more people being vigilant and spotting potential threats, which are clearly given us, clearly highlighted for us in 2 Timothy, 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:45.439 the safer, the better protected our church will be. 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:53.459 If we all know what wolves look like, then we can all be on guard when they come in, even if some of them are disguised as sheep. 00:04:55.300 --> 00:05:00.579 2 Timothy gives clear descriptions of wolfish behavior to be watchful for. 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:02.699 And point four. 00:05:02.840 --> 00:05:06.220 I thought about putting, I quibbled whether to put this in or not. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:08.819 Point four is succession. 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:11.639 Now, I love Brunsfield. 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:15.219 This is not some kind of pitch to say, I'll see you later. 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:17.060 I love Brunsfield. 00:05:17.159 --> 00:05:18.819 I love being the pastor of Brunsfield. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:21.399 I'm so grateful for our church family. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:26.639 I'm so humbled by the growth, as I hope you are, that we see happening in this place. 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:33.300 However, I'm keenly aware that life is short and nothing is forever. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:36.360 However, different things happen. 00:05:38.020 --> 00:05:45.420 And my hope is that as we go through 2 Timothy, we'll all be very clear about what faithful gospel ministry looks like. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:53.740 So that when it comes to appointing new leaders, comes to calling new pastors. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:58.879 For long into the future, we'll know exactly what we're looking for. 00:06:00.160 --> 00:06:03.240 And there won't even be a gap or a break. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:10.520 Things will just be continuing as the Lord Jesus would have them being conducted in his church. 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:19.060 2 Timothy is really excellent meat for us to get our teeth into when we think about who we might call. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:24.459 And prepare us for what good gospel leadership looks like. 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:31.259 I hope that helped because at the end of last week, I kind of felt that I was inviting you into John's pastoral pouting party. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:35.519 And hopefully if we see that, then we'll get much more from this letter. 00:06:35.919 --> 00:06:39.419 So let me pray and then we'll look at our little portion for tonight. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.939 Father God, speak and help us. 00:06:43.339 --> 00:06:45.680 Father God, challenge and change us. 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:51.539 Father God, give us a really clear sense of what you're saying to us tonight. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:58.259 And Father, that we might go out from here and live for the Lord Jesus, no matter what the cost. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:00.539 No matter what the discomfort. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:07.560 Father, that we would get over the pain barrier and the shame barrier in order that Jesus might be glorified in our lives. 00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:10.660 Father, bless us in Jesus name we pray. 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:11.740 Amen. 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:19.420 First thing I want us to see from these verses is the gospel trajectory. 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:26.019 Shall we look again with me in verse 6 and verse 7 and then verse 8? 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:34.779 For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:42.339 For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 00:07:42.799 --> 00:07:49.060 Those two verses contain a very key triplet for understanding this section of 2 Timothy. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:51.939 The triplet is this. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:55.819 Firstly, Timothy's ministry. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:56.600 See it there. 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:59.540 Fan into flame the gift of God. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:05.300 The gift, the ministry that God has given Timothy. 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:06.519 Timothy's ministry. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:10.379 Secondly, see Paul's apostleship. 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:16.459 Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:22.279 Now, I don't think from here we can get a clear way of doing what we would call ordination. 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:26.620 I think if you start to go down that road, I think it gets quite awkward. 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:30.479 For example, how many hands should be laid on? 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:32.919 Whose hands should be laid on? 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:38.079 Do they need to be a special person's hands in order to lay them on? 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:41.579 Do we dig up Paul's hands and lay them on? 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:47.379 I think we get into some difficult territory if we start to make a doctrine of ordination from this. 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:50.700 But definitely Paul's apostleship is in view. 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:57.639 And the third triplet is power to fulfill this ministry. 00:08:57.820 --> 00:08:58.560 So you see it there? 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:05.240 For the spirit God gave us does not make us fearful, but gives us power, love and self-control. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:07.440 So the triplet is this. 00:09:07.560 --> 00:09:11.259 Timothy's ministry, Paul's apostleship, God's power. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:13.500 Now look at verse 8. 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:15.820 See the triplet again. 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:24.220 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, Timothy's ministry, the testimony of the Lord, the gospel. 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:30.440 Or of me, his prisoner, Paul's apostleship, Paul's job. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:37.240 Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:40.240 Look at verse 13. 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.060 We'll see it again. 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:50.400 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 00:09:51.540 --> 00:09:54.240 Keep as the pattern of sound teaching Timothy's ministry. 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:59.900 What you heard from me, Paul's apostleship, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:02.460 Then 14. 00:10:03.300 --> 00:10:09.220 Guard the good deposit, Timothy's ministry, that was entrusted to you, Paul's apostleship. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:15.140 Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 00:10:15.880 --> 00:10:22.000 Do you see that triplet comes up twice, both at the beginning and at the end of this section? 00:10:22.900 --> 00:10:24.940 Which leads us to an interesting question. 00:10:25.180 --> 00:10:29.040 Why does Paul say the same thing twice, twice? 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:34.480 Why is this in his view? 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:40.020 What does verse 8 add that verses 6 and 7 don't include? 00:10:41.300 --> 00:10:47.120 What is different about verse 14 compared to verse 30? 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:53.220 Well, I think the difference clearly is the trajectory of gospel ministry. 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:58.799 The way it goes, the way it's heading, the place it is leading. 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:03.820 That it seems to say that the trajectory of gospel ministry is downwards. 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:08.560 It is pain-filled and it's downwards. 00:11:10.780 --> 00:11:13.520 So verse 6 and 7 is about Timothy's ministry. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:19.660 And verse 8, what is added is how Paul is suffering for the gospel. 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:24.480 What does verse 14 add that verse 13 doesn't? 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:29.579 Well, it is that there's people that would seek to destroy the gospel so you've got to guard it. 00:11:32.839 --> 00:11:36.019 Verses 6 and 7 are reflective supposition from Paul. 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.279 Verse 8 is very biographical. 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:46.919 Talking about how it is for this gospel that Timothy has a ministry to fan into flame. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:50.639 It is for this gospel that Paul is suffering. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:57.759 It is this pattern of sound teaching that will come under attack from a hostile world. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:00.360 And therefore, Timothy has to guard it. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:08.700 Gospel ministry necessarily involves suffering is the big takeaway from Paul's developing logic. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:15.519 When Jesus calls disciples, it is to take up a cross and follow after Jesus. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.580 It's not a cakewalk. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:21.340 It's not upwardly improving. 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:25.879 It's not always look on the bright side of life. 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:35.100 It was a path for Jesus that ended dying naked, brutally abused and agonizingly on a cross. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:39.840 It is a path that started for Paul on the road to Damascus. 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:47.480 Involved stoning, shipwreck, imprisonments, lashing, rioting, slander. 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:53.879 And eventually being beheaded as an enemy of the state in Rome. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:57.600 Paul isn't sugaring the pill for Timothy. 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:10.980 Paul is saying gospel ministry and discipleship often involves suffering and necessarily involves the willingness to suffer for the gospel. 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.220 That's what he's saying. 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:19.720 The trajectory of gospel ministry is imprisonment, shame, suffering. 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:24.620 And putting yourselves in the crosshair of a hostile world. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:30.680 Perhaps some of you were reading in the paper, the storm that's brewing around this man in the Scottish church scene. 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.740 It's not Lionel Richie. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.820 It is Creflo Dollar. 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:36.920 He is the fourth. 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:42.700 He is America's fourth richest pastor and a preacher of the prosperity gospel. 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:46.580 And he's coming on a tour of Scotland in June. 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.920 Don't mark it in your diary. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:58.620 Creflo's gospel claims that Jesus came into the world to make his followers happy, healthy and particularly wealthy. 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:10.480 Creflo even naming and claiming a $65 million Gulfstream jet from his congregation as a reward from the Lord for his faithful ministry. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:19.300 Superimpose Creflo's idea on Paul's idea and they are radically different. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:34.060 Paul's ministry career and Timothy's experience of ministry so far and the one projecting out in front of him is one of suffering and shame and imprisonment. 00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:44.059 There is a real natural reaction to be ashamed of clearly speaking people. 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:45.939 Look at verse 8. 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:52.059 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.939 Why is Paul in prison? 00:14:55.019 --> 00:15:00.979 Because he's a clearly speaking individual who speaks with clarity about the things of the Lord Jesus. 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:04.360 Paul is in prison. 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:09.120 And the temptation is for Timothy to distance himself from Paul. 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:14.519 Particularly in Ephesus where everyone's going, oh, you're not still doing what Paul says, are you? 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:15.840 Have you not grown up a bit yet? 00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:17.560 We've all moved on a little bit. 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:28.940 Paul would, Timothy could easily seek to distance himself from the perceived archaic opinions and dogmatic views. 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:31.080 Of his mentor. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:35.760 It would be easy for Timothy to be ashamed. 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:40.320 When I was in Lebanon, I had the privilege of getting to know him. 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:44.080 I'm working with the Korean field leader of OM. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:46.100 He was an absolute lunatic. 00:15:47.020 --> 00:15:53.040 Every time we went to Beirut International Airport, the people we were waiting for would come through arrivals. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:58.199 And he would gather people in a massive prayer huddle in the middle of a packed arrivals lounge. 00:15:58.599 --> 00:16:06.219 He would then, at the top of his voice, which in a huddle is quite excruciating, pray as loud as he possibly could. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.419 Giving thanks for Jesus. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.000 Always praying the gospel. 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:14.099 Always thanking people for, always thanking God for a safe arrival. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:20.339 Always asking that their time here would be a blessing to them and fruitful in the work that we were involved in. 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:27.519 As soon as he said, Amen, the first thing he would do is pop out of the huddle so he didn't go too close or else you'd get his head in your nose. 00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:32.600 And he would look for people that were looking at him praying and he would go and talk to them. 00:16:33.780 --> 00:16:34.860 So embarrassing. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.519 Because everybody was looking. 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.960 It wasn't always anyone looking. 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:43.480 It is, which of the 300 people that are looking should I go and speak to? 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:50.920 It is very tempting to be embarrassed of clearly speaking people. 00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:59.740 The next time we went to the airport, I really had to fight the temptation that when I saw in the distance the people we were waiting for coming through the desk. 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:04.400 To say, oh, I just need to pop to the loo so I wouldn't have to be associated. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:10.000 Because it's very easy to be ashamed of clearly speaking people. 00:17:11.560 --> 00:17:13.400 That is Timothy's temptation. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.259 And Paul says, don't be ashamed. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:24.140 Don't be ashamed of the gospel or of me who is in prison for the gospel. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:28.640 Join me in suffering. 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:32.740 Gospel trajectory is set in these verses. 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:37.280 And it is necessarily away from comfort towards suffering. 00:17:38.780 --> 00:17:41.320 And we're to suffer by the power of the spirit. 00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:51.360 Isn't it interesting that in 2 Timothy, the power of the spirit is seen in Paul's willingness to be in prison for the gospel. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:54.520 And Timothy's ability to suffer for the gospel. 00:17:54.519 --> 00:18:00.240 That is what the spirit is doing in 2 Timothy chapter 1. 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:04.960 Enabling Paul to suffer and be in prison for the gospel. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:12.539 And to be what Timothy is dependent on as he too suffers for the gospel. 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:18.200 Gospel trajectory is downwards, away from comfort and towards suffering. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:22.759 Now look with me at verses 9 to 10 and we'll see gospel clarity. 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:27.180 He has saved us and called us to a holy life. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:29.059 Not because of anything we have done. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:32.559 But because of his own purpose and grace. 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:37.900 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:42.460 But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our saviour, Christ Jesus. 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:49.059 He was destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:54.519 What follows in verses 9 and 10 are a summation of the gospel. 00:18:55.339 --> 00:19:01.679 A prairie of the gospel for which Paul is in prison and Timothy is suffering. 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:04.779 But it is not a comprehensive summary. 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:09.119 There's no mention of Jesus' death for sin. 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:14.500 No mention of repentance and an absence of the word faith. 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:19.500 However, what I think we see in these verses, these two verses, 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:26.480 this gospel is a remedy for some of the falsehood that appears to be prevalent in Ephesus. 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:34.200 It is a summary carefully constructed by Paul to straighten out some of the crooked adjustments 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:38.059 that people have imposed on the gospel. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:40.140 I think there are three elements. 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.660 Let me show you them. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:46.120 The first one is this, a holy life. 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:52.420 He has saved us and called us to a holy life. 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:58.560 Through the gospel, God has saved us and set us apart to be different, 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:01.800 to be people for God's very own possession. 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:09.639 It seems from the rest of the letter that Ephesus is starting to swallow a gospel that permits licentious living 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:14.139 and requires no change in the individual. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:16.919 Just flick with me to 2 Timothy 2 verse 19. 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:24.580 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription, 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:32.600 the Lord knows those who are his, and everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness. 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:35.759 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 1. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:21:05.740 3 Timothy 3 verse 19. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:11.599 Or 2 Timothy 4 verse 19. 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:15.579 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:25.700 Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:29.500 They will turn their itch away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:30.840 Why are they turning to myths? 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:35.539 Because they want teachers who will legitimate the way of life that they want to live. 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:44.460 The true gospel, on the other hand, requires a response towards a holy life. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:47.039 So there was a little couple. 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:53.660 They were called Jimmy and Joan. 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:58.100 And Jimmy started going to the local Salvation Army. 00:21:58.099 --> 00:22:01.439 And he liked the people. 00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:02.759 He loved the coffee. 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:06.859 He liked the little pink wafer that he got at the end of every service. 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:12.399 And he started listening to the message of Jesus. 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:18.060 And so he went back the next week and the next week and the next week and the next week. 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:24.100 And he came to the point where he repented of his sin and trusted in Christ. 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:29.500 And he went home and he told Joan, Joan, I've decided to follow Jesus. 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.559 There's only one problem. 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.319 The problem is this. 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:37.399 Everyone else is wearing red sweatshirts, which is the Salvation Army uniform. 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:38.819 And I don't have one. 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:40.119 And I really want one. 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:45.059 Well, Joan was very good at doing textiles and embroidery. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.139 She says, I'll make you one. 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:49.779 So she made him a beautiful red sweatshirt. 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:57.460 But the only problem was, is the Salvation Army had a big emblem and some writing on the bottom. 00:22:58.379 --> 00:23:00.480 And Jimmy and Joan were illiterate. 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:02.339 And they didn't know what to write on it. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.819 So Jimmy had an idea. 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:07.420 He went to his local corner shop. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:09.420 And he picked a random sign in the window. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:11.920 And he just copied out the letters. 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.960 And he took them home. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:16.079 And he gave it to Joan and said, 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:19.699 Joan, please could you emblazon that on my sweatshirt? 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.779 And I'll wear it on Sunday. 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:24.759 He went to the Salvation Army on Sunday. 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.220 So happy. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.339 He blended in perfectly. 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:31.659 Everyone was astounded at his red sweatshirts. 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:36.059 And they said, we like your inscription much more than us. 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:40.240 Because the sign that Jimmy had copied from the window had simply said, 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.339 Under New Management. 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:45.339 And so Jimmy went and said, 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.159 Under New Management. 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:50.419 That is exactly what God has called us to. 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:54.959 He saved us from our sin and calls us to be under new management. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:57.159 To live differently. 00:23:57.959 --> 00:24:00.480 And courageously in response to the gospel. 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:04.399 Second thing he's trying to correct is there. 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.539 Not because of works. 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:11.460 He saved us and called us to a holy life. 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:14.519 Not because of anything we have done. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:18.240 But because of his own purpose. 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:20.019 And grace. 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:26.879 He saved us not because of our goodness. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.960 Our loveliness. 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.960 Our greatness. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.599 Our intelligence. 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.180 Our beauty. 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:35.659 We weren't just adrift. 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:39.519 We weren't just slightly lost. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:44.340 We weren't just floating in the sea needing a bit of direction. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:47.980 We were dead in our trespasses and sins. 00:24:48.540 --> 00:24:51.160 We were hopeless and helpless. 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:55.640 We were up the creek. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.460 And we didn't have a paddle. 00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.779 And we didn't have a boat. 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.779 We were up the creek. 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.779 We were up the creek. 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:02.779 And our only hope. 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.619 Was that God's grace. 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:07.099 Met us in the person of the Lord Jesus. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.779 Who dove in. 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.059 Swam to us. 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:12.119 And rescued us. 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:14.019 And not only revived us. 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:15.899 But resurrected us to new life. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:21.139 The message of the gospel is humiliating to pride-filled people. 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:24.279 That there's nothing we could do. 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.079 Nothing lovable. 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:28.079 And nothing lovely. 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.019 No ability. 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.779 No rightness. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:35.000 And therefore the only reason. 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:38.259 That we are saved and called to a holy life. 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:40.460 Is all on account of God's purpose. 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:43.500 And grace given to us in Jesus Christ. 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:46.599 I come to God purely pleading. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:50.279 The mercy available on account of Jesus' perfect life. 00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:52.119 And death for us. 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:55.479 The only thing we contribute to our salvation. 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:59.919 Is the enormous colossal pile of sin that made it necessary. 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:07.519 And it seems that in Ephesus there are some people denying the gospel of grace. 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:10.059 Back in 1 Timothy 1. 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:11.220 He writes this. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:16.279 1 Timothy 1 verse 5. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:18.980 The goal of this command is love. 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:22.700 Love which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:27.559 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:30.740 They want to be teachers of the law. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:35.859 But they do not know what they are talking about. 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:39.019 Or what they so confidently affirm. 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:43.359 It seems that in Ephesus there are people coming in. 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:47.180 And saying actually you need to do some stuff. 00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:49.539 You need to earn God's favor. 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:54.180 You need to eat this and do that and live like that. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:56.200 And then God will love you and save you. 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:59.720 In Acts 20 verse 30 Paul warns them. 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:02.220 That even from among their own number. 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:04.019 People will arise. 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:08.720 Twist the truth and draw away disciples for themselves. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.619 Saying if you do this God will love you more. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:13.879 This is the initiation into the next bit. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:18.240 This is how God will really love you. 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.940 And Paul says no my gospel is clear. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:23.339 It is grace from beginning to end. 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:26.000 Not because of anything we have done. 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:28.799 Religious people hate grace. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:32.759 Because religion is all about rules. 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:34.819 And in religion you either win or you lose. 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.160 It's either pride or despair. 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:39.220 Pride because I'm doing well. 00:27:39.320 --> 00:27:41.259 Despair because I can't make God love me. 00:27:41.320 --> 00:27:42.660 Because I can't keep the rules. 00:27:43.080 --> 00:27:45.200 And yet grace humbles us. 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:51.920 Who has the hardest time with Jesus and the gospel of grace? 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.000 The religious people. 00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:57.380 Because they think God owes them something because of their religious observance. 00:27:57.380 --> 00:28:02.580 So Paul says be very clear Timothy. 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:07.200 That the gospel is all about grace. 00:28:09.080 --> 00:28:11.340 And then finally his third thing. 00:28:11.780 --> 00:28:12.860 And his gospel clarity. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.280 Is not yet. 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.900 Verse 10. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.280 Verse 9b sorry. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:21.339 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:25.759 But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:31.299 Who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:35.240 He has extended the view. 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:39.139 He says this grace was conceived before the beginning. 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:44.440 It has now come to light but it is not fully realized that is still to come. 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:48.880 He is saying this is not immortality. 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.940 Death destroyed life now. 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:54.019 Jesus has done that but it is not ours yet. 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:56.160 The gospel is predominantly future. 00:28:57.880 --> 00:29:00.920 And so compare that to 2 Timothy 2 verse 16. 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:07.700 Avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.820 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:12.740 Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:14.759 Who have departed from the truth. 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:19.039 They say that the resurrection has already taken place. 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:22.380 And they destroy the faith of some. 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:25.120 Not yet Paul says. 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:30.599 The kingdom of the Lord Jesus is here because the king is here. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.079 But it is not here in all its fullness. 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.759 It is not yet. 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:35.240 So don't listen to people. 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:38.039 Don't listen to people who say. 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.079 No it is now. 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:40.700 The kingdom is fully now. 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:47.059 Everything that God promises in the future can be yours now. 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:49.920 Paul is very clear about the gospel. 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:51.720 It is unadjustable. 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:54.720 You mess with my gospel. 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:56.120 I will mess with your face. 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.620 Says Paul. 00:29:56.619 --> 00:30:00.159 Listen to what John Stott writes. 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:02.979 To tamper with the gospel is to trouble the church. 00:30:03.939 --> 00:30:11.819 Indeed the church's greatest troublemakers now as then are not those who oppose, ridicule and persecute it. 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:14.559 But those instead who try to change the gospel. 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:20.740 Conversely the only way to be a good church person is to be a good gospel person. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:26.759 The best way to serve the church is to believe and live out and preach the gospel. 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:31.740 Paul has pinpoint laser guided gospel clarity. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:41.440 And he is urging Timothy not to be moved, not to be swayed or to be swamped by peddlers of a different gospel that is no gospel at all. 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:50.720 So we had a gospel trajectory that was down gospel clarity that was very clear on what the gospel is and also what the gospel isn't. 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:55.240 And then we have some lovely gospel assurance verses 11 and 12. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:31:00.500 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:08.119 Three ways that Paul's life is totally wound up with the gospel because he is a herald, an apostle and a teacher. 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:11.819 That is why I am suffering as I am. 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:17.400 Yet this is no cause for shame because I know whom I have believed. 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:23.279 And I'm convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:30.000 It is because of his stance and proclamation of the gospel that he suffers. 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:37.399 If he was just a little bit less dogmatic about who Jesus was, he wouldn't be in prison, but he won't. 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:39.720 He won't be swayed. 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:42.279 However, see the assurance that Paul has. 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.639 I'm not ashamed. 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:47.379 I know who I've believed. 00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:52.680 I'm convinced that he's able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:56.600 Steadfast assurance in God. 00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:58.600 I know him. 00:31:59.140 --> 00:32:00.540 He is able. 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:07.100 That is his foundation of unshakable confidence in the unadjusted gospel. 00:32:08.580 --> 00:32:10.560 What has Paul entrusted to God? 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:13.240 Well, definitely his life. 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:14.000 That's a given. 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:24.200 But surely in context, it must be the ministry that God entrusted to him and then he entrusted to Timothy. 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:28.539 That is what Paul is trusting God with. 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:33.119 This is a wonderful thing for Paul to rest in. 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.579 Paul is in a prison cell. 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:39.079 Paul is at the end of his life. 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:42.839 He's writing to a church that he planted that's gone rogue. 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:48.819 He's writing to his best man who is not doing well. 00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:55.000 It would be so easy for Paul to sit in this prison cell and think it's all been a waste. 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.619 It's all crumbling. 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:59.879 It's all falling down around my ears. 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:02.839 Yet Paul triumphantly proclaims. 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:05.199 It's God's work. 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:07.200 I know him. 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.240 I know him. 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.720 And he is able. 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:17.200 He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.779 What's he entrusted to him? 00:33:18.860 --> 00:33:22.059 Well, the very ministry that God entrusted to him in the first place. 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:30.919 A wonderful truth to see God as ultimately the one who guards and preserves and expands and strengthens his church. 00:33:32.919 --> 00:33:36.839 What a freeing truth that the buck doesn't finally stop with us. 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.500 Be terrifying. 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:45.380 Just imagine getting up in the morning and think gospel success actually did revolve around you. 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:49.039 Or none of us would sleep. 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:54.359 All of us would be too paralyzed to even get out of bed. 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.759 And yet Paul says, I know him. 00:33:58.759 --> 00:34:01.339 He is able. 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:06.200 And he's able to guard what I've entrusted to him until that day. 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:10.500 Gospel trajectory is downwards. 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:12.099 Gospel clarity is clear. 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:17.219 Gospel assurance is seen in God's sovereignty over it all. 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:26.019 And then he finishes the chapter with some real examples of those that are ashamed and deserted and those that weren't ashamed and stuck with Paul. 00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:34.139 He relates information about the desertion of Phygelus and Homogenes. 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.759 He names them particularly. 00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:41.119 We're going to notice in 2 Timothy that he uses a lot of personal examples. 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:44.800 It's not just Phygelus and Homogenes. 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:47.860 It is everyone in the province of Asia. 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:57.220 If we think back to Acts chapter 20, Paul preached for two years to Greeks and Gentiles until everybody in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 00:34:58.460 --> 00:35:01.099 And now 10 years on, everyone's deserted him. 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:03.280 Why did they desert? 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:06.760 Because they were ashamed of the gospel and they were ashamed of Paul. 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:09.360 And so they made for the hills. 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:15.660 Phygelus and Homogenes may well have been people that followed Paul for a good while. 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:17.859 Some of their good guys. 00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.699 How terrible. 00:35:20.839 --> 00:35:24.460 For Paul to write, they've gone, they've scarpered. 00:35:25.879 --> 00:35:28.519 In contrast, see Onesiphorus. 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:33.259 What a wonderful summation of what Onesiphorus did. 00:35:35.339 --> 00:35:39.619 He often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:43.139 He wasn't ashamed of Paul in prison for the gospel. 00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:50.799 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:53.039 He sought Paul out. 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:54.679 Imagine how dangerous that is. 00:35:55.379 --> 00:35:58.440 Paul is in prison as an enemy of the state for being a Christian. 00:35:59.259 --> 00:36:02.539 What is Onesiphorus going to say at the reception of the prison? 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.719 Is Paul here? 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:05.960 Yes. 00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:08.500 Why do you want to see him? 00:36:08.819 --> 00:36:11.099 He's an enemy of the state for being a Christian. 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:22.099 How dangerous to say, well, I'm also a Christian and I'd like to see him to refresh him. 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:26.000 To celebrate all that we have in the Lord Jesus. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:30.659 That's the complete opposite of being ashamed. 00:36:30.799 --> 00:36:32.440 That's running towards danger. 00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:36.940 And joining Paul in his suffering. 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:40.179 It's kind of like a Hebrews 13 man from this morning. 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:44.679 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day. 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:48.340 You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. 00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:49.420 He's known. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:54.880 He's known even to the people in Timothy's church and Timothy himself. 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:58.720 And so what are we going to do with this? 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.880 Gospel trajectory. 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:03.380 Gospel clarity. 00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:04.599 Gospel assurance. 00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:08.900 And gospel examples for us to run from and to follow. 00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:12.119 And so here's four things. 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:15.059 You can't divide Jesus and Paul. 00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:16.680 That's very clear from this passage. 00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:17.720 You can't divide them. 00:37:17.719 --> 00:37:22.679 You cannot amputate what Jesus teaches from what Paul teaches. 00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:27.459 It's very clear that to be ashamed of Paul is to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. 00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:28.779 They go together. 00:37:29.739 --> 00:37:31.319 Isn't that our world today though? 00:37:32.219 --> 00:37:33.619 We love a bit of Jesus. 00:37:34.459 --> 00:37:36.919 And we wish Paul wasn't just such a stickler. 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:44.220 We'll kind of be embarrassed about him. 00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:49.340 A bit embarrassed about his God-inspired revelation about manhood and womanhood. 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:50.460 His sexual ethics. 00:37:50.780 --> 00:37:53.340 His teaching about order in the church. 00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:58.740 It would be very palatable to kind of cut him out. 00:38:00.800 --> 00:38:04.639 And yet what we read in this passage is you can't divide Jesus and Paul. 00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:09.259 To be ashamed of Paul is to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. 00:38:10.460 --> 00:38:14.179 And to run from suffering because of some of the difficult things he says. 00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:15.659 The two are inseparable. 00:38:16.319 --> 00:38:18.579 This is either all inspired or none of it's inspired. 00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:20.039 We cannot chop and change. 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:21.460 We're not at Woolworths. 00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.699 It's not pick and mix. 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:24.819 Number two. 00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:29.539 Gospel faithfulness is tested not just in what we say, 00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:32.139 but in who we're willing to be associated with. 00:38:34.639 --> 00:38:38.279 So often we're tempted when people are speaking clearly about the gospel 00:38:38.279 --> 00:38:42.139 to rerun the Good Samaritan and pass by on the other side. 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:46.420 I'm not talking about people that are being obnoxious with their megaphone, 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:50.839 shouting at passers-by in ways that know nothing of gentleness and respect. 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:54.460 I'm talking about people that are very clear. 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:59.300 Very clear on what God says is right and what God says is wrong. 00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:05.160 Clearly speaking people and our willingness to be associated with them 00:39:05.160 --> 00:39:08.660 is the litmus test about whether we're ashamed 00:39:08.660 --> 00:39:12.519 or delighting in the Lord Jesus. 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:18.380 We've got to stick with bold people. 00:39:19.900 --> 00:39:22.259 Boldness, being clear in the face of fear. 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:25.400 That's what we see in this passage. 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.500 Do not be ashamed. 00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:29.659 Number three. 00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:32.400 You cannot guarantee successful ministry. 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.340 You can't. 00:39:35.199 --> 00:39:37.759 Timothy's Paul's best guy and it's all going wrong. 00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:42.120 You cannot guarantee it. 00:39:43.020 --> 00:39:47.600 You can be faithful in it, but ultimately God is sovereign over it. 00:39:48.580 --> 00:39:51.640 And therefore we're to work and to strive and to pray. 00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:54.020 To keep the gospel clear. 00:39:54.720 --> 00:39:56.380 To keep the fellowship together. 00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:59.940 To keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. 00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:04.720 But even if we do all that, it's no guarantee of successful ministry. 00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:06.039 It will certainly help. 00:40:07.820 --> 00:40:11.099 Timothy's doing the right stuff, but it's very difficult. 00:40:11.220 --> 00:40:13.119 There's no guarantee of successful ministry. 00:40:14.119 --> 00:40:17.320 And linked to that, people will desert you and it is heartbreaking. 00:40:18.760 --> 00:40:21.340 You can almost see that as Paul pens, 00:40:21.780 --> 00:40:23.340 fight jealous and homogenies, 00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:26.220 he's smudging his ink as the tear comes out of his face. 00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:28.079 Probably his eyes. 00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:32.259 People will desert you and it is heartbreaking. 00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:37.860 You'll train people and you'll train people and you'll invest in them. 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:41.400 And you'll see real quality and real ability. 00:40:42.500 --> 00:40:43.980 But some will walk away. 00:40:44.400 --> 00:40:47.159 It's going to be very important that we get this. 00:40:47.519 --> 00:40:50.299 Particularly as we embark on this internship idea. 00:40:51.880 --> 00:40:55.079 That down the line we'll have invested in people and there'll be nowhere. 00:40:55.079 --> 00:41:00.259 And Paul was all right with that and we've got to be all right with that as well. 00:41:00.340 --> 00:41:01.039 It's heartbreaking. 00:41:01.699 --> 00:41:03.239 And we mustn't give up. 00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:05.619 People will desert. 00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:10.420 We've just got to keep on going and keep not being ashamed. 00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:16.119 To keep having that gospel assurance that I know him and he is able. 00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:18.319 And point five. 00:41:18.320 --> 00:41:21.180 I told you there was four but there was one free. 00:41:21.400 --> 00:41:23.160 It was hiding under the bottom of the page. 00:41:24.400 --> 00:41:27.059 God is sovereign over the affairs of his church. 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:27.880 Sovereign. 00:41:28.500 --> 00:41:29.300 He'll build it. 00:41:29.380 --> 00:41:29.980 It'll grow. 00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:32.680 He above all things is faithful. 00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:36.720 We're to be faithful in the gospel. 00:41:38.220 --> 00:41:41.059 We're to be unashamed of the unadjusted gospel. 00:41:41.059 --> 00:41:44.539 And we're to trust that it is God through that gospel. 00:41:44.940 --> 00:41:47.039 Through the foolishness of that gospel. 00:41:47.920 --> 00:41:51.139 We'll accomplish wonderful life-changing eternity. 00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:53.279 Altering things. 00:41:54.900 --> 00:41:57.779 I don't know if you saw him at the end of Hebrews 13 this morning. 00:41:57.880 --> 00:41:58.840 But Timothy's mentioned. 00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:04.039 And from the context it seems that Timothy's been in prison. 00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:06.619 I think that's quite encouraging. 00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:10.519 That Paul said to Timothy, don't be ashamed of me. 00:42:11.339 --> 00:42:12.880 Don't be ashamed of me in prison. 00:42:13.719 --> 00:42:19.059 And it seems he wasn't because if Hebrews is written after 2 Timothy, which it probably is. 00:42:19.819 --> 00:42:22.799 Then Timothy ends up in prison because of the gospel. 00:42:24.880 --> 00:42:29.440 A wonderful idea that this letter really worked in Timothy's life. 00:42:30.059 --> 00:42:31.400 And he wasn't ashamed. 00:42:32.500 --> 00:42:33.960 And he kept on going. 00:42:33.960 --> 00:42:38.199 He had real gospel assurance. 00:42:41.300 --> 00:42:44.740 And even when the trajectory was all the way down, he said, I'll go. 00:42:45.679 --> 00:42:46.900 And I won't be ashamed. 00:42:47.019 --> 00:42:49.460 And may that be true for us as well. 00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:51.400 Let's pray and then we'll sing. 00:42:58.119 --> 00:43:00.820 Father God, all too often we're ashamed. 00:43:00.820 --> 00:43:05.820 All too often our confidence is rocked. 00:43:08.320 --> 00:43:10.440 All too often we run away. 00:43:12.760 --> 00:43:15.920 And are not as clear on the gospel as you ask us to be. 00:43:15.920 --> 00:43:23.840 So Lord, I pray we'd hear what Paul says to Timothy and what you're saying to us tonight. 00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:26.980 That we're to be prepared to suffer. 00:43:28.280 --> 00:43:35.700 That we're to be very clear on what the gospel is and what it promises and when that all comes to fruition. 00:43:35.699 --> 00:43:42.439 And that we would have real assurance in you that we would be those who could say, I know you. 00:43:43.879 --> 00:43:45.259 You are able. 00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:53.460 And therefore we can entrust everything, our ministries, our lives, our families to you. 00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:59.340 Knowing that you're able to guard them and to work your purposes out in them. 00:44:00.100 --> 00:44:04.020 So bless us and help us, we pray in Jesus' glorious and ever conquering name. 00:44:04.019 --> 00:44:05.039 Amen.