WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.679 The Bible reading today is 2 Timothy verses 1-7. 00:00:06.299 --> 00:00:08.400 The appeal renewed. 00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:16.019 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:21.699 ! and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:27.280 entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:32.140 Join with me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:40.380 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, 00:00:40.380 --> 00:00:44.299 but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:52.260 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:55.700 except by competing according to the rules. 00:00:55.700 --> 00:01:03.740 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a shower of the crops. 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:10.159 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all of this. 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:10.620 Amen. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:14.800 Well, once again, I'm David. 00:01:15.520 --> 00:01:16.640 Let me welcome you. 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:21.880 Thank you for being here this morning, whether you're a regular or you're a visitor or a guest. 00:01:22.240 --> 00:01:23.760 I'm really glad to see you. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:27.780 Really happy to be able to bring this passage to you 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:33.380 and just talk through what the Lord has helped me learn in it this week. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:41.439 Steve, graciously, was busy yesterday and Friday with another church up in York, 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:45.479 and so the privilege falls to me to lead us this morning. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:48.280 Let me just pray for us before we get started. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:56.680 Father, we thank you for gathering us here today, 00:01:56.820 --> 00:02:02.680 for prompting in our spirit to get up and to turn up to church this morning, 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:08.039 whether that's a normal thing for us or something that is not as normal. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:15.419 Lord, we pray that the words from 2 Timothy would not just be words on a page, 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:19.319 not just something that was in a book from antiquity, 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:27.399 but live and fruitful and has something to say to us that we might believe it and hear it 00:02:27.399 --> 00:02:30.259 and our lives would be different when we walk out. 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:35.079 Father, we pray that our hearts would be open to hear what you have to say, 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:42.360 to accept your teaching in us and allow it to change us, 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:46.980 as you promise you will do if we reflect on these things. 00:02:47.160 --> 00:02:48.100 You will give us insight. 00:02:48.480 --> 00:02:49.100 So we pray. 00:02:49.380 --> 00:02:51.040 We thank you, and we pray in Jesus' name. 00:02:51.160 --> 00:02:51.340 Amen. 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:57.480 Well, so we are back in 2 Timothy. 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:04.520 It's the second letter that Paul wrote to his protege, Timothy. 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:08.900 Timothy, of course, had been with Paul on some of his journeys, 00:03:09.480 --> 00:03:16.879 and then Paul handpicked him to stay in Ephesus with the elders and teach the church there. 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:21.660 And so what we see is that Paul is writing this letter, 00:03:21.760 --> 00:03:24.660 as we've learned the last few weeks, is that he's writing this letter from prison. 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:26.700 This isn't his first time in prison. 00:03:27.260 --> 00:03:30.100 He's been there before, but this time feels different. 00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:34.500 This time it feels like he's probably not getting out. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:35.060 Right? 00:03:35.139 --> 00:03:37.560 He's now an elderly man. 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:40.219 He's gone through many journeys. 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:43.840 He's been around and done a variety of things, 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:48.979 and he finds himself in prison, literally chained to a Roman jailer. 00:03:48.979 --> 00:03:53.060 And he knows in his heart that this is it, 00:03:53.519 --> 00:03:59.899 that he will either die in this cell or that he will be put to death because of what is happening. 00:04:00.799 --> 00:04:02.099 And so he's writing. 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:07.359 He decides in his last moments, his last days of his life, 00:04:08.019 --> 00:04:12.739 he wants to write a letter to Timothy, his protege, of course, 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:16.900 but one that he calls his dear son, his child. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:17.220 Right? 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:21.300 Paul is never married and doesn't have a child of his own, 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:24.740 but Timothy is his child in the faith, 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:31.060 his son that he's brought up to know and understand the teachings that he has carried on. 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:35.280 And so he takes this last moment to write in his final words, 00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:41.400 to give him a final exhortation of all the wisdom and the truth that he has to offer. 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:45.239 And he writes this last message to Timothy, 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:47.439 and he says, you know, of all the things, 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:53.879 of all the things Paul could say in a final message to Timothy, 00:04:54.539 --> 00:04:56.519 he comes up with these words. 00:04:57.299 --> 00:04:59.179 And he appeals to Timothy. 00:04:59.379 --> 00:05:01.500 He says, you know, you see him, he's gray. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:04.120 I want you to picture Paul coming to the end of his life. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:04.620 He's gray. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:07.279 He says, hold on, I've got to write one more letter to Timothy. 00:05:08.099 --> 00:05:09.639 And this is what he says. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:16.979 He appeals to Timothy to entrust what you have heard from me to reliable people, 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:20.779 to pass on what he has learned to the next generation. 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:24.579 This is the appeal of Paul to Timothy in these words. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:25.399 Right? 00:05:25.479 --> 00:05:28.899 He says, do not let it die with you, Timothy. 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:36.060 And this is the appeal from Paul to us today here at West Kilburn. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:39.839 He says, don't let this die with you. 00:05:40.799 --> 00:05:45.419 All of this message, don't let it die with you. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:53.799 Amazingly, all of us who believe are here today as believers because of a passage like this. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:54.680 Right? 00:05:55.100 --> 00:06:04.540 Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus and entrusted him with the truth and said, go give it to someone else. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:13.680 And then we see Paul entrusting it to Timothy in the stories in Acts and Ephesians and 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:22.019 And here we see Paul encouraging Timothy to entrust the same to faithful people who could teach the next generation. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:33.579 And by God's grace, that process has carried on for 2,000 some odd years such that today you have heard it from someone if you believe. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:39.819 And it has made it to you such that you could understand it and now you believe that this is the truth. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:42.000 It is amazing. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:43.480 This is unbelievable. 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:45.860 This is a miraculous thing. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:53.060 What Paul is encouraging here is that we might entrust what we have heard to someone who hasn't yet. 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:57.959 To someone who could pass it on to someone else. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:06:59.459 And on. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:00.339 And on. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:06.899 This is the strategy laid out for the church by Jesus and then Paul and then on. 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:09.000 This is what we're here for. 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:09.639 Right? 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:12.439 To reflect on the things that we have been taught. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:14.879 To commit them into our lives. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.560 And then to entrust them to someone else. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:22.019 This is the glorious work of the church. 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:24.399 The passing on of the gospel truths. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:25.839 The holding of the good deposit. 00:07:26.099 --> 00:07:29.060 Protecting it as we looked at last week in chapter 1. 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:29.779 To guard it. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.579 To protect its integrity. 00:07:31.579 --> 00:07:33.560 Not to let it be diluted. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:35.719 But not to keep it for ourselves. 00:07:35.719 --> 00:07:41.519 Not to protect it like a precious stone or a ring that you might want to hold tightly to. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:41.779 No. 00:07:41.859 --> 00:07:43.139 Instead sharing it. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:46.060 Entrusting it to the next generation. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:52.019 So that the Bible and these truths are preached in this building for one more 150 years. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:54.280 And 150 years beyond that. 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:56.079 Until the Jesus. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.180 Until the Jesus. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:59.920 Until Jesus returns and makes everything new. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:00.620 Right? 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.899 This is the emphasis of this passage. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:06.279 Entrust what you've heard. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:09.259 Entrust what you've heard from me, Paul says. 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:11.379 And what exactly are to we entrust? 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:15.259 He says in verse 2. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:15.560 He says, 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:17.240 The things you have heard me say. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:19.159 Things you've heard me say publicly. 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:23.379 What are these things that he's said? 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:25.899 Paul refers to this in a variety of places. 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:27.139 In his teachings. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:29.279 In this book and elsewhere. 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:32.399 In Romans chapter 6 verse 17. 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:33.019 He says, 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:36.919 But thanks be to God that through you used to be. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:37.819 Through you. 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:40.440 That though you used to be slaves to sin. 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:43.000 You have come to obey from your heart. 00:08:43.140 --> 00:08:46.620 The pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:48.300 And in Acts. 00:08:48.400 --> 00:08:51.680 When Paul is saying farewell to the elders at Ephesus. 00:08:52.280 --> 00:08:53.020 He says to them. 00:08:53.160 --> 00:08:55.240 Therefore I testify to you this day. 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:57.580 That I am innocent of the blood of all of you. 00:08:57.879 --> 00:09:02.280 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 00:09:03.660 --> 00:09:07.300 And in several places just in the chapter preceding where we are today. 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:08.339 As we looked at last week. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:09.120 In verse 12. 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:13.479 This is from the ESV translation. 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:13.899 But he says, 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:14.899 I'm not ashamed. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.740 For I know in whom I have believed. 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:21.159 And I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day. 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:22.699 What has been entrusted to me. 00:09:23.859 --> 00:09:25.019 In verse 13 he says, 00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:25.939 What you heard from me. 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:28.000 Keep as the pattern of sound teaching. 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:30.579 With faith and love in Christ Jesus. 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:32.560 And then in verse 14 he says, 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.720 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:39.900 And then in verse 8, a little bit earlier, he says, 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:44.160 Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:50.440 So what are the things that Timothy has heard Paul say? 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:53.960 That Paul is encouraging him to entrust again. 00:09:54.040 --> 00:09:55.480 It's the pattern of teaching. 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:57.240 It's the whole counsel of God. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:58.799 It's what he has believed. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.980 It's the things that were entrusted to him. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.220 It's the pattern of sound teaching. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.220 It's the good deposit. 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:05.100 It's the testimony about our Lord. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:08.639 Paul tells as he continues there, he says, 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:11.519 Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.259 Who saved us. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:18.980 Who saved us and called us to a holy calling. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:41.680 What are the things that we're to entrust? 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:43.419 It's the whole gospel. 00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:44.639 It's the whole story. 00:10:44.819 --> 00:10:50.039 It's all the teaching and clarity of what God has done in Christ for you and for me. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:55.899 That we were as good as dead, but Christ made us alive. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:11:04.779 And that our fortunes go from running into a dead end to glorious life with Jesus. 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:07.039 Not because of what we have done. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:10.659 Not because we can earn it or do anything that justifies us. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:15.439 We have been like those children in the other story that are running the opposite direction. 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:19.480 Throwing the mints in the gutter because we didn't care. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:24.720 And yet, because of what he has done, he brings life and immortality. 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:29.620 And the beauty and wonderfulness of that fact is what compels Paul, 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:33.139 and then Timothy, and then every believer since, 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:38.519 to endure through hardship to do the work of entrusting this message and these truths. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.519 Why? Because we know how it ends. 00:11:41.540 --> 00:11:46.540 Because we know that there is life and immortality through the gospel. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:53.660 We have to get this message, this truth, this pattern of teaching 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:57.079 to the next generation because it is so good. 00:11:58.719 --> 00:12:01.839 It's worth going through anything that we might endure. 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:06.959 It's worth pushing past whatever might stand in our way. 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:10.240 And did you notice we must endure? 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:12.299 Because, as Paul says, 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:17.059 somehow this work of entrusting and teaching these truths to the next generation 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:21.000 seems to be inextricably linked to suffering. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:25.519 Paul doesn't hide it from Timothy, nor us. 00:12:25.579 --> 00:12:27.679 Paul says to Timothy here in verse 3, he says, 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:29.299 join with me in suffering. 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:33.699 Echoing what he had already said in chapter 1, 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:37.699 he says, join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:41.160 Somehow in God's economy, 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:46.420 suffering seems to be a necessary part of preaching and teaching the gospel. 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.340 How do we know? 00:12:50.520 --> 00:12:51.720 Jesus suffered. 00:12:53.420 --> 00:12:54.740 Paul suffered. 00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:57.720 Timothy suffered. 00:12:57.720 --> 00:13:01.639 Suffering is part of it. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:05.660 But look, there's hope because in verse 1, 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:09.019 we find that there is... 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.920 Oh, that was before. 00:13:10.420 --> 00:13:11.180 This work brings suffering. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:11.480 Okay. 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:16.420 But we need supernatural strength to do the work of entrusting. 00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:17.480 Look at verse 1 again. 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.160 It says, 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:22.879 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:25.600 The ESV translates it slightly differently. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.279 It says, 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:29.899 Be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ. 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:30.759 And I like that one better. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:32.159 Be strengthened. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:35.540 We need strength, 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.879 but he doesn't say, 00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:40.220 muster all of your strength. 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:40.779 He doesn't say, 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:44.500 grit your teeth and work as hard as you can. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.139 No, he says, 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:49.320 Be strengthened by the grace. 00:13:49.420 --> 00:13:49.540 Right? 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:51.160 This verb is in the passive voice. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.120 Be strengthened. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.500 We are not doing the action. 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.720 Right? 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.879 We are not doing the strengthening. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.320 Who is doing the strengthening? 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:01.899 It's Christ Jesus doing the strengthening. 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:07.299 In fact, it's the grace in Christ Jesus that's doing the strengthening. 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:12.100 We are strengthened by his grace. 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:18.200 It's not only for salvation that we are dependent on his grace. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:22.639 But no, it's for sanctification and service to Christ as well. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:24.600 Look at chapter 1, verses 8 and 9. 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:24.899 It says, 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:32.980 Share in the suffering for the gospel by the power of God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:36.180 not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:37.079 Right? 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:44.199 We are commanded to allow ourselves to be strengthened by grace in Jesus. 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:47.219 Because we don't have the strength. 00:14:47.859 --> 00:14:48.019 Right? 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.120 You say, 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.979 Go endure that suffering in your own power. 00:14:52.719 --> 00:14:54.219 We don't have what it takes. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:58.359 Nor can we gain it on our own in some way. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.120 Right? 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:08.320 We can't work hard enough, do enough lifting or studying or whatever it would take to get the strength to endure on our own. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:10.019 That's not how it's built. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:13.480 We need grace that comes from Jesus. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:16.500 We need his grace in our lives to work. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:19.600 And this is what it is. 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.560 And so you might ask, 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:22.799 Why do we need such strength? 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:30.240 Why do we need supernatural strength in order to do this task of entrusting? 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:37.219 It doesn't seem like that would be something that you need some, like, extraordinary level of strength. 00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:37.459 Right? 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:39.279 People teach things all the time. 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:44.099 People tell people, you know, maybe I'm taking it back now. 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:46.439 School teachers do need some supernatural strength. 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:51.139 But, like, the point is, what do we need this for? 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:55.559 I think there's a clue in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:56.500 It says, 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.519 This is what we speak. 00:15:58.039 --> 00:16:02.919 Not in words taught to us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.559 This is the entrusting. 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.600 This is the work that we're doing. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.819 Explaining spiritualities with Spirit-taught words. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:14.220 The person without the Spirit, the person who does not believe, 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:17.600 does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:21.620 but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them, 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:25.259 because they can only be discerned through the Spirit. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:26.560 Right? 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:31.180 A person without the Spirit does not accept, thinks it's foolishness, 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:35.159 because they can't understand, because understanding is only through the Spirit. 00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:36.740 So there is resistance. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:39.000 We know this to be true. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:43.299 Any time the truth of the gospel is proclaimed, 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.740 there is resistance from the enemy. 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:48.279 There is resistance from those who are there. 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:51.679 And there is suffering because of it. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:57.279 Some of it might be intense suffering that Paul and Jesus might have gone through, 00:16:57.820 --> 00:17:00.159 that our brothers and sisters in countries, 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.899 where they're not allowed to say these things, 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.759 they might go through. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:07.240 And some of it might be softer, but still feels like real suffering 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:11.960 when your friends or your family don't accept what you believe, 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.779 when they ridicule you, 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:17.119 or they make light of the things that have changed your life. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:17.400 Right? 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.440 This is suffering. 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:22.079 And so, like a good Baptist preacher, 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:25.819 Paul gives us three examples of how we might stand strong 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:29.619 in our task of entrusting to the next recipient. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:29.960 Right? 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:33.079 So he says, be like a soldier, be like an athlete, 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:34.160 and be like a farmer. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:38.500 So first he says, be single-minded like a soldier. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:40.620 Look at that verse there. 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:43.120 In verse 3 he says, 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:45.700 Join with me in suffering like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:50.900 No one suffering as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, 00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:54.500 but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:59.279 Soldiers on active duty, 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.839 if they're out there, 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:03.000 they do not expect, 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.460 or at least they should not expect, 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:06.960 it to be an easy or safe time. 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.400 Right? 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:10.380 Soldiers would take hardship, 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.640 and risk, 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.559 and suffering, 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:14.099 as a matter of course. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.480 This is what they signed up for. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:16.839 Right? 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:19.720 And those things are part and parcel 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:22.119 of the calling of a soldier. 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:23.359 Modern day soldier, 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:25.379 or going back to the times 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.720 when what Paul is talking about. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:26.939 Right? 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:29.959 Church Father Tertullian puts it this way. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.319 He says, 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:34.199 No soldier comes to the war surrounded by luxuries, 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:37.740 nor goes into action from a comfortable bedroom, 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:41.259 but from a makeshift and narrow tent, 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:43.059 where every kind of hardness, 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.400 and severity, 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:46.940 and unpleasantness is to be found. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.519 So similarly, 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.039 like the soldier, 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:54.480 the Christian should not expect an easy time. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.819 This is what Paul is saying. 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:58.620 If we are loyal to the gospel, 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:01.200 we are sure to experience opposition. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:06.039 The soldier must share in the suffering with his comrades, 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:09.200 and in spite of everything going on around him, 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:11.859 he has to focus on the task at hand. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.519 He has to focus on the mission. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.180 And in order to do this, 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.859 the military, 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:20.119 they understand what's at stake. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.779 And so they make great effort 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.759 to free the soldiers 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:27.259 from having to deal with the everyday tasks 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:29.319 that we might get bogged in as civilians. 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.180 Right? 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.899 Soldiers live on a base 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:34.899 where there's no rent that comes due. 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:37.759 No repairs that need to be done. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:38.559 Right? 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:41.200 So they can live with mental clarity. 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.539 They're given a uniform 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.940 so they don't have to be distracted 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:45.639 about what they might wear to work. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:49.079 They go to a mess hall to get food. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:51.099 They don't have to worry about shopping 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.659 or getting anything, 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.819 making anything, 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.440 deciding what they might make for dinner. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.960 Their medical and dental care 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.159 are taken care of. 00:19:59.539 --> 00:19:59.980 Right? 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:02.339 The leaders of the military 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.019 have recognized 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:04.680 we don't want our soldiers 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:06.440 to have to worry about all these things 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.259 and get distracted 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:09.039 from the most important mission. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:14.519 Keep your mind on the mission. 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.920 And this is what Paul is saying to Timothy. 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.400 Be like a soldier. 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.259 Don't get distracted 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.660 on all the things 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.779 that the world has to offer. 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:24.140 Don't get distracted 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:26.220 by the little things 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.960 that are keeping you. 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.839 But focus on the mission. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.740 We've got to be focused 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.440 on the mission of God 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.200 and not be distracted 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.640 by the whims of the world. 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:36.460 So he says, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.180 be like a soldier. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.259 Not only that, 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.700 he says, 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.360 be like an athlete. 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.420 Be full of integrity 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.220 like an athlete. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.079 He says, 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.860 similarly, 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.420 anyone who competes 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.039 as an athlete 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.960 does not receive 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.920 the victor's crown 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.559 except by competing 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:52.259 according to the rules. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:55.299 the London Marathon 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:56.400 was in town 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.379 just a few weeks ago. 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:59.799 And the race course 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.720 that they set out 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.799 is meticulously planned 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:04.980 and organized 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:07.819 to be exactly 26.2 miles. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:08.859 No shorter, 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.379 no longer. 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:09.799 Right? 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:12.579 And they make very clear 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.759 that there are walls 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.440 and gates and things 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.900 that keep you on that path 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:18.759 so that you can't deviate 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.579 and go a little bit less 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:23.159 than that 26.2 miles. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.460 If a runner were to 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.919 jump off the course 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.819 and take a shortcut, 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:30.159 they might finish first, 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.039 but they would, 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.339 of course, 00:21:31.399 --> 00:21:32.279 be disqualified 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.559 from winning the prize 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:35.299 because they cheated. 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.240 Right? 00:21:36.439 --> 00:21:37.699 Every runner, 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.480 in a similar way, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.699 they enter the race 00:21:40.699 --> 00:21:41.419 in hopes of winning 00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:42.659 or completing the race 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.939 in their personal best time. 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:46.199 They've consistently trained 00:21:46.199 --> 00:21:47.799 for months and months 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.279 to prepare for that race. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.599 Right? 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.980 And if any of them 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.379 tried to shortcut 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.379 the training, 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:56.960 they would find themselves 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.960 unprepared 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.879 and not able to win 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:01.319 or beat the time 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.200 that they hoped for. 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:02.740 Right? 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:04.720 There's no way 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:06.599 to run a race 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.960 and take a shortcut. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:10.000 You have to run the race. 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.539 You have to do the training. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.680 There isn't a shortcut way 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.680 to make it happen. 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:14.899 Right? 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.940 And this is what Paul is saying. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.019 If you want the victor's crown, 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:20.099 you can't take a shortcut. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.900 And he looks at Christians 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.900 and he says the same thing. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.639 That, 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.379 you know, 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.099 in the same way 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.879 that the performance 00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:29.180 on race day 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:29.900 is a reflection 00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:30.720 of the work 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.259 that the runner 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.139 has put in training, 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.160 we must follow 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:34.920 the path laid out for us. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.259 There are no shortcuts 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.500 in sharing the gospel 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.319 with a friend 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.220 or a family member. 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:41.379 There are no magic words 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:43.039 that Steve can give you 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:45.160 that will make that easier 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:47.240 or make it go faster. 00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:48.759 Right? 00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:49.460 We are simply 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.259 to hold fast 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.960 to the truths 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.740 that we've received 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:53.180 and we share them faithfully. 00:22:53.800 --> 00:22:54.240 Right? 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.320 And trust that the Lord 00:22:55.320 --> 00:22:56.100 will do the rest. 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.240 Right? 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:59.120 This is what Paul is saying. 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.460 He says, 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.580 be like a soldier 00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:02.920 and keep focused. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.080 Be like an athlete 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:06.160 and follow the rules 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.180 and do what it takes. 00:23:07.560 --> 00:23:07.759 Right? 00:23:07.800 --> 00:23:08.380 And then he says, 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.980 be like a farmer 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.740 and be diligent 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.680 in hard work 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.319 like a farmer. 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:13.940 He says, 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.720 the hardworking farmer 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.680 should be the first 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:18.079 to receive a share 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.160 of the crops. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.660 And the way 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.940 that the soldier's focused 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.579 and the athlete 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.779 has integrity, 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.500 the farmer has to be diligent 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.620 to do the work 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.940 when the reward 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:29.259 is not yet visible. 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.160 Right? 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.299 Much like the runner 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:34.200 logging mile after mile 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.420 in the rain 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.140 and in the dark 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.759 of their training, 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.680 the farmer gets up early 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.660 every day 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.759 to till the soil 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.900 and plant the seeds, 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.720 doing what is necessary 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.820 to yield a crop 00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:45.799 in its due time. 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:46.880 Right? 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.279 For weeks, 00:23:48.560 --> 00:23:50.019 there's no evidence 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.560 at all 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:51.259 that the work 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.299 the farmer is doing 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.940 will yield any result. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.120 There's weeks 00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:57.900 where there's nothing 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.900 coming out of the ground. 00:23:59.720 --> 00:23:59.960 Right? 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:01.160 And for months, 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.900 the farmer carries on 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.539 this task 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.340 of his daily work 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:05.019 in hopes 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.100 that the crop 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:07.299 will actually produce 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.180 the fruit. 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.759 Or the corn 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.539 or whatever it is. 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.279 Right? 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.539 It takes months of time 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:15.259 for him to realize this. 00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:16.400 And his whole life 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.600 is dependent on this. 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.759 If the crop 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.799 doesn't produce, 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.440 he has no food to eat 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.240 and he has nothing 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.160 to take to the market 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.640 to sell. 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.660 What an exercise 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.360 of faith 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.640 it is. 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.420 And in the same way, 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.180 the life 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.180 of a Christian disciple 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:33.360 looks very similar. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:35.420 We walk by the Spirit 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.340 and follow the ways 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:36.759 of Jesus 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.139 which often 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:39.019 look incredibly 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.679 fruitless, 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.599 especially in light 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:40.919 of the way 00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:41.339 the world 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.980 would look at it. 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:44.619 But daily 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.379 faithfulness 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.459 in pursuing 00:24:46.459 --> 00:24:47.439 Christian character 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:49.279 one day produces 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.319 a man or a woman 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:52.220 worthy of respect. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.839 And in serving 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.259 the Lord 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.759 and teaching 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.759 and evangelizing 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.459 can be the same. 00:24:57.679 --> 00:24:58.039 We might 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:59.439 share the gospel 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.199 with scores 00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:00.839 of people 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:02.339 and no one 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.079 comes to faith. 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.179 We might teach 00:25:05.179 --> 00:25:06.199 the children 00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:07.119 or the youth 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:08.000 faithfully 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.099 for years 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:10.159 and years 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:10.939 and wonder 00:25:10.939 --> 00:25:11.740 if they've hurt us 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.099 at all. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.480 Right? 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.859 You might 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:16.039 raise your son 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.480 or daughter 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:18.139 and faithfully 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:18.799 entrust them 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.599 with all the things 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.399 that they have to say 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:22.500 and never realize 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:24.079 what comes of it. 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.319 And yet in God's timing 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.699 and in his grace 00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:29.179 he produces a crop. 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:32.039 And when that happens 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.000 there is 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.200 joyful singing 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.000 in all of heaven 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.480 because of it. 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.840 And so like a farmer 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.620 we must walk 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:40.000 in diligence 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.140 not worried about 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.799 what might come 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.740 but 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:45.400 following 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.420 in the task 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:46.920 of the day. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:47.560 Right? 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.380 So Paul is giving this 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:48.820 to Timothy. 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:49.840 He's saying 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.080 look 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:52.600 this stuff 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.259 that I've taught 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.400 the things you've heard me say 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.580 it's worth telling 00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.759 and it's going to be hard 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.200 but look 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.420 be like a soldier 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.980 be like 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.680 an athlete 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.440 be like a farmer 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.220 and do it 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.259 and 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:05.259 it's not out of a sense 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.720 of duty 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:07.519 because 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:09.180 Paul actually includes 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.360 a promise 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:11.460 with each of these examples. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.640 He does use the example 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.299 of the soldier 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.460 but not to say 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.059 that he must 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.220 soldier on 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:18.140 because he's bound 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.759 by duty 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.900 but instead 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.400 the soldier 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:21.220 remains focused 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.099 so that he might 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:23.460 receive the praise 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.519 of his commander. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.980 Paul does use 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.440 the example 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.019 of an athlete 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.079 but not to say 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.539 that Timothy 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.779 must grind away 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.759 day after day 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.599 to no end. 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.599 No, instead 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.019 he says 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.500 the athlete 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.180 reaches the end 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:35.599 of the race 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.299 and receives 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.940 the crown 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.539 of victory. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.440 Paul does use 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:40.859 the example 00:26:40.859 --> 00:26:41.539 of the farmer 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.460 but not to say 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.019 that we must 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.119 begrudgingly 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.920 and mindlessly 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.940 toil away 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.039 our days. 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.079 No, instead 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.960 the farmer 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.879 works to then 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:51.440 receive the first fruits 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.240 of the harvest. 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.980 there are 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.299 great promises 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.380 awaiting us 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.420 if we carry on. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.420 There are great 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.240 promises awaiting 00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.660 Timothy 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.960 if he listens 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.539 to Paul 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.620 and does this 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.380 but notice 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:03.920 the promises 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.539 are of grace. 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.099 They're not earned. 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.539 You don't get 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.099 those things 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.779 because you did 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.279 those things. 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.240 No, once again 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.180 the beauty of the gospel 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.059 is that no amount 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.980 of work we can do 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.980 no amount 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.640 of work 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.819 that we do 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.559 can earn us 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.200 the praise 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.720 or get us 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.259 the crown 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.880 or bear the fruit. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.880 No, Jesus 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:22.940 has done 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.700 all the work 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:25.120 and he gives it 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:25.600 to us. 00:27:26.300 --> 00:27:26.920 See, Jesus 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:28.240 received the praise 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.920 from the Father 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.720 and it's imputed 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.260 to us. 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.980 In his high priestly 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:33.080 prayer in John 17 00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:33.500 he says 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.400 the glory that you 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.960 have given me 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.460 this is Jesus 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.740 talking to God 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.540 to the Father 00:27:37.540 --> 00:27:38.240 he says 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.840 the glory you 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.340 have given me 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:39.980 I have given 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.460 to them 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.820 that they may 00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.220 be one 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.880 even as we 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.340 are one 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.140 I in them 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.780 and them in me 00:27:44.780 --> 00:27:45.840 that we may 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.280 be perfectly 00:27:46.280 --> 00:27:47.020 one so that 00:27:47.020 --> 00:27:47.500 the world 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:47.920 may know 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.500 that you sent 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:48.740 me 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.800 and love them 00:27:49.800 --> 00:27:50.360 even as you 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:50.860 have loved me. 00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:52.000 See, Jesus 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.000 was given 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.740 the praise 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.680 and he gives 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.320 it to us. 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:57.260 Jesus won 00:27:57.260 --> 00:27:57.720 the crown 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.160 of victory 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.800 over Satan 00:27:58.800 --> 00:27:59.500 and over death 00:27:59.500 --> 00:27:59.920 and we get 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.600 to share in it. 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.900 In John 16 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:02.320 he says 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:03.300 I've told you 00:28:03.300 --> 00:28:03.820 these things 00:28:03.820 --> 00:28:05.260 so that in me 00:28:05.260 --> 00:28:05.920 you may have 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.320 peace. 00:28:06.800 --> 00:28:07.520 In this world 00:28:07.520 --> 00:28:08.000 you will have 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.260 trouble 00:28:08.260 --> 00:28:09.080 but take heart 00:28:09.080 --> 00:28:09.880 I have overcome 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:10.500 the world. 00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:13.560 Jesus 00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:15.060 is the first fruits 00:28:15.060 --> 00:28:15.840 of the redeemed 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.660 and we get 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.560 to enjoy him 00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:18.200 and eternity 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.660 forever. 00:28:19.560 --> 00:28:20.180 In 1 Corinthians 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.840 Paul writes 00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:21.440 but Christ 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.160 has indeed 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.820 been raised 00:28:22.820 --> 00:28:23.460 from the dead 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:24.900 the first fruits 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.340 of those 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:25.860 who have fallen 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.299 asleep 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.620 for since death 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.480 came through a man 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.000 resurrection 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.920 of the dead 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.620 also comes 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.259 through a man 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.539 for as in Adam 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.340 all die 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:34.759 so in Christ 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.440 all will be 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.580 made alive. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.060 Right? 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.820 The means 00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:41.299 for us 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:41.900 to do the 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.380 entrusting 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.580 the means 00:28:43.580 --> 00:28:43.960 for us 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.420 to endure 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.100 the suffering 00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:45.980 are grace 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.299 and in the 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.620 end 00:28:47.620 --> 00:28:48.759 the result 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:50.160 and the reward 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.759 is also grace. 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.620 It's grace 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.880 by grace. 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.400 Oh look 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:57.160 I had that there. 00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.620 Sorry. 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.099 Look 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.819 and so finally 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:04.240 we see verse 7. 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.279 So Paul 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.839 has gone through 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.460 this and he says 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:09.460 he looks to 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:09.960 Timothy 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.799 and he 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.920 recognizes 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.559 something in 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.819 Timothy 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:14.960 that I think 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.919 we can recognize 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.419 in ourselves. 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.740 He says 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.439 look 00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:18.899 even if you're 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.399 afraid 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:20.720 that you don't 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.439 have what it takes 00:29:21.439 --> 00:29:22.399 even if you're 00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:23.079 not sure 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.519 you can do 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:27.000 what it takes 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.659 to do this 00:29:27.659 --> 00:29:28.359 entrusting work 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.119 that he's called to 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:30.059 even if 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.899 you're not 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:32.220 100% confident 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.599 in your ability 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.579 to explain 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.419 the teachings 00:29:35.419 --> 00:29:36.159 of the gospel 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:37.119 to someone else 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:38.899 Paul 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:40.159 and God 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:40.879 gives us 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.559 something here 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:41.960 and he says 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.220 look 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:44.420 reflect on 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:44.720 what I'm 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.100 saying 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:46.220 for the 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:46.660 Lord 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.500 will give 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.100 you insight 00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:48.779 into all 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.259 of this. 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.160 See that 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.740 reflect 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:52.480 in the ESV 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.059 again this time 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.700 translate that 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.120 he says 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.620 think 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.440 on what I 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:55.740 say. 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.220 Think 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.240 reflect 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.960 right 00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.180 we 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.680 we 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.319 we as 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.559 Christians 00:30:01.559 --> 00:30:01.920 we don't 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.339 read the 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:02.660 Bible 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.920 we read 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.400 the words 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:04.920 and then 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.319 we close 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:05.519 it 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:05.920 and then 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.220 we move 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.500 on 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:06.799 thinking 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.339 that somehow 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.380 that's 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.480 what we 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:09.740 have to 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:09.960 do. 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:10.480 We have 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:10.779 to think 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.360 about it. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.480 We have 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:12.940 to reflect 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.299 on what 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.740 it says 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.720 think 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.100 about what 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:15.460 it means 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.220 and when 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.579 we do 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:16.920 the Bible 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.360 says the 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:17.819 Lord will 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.160 give you 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.740 understanding 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.380 the Lord 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:20.180 will give 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.400 you the 00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:20.759 insight. 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.640 Once again 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.740 the Lord 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.160 is doing 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.480 the work 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:23.880 we're not 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.259 doing the 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.420 work 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:24.759 but the 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.059 Lord is 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.380 doing the 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:25.579 work 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.319 and yet 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:26.579 at the 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.059 same time 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.660 we're told 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.420 to put 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:28.660 effort 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.079 into it 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.779 to do 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.200 the work 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.720 of reflecting 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.160 and so 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:33.059 the reality 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.440 is some 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:33.839 Christians 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:35.339 we never 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:35.779 do any 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.160 serious 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.420 Bible 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:36.740 study. 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:37.799 It might 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.720 be that 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.160 we're lazy 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.600 it might 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:39.839 be that 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.100 we don't 00:30:40.100 --> 00:30:40.539 understand 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.819 but it 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.240 also might 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.539 be that 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.600 we think 00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:42.940 somehow 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.480 that the 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:43.980 understanding 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:44.600 will come 00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.019 from the 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.539 Holy Spirit 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.500 in a 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.039 miraculous 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.880 manner 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.319 and it's 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:48.579 just going 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.100 to fall 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.660 on us 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.500 without us 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.960 ever having 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.700 to look 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.019 at the 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.319 words 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.920 and it 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.140 doesn't 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.600 require 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:55.079 any effort 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.579 from us. 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.360 We skim 00:30:56.360 --> 00:30:56.779 through the 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.400 verses in our 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.079 morning devotion 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:59.359 and expect 00:30:59.359 --> 00:30:59.779 somehow 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.419 that the 00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:00.639 Spirit 00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.159 will just 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:01.679 deliver 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:02.419 understanding. 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:03.839 It doesn't 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.759 seem to 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.139 me 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:06.059 that Paul 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.559 thinks it 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:07.000 works like 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.259 that. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.519 See on the 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:10.919 other side 00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:11.799 others of 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.319 us are 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.039 very good 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.559 and very 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.059 diligent 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:14.759 at Bible 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.079 study. 00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.559 We're the 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.419 hardworking 00:31:17.419 --> 00:31:18.399 farmers as 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:18.759 it were 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:20.179 and we 00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:21.299 might grapple 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:21.639 with the 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.039 text of 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.279 Scripture 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.839 we might 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:24.379 listen to 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.339 all the 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.639 sermons 00:31:25.639 --> 00:31:26.139 on YouTube 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:26.779 we might 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:28.039 know them 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.639 backwards and 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.200 forwards and 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.599 commit them 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:30.039 to memory 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.539 but we 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.839 forget that 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.240 it's the 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.319 Lord who 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:33.779 imparts 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.079 true 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.619 understanding. 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.319 There are 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:39.519 professors of 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.759 religion at 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.039 major universities 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.119 who don't 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.920 believe the 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.259 text. 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.259 They know 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.859 the words 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.639 they know 00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:48.019 it backwards 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:48.399 and forwards 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:48.659 they know 00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:48.920 it better 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.299 than many 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:49.579 of us 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.680 do but 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:50.940 they don't 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.700 believe it 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.980 because the 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.659 Lord has 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:54.000 to give 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.519 understanding. 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:59.099 and it's 00:31:59.099 --> 00:31:59.440 the Lord 00:31:59.440 --> 00:31:59.779 who does 00:31:59.779 --> 00:31:59.980 it and 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.460 he imparts 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:00.819 it as a 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.960 gift so 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.359 we can't 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.099 divorce what 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:03.720 God has 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.000 in his 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:05.299 wisdom that 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:05.680 he's put 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.079 together. 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.400 This think 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:08.480 reflect and 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.799 then I'll 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.099 give it. 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:10.160 Those go 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.519 together. 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.339 It's not 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.139 two separate 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.559 things. 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.500 And so a 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.460 balance of 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.599 careful thought 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.619 careful reflection 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.900 and devoted 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.859 prayer for 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.920 understanding is 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.440 essential. 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:23.200 we do the 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:24.539 considering and 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.640 God gives the 00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.160 understanding. 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.220 So church 00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:31.160 as we kind 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:31.980 of move 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:34.240 towards closing 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:36.460 here if 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:38.039 if there is 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.480 to be a 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.160 future here 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:41.160 of vibrant 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:42.680 spirit filled 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.720 life in this 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.779 building in 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.240 this community 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.320 if if if 00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:46.880 West Kilburn 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:47.559 Church is to 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.480 be a gospel 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.600 anchored place 00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:50.080 of worship 00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:50.779 for the next 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:52.099 150 years 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:53.119 if Queens 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.859 Park and 00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:54.579 Kilburn and 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.139 Maida Vale 00:32:55.139 --> 00:32:57.079 are and all 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:57.539 the surrounding 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.519 areas are to 00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.339 hear the gospel 00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.019 and to be 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.940 transformed by 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.799 Jesus as we 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.680 hope and pray 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:05.299 we can't expect 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:07.099 Steve to do 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:07.500 all of the 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:07.799 teaching. 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:08.639 We can't expect 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:10.079 Steve to do 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:11.039 all of the 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:13.879 what's the word 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.259 that I've been 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.720 using this whole 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:14.940 time? 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.359 Entrusting. 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.059 Thank you. 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.139 Sometimes my 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.480 brain just 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:21.420 we can't 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:21.799 expect it. 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.059 We can't 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.559 expect the 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.160 paid workers 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.500 of the 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.360 church to 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:24.960 do all of 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.319 this for 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.660 us. 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.740 The message 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.180 that Paul 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.599 hears, he's 00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:29.079 writing it to 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:29.759 Timothy who 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:31.839 would arguably 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:33.079 be a paid 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.920 worker of the 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.240 gospel. 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:35.200 He's writing 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:35.660 it to him but 00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.039 he's writing 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.720 it to us. 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.240 And the 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.819 message is for 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.200 each one of 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.660 us that we 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.759 must think 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:41.980 and reflect on 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.720 these words 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.620 and pray that 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.339 God might give 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.019 us insight. 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:47.039 We must be 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.379 strengthened by 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:49.099 the grace that 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:49.639 is in Jesus. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.920 We must be 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.539 like soldiers 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.099 and athletes 00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:53.639 and farmers 00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:54.900 entrusting the 00:33:54.900 --> 00:33:55.920 gospel deposit 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.839 that we have 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:59.160 received by 00:33:59.160 --> 00:33:59.920 God's grace 00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.599 that he's given 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.259 it to us and 00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:01.599 helped us 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:02.339 understand and 00:34:02.339 --> 00:34:02.839 that we've 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.440 come to believe 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:03.900 and our life 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:04.160 has been 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.779 changed forever. 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.920 We then 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.819 have to pass 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.300 it on to 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:08.820 someone else 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:09.259 that doesn't 00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:09.719 know it yet. 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.000 We have to 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.679 entrust this 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.599 pattern of 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.199 sound teaching 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.139 so that there 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.400 are more 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.779 teachers. 00:34:15.859 --> 00:34:16.279 We have to 00:34:16.279 --> 00:34:17.179 teach the 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.659 many, many 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.440 would-be 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:19.900 listeners. 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:22.079 There's 50,000 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:23.259 people within 00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:23.960 one kilometer 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.659 of this room 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:26.420 living here. 00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:27.519 50,000 people. 00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:27.940 Do you believe 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.159 that? 00:34:29.379 --> 00:34:30.500 A very small 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.079 percentage of 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.920 them are 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.839 trusting in 00:34:34.839 --> 00:34:35.480 these words. 00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:38.440 So they're 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:39.599 out there and 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:39.960 it's up to 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:42.000 us to 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.619 entrust them 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.259 with the 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:43.699 things that 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.579 we have 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.239 received. 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.019 Things that 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.460 we have 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:47.299 heard and 00:34:47.299 --> 00:34:47.839 committed to 00:34:47.839 --> 00:34:48.460 our lives. 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:49.359 And if 00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:50.980 by God's 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.460 grace, 00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:52.739 by God's 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.519 grace, 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.500 we can do 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:54.699 that. 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:55.859 So let's 00:34:55.859 --> 00:34:56.359 pray that we 00:34:56.359 --> 00:34:57.199 would do 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:58.000 the entrusting. 00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:59.339 Let's pray 00:34:59.339 --> 00:34:59.659 that there 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:00.079 would be 00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:01.219 reliable people 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.599 that would 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.259 do the 00:35:02.259 --> 00:35:02.599 listening. 00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:03.659 And let's 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.079 pray that 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:04.739 we would 00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:05.219 both be 00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:05.899 strengthened 00:35:05.899 --> 00:35:06.819 by the 00:35:06.819 --> 00:35:07.960 grace that 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.679 in Christ 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:08.939 Jesus, 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.219 right? 00:35:09.299 --> 00:35:09.839 That both 00:35:09.839 --> 00:35:10.259 of us, 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.059 those who 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:11.639 are entrusting 00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:12.259 would be 00:35:12.259 --> 00:35:12.799 strengthened by 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.320 grace and 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:13.720 those who 00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:14.260 are listening 00:35:14.260 --> 00:35:14.800 and want 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.180 to hear 00:35:15.180 --> 00:35:15.840 would be 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:16.160 strengthened 00:35:16.160 --> 00:35:17.060 by grace. 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:17.560 Amen? 00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:19.560 Let's pray. 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:28.660 Father, we 00:35:28.660 --> 00:35:29.740 thank you 00:35:29.740 --> 00:35:30.480 for your 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.960 grace to 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.320 us. 00:35:33.680 --> 00:35:34.300 That in 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:35.460 your mercy 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.380 and love 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:37.039 and grace 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.519 for us, 00:35:37.620 --> 00:35:38.800 that you 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:39.220 made us 00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:39.500 who were 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.900 dead in 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.059 our 00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:11.320 us to 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:11.720 open our 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.300 mouths and 00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:12.720 tell them 00:36:12.720 --> 00:36:13.740 about what 00:36:13.740 --> 00:36:14.119 we have 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:14.460 learned, 00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:14.920 what we 00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:15.599 have received 00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:16.680 from you, 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.599 and that 00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:17.980 there is 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.639 much grace 00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:21.000 in your 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:21.240 name, 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:21.579 that there 00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.280 is life 00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:24.139 and immortality 00:36:24.139 --> 00:36:25.099 that comes 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:25.599 from you 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.380 in your 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.119 grace to 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:27.460 us, 00:36:27.700 --> 00:36:27.900 Father. 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:29.440 Lord, I 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.240 pray that 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:30.619 we would 00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:32.059 be so 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:33.860 enraptured 00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:34.960 by the 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:35.740 goodness and 00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:36.680 grace that 00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:37.240 is in you 00:36:37.240 --> 00:36:38.019 that we 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:38.800 couldn't help 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.740 but share 00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:40.220 it and 00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:40.720 entrust it 00:36:40.720 --> 00:36:41.060 with other 00:36:41.060 --> 00:36:41.360 people, 00:36:41.600 --> 00:36:42.000 that we 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.380 wouldn't 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.060 have a 00:36:43.060 --> 00:36:43.560 choice. 00:36:47.120 --> 00:36:47.560 You've 00:36:47.560 --> 00:36:47.800 done a 00:36:47.800 --> 00:36:48.100 work in 00:36:48.100 --> 00:36:48.500 us such 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.360 that we 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:50.580 can't keep 00:36:50.580 --> 00:36:50.820 it to 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:51.320 ourselves. 00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:52.460 It would 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.000 not be 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.640 like the 00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:53.960 ring of 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.340 power, 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:54.960 our precious 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.400 that we 00:36:55.400 --> 00:36:55.900 hold and 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.260 put it in 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:56.680 our pocket, 00:36:56.820 --> 00:36:57.180 Lord, no, 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:57.860 that it 00:36:57.860 --> 00:36:58.120 would be 00:36:58.120 --> 00:36:58.660 something that 00:36:58.660 --> 00:36:59.180 we share, 00:36:59.519 --> 00:36:59.780 that we 00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:01.820 excitedly 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.660 invite others 00:37:02.660 --> 00:37:02.980 into. 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.180 Lord, and 00:37:04.180 --> 00:37:04.900 you do 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:05.300 the work. 00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:06.840 It's your 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.700 grace in 00:37:07.700 --> 00:37:08.340 their lives 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:08.620 that they 00:37:08.620 --> 00:37:09.180 might receive 00:37:09.180 --> 00:37:09.340 it. 00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:10.300 It's your 00:37:10.300 --> 00:37:10.800 work by 00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:11.360 your spirit 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:11.640 that they 00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:12.039 might hear 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.260 it and 00:37:12.260 --> 00:37:12.900 understand it. 00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.240 And so 00:37:14.240 --> 00:37:14.820 it's your 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:16.220 things that 00:37:16.220 --> 00:37:16.720 you do. 00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:17.480 And we 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.780 simply want 00:37:18.780 --> 00:37:19.019 to be 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.380 faithful. 00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:20.079 We want 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:20.559 to follow 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:20.820 you. 00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:21.160 We want 00:37:21.160 --> 00:37:21.660 to share 00:37:21.660 --> 00:37:22.000 what we 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:22.440 have learned. 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:23.620 And by 00:37:23.620 --> 00:37:24.140 your grace, 00:37:24.320 --> 00:37:24.660 you do 00:37:24.660 --> 00:37:25.260 the things 00:37:25.260 --> 00:37:25.960 that it 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:26.260 takes. 00:37:26.680 --> 00:37:27.160 We pray 00:37:27.160 --> 00:37:27.760 in Jesus' 00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:28.079 name. 00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:28.600 Amen.