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Intro 1945 – a good year for drafting evangelists – Billy Graham – Charles Templeton – Templeton - One seminary president called him, “the most gifted and talented you man in America today for preaching” NAE article on men “best used by God” highlighted Templeton and never mentioned Billy Graham – By 1950, Templeton left the ministry and decided he “no longer believed in Christ’s claims” 2

Today’s passage 2 Tim 2:8-13 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 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. 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 will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (NIV) 3

Remember Jesus Christ… Vs. 8a - Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. Raised from the dead – Power of the resurrection – Demonstrating death/ suffering as the gateway to life Descended from David – Jesus is the fulfillment of everything longed for 4

Fulfillment? ~1000 BC, God to David 2 Sam 7:16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'" (NIV) ~550+, God to Daniel – Dan 7:13-14 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. 5

This is My Gospel 2 Tim 2:8b -10 This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 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. This is My Gospel – Ownership – Paul is willing to endure INCREDIBLE suffering. – Paul’s Motivation Knowing the Word is not chained Saving Some 6

If We don’t Own it, why not? John Calvin famously said that all of our hearts are idol-making factories… Whatever it is our heart is drawn to – a cultural trend, a cause, a diversion, a personal “passion,” a relationship, a pursuit, a venture, a comfortable routine – and however subtly it pulls us in, the cold, hard truth is that almost immediately it becomes an idol and our heart grabs hold. As Martin Luther once said, “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God” – your functional savior. – Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian 7

The Heart of the Matter 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 will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Death is the gateway to life. Endurance is the prerequisite for reigning – Endure what? – Heaven won’t be just sitting around on a cloud 8

The Heart of the Matter 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 will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Disown – means to deny, repudiate 2 Tim 2:15 – desertion of Phygelus and Hermogenes. Matt 10:32-33 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Disowning Christ carries and eternal price. 9

The Good News 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 will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Faithless here means to waver and wobble from time to time.. To be unfaithful or have periods of disbelieving always finds grace… God’s unchanging faithfulness and reliability is grace to us God’s immutability means the God of the OT is the God of the NT 10

THE BIG PICTURE - Endurance with God’s Faithfulness 11 Jesus Paul You and me Cost paid Died, Resurrected God’s Faithfulness Suffering - chained Shows/ resulting in Some coming to faith Who? ??Eternal Life + Who are you following?

Some Self Assessment A little:A good amount:A lot: Claiming the gospel as mine 1510 My being wedded to comfort __ 1510 I am willing to suffer if called to

Table Questions The next step for me to take in owning the gospel is … One thing I can do to take that step is … 13