Jesus – The Light Of The World

John 1:4-13

We as human beings live in a world that is ever more confused and confusing, a world that is ever more given to darkness. While we humans are proud of our accomplishments in science, technology, and medicine, yet our civilization is coming apart at the seams. More marriages are ending in divorce not less. Homosexuals are being more and more militant in their demands for equal recognition and acceptance. We live in a world that calls good evil and evil good. What can call that except darkness?
John warns us that people either love the light or the darkness and this love controls their actions (John 3:16-19). God is light and if you push God out of your life you will left with darkness. (Romans 1:21)
John beginning in verse five introduces us to the struggle between darkness and light, between life and death, between the forces of good and evil. There are certain principles that we need to under-stand concerning the light and the darkness. God is light (1 John 1:5) while Satan is the “the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53).
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (9) That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (11) He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. (12) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (13) who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Four Factors Concerning The Light.

First, Revealed The Light (vv. 4-5)
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
The word translated “comprehend” (katelaben) in the New King James Version is a word that has at least three meanings. On the most literal level the word means “to seize” or “to apprehend.”
Secondly, the word can also mean “to overtake” - the darkness “never overpowered” or “overcomes” the light.
Third, the word can also mean “to quench or to extinguish or eclipse” – thus meaning that the light cannot be eclipsed by the darkness. (Boice. pp. 44-45)
But if the light unmasks and reveals the darkness for what it is, then the darkness will not remain passive but will fight back. It is the nature of darkness to try to quench the light.
Verse five says “the light shines” indicating a continuous action. The light is constantly showing up the darkness for what is, ignorance, unbelief and rebellion against God.
Not Only Was the Light Revealed but …

Secondly, Witness to the Light. (vv. 6-9)
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (9) That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
The first thing that we are told about this witness to the light (v. 6) was that God sent a man named John. It has always been God’s way to spread his light by using people. John is a witness to the light but he is not the light. The responsibility of the witness is to bring men to the place where they must decide, where they take a definite step of faith.
There are at least two implications of this text for us today.
•One is that you should be alert to the possible
call of God in your life. All Christians are to be the light of the world (Matt. 5:16). All are called to witness to the light (Acts 1:8, 1 Pet. 2:9). But God still calls some in a special way and for special tasks. "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest" (Matt. 9:38). "How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" (Rom. 10:14-15). "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers" (Acts 20:28).
It may be a vocational sending to the ministry. God may be calling some of you into full-time ministry. Or it may be that God is calling you to a single or special mission (across the ocean or across the street). But it is God’s way to speak to a person and send that person to testify to the light. Be ready and open to hear that call and accept that commission.
• And the other implication is that you should be
ready and open to hear the testimony from others who are sent to you. God means to communicate to you not merely through your own private Bible reading, but also through other people. He means to communicate to you through my preaching and through your Sunday School teacher and through godly parents, friends or co-workers. We should be aware that it is God’s way to communicate with us through those that he calls and sends. Otherwise why bring into our lives if He has nothing to say to us through them?
And the second main thing we are told about the witness to the light is that “This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light…” (v. 7a). The way God uses people to spread the light is by their testimony. John was a burning and a shining lamp to Jesus. He was burning with zeal and shining with the light of truth. And that’s the way our witness should be too.
Not Only Was the Light Testified To but….

Third, Rejected The Light (vv. 10-11)
“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
(11) He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”
Not only did His creation “not know Him” (v.10) even His own people, the children of Israel, “did not receive Him.” (v.11). It seems rather mysterious to us that Jesus was not accepted by his own people, the very people who had been waiting in anticipation of His coming for many generations.
Did Israel have any excuse for their failure to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah? Think of the reasons why they should have recognized Him. In the first place they had the prophecies of His coming in the scripture. And if that were not enough they had the evidence of the miracles that Christ performed. And yet they did not accept Jesus as the promised one!
Do you know why the religious leaders of His day rejected Jesus? They rejected Him primarily because He did not fit their expectations. Because He did not come with great pomp and ceremony, because He did not come to set up an earthly kingdom, they refused to accept Him. They did not accept Him because He came with a message that they must repent and be born again. They did not accept Him because as “the light of God” He revealed them for what they were, sinners who needed to be saved. And because of this, rather than welcoming Him, they became more suspicious and finally rejected Him in blind anger even accusing Him of being a child of the devil. Then they killed Him.
Verse eleven says “he came to His own” which means he came to the place and among the people who were His own. He came among His own people, the Jews, but they “did not receive Him.” As John 3:19-20 says, "This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who is evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." The light came to His own and His own were in love with the darkness. And so they did not receive the light.
Not only was the Light Rejected by some but ….

Fourth, Received The Light (vv. 12-13)
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (13) who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Let’s look at these verses in reverse order. In verse thirteen John lists the mistaken ways people think they can come to God.
First, he says that new birth is "not of blood." That means, not by inheritance, not by human ancestry. You cannot get into Heaven by being raised in a Christian family. You can be a member of a family, every one of whom is Christian except you, but that does not make you a Christian. You can grow up in a Christian home, attend a Christian school, be involved in all the activities of a Church, but until you are born again you are not a Christian. You are not saved by Christian parents or Christian grandparents or by being born in a Christian country.
Secondly, the new birth is "not of the will of the flesh." It is not by determining to be a Christian that you become a Christian. You act like a Christian, join the church and attend worship services and go through all the motions of being a Christian and still not be a Christian. It is "not of the will of the flesh." It is only, as we will see, by a new birth.
Third, the new birth is "not of the will of man." No one else can do it for you. Nobody can make you a Christian. You cannot come by any ritual, by standing up or sitting down, by going forward or by kneeling at a bench or even shaking the preacher’s hand. That does not make you a Christian.
It is what has happened in your heart that makes you a Christian. It is a new birth. It is done by God: "but of God."
Then in verse twelve says “but as many as received Him” the word translated “as many” (hosoi) is sometimes translated “whosoever” and it opens the doors of salvation to all who will receive Him. “Receive” means receive as God’s revelation of light and truth. In verse twelve John says first –“receive” then “believe” and then “born”.
Throughout the gospel of John, the verb “believe” is emphasized as an activity, something that one does. Receiving Jesus means taking Jesus into your life for what he is. It does not mean a kind of peaceful co-existence with a Christ who makes no claims — as though he can stay in the house as long as he doesn’t play his music so loud.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee says it this way, “Notice that this is for “them that believe on his name.” And always with the word “believe” there is a preposition. You see, faith, as the Bible uses it, is not just head knowledge. Many people ask, “You mean all that I have to do is to say I believe?” Yes, that is all you have to do, but let’s see what that implies. With the verb “to believe” there is always a preposition—sometimes en (in), sometimes eis (into) or sometimes epi (upon). You must believe into, in, or upon Jesus Christ. …. Is Christ holding you up? Is He your Savior? It is not a question of standing to the side and saying, “Oh, yes, I believe Jesus is the Son of God.” The question is have you trusted Him, have you believed into Him, are you resting in Him?” [J. Vernon McGee. Thru the Bible Commentary. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson (electronic ed. 1997)]

Fortunately, John does record that there were
some who received Him; like the Samaritan woman (chap four) the woman taken in adultery (chap eight) and the blind man (chap nine).
Those who receive the light are given the “power” (exousia) literally “authority or the right” to become “the children of God.” Those who are born are those who “believe.” This is such a profound truth that apparently John never got over it for when he was very old he wrote (1 John 3:1) “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!”

Verse twelve and thirteen give us the marvelous promise of God that anyone who receives and believes in Jesus will be born again and become a part of the family of God.

Big Things

2 Kings 2:11-14

There is a story of a man that rode into a western town on a stagecoach. He was hired as the local saloon’s bartender. The owner gave him a word of warning: “Remember, if you ever hear that Big John is on his way to town, drop everything and run for your life.”
Things went fine for several months until one day, a big strong cowhand with a ghost-white face burst through the swinging doors shouting, “Big John’s a comin’, Big John’s a comin’.” The patrons scrambled to get out of the door, knocking the bartender to the floor, running over him as they rushed out doors and windows. The bartender gathered his senses, got up off the floor, and was dusting himself off when a giant of a man suddenly came through the saloon doors. Riding bareback on a buffalo, using a rattlesnake for a whip, he rode through the doors, splintering the doors and doorframe. The man flung the snake into the corner, knocked over the tables as he walked up to the bar, and then with his huge fist split the bar in half. “Give me drink,” he yelled. “Y-y-y-yes sir,” said the frightened bartender. The man bit the top of the bottle off with his teeth, downed the contents in one gulp, and let out a belch that shattered the saloon mirror, and then turned to leave. The bartender said, “W-w-w-would you like to have another d-d-drink?” The man roared as he jumped back on his buffalo, “I ain’t got time. Big John’s a comin’ to town.”

Big things almost always intimidate us. Often big things produce fear and even a paralyzing effect.

Today is the last in a series of four messages that revolve around the calling and early ministry of Elisha the prophet.

Today it may be that God is calling you to do something bigger than you can imagine yourself being able to do
.
You may have been thinking for the last few weeks about what God wants you to do.
For some of you it may be a bigger thing than what you want to deal with.

Let’s examine today the reality of doing things for God, which we know we can not do by ourselves. If we can understand that with God all things are possible is more than just a cute phrase. It is more than just a nice line. It is fact. It is reality. With God’s help through the power of His Holy Spirit we can do anything. There is nothing that we can’t do.

II Kings 2: 11-14
“So the two of them walked on. Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.” As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart. He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.”

Elijah asked Elisha a very important question right before he and Elisha knew he was about to be taken from this earth. He offered to help in whatever way Elisha needed. It is these kinds of occasions that can be most revealing about the character of someone. This was a test of Elisha’s character and values.

His primary desire leaps from his mouth before he even has time to think about it: “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,”

Elisha’s desire to succeed Elijah was no glamorous or appealing choice during the Omri dynasty. It basically meant your life could and probably would be in danger if you faithfully delivered God’s messages.

It is no light thing to ask God to allow you to be a part of a ministry.
You may be here this morning and be wondering what in the world does this sermon series have to do with Christmas. It has everything to do with Christmas. Jesus Christ came to this earth and left his followers in charge of spreading the good news. It is up to us to tell the story.

We tell it in many ways.
We tell it through sermons, teaching and songs.
We tell it through living lives that are pleasing to God.
We tell it through reaching out to others and using the gifts that God has given us to use.

I need to remind you again that everything this church does is about is reaching and touching lost and unchurched people. We are trying to answer the call and command of Jesus Christ to go into the world and preach the gospel. We are trying to teach and make disciples and train people to be Christ followers.

There are three things that we learn from Elisha’s story that teach us the secret to answering God’s call. Let’s look at them together.

1. God will Enable you with Power to Accomplish the Ministry He calls you to do.

Elisha experienced the power of God by going back to the Jordon River and evoking God’s power to enable him to cross over.

Elisha has just lost his friend and mentor. He has had a long day. A day which seemed to be building toward this unbelievable and dramatic moment when Elijah would be taken from him.

Elijah is now gone. He is standing alone. He is on the other side of the Jordan River from where he needs to be. He got there by Elijah using his mantle to part the waters. Now he stands there with Elijah’s mantle in his hand and faces the river. It is at this point that he asks a very important question.

“Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.”

In this series we have concluded that if you are a Christ-follower you have been called to be engaged in a ministry to others.

During this series of messages you have been asked to begin to pray about and identify what you could best do to serve others.

You and I must realize that God is calling us.
We must realize what He is calling us to do.
We must realize that no matter how challenging it is He will be faithful to enable us to do it.

For Elisha to ask the question meant that he was asking where is the God that answers by fire.
Where is the God that stops the rain?
Where is the God that fed Elijah using ravens to bring him food?
Where is the God that caused a widow’s meager supplies to run over in abundance?
Where is the God that caused a dead boy to return to life?
Where is the God that caused angels to feed Elijah when he was worn out and in the middle of the desert?
Where is the God of Elijah that showed up after the rain and the storm and the high winds and the earthquake and the fire? He showed up like a gentle whisper or a still small voice.

If we approach our calling with that attitude there will be no limit to what God can do through us.


The songwriter had it right when she penned the words:

In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.

Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.

Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.

2. God will Endue or Fill you with the Presence of His Holy Spirit.

Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of his spirit. Today we have been promised to be filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. (Purifying, Powerful.) We can only do ministry through the power of His Spirit. This is why the disciples were told to wait until they were endued or filled with power from on high in the book of Acts.

Jesus was very clear in his instruction to the apostles. Don’t try to do ministry without the help of My Spirit.

People make major messes when they attempt to do things for God and yet at the same time are not surrendered to His spirit.

Acts 1:4, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 4:33, “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and much grace was upon them all.”

Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

Paul in writing to the church at Ephesus expressed it so well,

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him for the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

What is it that God is asking you to do?
Every Christ follower is commanded by God to do something. The church will be incredibly healthy when we have the whole body functioning.

We can do it. We can do it individually and as a community when we submit our lives to the power provided through God’s Holy Spirit.

An old prophet a long time ago quoted God when he wrote, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)

When you find the ministry that God has for you don’t do it on your own but surrender yourself to Him and he will take your weakness and give you unbelievable abilities and strength to carry out his will.

A.W. Tozer wrote many years ago: “Without the Holy Spirit 95% of what the early church did in ministry would have ceased but today 95% of what we do in ministry would continue without the Holy Spirit.” (Paraphrase)

There is no question that God is calling you and there is no question that you can do what he is asking you to do if you yield yourself to His Spirit.

3. God will Give you the Ability to Endure Successes and Failures because you have been Given a Purpose to Accomplish.

Just because we have been called does not mean we will always succeed. Sometimes we will attempt things and fail.

People can cause this i.e. Elisha listening to the other prophets in verses 15-18. There will always be voices from people who are not being led by the spirit who will want you to distract you from your calling. Sometimes these people will try to rock your boat. It reminds me of a couple of quotes I read sometime ago. “The loudest boos always come from the cheap seats. And people who are busy rowing seldom have time to rock the boat.” It will always be the uninvolved that Satan will use to try and distract you from what God wants you to do. These prophets were spectators. All they did in this story was watch. When they did try to get involved it was to control this young prophet. It was an exercise in futility. Don’t let people distract you from what God is calling us to do and be as a church.

God will give us the ability to endure the burdens and the blessings.

There is a story of Elisha feeding 100 people instead of killing 100 found in Chapter 4:42-44. You remember Elijah’s act of killing 100 people. We have mentioned the last two Sundays. In Chapter four of II Kings we find Elisha allowing God to use him to feed 100 people.

The apostle Paul had a self-revealing moment in II Corinthians 12:7-10. He puts it all in perspective. “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

1. God calls every one of his followers to be involved in a ministry.
2. God will use you beyond what you can begin to imagine if you surrender your life to Him.
3. Everything will not always be perfect just because you are following God.
4. This is the first day of the rest of your life and you can allow God to completely change your future.

What are you going to do?
When are you going to do it?
How much of yourself are you going to give to God?

Faiths Review And Expectation

Faiths Review And Expectation

I Tim 1:12-17
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Here is a trivia question for you: Of all the songs ever written, which song has been recorded most – by the largest number of different vocal artists?

The answer is “Amazing Grace”. The classic Christian hymn written in 1779 by John Newton. For years “Amazing Grace” has been a favorite, particularly in southern churches. Nearly every hymnbook has it in it.

The Hymn was written by John Newton as a testimony of the grace of God in his life. Before his conversion John Newton had lived a wicked and sinful life. Among his many sins he had captained a slave ship and had brought slaves from Africa to the United States. He had made his living in the wickedest of ways. After his Conversion to Christ he became an Anglican minister.

The original title of the song was not “Amazing Grace” but was “Faiths Review And Expectation”. The title was later changed to the one we are familiar with.

Also the original hymn had six verses and not four as found in most of our hymnals. Interestingly one of the verses as found in our hymnals was added later and was not penned by John Newton. The melody that was added to John Newton’s Poem was a familiar folk song of the day, “Virginia Harmony”.

Around 25 years ago a recording artist was recording a new single album. On the flip side they needed another song before they could release the recording. The vocalist remembered a song that she used to sing as a young girl in church and since the song was public domain, they would not have to pay any royalties on it. The song was ‘Amazing Grace”.

The record was released to radio stations to play and promote the album. A strange thing began to happen. The radio stations began to play the flip side, “Amazing Grace”. The recording took off and became the number one song for several weeks. The secular world loved the music and the words and yet few really understood the full meaning of Grace and how amazing that it is.

What Is Grace?

I have found that Grace is much easier to illustrate than it is to define. It would take volumes to do the definition justice but here are some common definitions.

Grace is – Gods Riches At Christ’s Expense

Grace is – God’s love taking the initiative to meet man’s need, whatever that need may be.

Grace is – Love stooping (bending) down.

Mercy is – Not getting what you deserve.
Grace is – Getting what you don’t deserve.

Grace goes beyond mercy. Mercy is the Governor giving a guilty man a pardon.
Grace is the Governor giving the man a pardon and them taking him home to live with him.

The best single sentence definition of Grace that I have run across is this:
“Grace is God’s freely given, unmerited favor toward the sinful and failing, the expression of forgiving, redeeming, restoring love toward the unworthy.”

In John Newton’s Hymn – “Amazing Grace” – We can also find a definition of Grace.

This morning I want us to go through the six verses as John wrote them and discover his wonderful definition and testimony of Grace.

I. The Grace That Saves Us – “Saving Grace”

Verse 1
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Years ago I saw some graffiti on a bathroom wall – “Are you saved?”
Someone had written beside it – “Saved from what?”

What does the grace of God save us from?

The first thing that God’s grace saves us from is the penalty of sin. – Spiritual death – Eternal separation from God – Hell.

There was a time if you had ask me, “How were you saved?” I would have replied, “By faith in Jesus Christ.”
Today my reply would be different – “By God’s grace through faith.”


II. Our Standing In Grace – “Justifying Grace”

Verse 2
T’was grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Rom 5:1-2
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

PEACE WITH GOD
At one time we were enemies, alienated from God but now we have peace with God.

This second verse brings us to the second aspect of Grace - Grace saves us from the Power of sin.

If a man were standing on the ledge of a tall building, threatening to jump off and you talked him into not jumping – You would have saved his life but that would only be the beginning. You would have to deal with what drove him out onto that ledge in the first place.


III. The Discipline of Grace or Growth in Grace – “Maturing Grace ‘

Verse 3
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace that brought me safe this far.
And grace will lead me home.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Many think of Grace merely as the means whereby God forgives sin and fail to realize that Grace is also God’s way of dealing with the believer after they receive Christ.

What is the aim and goal of the Christian life?
“To be conformed to the image of Christ.”

Grace is God’s way of growing us into Christ’s likeness. All of the trials and tribulations that we go thru are part of God’s maturing us.


IV. The Comfort Or Consolation Of Grace – “Comforting Grace”

Verse 4
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

II Thess 2:16-17
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Is God Good? – Yes – God is always good. It is his nature to be good.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 27:13

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”


V. The Grace To Leave This Life – “Dying Grace”

Verse 5
Yea when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

A Salvation that you can live with is one thing. What good is a grace that you can’t die with.

Illustration
A man in my church had a heart attack and thought he was going to die. After he recovered he said, “Pastor, I know that I am saved but I found myself afraid of dying.” My reply was, “Joe, did you die?” Of course his answer was no. “When your time comes to leave this life, God will give you dying grace.” And a few years later Joe went to be with the Lord.

When out time comes – God’s grace will be sufficient to die with.


VI. The Reward Of Grace – “Crowning Grace”

Verse 6
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine,
But God who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

HEAVEN

1. Grace delivers us from the Penalty of Sin.

2. Grace delivers us from the Power of Sin.

3. Grace will deliver us from the Presence of Sin.

“Who Is This Jesus?”

John 1:1-3

Jesus is a great historical figure and held by many to be the most inspirational leader the world has ever known. But is he more? The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sounds something like this:
"Jesus Christ was a great man."
"Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model."
"Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher."
"Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet."

What do you think of Jesus Christ? Who is He? According to Christianity this is the most important question you or anyone else will ever face. It is important primarily because it is inescapable – no one can avoid it – for you will either answer it in this world or in the world to come. Upon the answer to this question alone hinges your eternal destiny.
This question has renewed importance in our day, when even the non-Christian religions of the world are speaking as if the revere and honor the name of Jesus.
The first three gospel accounts (Matt, Mark and Luke) are called “the synoptic gospels.” The word synoptic means “to see together.” This means that the first three gospel accounts contain many of the same stories and teachings, but each from a different perspective.
However, the gospel according to John is different. The Gospel of John was one of the last books of the New Testament to be written. It appears to be written from the city of Ephesus where the apostle John was the pastor after the destruction of Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The first three gospel accounts had already been written and were in circulation. For this reason, John did not recount many of the events already recorded in the other Gospels, nor did he set out to write a chronological account of the life of Jesus.
In fact, John states his purpose in writing this account in John 20:31, “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John offers two primary reasons for his writing, that you might believe in Christ as your Savior and having believed you might have life.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
The Gospel of John introduces the Lord Jesus
Christ with three tremendous statements:
“In the beginning was the Word,”
“And the Word was with God,”
“And the Word was God.”
It can be stated that in this simple sentence is the most compact theological statement in all of the Bible. These verses teach us three separate truths about who Jesus is.

First, He Is Eternally God.
“In the beginning was the Word…”
John begins his Gospel in an unusual manner. Unlike the synoptic gospels that begin their account in an historical context, John opens with God in eternity. Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus.
Mark began his story of the life of Jesus with the ministry of John the Baptist. Luke gives the story of Jesus’ birth. But John transports us to eternity past – before creation, before man – before the existence of time.
John moves back beyond human history to start his account of Jesus. John begins his gospel with the words, “in the beginning.” The word translated “beginning” is a time word. Psalm 90:1-2 can help us to understand the concept behind this word. “LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. (2) Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
The word “everlasting” is figurative in the Hebrew. It means “from the vanishing point to the vanishing point.” God is from the vanishing point in the past and reaches to the vanishing point in eternity future. Just as far as you can see, from vanishing point to vanishing point, He is still God. How majestic is that thought!
John’s use of the term “in the beginning” is probably a conscious referral to the very first words in the Bible. In Genesis 1:1 we read, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Does that begin God? When you go back to creation He is already there, and that is exactly what John says in verse one — “in the beginning was the Word.” Notice it is not is the Word; it was not in the beginning that the Word started out or was begotten. “Was” is known as a durative imperfect, meaning “continued action.” In fact the sense of the entire verse is “In the beginning was continuing the Word, and the Word was continuing with God and the Word was continually God.”
The Word was in the beginning. What beginning? Just as far back as you want to go. He was already there when the beginning was. “Well,” somebody says, “there has to be a beginning somewhere.” All right, wherever you begin, He is there to meet you, He is already past tense.
John tells that “in the beginning was the Word.” In Greek it is the word (Logos). It occurs in verses one and fourteen. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…(14) And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Why is Jesus Christ called the word? What is the significance of that title? John’s calling Jesus “the Word” he was connecting with the thought of his day.
To the Jews a word was something concrete and closer to what we would call a deed. What happens when God speaks? The answer is that that thing is done. God said “Let there be light and there was light.” (Gen 1:3)
To the Greeks, the Word (Logos) represented the soul of the universe. It was the rational principle from which everything else came. It was a creative governing force of the universe (much like the “force” of the Star wars genre).
Not Only Is He Eternally God but….
He Is Equally God
“… and the Word was with God…” ,
John states that “the word was with God” -literally (face to face). This indicates that the Word is separate and distinguishable from the Father. He is a separate person. In a simple yet profound words John offers us a glimpse of the Trinity.
Although the term “trinity” is not found in Scripture the doctrine is found from its earliest pages. In the story of the creation of man recorded Genesis 1:26 we find, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.” The most common name for God given in the Old Testament is the plural – Elohim. Jesus is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father.
Not Only Is He Equally God but…

Third, He Is Essentially God.
“… and the Word was God.”
Or literally “and God was the Word.” This means that everything that can be said about God the Father can be said about God the Son. Jesus is in every way God, yet He is a separate person from God the Father.
The Jehovah’s Witness in their translation of the scriptures, (The New World Translation) translates this phrase “and the word was a god.” They do this by supplying the indefinite article “a” where none is in the Greek.
Unlike any other widely followed religious leader in history, Jesus Christ made a unique claim. He declared Himself God. Not a god, not god-like, but God incarnate - the Creator of the universe in human flesh. Verse three leaves no doubt that Jesus is the creator of the universe. “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
1 Corinthians 8:6 supports this same division of labor concerning Creation, “yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”
The author of the book of Hebrews also looks back at the beginning when he said, (Heb 1:1-3)
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; (3) who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
John when he wrote the book of Revelation again assured that Jesus was the Creator, (Rev.4:11) “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
The Apostle Paul speaks out to reveal in
(Col 1:15-17) that Jesus is not only the Creator of the Universe, He is the sustainer as well. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (16) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (17) And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

Conclusion
I want to conclude today with the same question that I began with, “What do you think of Jesus? Who Is he really?”
These same questions have occupied the minds of men down through the centuries. It was the question that was continually raised during the Lord’s earthly ministry. As Jesus rode a donkey into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people turned to one another and asked, “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:10). Even his disciples asked the question among themselves when Jesus stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee: “Who can this be, that even the winds and waves obey Him!” (Mark 4:41).
When Herod first heard about Jesus he asked, “John I have beheaded but who is this of whom I hear such things!” (Luke 9:9).
That still remains the question, “Who Is Jesus?” and what you decide will determine your eternal destiny. Is he is a good prophet, a great teacher, a wonderful role model, or is he more than that? He certainly claimed to be more. The suggestion by Dan Brown in the current novel “The Da Vinci Code” that the divinity of Jesus was the invention of Emperor Constantine hundreds of year after the death of Jesus.
C.S. Lewis, British theologian and author of “The Chronicles of Narnia”, continues, "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ’I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, The MacMillan Company, 1960, pp. 40-41.)

Seeing Jesus

Hebrews 2:5-18

On one occasion certain Greeks approached one of the twelve disciples and said, "Sir, We would see Jesus." Certainly that ought to be the desire of every one of us as we gather to worship our Lord. As the song says, "Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus...." May that be our prayer as we gather in the Lord’s name today. How do you see Jesus today? As a great teacher? A great religious leader? A prophet? A miracle worker?
Hebrews 1:4 “Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name that they.“ Hebrews 2:9: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels…. “
Do these verses contradict each other? By no means. The emphasis in chapter one is on the deity of Christ while the emphasis in chapter two is upon the humanity of Christ. Several verses in chapter two, point out the humanity of Jesus. Note the references in 2:9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17. John’s gospel proclaims, “The word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”
The key phrase that I want us to examine is in verse 9, "But we see Jesus...." Then he spends the rest of the chapter, even the letter, showing us, how we should see Jesus. Though we do not have a photo of Jesus, but in these verses we have several word pictures that describe just who the man Jesus really is.

I. WE SEE JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR (V. 10)

In verse 10 Jesus is described as the author (pioneer, captain) of our salvation. By the grace of God, Jesus, the complete Man, is able to restore us to the place of glory and honor that God created us for. For this to happen, we must be “in Christ” through faith in His atoning work.
A. THE PURPOSE OF OUR SALVATION: "For whom/by whom are all things in bringing many sons to glory." In Jesus, we are bound for glory. After all, this world is not our home, we’re just passing through. This life is just the beginning.
B. THE PRICE OF OUR SALVATION: Perfect - complete, Salvation is made complete through the suffering of Christ. Verse 9, tells us that Jesus "By the grace of God tasted death for everyone." The word "for" speaks of the SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE of Jesus on the cross. The CROSS must ever be central in all that we do and say as the church of Jesus Christ. The Blood of Christ and the Cross of Christ are ever at the heart of our faith. Take away the blood and the cross of Jesus and you have no gospel, no salvation, and no hope.

II. WE SEE JESUS AS OUR SANCTIFIER. (VV 11-13)

Jesus is the one who sanctifies, or makes us holy. Believers are the one’s being sanctified, or made holy. To sanctify, or to make holy means to be set apart. Our Lord sets us apart as to the service of God. Who are the sanctified ones?
A. THEY ARE BROTHERS OF THE SON: Jesus is presented as our elder brother. He is not ashamed to call us His brothers. The Bible uses several terms to describe the relationship of Jesus with believers. Disciples, servants, friends, brothers, etc. Brothers is a family term. Our Lord sets us apart as members of His own family, His brothers and sisters.
B. THEY ARE CHILDREN OF THE FATHER: Think of it, in a real way, you and I are children of God. What a special relationship we have with the Almighty God. I’m a child of the King.

III. WE SEE JESUS AS OUR DELIVERER:(VV 14-15)

We believers are partakers with Jesus Christ. Our position is IN CHRIST. We share in the accomplishments of the cross. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross of Calvary Jesus:
A. ACCOMPLISHED THE DEFEAT OF THE DEVIL: "That through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the Devil." The word translated “destroy” does not mean annihilation, nor has Satan been destroyed in that since. The word means “to make inoperative” or “ineffective.” Through the resurrection from the dead, Jesus broke the hold Satan had over us. When man yielded to the Devil, sin entered into the human experience and death by sin. Briefly we need to know several things about the devil. He is real. He is powerful. He is deceptive. He is dangerous, but praise God he is defeated.
B. DELIVERED US FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH: The word “deliver” means to change from or to free from bondage. Men are slaves to the fear of death, but Christ has removed death’s sting. Death is a universal enemy. Everyone of us have been touched by it or soon will be. A parent, a grandparent, a mate, a child, a friend. Death is an enemy. It will be the last enemy to be destroyed. Death is fearful. Even believers shy away from it. We are ready to meet the Lord, but we also have a purpose for this life.
Before Calvary, men were held in bondage to the fear of death. The Old Testament contains only a few “flashes of light” concerning life after death. For them, death had to be faced with uncertainty, horror, and gloom. Jesus Christ has cleared the haze away. Life and immortality has been brought to light through the gospel.
Because of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, death has lost its sting. For the true believer, death becomes the door by which we pass into the very presence of the Father. For the believer, the future is glorious, for we are bound for glory. Praise the Lord.

IV. WE SEE JESUS AS OUR HIGH PRIEST:(VV. 16-18)

As a man, Jesus is one of us. He has been “made like his brothers.“
A. OUR HIGH PRIEST MAKES RECONCILIATION FOR OUR SINS. As our “merciful and faithful high priest,” Jesus’ primary role is to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. The Greek word translated “reconciliation” means “to propitiate” or “expiate” sin. As our High Priest, Jesus does not merely cover our sins, he actually takes it away from us. The earthly High Priest carried the blood into the Holy Place once a year to make atonement for our sins. This he did each year. Jesus, our great High Priest entered the heavenly Holy of Holies once for all with His own blood.
B. OUR HIGH PRIEST HELPS US WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED: Not only did Jesus atone for our sin, he is qualified by personal experience to aid believers in their struggle against temptation. As one who has been tempted like us, Jesus is sympathetic with our plight. He understands when we are tempted. Moreover, He is able to come to our aid when we are tempted. The King James uses the word, “succour.” This word means, “to run in response to a cry for help.“ Jesus runs to us when we cry out to him in times of temptation. As a man, Jesus has endured similar trials and temptations. The believers who were recipients of the book of Hebrews, needed to hear that Jesus had suffered as they were suffering. We need to be reminded of that as well.
CONCLUSION: Now that you have seen Jesus in the light of God’s Word, wouldn’t you like to receive Him as your own personal Lord and Savior? Either Jesus is all that the Bible claims Him to be or else He is a phony. The more I study the Scriptures, the more firmly I believe the Bible to be true and trustworthy. I have made my commitment to surrender my life to the lordship of Jesus Christ. What about you? I believe that the Holy Spirit is speaking to some soul today about your need for the Lord Jesus. He is knocking on the door of your heart right now.
When we lived in Costa Rica, Thursday was my study day. About twice a month, my doorbell would ring and it was always members of a false cult, trying to convince me that Jesus was not who he claimed to be. They denied his deity, his resurrection, etc. On Thursdays, I learned that if I would just sit real quiet, they would go away.
One day, long ago, Jesus knocked on the door of my heart. I am so glad I did not send him away. I opened the door and invited Him to come into my heart and life.
Lost friend, Jesus is knocking on your heart’s door today. Will you just sit there hoping He will go away, or will you open the door and invite Him to come in? The decision is yours to make. I pray that you will make the right one.

Facing Death

2 Timothy 4:17-18

Who said, living for Jesus is easy? The fact is, it may cost you your very life. Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel of Christ. Can’t you detect a note of sadness in these words? A note of sorrow? Paul was feeling all alone.

Some of you may be going through a period of loneness. All of us have at one time or another. One can be lonely even in the midst of a great multitude of people. This passage speaks to those of us who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The reality is, when you are all alone - you aren’t really alone for the Lord is with you. Listen to just a few Biblical promises.

Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20). Elijah wasn’t alone when he felt so alone. The Lord came near, not in a fire, or an earthquake, or a mighty wind. He came near in a “still small voice.”

Paul and Silas were not alone when they were in prison at Philippi. God gave them a song to sing at midnight. (See Acts 16). Moody Radio has a musical program called “Music in the Night.” In the book of Job, Job’s friend Elihu said, “But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night.”

The Apostle Paul was facing his own impending death. Though it is evident that Paul felt alone in these verses, we note that his faith came through. We learn from Paul that even in the face of death believers in Jesus Christ can experience God’s presence, know God’s power to fulfill God’s purpose, and rest in God’s promises. Let’s look at these truths a little more carefully.

I. IN THE FACE OF DEATH WE CAN KNOW GOD’S PRESENCE

Note what Paul had experienced.

1. His friends had deserted him (v. 10)
2. He apparently had nothing to read (13). Many POWs said, that what sustained them was Bible Verses and Hymns that they remembered.
3. Alexander the Coppersmith tried to harm him (14-15)
4. No one stood with him when he was first placed on trial.
5. Paul was facing his own impending death. He said “The time of my departure is at hand….” Most of us want some loved ones around.

Though he felt alone, he wasn’t really alone. He said, “The Lord stood with me.” If the Lord stood by Paul, He will also stand by you and me in our lonely hours. You and I are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. God will stand by his children. We all need support and encouragement from each other. However, there are times when we simply do not receive it. The Lord stood by Paul. Moreover, he will stand by us as well.

In Deuteronomy 31:6, Moses challenged the people of Israel who were about to enter into the Promised Land, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Then God spoke to Joshua as he becomes the leader of the nation following the death of Moses. “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”

The writer of Hebrews applies these verses to believers in Jesus Christ. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Our Lord keeps his promise. He will never leave his children or forsake them. The Psalmist put it this way, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me.”

II. IN THE FACE OF DEATH WE CAN FULFILL GOD’S PURPOSE

“The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.”

Not only did the Lord stand by Paul, the Lord also strengthened him. Even though he was imprisoned and was at the end of his earthly life, Paul was strengthened by God’s power in order that he might continue bearing witness. We also know that the great apostle Paul spent much time in jail because of the preaching of the gospel.

It was while he was in prison that the Philippian jailer and his family came to know Christ. No doubt a number of fellow prisoners were saved through Paul’s jail ministry as well. He even bore witness to those who were judging him.

Paul presented the gospel to Felix who unfortunately procrastinated. Listen to Acts 24:24-25. “And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’”

Paul also presented the Gospel to Festus and to Agrippa. Paul shared his personal testimony to Agrippa in Acts 26. As he presented the gospel, Festus accused Paul of being mad. Then Paul asked Agrippa. “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “you almost persuade me to become a Christian. Then Paul said, I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

Even in his last imprisonment, God gave Paul the strength to be able to fully preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Preaching the gospel was Paul’s purpose for life. He needed the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to be able to speak clearly concerning the salvation that is available to us through Jesus Christ.

God called the apostle Paul to be a missionary to the Gentiles. His passion was to preach the gospel. His arrest and imprisonment actually opened the doors to the preaching of the gospel. His desire was to fulfill the Great Commission and preach to the gentiles. He was faithful unto death.

III. IN THE FACE OF DEATH WE CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S PROTECTION

The Lord delivered him from the mouth of the lion. Was this a real lion as we see in the story of Daniel and the Lion’s den or was this merely an illustration that described the enemy? Certainly, it could have been a real lion. However as a Roman citizen Paul would not have been thrown to the lions.

Sometimes God will protect us by delivering us out of the valley of the shadow of death. Then there will come the time that He will take us on to heaven. That is the ultimate deliverance for we will be with the Lord.

The early Greeks believed that Paul was referring to the emperor Nero because of his cruel nature. Others see the lion as representative of Satan, or perhaps Paul’s human prosecutor in court. Could this have been a reference to Alexander the Coppersmith? Paul became sort of a NT Daniel. Remember, the Lord shut the mouths of the lion for Daniel. Likewise he delivered Paul

IV. IN THE FACE OF DEATH WE CAN REST IN GOD’S PROMISES:

Paul had the assurance of a glorious future. He said, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.” Note the phrase, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work.” Did this mean that Paul would not be executed? No. Remember, the death sentence had already been passed down. Since Paul knew that his death was imminent, the rescue he speaks of is spiritual, not physical. That is why he wrote what he did in the first part of this chapter. Paul wanted to instill in Timothy the urgency of continuing in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Listen to Paul’s challenge to Timothy in verses 1-5:

Not only will the Lord deliver Paul from every evil work, He will bring him safely to the heavenly kingdom. Then in verses 6-8, he said, “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. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

A pastor friend was dying of cancer. Someone asked him if his faith helped him in his dying days. He said, “I’m so glad I believe what I have preached all these years.”

When Billy Graham’s health began to fail, James Dobson asked Him about how his faith sustained him. Dr. Graham said, “O Jim, I can hardly wait to see my Lord.”

Prior to his death, Bill Bright wrote "God is real. His promises are true, time on earth is an exciting but brief adventure, and heaven is my home. Without question it has been a joyous journey."

Are you ready to meet your Lord? I don’t think I need to remind you of the brevity of life. We know that death can come in a moment. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Are you ready for the Lord to come? The only way to get ready is to turn from your sins in repentance, and by faith receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior.

Quitters And Winners

2 Timothy 4:6-8

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Quitting is a common malady among Christians.
Many start this race with a false concept of its requirements, and leave disillusioned.
They come into the fellowship seeking shelter, and instead, they find themselves in the middle of a battlefield.
They come in to escape the troubles of their world, and instead, they find that they are troubled on every side.
They come running from the temptations that haunt them, and find that there are still temptations they must endure in order to receive their reward.
They never bargained for a fiery furnace;
They never bargained for a personal cross to bear;
They never bargained for painstaking trials, deep-seated sorrows, or unceasing temptations.
So they end up quitting.

The quitters miss the whole point of this Christian race.
The faithful Christian allows God to test his endurance.
He knows that God examines our love and loyalty in the midst of problems, persecutions, and pressures.
He knows that God tests our courage and faith, in the midst of defeat, despair, and difficulties.
He knows that God studies our character and commitment through trouble, trials and turmoil.
Yes, we will continue to face temptation, but “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Yes, we will continue to suffer; “We are troubled on every side….yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
Though we are afflicted, we are blessed, because the Christian winner knows how to suffer THROUGH affliction.
And thanks be to God, who giveth us the ultimate victory…not here and now, but at that great “getting- up mornin’”!

Everyone of us knows a quitter.
Most come in to present their own personal agendas to God.
God…I need money.
God…I need friends.
God…I need a promotion.
God…I need good health.
God…I need to be in charge of something.
And when the money, the friends, the promotion, the good health, or the position don’t immediately materialize, the quitter finds the nearest exit.
They didn’t count on endurance as a prerequisite to blessings.

Paul is sitting in the drab dungeon of a Roman prison. He is facing the capital charge of insurrection against the Roman government. He has had his preliminary hearing before Nero, and he is soon to stand before Nero
in his final trial and hear the fateful verdict: “Execution.” We do not know how soon, but our text today indicates very soon. Paul knew that the end of his life upon earth was imminent. What does he do?

If anyone had a reason to be a quitter, it’s Paul. He suffered beatings and stripes beyond measure. Three times he was beaten with rods. Once he was attacked with stones. He was shipwrecked and spent a day and a half floating in shark-infested waters. He suffered imprisonment seven times, and the threat of death almost constantly. And now Paul is facing death for the cause of Christ. But is Paul a quitter? No! His only focus now is to pass on his testimony of the love of Christ to Timothy. He is like an Olympic runner, straining to pass the baton to his successor.

In Nero’s dungeon, with death hanging over him like a repulsive stench, Paul pen’s his awesome charge to Timothy, the charge to preach the Word of God and to minister to a world that is lost and dying—a world that is reeling under the weight of so many desperate needs. This man who stares death in the face, encourages Timothy to look ahead to the end of his own life and to be
able to bear the same strong testimony, to the end.

Paul wants Timothy and us to know that our lives are not only a living testimony, but a living sacrifice. He sees death as his final offering and sacrifice to God. “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. The Greek word for offering spendomai, and its implication is striking. It refers to the drink offering that was presented to God in ritual sacrifice. When a person wanted
to make a sacrifice to God, he often took a cup of wine or oil and poured it out as an offering and sacrifice to God. The drink offering symbolized the Lord Jesus pouring out His soul—dying—for us.

This imprisoned apostle is saying, “I am pouring out my soul through death for the Lord Jesus Christ. The life and blood of my body is being sacrificed for the preaching of God’s Word. I am laying down my life as an offering to Christ Jesus, my Lord—laying it down in the supreme act of sacrifice. I am dying for Christ.”

Paul never thought of himself as awaiting execution. He was offering himself to God. His life was not being taken from him; he was laying it down. Ever since his conversion, Paul had offered to God—his money, his scholarship, his strength, his time, the stamina of his body, the acuteness of his mind, the devotion of his passionate heart. The only thing he had left to offer was life itself.

Paul was ready for his departure. He was weighing anchor or breaking camp for the last time. He felt like an animal being released from his burden; it was as though a millstone would be pulled from his neck, and he would be released into the pastures and still waters of heaven and eternity.

That’s quite a contrast to the view most Christians have of death. As a pastor, I can tell you that most Christians FEAR death, preferring to stay on this side of God’s creation for as long as possible. But Paul had the right mindset concerning death– “To live is Christ, and to die is gain!” He also wrote to the church at Rome, “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8).

Paul was no quitter. His glorious testimony to Timothy glances back over his life and summarizes it using three analogies - that of a soldier, an athlete, and a steward or manager. Paul says that he has lived life just like a faithful soldier: “I have fought a good fight.”
1 He volunteered to serve Christ.
2 He separated himself from this world, sacrificing all that he was and had to be a soldier for Christ—a soldier totally committed to the mission of Christ.
3 He suffered through the threats, scrapes, and wars launched by the
enemies of Christ.
4 He fought a “good” fight: a fight that was worthy, honorable,
noble, and commendable.
5 He had done his time, and stuck to the mission of Christ to the very end.

Paul knew that “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4).

Paul says that he has run and finished the course of his life; he has completed the race, just like the athlete. He lived the disciplined and controlled life of an athlete – doing all for the sake of Christ.
1 He controlled what he ate and drank and what he did with his body and mind.
2 He focused upon the course of his life, and how he ran it. He could not run the risk of being distracted by the things of the world and of the flesh lest he become a castaway and be disqualified from running the race. “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:23-27).

Paul says that he’s kept the faith. He looked after his faith just like a good
steward looks after the estate of his master. The Lord had entrusted the gospel message to Paul, and he kept the faith. He had proven himself to be faithful, managed his ministry for the Master. Paul kept his end of the contract, and now he knew that the Lord would keep HIS.

With all the suffering Paul went through—the terrible trials—the times that he could have quit... He never did quit. And now he faced his final act of sacrifice for the sake of Christ, that he might receive his reward.

And what was that reward? —a crown of righteousness! It’s a crown that makes even the worst sinner acceptable to God. No one can be admitted into the presence of God without a crown of righteousness—for it covers us and makes us perfect.

Quitters come seeking earthly crowns – crowns that deteriorate, trophies that fade. But winners in this race come to receive a crown of righteousness; a crown of righteousness given by the Lord, the righteous Judge. And Christ knows if we have a soldier’s dedication, an athlete’s determination, and the heart of a steward, determined to preserve the Word and pass it on to future generations.

The Christian who has committed his life...
1 to be a soldier for Christ and His mission.
2 to be an athlete for Christ and His course (race and life).
3 to be a steward or manager for Christ and His faith.
This is the person who loves and looks for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is the person who will be the winner – for he shall receive the crown of righteousness. Don’t be a quitter. “If we would be partakers of the fruits, we must labor; if we would gain the prize, we must run the race.”
Don’t be a quitter. “When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).
Don’t be a quitter. “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11).