2 Timothy 4- The Lord Is With You

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But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!  2 Timothy 4:17-18

As we talked about previously, the Christian walk is not going to be an easy task, as Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me (Christ) (Matthew 16:24) This is a walk of discipline and obedience, it’s also a walk of persecution and suffering. As Jesus also said “if the world hates you, know it hated me (Christ) first (John 15:18) 

But despite all of this, remember and understand this, The Lord is with you through all of it! As the Apostle Paul stated here “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” , remember what the Apostle Paul also said “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13) The Lord Jesus Christ is with you always, everywhere you go, and will strengthen you also during times of hardship and trials.

Through all this, the Apostle Paul understood what his mission was, “so that the message might be preached fully through me” Paul wasn’t looking for his “best life now” Paul was trying to finish his race, complete the higher calling that was placed upon him. This should be our mission also, to fulfill the calling God has placed upon us. To have an eternal perspective on life and not a temporary outlook. Seek the Kingdom of God first! (Matthew 6:33)

“That all the Gentiles might hear” The Apostle Paul preached the gospel to the entire world, this is what we should do also, to fulfill the Great Commision “Make disciples of ALL the nations (meaning everyone) (Matthew 28:19) Preach the gospel to ALL Creatures (everyone) (Mark 16:15) This is your higher calling as a servant of Christ, to preach the gospel and make disciples, and The Lord will be with you and strengthen you, through all things!

You were marked, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) As the Apostle Paul said “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me for His Heavenly Kingdom” Satan will try to destroy You and your ministry, but The Lord will deliver you, because it’s all for the Glory of God and not ourselves, fulfill your higher calling and understand The Lord is with You and will strengthen you through all things, Amen!

2 Timothy 4- The Narrow Walk

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Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 2 Timothy 4:9-16

One things you will learn as a Christian, the deeper your relationship grows with Christ, the more people will oppose and abandon you. As Jesus Christ warned us “if the world hates you, remember that it hated me (Christ) first” ( John 15:18) If the world crucified our Lord because he brought the truth , don’t think the world doesn’t want to kill you also for preaching the truth. This is part of the cross you must carry as a disciple of Christ. 

As we look at the Apostle Pauls letter here, almost everyone abandoned him during his ministry. Not only did they reject Paul, but persecuted him. Even other Christians who were believers with Paul, neglected him because they feared to be part of the persecution he was facing. Doesn’t this sound familiar today? There are many who claim to be a Christian, but hide in the closet or shadows in fear to support their brethren. 

But as Paul is demonstrating here, he needed companionship, he needed his brothers and sisters in Christ to stand with him. So he pleaded with Timothy to visit him because Paul needed fellowship, this is why the Church is so essential for your salvation. Don’t believe you can finish this walk alone, just as the Apostle Paul needed his brothers and sisters in Christ, we need our family of God also. 

Another thing to notice is some of the brethren forsook the Church and pursued the world. As The Lord warned “Remember Lots Wife” (Luke 17:32) Who was told to not look back, many Christians go back into the world and lose their soul. But just as Christ said “Whoever seeks to preserve his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (Luke 17:33) Many Christians will turn back to the world, turn back to their old sin, but we must keep our eyes focused on Christ

But notice the Apostle Pauls response to all those who abandoned and persecuted him, “May it not be charged against them” reminds you when The Lord was hanging on the cross and said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) Let The Lord  be your vindicator, pray for your enemies even when its hard

Jesus said “Narrow is the way to life” (Matthew 7:14) As you continue to grow closer to Christ in your walk, just like the Apostle Paul, most people will abandon and oppose you, cling to Jesus in all circumstances, be led by the Holy Spirit, Amen

2 Timothy 4- Crown of Righteousness

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Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

One day we will all have to stand before The Lord and give an account for our life, for Christians this is a glorious thought , for the unsaved this should be a terrifying thought. As scripture says “Its a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) This is why we preach the gospel with urgency to everyone, seek Jesus and become Born Again before its too late, because there are no second chances in Hell (Luke 16, Hebrews 9:27)

We talked about previously what it means to truly be a disciple of Christ, to carry your cross, to crucify your flesh and live for Jesus. Some would say, what is the point of all this? As a servant of Christ, its an honor and privilege to serve Christ, but also Jesus will reward your faithful service. As the Apostle Paul states here “There is a laid up for me a crown of righteousness” just as Paul compared the Christian walk with competing in a race or battle, the crown is the ultimate prize, the completion of a successful mission. As Paul also said “I press on toward the goal, so I can win the prize” (Philippians 3:14)

When we stand face to face with The Lord, we want to hear him say “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) What we don’t want to hear from The Lord is “Depart from me , I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) These have to be the most terrifying words in the entire Bible. But Jesus is worthy and able to give you the crown of righteousness because He is the righteous judge!

My question or challenge for you today, is are you striving for the crown of righteousness? When you stand before The Lord and give an account of your life, what will He say to you? Are you living for Jesus? Does your life reflect the profession of your faith?

Now I would like to just end with what the Apostle Paul says here “but not only me, but also all of them that love His appearance” the crown of righteousness is available to all who love Christ. But if you truly love Christ, does your life reflect this? Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) See what Paul is teaching here is not works or legalism, this is about relationship with our Living God! Amen!