2 Timothy 2:8-15.                             Endurance in tough times!!!                                        9/10/16

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him, we will also live with him;

12 if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

How do we keep going when we are under immense pressure of one sort or another? Many times in life we are faced with situations that crowd in on us and have us wondering if ever there is a way out. When it all seems too much, with no end in sight, we find it hard to keep on going. Our focus gets caught up in our dilemma and we can see little else but the problem.

Even in the church and our Christian lives these same issues are there. In the face of a church that is losing its way and continuing to decline; Is there a future for our church or will it just decline into almost nothing? In our own lives and the lives of our loved ones, is the ever increasing pressure to let go of God and have less and less to do with him, going to win out in the end? Will we too get swamped into accepting all kinds of teaching that have departed from God and his Word? Sometimes, or often even, it all seems too hard. Too overwhelming.

Here again this morning God is giving us some very important advice. Remember! Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. In that find that which enables us to lift up our heads and get on with life no matter how tough things might be.

Look to God come into our world as a human being and dying in our place and then rising to life once. There, find a hope that will enable us to stand in the midst of whatever. Because here is a God who has come into our very midst so that we can have a real and certain hope in the midst of the disasters that we face in this world that has been devastated by our selfishness and sin. He came into our world so that we can know for sure that he cares about each one of us, no matter who we are.

When it says that he descended from David, we are reminded that he came firstly as one who was promised by God himself, hundreds of years beforehand. This one who was to come would be the one who comes to save and establish God’s kingdom as a sure and certain thing. Many very specific promises were made that came true with Jesus and his coming many years later.

He came into our world and did miracles that only God himself could do – many of them. All so that we can be sure that this Jesus truly was God come into our world. Not only did he do many miracles but he taught us many things again which only come from God. So already they could see that this was the promised one that God would send.

But then he went and died on the cross, again just as was promised hundreds and hundreds of years before hand. But why would God come and die, the most cruel of all deaths on a cross? Again because God is true to his Word. He told humanity that if they go against his commands we will die. So sin has to be punished. But God in his love for us, chose to die the death we should have, so that we might be forgiven and have a sure hope for the future.

So his death on the cross is absolutely critical for us if there is to be any hope for us to be with him in heaven for all eternity. His death also helps us now as we face life in this world with all of its problems and disasters. Because of his promises we know that he loves us, forgives us and has eternal life for us.

But then so that we can be completely sure that this is all for real and that he is true to his Word, he rises from the dead three days later. There, is our absolute proof that this Jesus is who he said he is. There we can find all the encouragement that we need in order to know that there really is life beyond our present situation. That which just does not happen in our world has happened so that we can know that God has a positive future in mind for each one of us.

So in order for us to be able to endure in tough times Jesus death and resurrection is essential. Without it we would be left, in one form or another, trying to dig ourselves out of the mess; only to know that there surely will be more troubles to follow. In the end it is all futile. Then we have to face the judge knowing that we have failed to be the people he would have us be. Then eternal punishment awaits, from which there is no hope of relief.

Thank God that he came into our world, and died and rose again, so that this does not have to be the case for us. In connection with him there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. In him there is life and salvation. In his Word, the Bible, we know what is true and good.

At this point we then keep in mind Paul’s point when he says: Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

So the call is to die with him so that we can have the certainty that we may live with him. Surely this means that we give up on ourselves and what we want. We die to the life that is touted by so many in our world today, who suggest that life is all about ‘me’ and what I think is good and right. It is to die to the idea that I can live well without taking God seriously. It is to die to any hope that we might have of being good enough to be acceptable to God on our own merits; and thereby to turn to God and receive from him the forgiveness of sins and life that he has for us.

In our baptisms we were joined to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. That is, to each of us personally, the benefits of his death and resurrection are joined to us. Forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are ours. His death and resurrection is now ours too. Now daily we are to die to sin and our selfish way of life and daily remember that we too will rise to be with him in heaven.

The second call is to endure. That is hold fast to him and what he says, and to not give up on that. Again at a time when we are encouraged to look everywhere but God for our help: to think positively about what we can do and what our money can buy us; to look to alcohol, drugs and other things to try to bury our troubles; here we are called to endure.  

To endure is to stand firm in the face of whatever the situation is; no matter how bad. To look to Jesus Christ and know that with him and in him we have a light at the end of the tunnel. In the face of adversity to remember [as Julie’s psychologist said the other day] God is as close to us as our breath. He is with us and he will help us through; and he will bring blessing out of even the worst of situations.

So we ‘keep on keeping on’ no matter what, knowing that in the end we will also reign with him. We will be joined with him in heaven, to there enjoy the very best of everything, forever more. The sufferings of this present age are nothing compared to the glory that we will be a part of for the rest of eternity.

However, if we turn our backs on him and refuse to allow him to be Lord of our life here and now, we cannot be surprised if he disowns us in eternity. If we put ourselves at the centre of our life instead of Christ, we are reminded that we are facing disaster. We cannot think that we can live as we please here on earth and that then God will allow us into heaven in the end.

On the other hand he says; if we are faithless, he remains faithful. So yes, we may, and often will, struggle in looking to and trusting in him. We may be overwhelmed by the situation at hand and struggle to even look to him. But here he reminds us that he, nevertheless, is faithful; and so will see us through. Even though our faith is weak, he will continue to be there with us and for us. This is surely a great encouragement to us all.

He then goes on and says: Keep reminding God’s people of these things. So the call is for us to encourage one another to be mindful of all of this as we face the tough times of life. The support and encouragement of fellow believers is invaluable at these times. Not just practically and physically, but especially to remind them of God’s presence and the promises that he has for us here. We are here as God’s people to help one another in the good times and the bad.

With all of this, we are then able to endure, no matter how tough the times may be. God will help us through. He will bring blessing to us and through us to one another. But most importantly of all, with him and all that has done for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection and his many other promises, we have the sure hope of being brought safely into his glory to forever enjoy the very best of everything. There to then give him all glory and honour forever.

So may we ever look to him and trust him, enduring through the tough time. To great God, father, Son and Holy Spirit, be all glory and honour now and forevermore. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

2 Timothy 1:1-14.                             Guard the good deposit!!!                                           2/10/16

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

¹³ What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you. This is the encouragement and challenge that is placed before us today. We have the most valuable thing in life extended to us; and we are here encouraged to guard it for dear life so that you did not lose it.

This again is reinforced in the fact that this morning we have had the baptism of another young person into God’s family. This person has received from God the greatest gift that anyone could ever get: Forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life in heaven with God. All as a free gift!

Now the challenge for this young person and her parents, as it is for each one of us, is to guard this great gift so that we do not lose that which is of utmost importance to us all. It is so easy to lose this gift, in our present age, if we are not careful. So many have turned their backs on this gift and have lost it. They then will go on to spend the rest of eternity in hell instead of in heaven. So this is important stuff.

Now look, we know the importance of guarding a great gift in this world; Even though that gift is of far less value in the big picture of life. You see, for instance, if I were to give this child today, or any one of us for that matter, a million dollars in cash, what would our attitude be? What would we do to protect it and make use of it throughout life?

Would we put it in the back corner of a shelf in the house and forget about it; and not even worry about it getting lost or stolen? Not tell our kids that this gift is there for them and the value of it? Would we put it away in the bank and not make any use of it throughout our life?  Or on the other hand would we guard it carefully and use it extensively?

Yes, we would be overjoyed with the gift, guard it carefully, and live it up: Even though this gift is only going to last at the max seventy or eighty years. Here this morning in baptism we have experienced the giving of a gift that will last for all eternity – and have great blessing for this life and the next. In fact, it is the gift that rescues us from an eternity separated from God in hell. Instead it joins us into God’s family and gives to us all the good that we could ever want that will last forever in heaven.

So with this in mind, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. The embers of this gift has been given to us, so let us fan it into full flame, so that we can be warmed in the glow of all that this gift entails for us.

As our understanding of this gift grows the greater will be the hope, confidence and certainty that will be ours. This will enable us to live boldly in the midst of the rough and tumble and coldness of the world around about us. It does not take away the troubles and difficulties but gives us what we need to see our way through them, knowing that in the end all things will work out for the good of those who are in Christ Jesus.

As the reading goes on to remind us that: The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So we are given good qualities that we need to get through this life well. We have the power to face and work our way through life with all that this sinful world throws at us. It enables us to love with the love that focusses on the wellbeing of the other person. Also at a time, when we are encouraged to give in to our every whim and desire, we are given the Spirit that helps us to be self-disciplined; which is important.

At the same time, we are encouraged to not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. Christianity is more and more being derided in our society today. In fact, there is a great push to get rid of its influence on our lives today. Attitudes toward creation, homosexuality, divorce, euthanasia, abortion and more is but a tip of the iceberg.

As a result, many Christians are ‘going quiet’ on the faith and the importance of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Even churches and their leaders are succumbing to the pressure to change what God has to say in the Bible on these subjects. Yes, we are ashamed of our moral failures, but not in the truth of God and his Word.

The call is for us to withstand the derision and persecutions that ae coming our way. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. Let us remember that our Lord Jesus himself was continually facing criticism and sufferings; and even faced death on the cross. But he did so in order that good may come our way. He suffered and died so that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation could be extended to each one of us. With God’s help we to can withstand the pressures that are placed on us so that the Good News of Jesus Christ may be heard, understood and received by others today as well.

Remember also that Jesus has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. He has good things in mind for us, here and in eternity if only we do not ignore him and turn our backs on him. It is not that he is a ‘kill joy’ or dull and boring God, but he wants to help us avoid so much of the trouble and heartaches that we bring on ourselves by going against what he tells us is clearly good for us.

He wants us to have peace, joy and hope in the midst of a society that is desperately struggling to find meaning, purpose and happiness that it knows should be there for them, but cannot achieve it. He has all of this and more for us, if only we would sit up and take notice. Despite that fact that he and his ways are so readily disparaged and rejected, they are the only way for us to achieve what we know should be there for us.

This love and goodness that we need was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus. Here let us remember that he truly did exist in time and his death and resurrection is irrefutable for those who care to look seriously. There is more proof for him and his death and resurrection than there is for almost anything else.

Let us also remember that his death on the cross and his resurrection was already written about hundreds and hundreds of years before he even set foot on this earth. All of his promise have come true, so we can rely on what he has for us in the Bible.

So we can be sure that he is for real and what he says in the Bible is for real too. We can also then be sure of all that he promises for us who are here today. He loves us, forgives us, and has eternal life with him for us in heaven. He also has good ways for us to live and act here on this earth. We can have every confidence to go forward boldly to take him and what he says seriously.

Because of Jesus’ life death and resurrection, we can be sure that he has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. So we can get on with life taking seriously Jesus Christ and all that he is and has done for us.

Also as we are encouraged here to do, we will guard carefully this most precious gift that has ever been extended to us. It is the best thing we could ever hope to have, so we will endeavour to do all that we possibly can to ensure that we do not lose it.

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

We will ever seek to do so, because all glory and honour belongs to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish