December 16

2 Timothy 2:1-4:18

There is a tendency to minimize the seriousness of a situation or explain it away. There is a comfort in describing our times as part of a never ending cycle, rather than seeing our times as that prophesied time in which there is no turning back, no return to "normal". I truly believe we are in those times. Paul graphically describes our times in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, take this description in slowly and see if you disagree, "You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" Should this worry you? No! History has always been in God's hands, not man's. Since God makes history, our part in it, is what role we choose, and which side we choose. Make no mistake about this, there is no middle road. You are either on God's side, His friend, His ambassador, or you oppose Him by siding with the world and whatever popular opinions, positions, and lifestyles it endorses, and therefore His enemies.

In Paul's days there were clay jars or vessels used for various purposes: some for holding food and wine, others for carrying refuse and wastewater. We read in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NKJV), "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." We are vessels, what are the contents of our lives and what are we filling ourselves with? In the NLT, the word utensil is used for vessel, which carries a similar meaning but strikes another question: What are we being used for? We don't simply fall into roles, we choose them, then work at them. We read in 2 Timothy 2:15-17, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and]idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer...". We are to fill ourselves and then put into practice our calling as we present Jesus Christ to a world that needs Him desperately, whether they realize this or not. Will this make us popular? No! We read in 3:12, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

Again, pause for a moment and honestly ask yourselves what it is that you seek and desire. Realize that it is often the world's losers that are God's winners. Are you willing to be a "loser" in the eyes of others for the sake of your Savior? To the world many consider Jesus to be a fool, a fraud, a loser (after all in the eyes of the world He lost when He was killed like a common criminal, and the authorities won as they feel they had the power to do with Him as they wished). But from the dust of the crucifixion comes the glorious morning of His resurrection. From apparent failure comes victory. Yes, in this we have our living Hope, as Paul never minced words as we read in 2:8-10, "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." Paul was eventually beheaded for his bold stance for Jesus Christ, and it would seem that Emperor Nero was in control, but we read Paul's final words in 4:6-7, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul was no loser, and he is enjoying eternity with Jesus now. May we keep our eyes on Jesus and hold firm to the course that God has put us on.

Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley:

• Strength in Grace for Other (Part 1), 2 Timothy 2:1-7

• Strength in Grace for Others (Part 2), 2 Timothy 2:1-7

• Hanging on Through Hardship (Part 1), 2 Timothy 2:8-13

• Hanging on Through Hardship (Part 2), 2 Timothy 2:8-13

• A Faithful Worker (Part 1), 2 Timothy 2:14-19

• A Faithful Worker (Part 2), 2 Timothy 2:14-19

• Being A Vessel of Honor (Part 1), 2 Timothy 2:20-26

• Being A Vessel of Honor (Part 2), 2 Timothy 2:20-26

• The Dark Night of Self Reign (Part 1), 2 Timothy 3:1-9

• The Dark Night of Self Reign (Part 2), 2 Timothy 3:1-9

• Example of the Believer (Part 1), 2 Timothy 3:10-15

• Example of the Believer (Part 2), 2 Timothy 3:10-15

• Transformed by the Word of God (Part 1), 2 Timothy 3:14-17

• Transformed by the Word of God (Part 2), 2 Timothy 3:14-17

• Faithful to Give the Truth (Part 1), 2 Timothy 4:1-5

• Faithful to Give the Truth (Part 2), 2 Timothy 4:1-5

• A Life Finished Well (Part 1), 2 Timothy 4:6-8

• A Life Finished Well (Part 2), 2 Timothy 4:6-8

• Significance of Friends (Part 1), 2 Timothy 4:9-22

• Significance of Friends (Part 2), 2 Timothy 4:9-22