DATE: June 25, 2020
BY: Pastor Bob Miller
CHAPTER READ: 2 Timothy 1
SCRIPTURE SELECTED: 2 Timothy 1:8-9a
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.
OBSERVATION: Paul is writing to Timothy, a young pastor to whom he is giving instructions. He tells Timothy not to be ashamed to share the whole story about the Gospel or to hide the fact that Paul is in prison for the gospel. In fact, he calls Timothy to join with him in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. It is God who saved us and called us to a holy life -not because we’ve done anything to deserve it, but because of His grace and purpose for us.
APPLICATION: God’s purpose and calling for our life is to be holy, not to make us comfortable or to feel “good”. We sometimes want to emphasize the miracles and the power of God to deliver us out of trouble. We tend to try and make the Gospel attractive by calling people to “follow God so that He can bless you!”. Paul calls Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel. I wonder how many would volunteer for that calling? Would I step into that call? Following Christ involves following in His footsteps to the cross.
PRAYER: Lord I want to follow you even when it means “suffering for the gospel”. To often Lord, I want to want to “water down” or dilute the message to make it more appetizing and to hide the fact that your priority is for us to be “holy”…to live like Jesus! Help me as I prepare the message for this coming week. Amen