Gordon Lee Baccalaureate Service: Remember Jesus, Always - 2 Timothy 2:8-10
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: What does it mean to remember? (2 Tim. 2:8a)
Introduction: What does it mean to remember? (2 Tim. 2:8a)
Lexham Theological Wordbook μνημονεύω
Denotes the action of keeping in mind or thinking of something or someone;
Lexham Theological Wordbook μνημονεύω
Commonly, the act of remembering does not merely refer to a cognitive function but also has strong overtones of acting properly in the present, as the memory would dictate
Remembering does not simply mean recalling past information, but actively choosing to have information in the forefront of your mind and acting in light of that information.
My wife works out at a gym where they do a lot of body weight conditioning. I decided to be a good husband and support her by attending one of these classes with her, even though my type of conditioning is anything over 5 reps.
For the first circuit we had 14 minutes to complete a series of 6 body weight exercises. Still having the competitive spirit from high school football, I wanted to be the first to finish my circuit. And that I did, I finished in 8 minutes instead of 14 and I felt so proud of myself. So after getting some water I stood their waiting for those whom I had defeated to finish.
But then something strange happened, the trainer told me to get back to work. Apparently this type of workout was not about being the first to finish but working out for 14 minutes straight, so I had to start the circuit over and continue exercising for the remaining 6 minutes.
Once out time was up I transitioned to the second and final 6 exercise circuit of the day. And when the trainer said go I remembered something, that if I finish this circuit before the 14 minutes is up then I have to do it again. So because I had remembered this information I acted in light of it, and promptly finished my second circuit in 13 minutes and 59 seconds.
For you here tonight, the big question is not what information do you need to remember, but who is it that you remember, then you will begin to see when and why you are to remember.
CIT: In order to faithfully transition from one season of life into another we remember the gospel of Jesus Christ foremost in our mind.
CIT: In order to faithfully transition from one season of life into another we remember the gospel of Jesus Christ foremost in our mind.
Who are we remembering? (2Tim. 2:8)
Who are we remembering? (2Tim. 2:8)
Jesus Christ
We are not remembering just anyone that was a good influence in our lives. We are not remembering a coach, or a teacher, or an administrator.
We are remembering Jesus Christ. And this is not an idea of Jesus that he was just a good man and a good teacher that showed a good way to live.
We are remembering the Jesus Christ of the Holy Scriptures, and Paul gives us two aspects of Jesus that we are to remember.
risen from the dead
The resurrection proved the gospel message
1 Corinthians 15:14 “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”
The resurrection demonstrated the gospel’s power - that is spiritual resurrection
Romans 6:4 “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Ephesians 1:19-20 “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,”
Ephesians 2:4 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,”
The resurrection demonstrated the future power of the gospel - that is physical resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
the offspring of David
Being the offspring of David means that Jesus is the Christ, in Hebrew that is the Messiah, meaning that he is the one who would fulfill the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7 and would reign as King forever and that he is the true fulfillment of all biblical promises.
Remembering Jesus’s title of Christ, his Messiahship invites us to see and believe that Jesus is the culmination of God’s promise of salvation and to bow before him as our Only King Forever.
as preached in my gospel
These two things summarize the essential truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the good news of Jesus from which we are strengthened and encouraged for endurance in salvation.
Since we have seen what it means to remember and who we are in fact to remember, let us now ask two short questions. When and Why.
When should we remember? (2 Tim. 2:9)
When should we remember? (2 Tim. 2:9)
At the end of a season
2 Timothy is the last letter that Paul wrote before he was martyred for his faith. All that is written in the letter should be understood as a final word from Paul. So in his final words Paul is telling us what is of most importance.
You are all graduating high school. Wether you like it or not this is the end of this time in your life. Though things won’t feel different immediately when you grab that diploma, things will have truly changed for you. So I implore you, as this season of your life comes to a close remember what is of most importance, that is Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of a new season
Paul was writing this letter to a young pastor that he had been mentoring named Timothy, which is where we get the title of this book. As Paul’s life and ministry is coming to a close, Timothy’s ministry is beginning is a hard way. Paul writes all of this to inform Timothy of what is most important for his ministry.
Some of you are going to a 4 year university, some of you are going to a community college, some of you are going to a trade school, and some of you may go directly into the job force. For all of these ventures it is the beginning of something new. And this new season of life that you are going into will be hard wether you like it or not. Therefore, as you go into this new season of life remember what is of most importance, that is Jesus Christ.
Why should we remember? (2 Tim. 2:9-10)
Why should we remember? (2 Tim. 2:9-10)
So that the Word of God may be proclaimed
Paul states that even though he has been imprisoned for his faith the Word of God has not been imprisoned. though he has been bound with chains, the Word of God can never be bound.
Why? Because at the center of the Word of God is the Word himself, Jesus Christ risen from the dead, the offspring of David. Luke 24:13-27
Why do we remember Jesus? Because he is the Word, and the Word must be proclaimed.
So that you may endure
Paul has been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, mocked, imprisoned, run out of cities, and now faces death for his faith in the gospel. But he continues in his faith, despite the hardship, because he has remembered Jesus christ.
Why do you need to remember Jesus Christ? It is so that when you suffer and go through hardship, which you will, you may be able to endure faithfully. For Christ endured suffering on our behalf so that we may be able to endure.
So that the lost may be saved
Paul knew that the ultimate end of his imprisonment and endurance is for one reason, the salvation of those whom God has chosen as his people. He did everything for the sake of the gospel so that he might win some to the Lord.
Why should you remember Jesus? It is not only for you, but for the lost around you that they may be saved!
So that we may dwell with Christ for all eternity
Finally Paul knew where he was headed. He knew that as Caesar’s axe swung towards his head he was going to be with Jesus for all eternity.
That is my greatest hope for all of you.
I pray that you are all greatly successful in your future venture wherever you may go, but more that that, maybe even beginning tonight, I pray that you remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David so that you may dwell with him for all eternity.
Pray
Pray