Camdenton MO 3/2/97 PM
(2 Tim 1:12 KJV) "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
INTRODUCTION
A. This passage presents a touching and inspiring picture;
1. Paul, as an aged soldier of Christ, is now facing death.
2. Timothy, his son in the gospel a young preacher facing rigorous work and hardship until death, being counseled on meeting these problems.
B. The faith which sustained Paul and inspired Timothy will see us safely to victory also.
I. Paul's confidence in Christ
A. The imagery
1. He poses himself as one possessing an item of untold value which is in danger of being lost and which he alone cannot protect. He finds a safe protector and tells Timothy of the same.
B. The Possession
1. Man's soul - more valuable than all wealth.
a. (Mat 16:26 KJV) "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
1.) It is undying, immortal
2. This same passage mentions the possibility of it being lost.
3. Man is unable to protect it by himself.
a. (Jer 10:23 KJV) "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
b. (1 Cor 1:20-21 KJV) "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? {21} For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
c. (Rom 11:33 KJV) "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
C. The Protector
1. His power to protect.
a. Protected Peter on the water (Mt. 14:25)
b. Delivered the apostles from jail (Acts 5).
c. Protected Paul in storm and shipwreck (Acts 27).
d. Not even death could hold Him (Acts 2:24).
2. His moral qualifications.
a. Gave the world, through the Bible, the highest standard of morals it has ever known.
b. Lived by that code so that not even His enemies could convict Him of sin.
1.) (John 8:46 KJV) "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?"
c. Remained true to His purpose even through crucifixion.
1.) (Phil 2:5-8 KJV) "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: {7} But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: {8} And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
3. Paul knew Him.
a. He had seen Him personally, (Acts 9:3-8, I Cor. 15:8)
b. He knew Him through years of prayer and providence.
4. We also may know Him.
a. Through the experience of a Bible carefully studied.
b. Through our own time of prayer and beholding His presence in our own lives.
D. His commitment
1. Paul's whole self had been committed to Him.
a. (Phil 1:20-21 KJV) "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. {21} For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
2. That commitment involved a full compliance with the conditions set down by the protector.
E. That Day.
1. The day toward which all days approach. (Heb 10:25 KJV) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
2. The day of judgement....
a. We will be judged by Jesus, (John 5:22 KJV) "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:"
(John 5:27 KJV) "And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man."
1.) This was who Paul had already committed his soul to.
b. We will be judged according to His word.
1.) (John 12:48 KJV) "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
c. We will also be judged by our actions (works)
1.) (Mat 16:27 KJV) "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
2.) (2 Cor 5:10 KJV) "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
II. The same confidence that Paul had is available to us.
A. Christ is interested in all men.
1. (Mat 28:18-20 KJV) "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. {19} Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
2. (Mark 16:15-16 KJV) "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. {16} He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
B. There is a crown of life for all who love Him.
1. (2 Tim 4:7-8 KJV) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: {8} 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."
C. As did Paul, we must;
1. Recognize the possession, its value and our own inability to protect it.
2. Recognize in Christ the Great Protector.
3. Commit without reservation our souls to Him through our obediance to Him.
CONCLUSION
A. It is time to reflect carefully upon the value of our own soul, the certainty of judgement and commit ourselves to Him today.