2.14.18 3.29.2020 Coronavirus interlude 2 Timothy 1.8-12 Less What More Who

Engage: I thought of this passage last week…but i wanted it to ferment a bit. Maybe we were not ready last week. I think we are now. This passage came to mind because there are similarities in Paul’s circumstances as alluded to in 2 Timothy and our own. The circumstances are not exactly the same. Paul was imprisoned and fearful for his life. We are fearful for our lives and have quarantined ourselves. True, the government has sought to make these requirements mandatory; but I’m not wearing chains and neither are you. They have not confiscated the keys to my pickup truck, they have not barred the door to my home.

Expand:So, despite the differences in Paul’s circumstances and our own there is enough similarity to find comfort, even boldness in the words he wrote to his young protege.

2 Timothy 1:8–12 ESV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

What Paul says about the savior is still true.

What Paul says about our faith is still true.

What Paul says about our eternal life is still true.

What Paul says about our gospel is still true.

What Paul says about our call is still true.

What Paul says about our great hope is still true.

Excite: So, instead of whining about social distance rather than lamenting social disruption instead of complaining about shuttered stores and slammed doors maybe we should remind one another that our gospel is unshackled, our message is unhindered, our spirit is unquenched, our mission is undeterred, and most importantly-our Jesus is un-en-tombed!

Explore: If you focus on Who has saved you that will help you to rediscover the what of your life. So let's focus more on who He is, Who He has made us, and Who we can touch than on all the what's that we cannot answer.

Explain: Who He is promises...

Body of Sermon:

1. Encouragement. 8

1.1 There is no shame in the testimony to Our Lord.

1.2 We share in suffering for our empowering Gospel.

Who He is provides...

2. Equipment. 10-11

2.1 Saved us and Called us.

2.2 Gave us purpose and grace

2.3 Abolished death & brought life and immortality to light

2.4 Appointed us to ministry.

Who He is provokes...

3. Engagement. 12

3.1 With Him.

3.2 With our own self.

3.3. With our ministry.

Sheltered in Place?

Every day! Every day you and I are in Jesus we are sheltered there by Him. He provokes us to be engaged in a transformative relationship with Him. He provides the Equipment we need, through the Gospel to live a redeemed righteous life. He promises encouragement to carry us through whatever circumstances we might fall into.

If you have not found shelter in Jesus...for crying out loud this is the time! You may never have such a great opportunity to fling open the prison bars of sin...you may never have such a stark opportunity to consider your eternal destiny. Jesus promises not only rest, restoration, and redemption, he promises to keep what we entrust to Him eternally. It's time to accept His offer.

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