ENDURANCE AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING - PART 1 (34 OF 44)
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-18
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Endurance and Faithfulness in the Face of Suffering - Part 1 (34 of 44)
Series: The Church at Ephusus: God's Calling, Empowering, and Instruction for the Church
Patrick Edwards
2 Timothy 1:1-18
Introduction
I have been tremendously blessed in my life to have grown up in a stable household, to two godly parents, alongside a godly sister. I grew up in the West End of Richmond, Virginia, in a quiet, upper middle class suburb. I attended a happy little prosperous Southern Baptist church of about 125 people. I went to great schools, had everything materially that I could have wanted. My upbringing was about as close to picture perfect as you might get. I mean, truly, I was blessed.
But spiritually I was lied to. Now not in any sort of maniacal or manipulative kind of way: My parents challenged me to work hard, that I may get a good education and one day a good paying job; My pastor and teachers at church challenged me to trust in God and work hard at being a good Christian that I might one day enjoy His blessings as an adult. These were very good and admirable desires and encouragements given to me. But, when looking back I have realized that I was essentially taught to expect that if I worked hard and did everything expected of me then God would give me a happy, peaceful life. He'd give me a good job, a good loving family; He'd give me the American Dream. And so, that's what I worked for and that is what I have continued to expect in my adult life.
Where I have struggled is in reconciling that promise with what I see promised in the New Testament. Nowhere have I been able to find any guarantees in the New Testament about employment or salaries. Nowhere have I been able to find any guarantees about health or family. Nowhere have I been able to find any promises of comfort or leisure. In fact, the New Testament seems to promise the exact opposite to followers of Jesus:
Matthew 24, ''They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and yo ...
Series: The Church at Ephusus: God's Calling, Empowering, and Instruction for the Church
Patrick Edwards
2 Timothy 1:1-18
Introduction
I have been tremendously blessed in my life to have grown up in a stable household, to two godly parents, alongside a godly sister. I grew up in the West End of Richmond, Virginia, in a quiet, upper middle class suburb. I attended a happy little prosperous Southern Baptist church of about 125 people. I went to great schools, had everything materially that I could have wanted. My upbringing was about as close to picture perfect as you might get. I mean, truly, I was blessed.
But spiritually I was lied to. Now not in any sort of maniacal or manipulative kind of way: My parents challenged me to work hard, that I may get a good education and one day a good paying job; My pastor and teachers at church challenged me to trust in God and work hard at being a good Christian that I might one day enjoy His blessings as an adult. These were very good and admirable desires and encouragements given to me. But, when looking back I have realized that I was essentially taught to expect that if I worked hard and did everything expected of me then God would give me a happy, peaceful life. He'd give me a good job, a good loving family; He'd give me the American Dream. And so, that's what I worked for and that is what I have continued to expect in my adult life.
Where I have struggled is in reconciling that promise with what I see promised in the New Testament. Nowhere have I been able to find any guarantees in the New Testament about employment or salaries. Nowhere have I been able to find any guarantees about health or family. Nowhere have I been able to find any promises of comfort or leisure. In fact, the New Testament seems to promise the exact opposite to followers of Jesus:
Matthew 24, ''They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and yo ...
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