Enduring

O Lord, when all that’s within us feels dry, when we are in weakness or trial or pain, when we are in desert, we will bring praise. We will rejoice. We will declare that God is our victory and God is here. We will praise and lift your name on high. Because all of life, in every season, you are still God. Because of you, we have a reason to sing. We have a reason to worship.

So we are gathered here to worship you, the holy and righteous God. Let us experience your mercy and grace in this worship.

We love you Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Offering Prayer

Lord, we thank for Your faithfulness. Thank you that we can always trust in You.

You are an abundant God. you have always given us so much.

We give you this offering today with joyful heart. With it we worship You and give our whole selves to You. Please now take it and use it for Your kingdom and Your glory.

Extend and multiple its reach and influence. May it be a great blessing to many. We ask all this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Introduction

In a book By Their Blood, James and Marti Hefley write:

In the 19th century Protestant evangelical missionaries brought the gospel to the Armenians with stirring freshness. This precipitated an evangelical renewal movement within the staid old Armenian church.

At that time much of Armenia was under a Turkish Muslim government and conversion of a Muslim to Christianity was punishable by instant death. This law was suddenly lifted in 1856 and complete religious liberty declared. Scores of Muslims became Christians.

The opportunity proved to be short lived. In 1864 the Turkish government began rounding up and sentencing to prison Muslim converts to Christianity. From 1895 to 1896 government soldiers killed up to 100,000 Armenian civilians. In the spring an attempt was made to kill every Armenian Christian within Turkish borders. Lawyers, doctors, clergymen, and other intellectuals were rounded up and charged with subversion. Many had their heads placed in vises and squeezed until they collapsed.

April 24 was the day set to kill the rest of the Armenians. As many as 600,000 may have died on that fatal April 24. One of those who escaped was a young girl of 18 who stumbled into an American camp.

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"Are you in pain?" a nurse asked when she arrived.

"No," she replied, "but I have learned the meaning of the cross."

The nurse thought she was mentally disoriented and questioned her further. Pulling down the one garment she wore, the young girl exposed a bare shoulder. There, burned deeply into her flesh, was the figure of a cross.

"I was caught with others in my village. The Turks stood me up and asked, 'Muhammed or Christ?' I said, 'Christ, always Christ.' For seven days they asked me this same question and each day when I said 'Christ' a part of this cross was burned into my shoulder. On the seventh day they said, 'Tomorrow if you say "Muhammed" you live. If not, you die.' Then we heard that Americans were near and some of us escaped. That is how I learned the meaning of the cross."

If somebody makes you stand up and asks, “Muhammed or Christ?” what would be your answer? If your life depends on your answer, is your answer the same as usual?

Nowadays, we don’t be asked like this question in our lives.

No one persecutes you because you believe in Jesus. No one blame you, mock you because of reading the Bible, praying and worshipping God, sharing the Gospel.

Instead, because of not reading the Bible, not praying, not worshipping, not sharing the Gospel, we are ashamed by ourselves as Christians.

How do you keep your faith in Christ?

In today’s text, Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting execution for his faith in Christ. There he wrote his final recorded words to Timothy. Young Timothy experienced personal conflict at Ephesus and will face difficult times and many hardships as he serves the Lord and ministers to the church.

In today’s passage, we can find a great model: the Apostle Paul. Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting execution for his faith in Christ.

There he wrote his final recorded words to Timothy. Young Timothy experienced personal conflict at Ephesus and will face difficult times and many hardships as he serves the Lord and ministers to the church.

eEven when facing persecution, he was faithful to God. At that time, there he wrote his final recorded words to Timothy.

Young Timothy experienced personal conflict at Ephesus and will face difficult times and many hardships as he serves the Lord and ministers to the church.

So Paul wanted Timothy to know that every follower of Christ would face some form of persecution and that hostility against the gospel would continue. False teachers would rise up, and their deceptive belief and behavior would continue to get worse.

Paul is exhorting and encouraging Timothy to faithfulness in life and ministry. So Paul instructs Timothy to continue in the truth, preaching and teaching it just as he himself had been taught from childhood (vv. 14-15).

Yes, Paul really wants Timothy to overcome this difficulties with grace and strength. So he is providing the spiritual resources to endure.

What is this resource? The Word of God.

Today’s message is not only for Timothy, but also for us who need grace, strength, and wisdom from the Word of God to endure our difficult situation.

Today’s message is not only for Timothy, but also for us who need grace, strength, and wisdom to endure our difficult situation.

The Word of God.

So I pray that, through this message, you remain faithful to God’s truth even when facing persecution and your difficulties.

Body

1. PERSECUTION COMING ()

English Standard Version Chapter 3

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Persecution didn’t surprise Paul, and he didn’t want it to surprise Timothy. He warned that all believers who live a godly life in Christ Jesus will face persecution.

For us, we are free to come to church. We are free to read the Bible. We are free to pray.

But, followers of Christ in many nations around the world experience life-threatening persecution. They take great risks to worship the Lord and to share the gospel message.

For example, Religious practice and evangelical activities are banned in North Korea.

Toronto-area Pastor Hyeon Soo Lim said he has "never preached in North Korea," but admitted his very presence in the hermit kingdom may have been enough to upset the Kim Jong-un political system.

He was arrested in January 2015 when he travelled to North Korea on a humanitarian mission and sentenced that December to a life of hard labour for allegedly trying to overthrow the regime using religious activity.

Finally, he was arrested in January 2015 when he travelled to North Korea on a humanitarian mission. State prosecutors initially sought the death penalty. But after they knew he was Canadian, they sentenced that December to a life of hard labour for allegedly trying to overthrow the regime (political system or government) using religious activity.

So he spent more than two years in custody and thankfully released from a North Korean prison on 2017.

Why was he persecuted?

Because he lives a godly life in Christ Jesus. Because of his faith. Because of his identity. Because of his presence.

He was persecuted and spent more than two years in prison. He was struggling with loneliness, depression. He said, “I ate 2,575 meals in isolation.”

But, even though he was imprisoned by North Korea for over two years, he said, “he forgives North Korea and wouldn't hesitate to return if permitted”

Why? He knew this truth.

For a Christian, for the one who live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different.

My Utmost for His Highest August 2nd—The Discipline of Difficulty

An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different.

My Utmost for His Highest August 2nd—The Discipline of Difficulty

An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High … there shall no evil befall thee”—no plague can come nigh the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come.

My Utmost for His Highest August 2nd—The Discipline of Difficulty

An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different

If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come.

An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different.

My Utmost for His Highest August 2nd—The Discipline of Difficulty

If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come

English Standard Version Chapter 16

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come.

Because I believe in Jesus, because I become a Christian,

there is no problem. Everything will be okay. NO!

Because you believe in Jesus, Because you worship the Lord, Because you share the gospel,

NO!

Your job promotions could be denied. Your money could be lost. Your relationship could be broken.

But, Jesus said,

English Standard Version Chapter 16

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

English Standard Version Chapter 16

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus said,

In the world, you will have tribulation.

In the world, in this sinful world, in this empty world,

you: who live a godly life in Christ Jesus will have tribulation, pain, and suffering.

But, the Bible says, it is common for Christian.

Then, how can we overcome the world?

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome.

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome.

What kind of life? Godly life.

2. GET EQUIPPED ()

English Standard Version Chapter 3

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

14 But as for you, zcontinue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom1 you learned it 15 and how afrom childhood you have been acquainted with bthe sacred writings, cwhich are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 dAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that ethe man of God2 may be complete, fequipped gfor every good work.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Regardless of how other people might behave or what conflict they might create, Timothy could remain faithful to Jesus.

With the phrase “but as for you,” Paul contrasted Timothy from the evil persons of the previous verse. Timothy’s behavior was not dependent on his circumstances or on what other people might do.

Paul urged Timothy to continue practicing the foundational truths he had learned and firmly believed.

“Because I am in terrible situation. Because everyone does like that”

You know, It would be the great temptation for us. Because it would be a great excuse.

At that moment, we easily give up, lose our sight, turn away from faith.

But, Timothy had a solid foundation.

Timothy would have to guard against pastoral pitfalls and doctrinal deviations that could dampen his spiritual fire.

He had a solid record of serving Christ faithfully. Timothy did not need to change anything but to continue.

He had learned many of the essential truths of the gospel from his mother and grandmother, and especially from Paul. Paul’s impact on Timothy was great and Paul wanted him to press on faithfully with full assurance.

Paul urged Timothy to continue practicing the foundational truths he had learned and firmly believed.

When facing persecution and our difficulties, How can we continue practicing the foundational truth? How can we get equipped?

Paul is saying, 15 you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

And why don’t we read verse 16 together? 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The Word of God

Yes!

The Word of God is our solid foundation. The Word of God is our solid rock. The Word of God is our shield. The Word of God is the way. The Word of God teaches us, reproves us, corrects us, trains us so that we may be complete, equipped for every good work.

This is the way to be faithful in our persecution and our difficulties.

In your life, are you shaking? There is nothing to hold? There is no hope? I will read one story for you.

After her daughter was born, Nancy [Guthrie] knew something was wrong. Though she named the baby Hope, there wasn't much to be hopeful about. Born with clubfeet, extreme lethargy, and an inability to suck, among other problems, Hope was officially diagnosed with Zeilweger Syndrome. This rare metabolic disorder is characterized by an absence of peroxisomes (cell structures that rid the body of toxic substances). There is no treatment or cure. Most babies with the disease live less than six months.

"At first, I thought it was my fault," says Nancy "that I didn't pray enough for a healthy baby and was now paying for it." Nancy was familiar with prayer. She grew up going to church, attended a Christian college, and had a great job in Christian publishing. Her life was filled with the pursuit of Christian things but as she later realized, not necessarily with the pursuit of Christ. "There was a sense of hypocrisy, you know? I was so busy for God and interested in theological things, working with Christian authors and books, and working hard at my church, but I wasn't talking to him or listening to him by reading his word …

"I think for those of us who have grown up in the church, it takes a miracle rescue touch from God to break out of going through the motions. It takes great humility to say 'What I've been doing hasn't been working, and it hasn't been real.'" Nancy began by telling God, "It's been so long since we've talked, and I don't even know how to do this or why you'd want to talk to me, but can we start talking?"

For Nancy, talking meant committing to regular Bible study. Slowly, she felt the hypocrisy being replaced by a hunger to know God more …

She considered a recent Bible study she had done on the Book of Job. At the time, she wondered if she could do what Job did. She recalled the passage where God said, "My servant Job will be faithful to me no matter what."

"I remember being so challenged by that," she says. "I couldn't imagine God ever having that confidence in me." As Nancy looked at Hope, she thought, Here's my chance to respond to the worst thing I can imagine in a way that is pleasing to God.

It wasn't easy. Nancy had to make that decision over and over again during the next few months. Her grieving didn't get easier. Hope wasn't healed. The pain didn't lessen. But each day, Nancy tried to respond faithfully despite her loneliness and grief. When people offered to drop off meals, she and David invited them to stay. When people expressed pity at their circumstances, she asked them to celebrate their daughter's life. "Whereas before we talked to our neighbors about our lawns, we never had meaningless conversations anymore. We were talking about life and death and Jesus in a way we never had before." In preparing for her own loss, Nancy began to help others.

On her 199th day of life, Hope took her last breath.

Both parents must be carriers of the recessive gene for Zeilweger Syndrome to occur. The Guthries decided David would have a vasectomy to prevent another pregnancy. Only one in 2,000 vasectomies fail, so the couple felt secure. But one year after Hope died, Nancy was pregnant again. Prenatal testing revealed their third child would also have Zeilweger Syndrome.

Time magazine interviewed Nancy and David for an article in which the writer compared their plight to that of Job's in the Old Testament. The article quotes an entry from Nancy's journal: "[Like Job], we often cannot see the hidden purposes of God," she wrote. "But we can determine to be faithful and keep walking toward Him in the darkness."

Named after the angel, Gabriel was born on July 16, 2001, the same day the Guthries' story appeared in Time. They knew what to expect. Their son's first day would be his best.

Gabriel died 183 days later.

Nancy says that answering how or why begins with another question: what? What do we believe about God? "Do I trust the character of God enough to believe he's in control and whatever he allows in my life will be for my ultimate good—not [that] whatever he allows in my life is good?" says Nancy. "Can I trust knowing him will be good enough to make whatever it cost me to know him worth it? A lot of people say, 'Oh, I could never do that.' And David and I say, 'You couldn't. But if God allows this in your life, he will also give to you the grace you need to respond to it faithfully.'"

"I've experienced one of the worst things that can happen," says Nancy, "and I haven't found I'm strong and I can handle it. But I have found out God's promise is true, his grace is sufficient. Now when I read 'My grace is sufficient' (), I believe it not only because Jesus said it in the Bible—I believe it because I've experienced it."

You know, as I read this story. I was so sorry. What a sad, what a tragedy!

They lost two babies after they were born because of unknown syndrome.

This situation could make them easily give up, lose their sight, turn away, complain to God.

But, in their difficulties, what is it to hold their life? What is it to give them a hope?

What is it to teach them, reprove them, correct them, train them so that they confess that God’s grace is sufficient?

The Word of God.

They found hope in tragedy from where? The Word of God.

The Word of God made them to respond to it and endure their tragedy faithfully.

Then, let me ask you.

Do you read the Word of God? Do you listen the Word of God? Do you meditated the Word of God everyday?

I pray that you realize this truth.

Scripture provides everything Christians need to perform every good work God places before us.

Please read this Word, take this Word, use this Word of God to equip you and to stay equipped.

3. PREACH HIS WORD ()

Then, as we are equipped by the Word of God, we have a responsibility as a Christian.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Paul warned about the growing number of people who reject God’s truth in favor of personal preferences.

People want false teaching in order to satisfy their personal lifestyles and preferences.

You know, in the Old Testament, false prophets used the Word of God for satisfying people.

Even though people of God turned away, kept sinning, false prophets said, “you are okay, God will forgive you.”

But when a true prophet of God rebuked them, they rejected it and ignored it.

Then, because they don’t listen, because they reject and ignore it,

do we have to stop preach His Word?

No. verse 2 says, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming.

Do you remember my friend, Nate? who was a missionary of North Korea and shared a message here. Actually, he was married yesterday. Anyhow, when I was a teacher in Christian School, I had a chance to introduce Him and his North Korean mission to my class students. After sharing his ministry, one of my students asked to him, “Aren’t you scared? then Nate said, “No, I am not. I’m just scared of disobeying God’s Word like Jonah. This is His calling. This is my responsibility”

Even though sharing the Gospel in North Korea is really in danger, seriously it could be a problem of life and death.

Aren’t you scared? then Nate said, “No, usually I am not. I’m just scared of disobeying God’s Word.

But he wants to preach the Word.

Why? Preaching the Word is God’s calling and his responsibility.

It is the same for all of us who are Christians.

What did Nancy say?

Whereas before we talked to our neighbors about our lawns, we never had meaningless conversations anymore. We were talking about life and death and Jesus in a way we never had before."

My brothers and sisters,

preaching the Word is God’s calling and our responsibility.

In season and out of season, in your happy moment, in your tragedy, be ready to preach the Word.

4. FINISH WELL ()

Then,

English Standard Version Chapter 4

5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Look at this. What a beautiful confession by Paul:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Even though he was persecuted, even though he was in pain, even though he was in suffering, struggling, even though he was in prison, mocking, blaming,

But he has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith. He endured all things.

Then, he had confidence. He assured that the Lord will award to him.

This crown and promise of life isn’t Paul’s alone, but it is given to all who put their faith in Christ Jesus.

By looking to Christ, we can run strong until He calls us our Home, heaven.

Conclusion

My brothers and sisters.

Today’s message give us hope as we strive to live for Jesus in our present cultural situations.

There are many times the world and Satan will try to break us down in an effort to make us doubt our faith.

But, I hope to remember. For a Christian, for the one who live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

The more you want to live a godly life in Christ, the greater persecution and difficulties will follow.

Then, what do we do?

Giving up a godly life in Christ? NO. That’s a wrong application.

But Christ is faithful, and we are equipped by Him when we remember His presence, are fed by the Word, are active in our service to God, keep moving forward, and remember His promises to us in Christ.

Our answer should be this.

We should be equipped by the Word of God in order to endure persecution and our difficulties.

Then, when we remember His presence, are fed by the Word, preach the Word faithfully, keep moving forward, and remember His promises to us in Christ, Our Lord Jesus Christ will award the crown of righteousness on you and I.

Closing Prayer

O God, thank you for speaking to us. Thank you for letting us know that we, as Christian, face persecution and difficulties.

And thank you for providing us what we need. Your Word teaches us, reproves us, corrects us, trains us so that we may be complete, equipped for every good work. That’s enough. Your grace is sufficient.

Therefore, let us share what we experienced. Let us preach the Word in season and out of season. Let us keep moving forward and endure our life issues faithfully by your Word. So, we hope and pray that one day, you award the crown of righteousness on us and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Oh, God! Let us live a godly life before you.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all

who want to equipped by the Word of God to endure our life situations faithfully.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all who .