2 Timothy 4 - 5.31.23
Scripture
2 Timothy 4:18 NIV
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Observation
Paul is encouraging Timothy with some last words, because he knows that his time is coming to an end (death is near); however, he has fought the good fight, ran a good race, kept the faith and is looking forward to his departure to be with Jesus. (verses 6-8)
Some things that Paul encourages Timothy with is to preach the Word in and out of season and also gave a warning that there will come a time when people will no longer put up with sound doctrine (verses 2-3). He must ENDURE hardship and keep his head in all situations. (verse 5)
Lastly, Paul spoke about everyone who deserted him and didn’t support him. He said, ”May it not be held against them.” (verse 16b). The Lord stood by his side through it all so that the message would be proclaimed! (verse 17)
Application
We must always be prepared if we want to fight a good fight, finish the race well and keep the faith like Paul did.
If you missed Pastor Levi’s sermon on Sunday on the Belt of Truth, here’s a link: https://youtu.be/TMG_u8agg94
Some ways we stay prepared is by having our armor on. Be in the Word everyday, go to church on Sunday, and attend our Wednesday Worship and Bible study! Our next one is next Wednesday, June 7th at 6:30p.
Just like Moses said during last Sunday’s dismissal, we don’t want the devil to catch us with our pants down!
Prayer
Dear Lord, I want to say just like Paul that I fought a good fight, ran the race, kept the faith, and preached Your Word even through obstacles. Even when people deserted Paul and didn’t support him because they turned away from the Truth, he still remained faithful to You. I pray that I (we) would do the same. I pray that we would always be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have in You. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
2 Timothy 3 - 5.30.23
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
OBSERVATION: Two thousand years ago Paul taught Timothy about the difficult times that would be going on in the last days. If two thousand years ago was the "last days", the days we are living in now are even closer to Jesus' return!
When Paul taught Timothy to have nothing to do with those kinds of people, he meant, don't allow yourself to be influenced by them. Don't conform to their ways. What Paul did want Timothy to do was to stand firm in his faith as he remembered all that Paul had taught him from the Scriptures, and the way he had lived his life; his purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance. Even in the most difficult of circumstances when Paul was persecuted for his faith, he endured the persecutions because God was with him.
As we draw closer to the 2nd coming of Jesus, universal godlessness will increase drastically!
APPLICATION: The deterioration of humanity has come in cycles throughout the last two thousand years, but EVERY TIME God has been faithful to keep His promise to the ones who confess the name of Jesus and turn from their sins.
"Evil people and imposters will become worse, deceiving and being deceived, BUT WE have received grace from God through Jesus to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations, on behalf of His name.
PRAYER: Thank You God for being so faithful to Your children. I pray when we deal with the ones who are opposing You that we will be gentle as we instruct them in Your Word in the hope that You will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will.
Whatever period of time we are living in, I pray we will continually align our thoughts and actions with Your plans as You use us to partner with You in sharing Your truth - that NEVER changes, is NEVER shaken, and that will NEVER fade.
- Robin Orefice
2 Timothy 2 - 5.29.23
Scripture
2 Timothy 2:9-10 NLT
“And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.”
Observation
I love what Paul tells Timothy here, “the word of God cannot be chained.” Paul did not let his circumstances stop him from accomplishing his mission that God gave him. Although he was imprisoned for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, Paul still found opportunities to share the Good News with his prison guards and political leaders who brought him in for questioning. To top that off, Paul would send letters to the early churches and it’s leaders to remind them of God’s Word, to encourage them, to pray for them to continue to fight the good fight, and to stay strong in their faith.
Application
The Word of God cannot be chained.
I am sure when Paul said yes to Jesus, that he probably imagined preaching to the masses, filling up colosseums of people, eagerly waiting to hear the Good News of Jesus. But, instead he was met with people who wanted nothing to do with it. They threatened Paul with physical beatings and imprisonment if he continued doing what he was doing. But did that discourage Paul? Absolutely not!!! It actually made Paul preach more boldly! Wherever he was, and whoever would listen, Paul shared about Jesus with people. Paul knew he was going to be obedient to God’s calling. He was going to go wherever the Holy Spirit led him, and say whatever the Holy Spirit told him to say. At the end of the day, Paul knew it wasn’t his job to change people’s hearts towards Jesus, (only God can do that), but rather his job was to plant the seed of the gospel of Christ in people’s hearts wherever he went.
And so I look at my life and see where God has placed me. What is my excuse? What am I waiting for? I need to be more like Paul and share with others boldly. I need to remember that God’s Word cannot be chained and that it does not come back void. I just need to be obedient and go out there and plant the seeds of God’s Word, then allow God to take it from there! 😊
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me void, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”-Isaiah 55:11
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, may I be bold and courageous today to share the gospel of Jesus with those around me. May Your Word pierce and saturate people’s hearts. May they develop a hunger for more of You. May they want to know You as Lord and Savior. In Your Holy and precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi