OVERCOMING A GREAT ENEMY TO ENDURANCE

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=558659" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=95 BGCOLOR="#330066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="048005f0dkblkv.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preach The Word</b></FONT><B>     </b><B>|    </b><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preach The Word"><U><B>home</b></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Timothy"><U><B>2 Timothy</b></U></A><B>   I</b><B>   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   I</b><B>   </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B>Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   I</b><B>  </b><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MARK"><U><B> Mark</b></U></A><B>    I    </b><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOPICAL STUDIES"><U><B>Topical Studies</b></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>OVERCOMING A GREAT ENEMY TO ENDURANCE</b></div> <div> (2 Timothy 1:6-18)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After I had shared The Gospel with my Mom, it didn't take long for her to start devouring her Bible.  She came to Bible Study, Sunday Services and she made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus.  So did my Dad.  He was without work, so we prayed for a job.  And the Lord marvelously answered. So he "equipped" himself to witness to Truckers in Truck Stops.  He shared The Gospel with his family and friends.  And pretty soon they pulled the ridicule card on him.  And it eventually got to him.  He stuck his neck out, but not for long.  Shame came upon him like a dark thunder cloud.  And he fell.  He apostatized, big time.  When my Mom's Roman Catholic Dad found out about our families sudden change of faith, he began to grab occasions when he was alone with her and he'd come down on her like a rock.  His goal was clearly to shame her right out of the Baptist church.  And guess what?  It worked.  Today, as I speak to you, my Mom is living deeper in spiritual darkness than she's ever been in her entire lifetime.</div> <bR> <div> And the world & Satan continue to use this same centuries old strategy on you and on me.  Now it is very important to be aware of this demonic strategy in order to know how to defeat it.  Have you ever been shamed by your family or peers for the reason of being a Christian?  I have.  And I have no doubt that I will continue to be in the future.  But I remind myself that this is "the normal Christian life".  I remind myself that they did it with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, The Prophets, John The Baptist, The Apostles, The Early Church and The Lord Jesus Himself.</div> <bR> <div> To this dark and deceived world The Gospel of Christ is  for weak people.</div> <div> People who can't handle it. People who are pitiful. So shame will watch over you in order to paralyze you in your role as a vibrant witness of the resurrected and soon coming Lord.</div> <bR> <div> And the sad fact is shame will succeed to do that if you don't know what to do when it happens.  And that's what we'll be looking at this morning: How to overcome the tyranny of shame.  Shame will have succeed if you stop in your tracks and turn away.  But you will defeat shame if you resist it and go on about The Father's business.  Stay active.  Plod on.  Keep going.  Keep pursuing the goal.</div> <bR> <div> In 2 Timothy 1, Paul gives Timothy 8 ways to overcome the paralysis of shame.  Today we'll look at the half of them.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. REJUVENATE YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT</b><B>  (v.6)</b></div> <bR> <div> If you are a true Born Again Christian today, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit has supernaturally gifted you to minister in a very unique way.  There are no exceptions.  Every believer is spiritually gifted.  And a big part of your purpose in this life is for you to put to work that gift.  John MacArthur goes even to the point of saying: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"Apart from ministering our gift in the service of the Lord, our life on earth is worthless.  Our sole purpose as Christians is to obey and serve the Lord through the gift with which he has uniquely blessed each of us, so that the body may be built up to be effective in evangelism." </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>Commentary on 2 Timothy, p.15</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>List of Gifts</U></b></FONT>: Apostle / Prophet / Miracles / Healing / Tongues / Interpretation of Tongues / Evangelism / Pastor-Teacher / Teaching / Service / Helps / Faith / Exhortation / Discerning Spirits / Showing Mercy / Giving / Administration / Wisdom / Knowledge<B>.  </b>(1Pe.4:10-11; 1Cor.12:4-11; Rom.12:3-8; Eph.4)</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >But someone here may be asking: </FONT>"I don't know my gift?  How can I go about finding it?" </div> <bR> <div>  <B>1)</b> Start praying about it, <B>2)</b> Seek opportunities to serve the Lord in your local church, and don't stop seeking until you find something, <B>3) </b>In everything you do, give it your best, <B>4)</b> Listen to what godly people around you are saying, <B>5)</b> Remember this<I>: </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"When our heart's desire is to please the Lord, the Lord will guide us by that desire into the specific area of service for which He has gifted us.  The Lord does not mock His children.  He lovingly bestows desires that correspond to His gifts."  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>MacArthur, John</b><B>, </b><B>2 Timothy, p.17</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> There's no greater thrill!  As you serve the Lord in the field He's gifted you in, you see His power flow through you!  You see people blessed by your ministry.  Your heart is filled with excitement & joy abounding.  Why?  Because you're doing God's Will in God's Power.  You know you were brought here for that unmistakable purpose.  And the devil or the world's attempts to shame you fall to the ground "like water on a duck's feathers".  It just can't hold up to that kind of supernatural power.</div> <bR> <div> Timothy was working with difficult Christians in his church.  Some were accusing him of being too young.  Heretics were trying to pull church members into legalism.  The city of Ephesus  was a "Sin City", steeped into idolatry.  The Temple of Diana was there.  Satan was bombarding this young Pastor with every temptation in the book.  And Timothy is starting to feel weak and discouraged.  So Paul writes to say, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"Resist it, Timothy!  Remember God's gift in you!  And give it all you've got!  You'll see, your boldness will return to you.  Don't give up now!"</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. BE FILLED WITH GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT</b><B> </b><B> (v.7)</b></div> <bR> <div> "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instaed, be filled with the Spirit."  Ephesians 5:18</div> <bR> <div> Every Christian has the Holy Spirit living in him.  But remember this: It is one thing to have the Spirit and quite another to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"be filled"</FONT> with the Spirit.  You can be filled one day, and yet not be today.  According to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >Ephesians 5:18-19</FONT>, the evidence of being filled is to sing to the Lord and give thanks in every circumstance.</div> <bR> <div> Furthermore, don't expect to share the Gospel with unbelievers if you're not filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:8).  And don't expect to live a victorious Christian life if you're not filled with the Spirit either.  Without the filling of the Spirit, the Christian life is not difficult, it's impossible!  Why? Because to live a supernatural life you need supernatural strength, which you and I don't have in and of ourselves.  Let's look at the effect the filling of the Spirit had on some of the first century Christians in the Bible.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Elizabeth</b> (Luke 1:41-45):  She expresses her great thankfulness for having the mother of her Savior come over to her house to see her and she praises Mary's faith in God.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Zechariah</b> (1:67-79):  He bursts forth in exalting and praising God for His awesome works in favor of His people.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Jesus</b> (4:1-13): He goes through an intense period of great spiritual testing and comes out victorious.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Jesus</b> (4:14ff): He goes into the synagogues and teaches the Word of God.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Peter</b> (Acts 4:1-22): He's intimidated by the Jewish Sanhedrin and puts up an illustrious defense of their Message & Ministry.  The leaders are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"astonished"</FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Stephen</b> (7): Before the Sanhedrin, he gives them an unparalleled sermon that runs through the history of the Jewish Nation.  And when he's about to be martyred he accepts it with supernatural grace & faith.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Paul</b> (9): After being baptized by Ananias he's filled and <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.  All those who heard him were astonished." vv.20-21</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Paul</b> (13): He rebukes a Jewish sorcerer and the proconsul who saw this <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord." v.12</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Early Christian Church</b> (2): They start praising God in a variety of different human tongues, Peter preaches The Gospel, unbelievers are astounded, convicted and converted.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Early Christian Church</b> (4:31): <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"After they prayed…they were all filled with the Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly." </FONT> In the following verse Luke describes how the church was characterized by unity and harmony.</div> <bR> <div> Now, How will you be able to stand in these Dark Days of present and ever increasing Apostasy?  How will you be able to stand in front of a generation who's getting more & more hostile to the Word of God? </div> <bR> <div>  A generation that will ridicule and humiliate you for your faith?  For stand on the roles of men, women and children?  Your stand on Moral Absolutes?  All kinds of Satanic persecution and humiliation?  How?  By being "filled with the Spirit"<I>.</I></div> <bR> <div> "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Timidity:</U></b></FONT>  Cowardliness, or cowardness.  "A Shameful fear that comes from a weak and selfish character.  In other words, you feel ashamed because of how it affects your reputation, your record, your image among your peers and family.  Paul says, "when that happens don't fool yourself that this is from the spirit of God.  No, this is generated by your own self-centered and human pride."</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009933" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Power</U></b>:</FONT> "dunamys"  Spiritual, effective and productive energy.  Not the type of energy that tears down and destroys.  This is power God supplies so you'll be effective in His service.  As Christians, we have the Spirit's supernatural power in us that is infinitely greater than all the shame, humiliation and persecution Satan and this world can throw at us. </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Love</U></b>:</FONT> "Agape".  The volitional and selfless love that desires and works for the best interest of the one loved.  "It's not an emotional or conditional or carnal love.  It's unselfish and focused on others benefit.  And it's because of this supernatural love that we can endure the shame and ridicule the unbeliever hurls at us.  Because this love sees through the hostility and sin that fills that person. </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Self-Discipline</U></b>:</FONT> "Sophonismos", means a supernaturally secure and sound mind.  It also carries the idea of supernatural self-control, disciplined and prioritized mind.  In other words, when you're filled and controlled by the Spirit nothing, absolutely nothing the world or Satan will throw at you will shake you.  You "rise above"  it all and triumph gloriously in the Lord's resurrection power.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3. ADAPT YOURSELF TO SUFFERING</b><B>  (v.8)</b></div> <bR> <div> "Be patient in affliction" Romans 12:12</div> <bR> <div> It may be a surprise for you to hear this but, suffering is a blessing in disguise.</div> <bR> <div> "Few men of this century have understood better the inevitability of suffering than Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  He seems never to have wavered in his Christian antagonism to the Nazi regime, although it meant for him imprisonment, the threat of torture, danger to his own family, and finally death.   He was executed by direct order of Heinrich Himmler in April 1945, in the Flossenburg concentration camp, only a few days before it was liberated.  It was the fulfillment of what he had always believed and taught: "Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship.  The disciple is not above his master.  Following Christ means passio passiva suffering because we have to suffer.  That is why Luther reckoned suffering among the marks of the true church, and one of the memoranda drawn up in preparation for the Augsburg Confession similarly defines the Church as the community of those "who are persecuted and martyred for the gospel's sake"…  Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer."    <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>John R. Scott</b><B>, Christian Counter Culture</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> But there's a false Doctrine that's become extremely popular today through the Prosperity, Health & Wealth, Preachers.  They try to prove with Bible verses that it's not God's will for you to live under the weight of any kind of suffering.  They say, if you do, it's either because you're living in sin or your lacking in Victorious Christian Faith.  You're not an overcomer.  Let me remind you that it's very popular today for one great reason:  It appeals to the flesh.  Our human nature doesn't like to suffer.  So this type of teaching is accepted and the devil is happy.  Why?  Because a Christian who avoids suffering, runs away from suffering and refuses to endure and persevere through suffering remains a shallow, carnal and immature Christian.</div> <bR> <div> Show me an adult who's never lived through severe times of real trial and hardship and suffering and I will show you an adult who's remained very immature, with character that's a mile long and wide but an inch think.  </div> <bR> <div> Show me a generation who hasn't known the blessing of  persevering through intense trial and I will show a generation where one out of every 2 marriages end up in divorce, mothers abort their babies, fathers who abandon their wives and kids and run off with a younger woman.  Why is that?  Turn with me to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >Romans 5:3-4 / Hebrew 12:10-11.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Tell me something:  If Christians aren't supposed to suffer, please explain to me these Bible verses:</div> <bR> <div> "Remember the words I spoke to you:  No servant is greater than his master.  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."  Jn 15.20</div> <bR> <div> "You know quite well that we were destined for trials"  1 Thess. 3.3</div> <bR> <div> "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  2 Tim. 3.12</div> <bR> <div> "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good." 1 Peter 4:19</div> <bR> <div> Turn with me please to  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >2 Corinthians 11.23-33</FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Speaking of the Lord Jesus-Christ, </FONT>Isaiah 53:3<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > says that:  </FONT>"He was despised and rejected by men, <U>a man of sorrows</U>, and <U>familiar with suffering</U>." <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT>Hebrew 5:8<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > says that,  </FONT>"Although he was a son, <U>he learned obedience form what he suffered</U>."</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"So, Okay, now pastor, we're pretty convinced that were destined to this.  So, how should we respond to it?"  </FONT>Endure it.  Adapt yourself to it. Don't rely on your power but <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"the power of God" (2 Tim 1:8)</FONT>  Pray a lot.  Read a lot.  Trust a lot. And let Him pull you through and mold you into the saint He wants you to become.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4. CHERISH YOUR HIGH AND HOLY CALLING</b><B>  (8b-10)</b></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >What "calling"?   The calling </FONT>"to a holy life" (v.9)</div> <bR> <div> What is it to live a "holy life"?  It means <B>to be chosen among many to live a life especially designed for the Lord and Master of the Universe</b><I>.</I> Frankly folks, that blows my mind…</div> <bR> <div> I mean, the majority of you here today either don't know me or have know me now for a couple of months.  And, without getting into much details here, before I became a Christian in April `84 at the age of 22, I lived in the recesses of sin.  Maybe I wasn't as far away from the living God as I could get, but not far.  Sin was my daily portion.  God was a  "flat-fixer" to me.  I was a blasphemer, I had a corrupt mind, rejoiced in violence and abuse.  If you would've seen me then you would've said, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"this guy is not even close to start thinking of becoming a Christian."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But the Holy Spirit got hold of me and brought me to Christ.  And the next morning there was no question in my mind that I was a new person and "called" to live a life for Him who broke my chains and set me free. And today the world is filled with people like that: murderers, thieves, rapists, abusers, persecutors, the worse criminals, dramatically transformed and called to serve God.  And they do it!!</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Maybe you didn't do such horrendous things.  Great!  But still, do you remember the pit of sin the Lord pulled you out of?  You were just as much a sinner as I was.  The Bible says:  </FONT>"There is no one righteous, not even one;  there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless;  there is no one who does good, not even one."  Romans 3.10-12</div> <bR> <div> So, it is no wonder, Paul continues in v.9, that we were called to this <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"not because of any thing we have done but because of his own purpose and grace."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >And exactly when did this calling occur, </FONT>"before the beginning of time" v.9</div> <bR> <div> Paul is saying, "You remember that! when you're tempted by a defeated foe and a godless world to be ashamed of the Christian Gospel." </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>5. REMEMBER YOUR APPOINTED TASK</b><B>  (11-12a)</b></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >At this point, Paul encourages Timothy to conquer shame by considering Paul's own personal example of life and ministry.  And he starts off by drawing Timothy's attention to the task God has sovereignly appointed him for him.  Paul says, </FONT>"I was appointed a herald [preacher], and an apostle and a teacher." (11)</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>A Herald</U></b>:</FONT> "keryx" speaks of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"a messenger vested with public authority, who conveyed the official messages of kings, magistrates, princes, military commanders, or who gave a public summons or demand…In the NT it signifies `God's ambassador, and the herald or proclaimer of the divine word'.  So, the "preacher" (KJV) is one who makes a public proclamation for the King of kings.  He is not to air his own opinions or debate other peoples ideas but proclaim the Word of God.  What a glorious privilege and what an awesome responsibility<B>!"</b></FONT><B> </b><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><B>Ralph Earle, Expositors Bible Comm., Vol.11, p.359</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>An Apostle</U></b>:</FONT> "apostolos" which literally means "one sent on a mission".  Jesus gave this title to His first 12 disciples.  The NT teaches that Peter<B> </b>was the "Apostle to the Jews" and <B>Paul </b>was the "Apostle to the Gentiles".  I, and others, believe that the Bible speaks of "apostles  " in a "narrow" sense and in a "broader" sense.  The narrow use of the term refers uniquely to the 12 chosen by Jesus in the Gospels & Acts.  The broader to others who were "sent" in the Lord's Harvest but not commissioned and invested with the same power, authority and privilege as the 12.  The original 12 Apostles seem to be "set aside as a rank of their own".  For instance, Jesus says in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >Matthew 19:28, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 Tribes of Israel." </FONT> And when the apostle John is describing the New Jerusalem in Revelation, he says that, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."  Revelation 21:14</FONT> To be qualified to be one of the Original Apostles you had to have had seen Jesus before and after His resurrection [Luke 24:45-48 / 1 Jn.1:1-3 / Acts 1:21-22<B>]</b>.  So, sure there are "sent ones" today in a broader sense, but not in the narrow sense.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>A Teacher</U></b>:</FONT> "didaskolos" which speaks of one who is skilled in interpreting of what the Bible teaches.</div> <bR> <div> So, Paul says, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet, I am not ashamed."  Oh, really!  How come, Paul?  Because when you're faithful in doing the task that the living God has appointed you to, there's no greater thrill or fulfilling experience in the world!  Why?  Because, while the world is shouting, "Shame on you!", God, the Father, is whispering in your heart of hearts, "Well done, my good and faithful servant…keep up the good work…believe me, you will not regret a minute of it, when judgment day comes…and that might happen quite quicker than you or others might think!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>6. </b><B>REST ASSURED OF GOD'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  (12b)</b><B> </b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Arial" ><B>    </b></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> "I know whom I have believed"</div> <bR> <div> The verb <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"know"</FONT> (oida) carries the idea of being absolutely convinced and void of all doubt.  Paul is saying, "While many laugh, mock, ridicule, deny or even doubt the power and reality of The Gospel, as for me, my friend, I <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"know"</FONT> without the shadow of a doubt that the One I preach and die for is real. He's here.  He's alive.  I've seen Him.  I've heard Him.  And I'm on my way to meet Him.  As we all are, really!  And my faith in Him is simply unshakable!"</div> <bR> <div> "And I'm convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day."</div> <bR> <div> What is Paul talking about?  What did he <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"entrust to him"</FONT> for God to keep a "guard" over?  His very life and service.  When you give your life over to God, you "entrust" it "to him".  When you offer Him your time, strength, money, service and your abilities out of love and devotion for Him, He takes it very seriously.  He keeps count of it.  It's all recorded in His books.  And He won't forget it.  He misses nothing of it.  It's not in vain.  And you can be sure of His reward "<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >on that day</FONT>".</div> <bR> <div> What "<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >day</FONT>"?  The day when we appear before His Judgment Seat.  Not to account for our sins.  But to account for our service since the beginning of our Christian lives<B>.  </b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >[Rom.14:10 / 2Tim.4:8 / 2Cor.5:10]</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So what is the Holy Spirit telling us here?  The Holy Spirit is telling us, "Listen!  When the world, your family or neighbors ridicule you, abase you, humiliates you and shames you for your faith, rest assured that God acknowledges your faithfulness and service towards Him.  And He honors it.  What the world spits on, God rewards.  What people choose to forget and ignore, God remembers and takes serious note of.  What a blind world passes as unimportant and worthless, the Living God cherishes and values.  So listen to God, not the world.  That's how you'll escape the tyranny of shame."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>7. </b><B>HANG ON TIGHT TO SOUND DOCTRINE</b><B>  (13-14)</b></div> <bR> <div> Here Paul is telling Timothy, "Remember the Bible Studies we had together.  Remember what The Scriptures say, Timothy!"</div> <bR> <div> The more I travel our great country, and other countries of the World, visiting churches and talking with Christians, the more it becomes evident to me how God's people are quite ignorant of what the Bible says.  And when we realize that the Christians are the only ones God has left here to bring light and hope to this dark World, it's quite alarming.  And this biblical illiteracy is one of the primary reasons why churches are packed with immature and wobbly believers.</div> <bR> <div> Why is it so important for us to hold on tight to Sound Doctrine?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7016800006600.gif" HEIGHT="24" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">In The Midst Of So Much Apostasy it's A Must If We Are Going To Stand</U></b><B>.</b></div> <bR> <div> Turn with me to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >2 Timothy 4:2-4</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7016800006600.gif" HEIGHT="24" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Because True Courage Is Always Rooted In Deep Convictions</U></b><B>.</b></div> <bR> <div> Here's a good example of how one man demonstrated true courage due to his deep biblical convictions;</div> <bR> <div> "Chuck Mcillhenny, pastor of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in the Sunset District of San Francisco for over twenty years, has written a book titled <B>When the Wicked Seize the City</b>. When I first met him, I expected to find the man in a chrome helmet with loaded weapons all around him and double bars on the door.  Here's a man whose home has been fire-bombed, whose bedroom for the children is built like a bunker (it's so fireproof) so his children can survive as he stands actively for Christ.  He is now ministering a great deal in the hospitals to those dying of AIDS, but standing firm for the truth, that the only hope beyond this life is a faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.He told a wonderful story of how he was sitting, reading the newspaper one day.  And there was a council meeting being held the next day in San Francisco, and he thought he'd go to the city council and hear this particular issue.  It was a homosexual rights issue.  He thought, I just can't sit here and let that pass.  He didn't take anyone with him.  He didn't take any placards.  He didn't march against them, like many of them march against him.  It's not uncommon for his services to be interrupted by lesbians and homosexuals.  He just went to the city council meeting.</div> <div> He sat there and heard the legislation.  The council was about to take a vote.  The chairman said, "Is there anyone who has anything to say?"  No one moved.  Then he stood up and said, "I would like to say something."  He walked to the platform, stated his name, that he was a citizen residing in the Sunset District, San Francisco.  "What would you like to say?"  He replied, "Well, I would like to say nothing for myself, but I would like to quote three individuals that I've respected for years."  And he read to them from Moses in Leviticus, from one of the Psalms by David, and from Paul in Romans 1.  Didn't preach, didn't scream, didn't sermonize - just closed it.</div> <div> They said, "Wait.  Before you sit down, who are those people - Moses and David and Paul?"  And someone said, "You're reading from the Bible, aren't you?"  "Yes," he said, "I am."  And one of the council members then said, "I vote no," and another and another.  And it didn't pass.  He sat down.  That is straight thinking and courage." <I> </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>Chuck Swindoll, </b><B>The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart</b><B>, pp. 120-21</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Why did <B>Paul</b> continue his ministry after having been whipped, stoned, and beaten close to death?  Why did <B>Stephen</b> ask God to not hold the sins of his murderers against them?  Why did <B>Elizabeth Elliott</b> return to minister to the very people who murdered her husband?  Why did <B>Daniel</b> continue to pray to God when it became a crime punishable by death?  Because these people knew and believed what God's Word says and believed it with a conviction that surpassed all powers that be.  And their convictions were so deep within their souls that even the death of the body paled into insignificance to them.</div> <bR> <div> A Sound Mind Always Precedes a Holy Life</div> <bR> <div> Have you noticed?  The Christians who seem to radiate true godliness usually know their Bibles really well?  If we become satisfied with just reading our Bibles "once in a while", well let's not be surprised if our day-to-day spiritual walk only speaks to those around us just about that much: "once in a while".  Where as if we would study "a lot", memorize "a lot", and treasure it "a lot" than our lives would probably glorify God, edify the church and witness to unbelievers the same way: "a lot".</div> <bR> <div> But Paul adds a very important note here that must accompany our "hanging tight to sound doctrine":  He says: Do this <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"with faith and love in Christ Jesus" <B>v.13b</b></FONT>.  Ah, yes: Attitude!   "Faith": Trusting God  "Love": Having compassion, respect and kindness toward everyone you share it with.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >The devil and an apostate world will do everything within their power to take it from you.  But God tells us what?  Read v.14. </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"Guard it…with the help of the Holy Spirit."</FONT>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >John MacArthur writes this</FONT>, "The most solemn responsibility that any believer has…is to uphold and defend the integrity of [God's] Word." Commentary on 2 Timothy, p.31</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>8. </b><B>CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY</b><B>  (15-18)</b></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >An undeniable fact that one can easily observe in the world, and this throughout human history, is that people are like blackboard chalks: they rub off on each other.  One person said it this way, </FONT>"Those who resemble one another usually assemble with one another." <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > This can be both good or both, depending on the people.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals" (1Cor.15:33)</FONT>. All things being equal, if you run with bad company, it will corrupt you.  It's like putting on a pair of white gloves, picking up mud and mixing it around in your hand.  The mud never gets glovey. Never saw glovey mud in my life.  But invariably, the gloves get muddy." <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>Swindoll, Oxcart, p.301</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Introduce me to your closest friends and I'll learn a lot about you just by getting to know those you hang around with most.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Peer pressure has so much power on an individual that the Bible highlights it over & over again.  It came as a startling surprise to me, a few years back, when I realized that the Bible contains 5 Wisdom Books and 2 of these 5 address this issue right from chapter one.  Turn with me to </FONT>Psalm 1:1-6 & Proverbs 1:10-19.</div> <bR> <div> Now, in 2 Timothy 1:15-18, Paul instructs Timothy on this, not by direct command but by indirect implication.  He gives 2 living examples: A) Some Not So Good Companions, and B) One Good Companion.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>A. The Not So Good Kind Of Companions</b><B>  (15)</b></div> <bR> <div> At a time in his life when he needed the most love and support from his friends, the Apostle Paul was literally abandoned by his companions in ministry.  What a shame for them.  These 2 men's names, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >Phygelus & Hermogenes</FONT>, are only mentioned this once in the Scriptures and what picture does God give us of them?  They deserted the greatest Christian missionary this world has ever known: the Apostle Paul.</div> <bR> <div> And for what reasons did they desert Paul?  For personal, self-centered interests.  Remember now, this was a very tough time to be a Christian in Rome.  Paul is in chains and treated like a criminal because of it.  As a matter of fact, he's on Death Row!  </div> <bR> <div> So in fear of being found "guilty by association", ridiculed and humiliated by Rome, these two men chose what was the "most popular and worldy-wise" option:  Put your faith in your top drawer and save face.</div> <bR> <div> I'm sure even some of us sitting here today would probably do the same given similar circumstances.  We would find it quite "reasonable" to do that.  But is it reasonable?  If so, according to whom is this reasonable?  According to man, yes.  But that is the key issue, isn't it?  Who are we serving?  Man or God?  What ever happened to being a committed and serious disciple of Christ?  What ever happened to self-denial and sacrifice?  Let's remind ourselves these words of the Lord Jesus found in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >Mark 8:34-38</FONT><B>;</b></div> <bR> <div> "Then [Jesus] called the crowd to him along with his disciples ands said: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>B. The Good Kind Of Companion</b><B>  (16-18)</b></div> <bR> <div> Notice the spiritual character of this man;</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7016800006600.gif" HEIGHT="24" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">He Was Not Ashamed Of Paul's Imprisonment  (16)</b></div> <bR> <div> "He…was not ashamed of my chains"</div> <bR> <div> This man had his spiritual priorities straight.  He didn't despise Paul for being imprisoned for preaching the Gospel.  Rather he honored and admired Paul for his uncompromising devotion to God.  This man loved God more than he loved his own life and the present World.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7016800006600.gif" HEIGHT="24" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">He Was An Encouragement To Paul  (16)</b></div> <bR> <div> "He often refreshed me"</div> <bR> <div> When you're persecuted and segregated because of your faith in Christ the last thing you need is for your brothers and sisters in the faith to abandon and drop you.  What you need is moral, physical and spiritual support.  And that is what this man did for Paul.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7016800006600.gif" HEIGHT="24" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">He Went Out Of His Way To Find Paul  (17)</b></div> <bR> <div> "When he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me."</div> <bR> <div> This Christian man, I believe, is a living demonstration of true mercy and agape love.  This is the kind of person you want as a friend for life.  This kind of friend will boost you in your Christian life. He didn't just talk about his love for the brethren, he showed it!  He didn't just have some pious piety for Paul.  He put himself in Paul's shoes and did unto him what he would have wanted if he'd find himself in a similar situation. But you know what?  Usually the only way to have friends like that is to be one.</div> <bR> <div> In short, you shouldn't hang around Christians who are all talk and no walk.  Seek the company of Christians who are sold out for the Lord.  Who have no shame for God or the Bible whatsoever. Why?  Because that's what we all should be.</div> <bR> <div> I'd like to close this chapter with a summary of what we've seen.</div> <bR> <div> Don't be ashamed of Christ.  Don't be ashamed of the Christian Faith.  I know it's not always easy.  I have people in my own family who haven't spoke to me in years because of my faith.  I know what it is to be slandered, humiliated and ridiculed.  I've worked with unbelievers.  I know how insane it can be.</div> <bR> <div> When an unbelieving world, the devil and his hoards come against you and pull the old "Shame on you!" tactic, don't give in to it.  Don't despise them.  Don't play their foolish game.  Have only one Master.</div> <bR> <div> The worse you can could is stop in your tracks, listen to the unbelieving majority and give in.  </div> <bR> <div> "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14</div> <bR> <div> Amen and God Bless You All.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>