ENDURANCE AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING - PART 2 (35 OF 44)
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-18
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Endurance and Faithfulness in the Face of Suffering - Part 2 (35 of 44)
Series: The Church at Ephusus: God's Calling, Empowering, and Instruction for the Church
Patrick Edwards
2 Timothy 1:1-18
Introduction
Last week we began to look at the call of all Christians to endure through suffering, hardship, and persecution. It's a theme we see throughout the Bible, but we've seen Paul really focus in on this theme recently. We may summarize it like this: following Jesus isn't easy. It requires work and perseverance. In your personal life, it will be a struggle to really put away the idols of this world and pursue Christ and Christ alone. The Evil One will tempt and harass you to choose lesser things than the things of God. In your social and professional life, it will be a struggle to abstain from the pursuits of those around you, whether it be money or fame or pleasure. To follow Jesus and serve Him may cost you friends or opportunities.
But what Paul really warns of in 2 Timothy, and what the New Testament really warns of, is the persecution and tribulation that the church will endure as it seeks to follow Jesus in the building of the Kingdom. No doubt we see this throughout the life of the 1st century church. We see it throughout church history, where in times like the Reformation, those who sought to restore the right proclamation of the Gospel and restore the right mission and conduct of the church were persecuted and opposed by those who claimed to be Christians. In our global world today, we see the church persecuted by evil governments and persons who have set themselves against God and His anointed. Even in our own country we see a clear agenda set against true Christianity. Whether its intentional or not, the darkened lost hearts of this nation are clearly raging against God and His Christ.
I'm not trying to be alarmist or sensationalistic. In fact, I'll admit how easily annoyed I get when I hear someone say that this most certainly is the ge ...
Series: The Church at Ephusus: God's Calling, Empowering, and Instruction for the Church
Patrick Edwards
2 Timothy 1:1-18
Introduction
Last week we began to look at the call of all Christians to endure through suffering, hardship, and persecution. It's a theme we see throughout the Bible, but we've seen Paul really focus in on this theme recently. We may summarize it like this: following Jesus isn't easy. It requires work and perseverance. In your personal life, it will be a struggle to really put away the idols of this world and pursue Christ and Christ alone. The Evil One will tempt and harass you to choose lesser things than the things of God. In your social and professional life, it will be a struggle to abstain from the pursuits of those around you, whether it be money or fame or pleasure. To follow Jesus and serve Him may cost you friends or opportunities.
But what Paul really warns of in 2 Timothy, and what the New Testament really warns of, is the persecution and tribulation that the church will endure as it seeks to follow Jesus in the building of the Kingdom. No doubt we see this throughout the life of the 1st century church. We see it throughout church history, where in times like the Reformation, those who sought to restore the right proclamation of the Gospel and restore the right mission and conduct of the church were persecuted and opposed by those who claimed to be Christians. In our global world today, we see the church persecuted by evil governments and persons who have set themselves against God and His anointed. Even in our own country we see a clear agenda set against true Christianity. Whether its intentional or not, the darkened lost hearts of this nation are clearly raging against God and His Christ.
I'm not trying to be alarmist or sensationalistic. In fact, I'll admit how easily annoyed I get when I hear someone say that this most certainly is the ge ...
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