Sermon Central
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A Season Of Suffering Series
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Sep 4, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: We do not have to go far before we see that suffering will take place as a believer in Christ.
Sermon Series Solutions
A season of suffering #3
Introduction-
Good morning everyone, may the name of Jesus be lifted up and our hearts open as we let God’s Word speak to us.
If you would turn to 2 Timothy chapter 2, that will be our text this morning.
We have been in a series called “Solutions”, and we have looked at some things going on in our lives.
First week, “The power of God to save”.
Solution 1- NOTE TO SELF- We need Jesus…and we need Jesus to do things that we cannot do for ourselves.
Like save us from our sins.
Second week, “Fan into flame the gift of God” HOLY SPIRIT
Solution 2- We need the Holy Spirit of God working in our lives to empower us to be able to live the life that we were intended to live.
We cannot do what God has called of us in our own strength, it is impossible.
Many have tried and all have failed!
This week, we are going to look at suffering. We do not have to go long before we will talk about and experience tough things going on in our lives and those we love and care for.
Timothy records in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us the spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, love, and of self-discipline.”
Apostle Paul writes these words to Timothy in a letter we read today for several reasons-
They were facing hard times and it was hard for them as it is today to accomplish all that God desires.
They were trying to grow a church.
They were witnessing their faith to a group of people that were unresponsive.
They were trying to live a holy life.
2 Tim. 1:12-
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet, I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”
I know who I put my trust in…I am not ashamed because I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him. Which is my everything!
Keep sound doctrine
Do what I am doing- (example)
Guard the good deposit that is the Holy Spirit who will help us.
Paul tells us in 2 Tim. Chapter 3 that in the last days there will be troubled times-
I don’t know if we are in the last days, but I can tell you for sure they are troubled times where the bible talks of people being lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, unforgiving, out of control, brutal, lovers of pleasure rather than God- ending with the words having a form of godliness but denying it’s power.
Is it any wonder that there is suffering! We are destroying ourselves- God did not bring this, but he is allowing it.
We want to do things without God, we are seeing the costly affects of it.
Yes, there are many righteous people suffering for Jesus and that is why Paul brings this word as a warning to some and as a comfort to others
So let’s continue reading the letter that could, if you are a believer, have your name at the top of it-
Text- 2 Timothy 2:1-13 Read slowly
“You then, my son (daughter) be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
Be strong “in Jesus” and by “his grace”
Grace is a funny thing- everyone wants grace but not many want to show grace.
Grace is God’s riches at Christ expense- meaning that we are offered grace only by what Christ has done for us and we did not deserve it.
We show grace not because someone has deserved it but because Christ has shown it to us, we show grace to others.
(3) “Endure hardship “with us” like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
Most read that as endure like a good soldier- it says endure hardship with us like a good soldier
As a believer, who has been filled with the Holy Spirit, we are not to live in Timidity (fear) but in his power and in his grace!
Inner strength comes where cowards run and the people of God fulfill God’s purpose.
Like first responders who are running in while others are running out!
Some believe Timothy was a shy person and Paul was telling him not to be fearful, but what I see in scripture is a man who was called to build a number of difficult churches especially in Corinth and Ephesus.
He is being called not so much on what he can do, but on what the Holy Spirit of God can do through him. (Repeat)
