Remembering

Temple Baptist Church - 11-3-2013

2 Timothy 2:8-14

 

Introduction:

A. Remember! One of the greatest problems with our failure is that of forgetting what God has done for us, where He has brought us from, and what He is going to continue to do for us!

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (To slip is allowed to escape you or to slip your mind: simply to FORGET!)

B. We become so involved with life and living that we often forget that we are somebody going somewhere: God’s children and going to heaven. YES, we are going to have problems, face hardship, persecution, failure, and often the seemingly silence from heaven.

1. The ministry is often hard. I have said often that it is a bitter-sweet experience but, thank the Lord, more sweet than bitter and I have no regrets.

2. The Christian life is often hard. It too is often a bitter-sweet experience but, I thank the Lord that it is more sweet than bitter and I have no regrets.

C. But, YES the Lord has been there and will be there with us and for us!

Matthew 28:20b … and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

D. Remembering is important in order for all of us to continue living for Christ in these last, perilous times. 2 Timothy 3 spoke of those times along with 2 Thessalonians 2.

1. In times of discouragement, we need to be encouraged. God still rules from heaven.

2. In times of hardship, we need to be expectant. God still is able to do for us.

3. In times of decline and decay, we need to be excited. Our Lord is soon coming for us.

1. We need to remember Who our Lord is and what He has done. Verse 8.

a. His Person – “Jesus Christ” Jesus – Jehovah Saves Christ – anointed or Messiah

b. His Pedigree – “seed of David” The sovereign Monarch of both heaven and earth. Royal Seed that will reign forever and ever.

c. His Pleasing – “raised” His acceptance as the spotless Lamb of God by the Father. Acceptance.

d. His Propitiation – “the dead” Because He lives, we may live also.

e. His Plan – “gospel” The fullness of the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection: a finished work, once forever.

2. We need to remember what the Lord allows. Verses 9-10.

a. Our Suffering – “suffer trouble … unto bonds” Live godly, suffer persecution!

b. Our Slander – “as an evil doer” Good has become evil and evil good.

c. Our Submission – “endure all things for the elect’s sake” Souls hang in the balance and our children need Old Paths to follow.

d. Our Strength – “the word of God is not bound” It is in the bible that we are encouraged and strengthened.

3. We need to remember what we have. Verses 10b-12.

a. Eternal Salvation – “salvation” not probation. To live is Christ but to die, gain.

b. Eternal Glory – “eternal glory” There is a better day coming.

c. Eternal Communion – “live with him”

d. Eternal Reward – “shall also reign” Suffer with Christ, reign with Him.

4. We need to remember our security. Verse 13.

a. Our Failure – “if we believe not” We will fail at times because we are still living in sinful flesh.

b. His Faithfulness – “he abideth faithful” Though we let the Lord down, He will never fail us.