A REAL RACE IN A REAL WORLD WITH REAL PEOPLE - Part 3

<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=202977" 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>   l   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B>Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   l   </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> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>A REAL RACE IN A REAL WORLD WITH REAL PEOPLE - Part 3</b></div> <div> 2 Timothy 4:14-22</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> A year or two after I accepted Christ and my life had been radically changed I got a rude awakening concerning believers and unbelievers. </div> <bR> <div> At first I thought the unbelieving world was just eagerly waiting for the Gospel Message.  I thought the main problem was just a huge "misunderstanding".  And that a little clarification of the facts would take care of the whole thing.  But as I went about doing my best to "help people understand", I got some quite interesting responses.  </div> <bR> <div> Then came my awakening regarding Believers when I entered "Angel Hill" for three years of Bible College.  I had figured that Christians who made it to Bible College had to be among the most spiritual and mature of them all!  Unfortunately, not so.  </div> <bR> <div> These were some of my own personal experiences that the Lord used in order to tell me: "Welcome to the real world."</div> <bR> <div> And I'm sure you've had, or will have, your own.  You'll find some unbelievers who'll receive your testimony with arms wide open and others who might even spit on you for it.  And what'll really shock you is when you come to church and get deeply hurt by a brother or sister in the Lord.  But, at the same time, even in the very same church, you'll meet and build some or the best relationships you never thought you'd ever have.  What's the reason for all of this?  Why does it have to be that way?  Why aren't all Christians nice and understanding? Why is it that some unbelievers are interested and others so rejecting? It's because there are 6 billion people on this planet and no two of them are alike.  Plus, all of them come from various backgrounds and have different mind sets.  We're all at different levels of spirituality. </div> <bR> <div> So, what'll happen if you place too much faith in people?  You can expect to be eventually disappointed.  But he/she who loves God above people will not be devastated by people to the point of total confusion or hopelessness.  And today we're going to see this truth in one man of God: Paul. </div> <bR> <div> Paul met a lot of people: good and bad; believers and unbelievers; friends and enemies.  And though many may have hurt him, others really encouraged and blessed him.  But because of his steady and deep faith and love in the Lord Jesus-Christ, no earthling ever caused him to give up or become bitter because all of his greatest hopes and expectations were focused on Christ not men or women. </div> <bR> <div> Like Paul, during your lifetime here on earth you will unfortunately come in contact with </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. PEOPLE WHO WILL HATE YOU.</b></div> <bR> <div> "Alexander the metal worker did me a great deal of harm.  The Lord will repay him for what he has done.  You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message." (14-15)</div> <bR> <div> Some will hate you just because of the message you preach.</div> <bR> <div> Some suggest that the fact that this Alexander was a <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >metal worker</FONT> (coppersmith) may be an indication that, like Demetrius in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 19:24</FONT>, he was a manufacturer of pagan idols.  And Paul's message was a serious threat to his business.  So Alexander strongly opposed Paul's message and caused him a great deal of harm.</div> <bR> <div> This kind of person we all will meet in our lifetime.  It's practically guaranteed.  So the issue is not "if" it will happen but "how should we deal with" people like that?  And Paul give us his answer in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 14b: "The Lord will repay him for what he has done."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> "It is mine to avenge: I will repay.  In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." Dt. 32:35</div> <bR> <div> "The violence of the wicked will drag them away…" Prov. 21:7a</div> <bR> <div> Great Examples:<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >David / Christ / Stephen</FONT></div> <bR> <div> In other words, you react according to the flesh when you take it upon yourself to take vengeance and punish the offender, but if you're a mature and spiritual man/woman of God you turn the offender over to God's divine justice.  Each individual man/woman is accountable first to God and not to you.  So let God deal with him.  And you go on your way.  That's what Paul did with Alexander; David with Shimei; Moses with his sister, Mary; Mordecai with Haman, etc. </div> <bR> <div> Next.  Like Paul, during your lifetime here on Earth, you will come in contact with </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. PEOPLE WHO WILL ABANDON YOU</b></div> <bR> <div> "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.  May it not be held against them." (16)</div> <bR> <div> Let me quote John MacArthur here for some clarification; </div> <bR> <div> "In the Roman court system, an accused person had two hearings, the prima actio, to clearly establish the charge, and the secunda actio, to determine guilt or innocence.  Paul's first defense would therefore have been a prima actio."  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >MacArthur, 2 Timothy, p. 212</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So, can you believe this!  The Great Apostle Paul.  Who led uncounted Jews and Gentiles to Christ.  And then devoted his life to feed them the milk and meat of the Word.  He sacrificed his own life for them.  And when the time came for them to stand by him in court and give positive testimony on his behalf, believers one by one deserted him.  So he appeared in court before a pagan judge with no friends to support him.  Amazing, isn't it!</div> <bR> <div> I can tell you one thing:  it's happened to me.  And you know what? Don't be surprised if it happens to you.  People you've loved, invested your most precious treasures in.  People who once swore they'd never leave you or betray you.   The moment will come when you'll be between a rock and a hard place, and they will see you there, but when they see the mess you're in and the danger and threat it poses, they'll turn around and act as if they never knew you.  Some will even be deceived into turning downright against you. </div> <bR> <div> It happened to Paul.  It happened to Job.  It happened to Jesus.  And don't be surprised if it happens to you.  </div> <bR> <div> But again.  The question is not "if" it'll happen but what kind of effect will have on you.  These kinds of severe trials don't just come to us without the Lord's permission, do they?  No, the Lord is very much aware of it's coming our way.  But if he lets it happen you can count on this awesome truth: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >God is letting you experience these severe circumstances in order to draw you closer to Him.  And He wants to draw you closer to Him in order to mold you even closer to the image of His Son.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Take a look at how Paul reacted to this<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >:  "May it not be held against them."  (16b)</FONT>  Wow!  Did Paul pass the test?  With flying colors.  How would a carnal, immature believer have reacted? What does the devil want you to say?  How does the flesh react to such actions?  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Oh, those evil and incompetent hypocrites!  I hope God punishes them for that.  They deserve it.  They don't care about me.  I would've been there for them, but they weren't there for me.  And after all I've done for them!  I just can't believe it. Oh, If God would just send a lightning bolt down from heaven and fry them today!"</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Remember the Parable of the man who owed Millions to the king?  Turn to : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Matthew 18: 32-35</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Paul said:  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >May it not be held against them.</FONT>   Why, Paul? </div> <bR> <div>  "Because if the Lord would've held against me all the sins I commit on a daily basis, I'd only be in one place: In hell.  So it's only fair for me to be as gracious to those who've offended me as the Lord has been, and still is, gracious toward me. </div> <bR> <div> Illustration:<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Mr. Reginald Denny - LA Riots</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But, also like Paul, when you come to these times when even those you love turn away and abandon you, you'll be reminded of one person who is even closer then a brother.  And that's</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3. CHRIST WHO WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU. (17-18)</b></div> <bR> <div> So, in other words, you can't totally trust fallen man, but you can totally trust the Lord Jesus-Christ.  Because, unlike most of us, when Christ says something He means it.  And His word stands. </div> <bR> <div> Listen to some of His Words found in the Bible: </div> <bR> <div> "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:20</div> <bR> <div> "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you." Dt. 31:6</div> <bR> <div> And for some reason the Lord seems even closer to us when we really hit rock bottom.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Examples:</b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Daniel's 3 friends in Nebuchadnezzar's Furnace.</div> <bR> <div> "(Nebuchadnezzar) said:  "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." Daniel 3:25</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Apostles in the Storm.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Matthew 14:22-36</FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Peter in Prison.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 12:1-19</FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Stephen being stoned.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 7:54-60</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So, we learn a lot from these events, don't we?</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Are God's children going to have severe trials? Yes</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Does it mean that God has lost control? No</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Do these trials all come as Punishment for sins? No</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Can we count on God's being there for us? Yes</div> <bR> <div> And so was the testimony of Paul as he sat there in a Roman Prison, abandoned by Christians, hated by unbelievers, and facing certain death: He could say, "<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >The Lord is here with me.  He gives me strength.  He's giving me opportunities to share the Gospel.  And He's acted very strongly on my behalf.  And now He's about to perform His last act of ultimate deliverance</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >for me and take me out of this dark place into the light of his heavenly kingdom</FONT>".  What a testimony.  What faith. What peace. </div> <bR> <div> Next, in your short lifetime here on Earth, you, too, like Paul will know </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4. PEOPLE WHO WILL REMAIN GOOD OLE FRIENDS.  (19-20)</b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Prisca</FONT> is the shorter form of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Priscilla."</FONT> Paul had met Priscilla and her husband <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acquila</FONT> at Corinth.  They were a Jewish couple who had to pack their bags and flee from another mad Emperor, Claudius.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 18:2</FONT> says that he had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. </div> <bR> <div> Paul had stayed at their house.  They had a common profession: Tentmakers.  When he left Corinth, he brought them along and left them to minister in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Ephesus (18-19).</FONT>  This couple was indeed co-workers in Christian work. </div> <bR> <div> Then he mentions <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >the household of Onesiphorus</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >(19b).</FONT>  We met him in chapter one.  Turn to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >2 Tim. 1:16-18</FONT>.  This man was a good ole friend of Apostle Paul. </div> <bR> <div> Then he mentions a couple more of his friends:  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Erastus </FONT>whom we don't know too much about, and <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Trophimus</FONT>.  This man had traveled with Paul (<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 20:1-6</FONT>). Paul says here that he unfortunately had to leave this man sick in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Miletus.</FONT> </div> <bR> <div> Here we have a clear indication that the gift of healing, like some other spiritual gifts, were not given to last as it was for generations of believers to come.  Turn to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 19:11-12</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Paul made Elymas the sorceror lose his sight.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 13:4-12</FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Made a man with crippled feet walk. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 14:8-10</FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Raised a young man from the dead. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >20:7-13</FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Healed a man with a fever and dysentery<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >. 28:8</FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Healed several sick people on the Island called Malta.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >28:9</FONT></div> <bR> <div> -But he couldn't heal himself from physical sickness. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >2 Corinthians 12:7-10</FONT></div> <div> -He told Timothy to take some medecine<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >.  1 Timothy 5:23</FONT></div> <div> -Now he leaves Trophimus sick in Miletus.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >2 Timothy 4:20</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >In </FONT>2 Corinthians 12:12<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Paul clearly says that </FONT>"signs, wonders and miracles"<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > are </FONT>"The things that make an apostle."<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > In </FONT>Acts 14:3<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > we read, </FONT>"So Paul and<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders."<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> So what were the signs and wonders for? Confirming the message of the Gospel.  You heard the message and if you doubted it was from God the signs and wonders confirmed that indeed it was.   Do we need that today in North America?  No. What confirms that a preacher is from God or not? What do you look for in order to convince yourself if a person is telling God's truth or not?  You look to the Bible.  The Scriptures will confirm to you if a person is preaching the Truth or not.</div> <bR> <div> These were old friends of Paul: Prisca and Aquila, The household of Onesiphorus, Eratus and Trophimus. </div> <bR> <div> And you have yours.  And I have mine.  And it's always good to spend time with them.  Old friends are a testimony to Gods love and faithfulness. They bring back good memories. They know how to listen.  You feel a certain kinship and a bond. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>5. PEOPLE WHO WILL BECOME NEW FRIENDS. (21)</b></div> <bR> <div> Concerning <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Eubulus</FONT>, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Pudens</FONT> and <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Linus</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >John MacArthur writes, "All three names were Latin, perhaps indicating that the men were from Italy and had been members of the Church in Rome." </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >2 Timothy, p. 215</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So, we don't know for sure, but it's possible that these were new acquaintances of Paul since his visit to Rome where he's presently imprisoned. </div> <bR> <div> And the Lord still does that for us today.  In the past 14 years I've lived and traveled through 5 countries, and 6 Canadian Provinces making new friends in every place.  It's been a great time of fellowship meeting new believers and great opportunities to share the Gospel and getting to see some come to the Lord and see their lives transformed by the power of the Gospel. </div> <bR> <div> So, as Christians, we should always make an effort to get to know new people because, remember, every single person you meet has been brought to you by divine providence.  If you limit yourself to a closed and private  group of friends you're missing out on God using you and them in each others lives. </div> <bR> <div> Finally, like Paul, these will be</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>6. PEOPLE THAT YOU'LL NEED TO LEAVE IN GOD'S HANDS.</b></div> <bR> <div> "The Lord be with your spirit.  Grace be with you." (22)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Many of these people Paul didn't know if he would ever have the opportunity to see in person again before his death.  So he entrusts them to the Lord's Grace. </div> <bR> <div> Because of God's calling on my life, I've had to leave many people whom I would often like to see sometimes.  There are days when I'd like to visit friends and family in New-Brunswick, Quebec, Dallas, Haiti, Pennsylvania, Ontario, Island of Reunion and others. I'd like to be able to "stop over for a cup of coffee" and a time of fellowship. But I have no guarantee I'll ever see them again. </div> <bR> <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> </td> </tr></table></body>