God's Word Is? - Sermon 4

“The Word of God Is Not Bound”

Text: 2 Timothy 2:8-14

Introduction

The flow of thought is still pertaining to the Gospel soilder. The mission each and every one of you who are believers are tasked to do should be approached militantly!

How many of you have found yourself performing a task, enduring resistance while performing that task and then concluded that the one or more of the materials used to complete the task had reached their limit prematurely. Long story short, you had to forgo pursuing your goal due to LIMITED materials.

What happens to our perspective toward God’s Word is this: My efforts with God’s Word are limited due to money, talent, facilities, current equipment, etc. LISTEN, God’s Words is not dependent on anything outside of itself to be effective!!! Yes, we use many means to distribute the Gospel truth, yet they don’t add to the Word’s effectiveness!!! Each one of us must STOP having those moments when we say to ourselves, “What I am doing is just not making a difference.”

Why is it that God would send us such a revelation that carries with it the ability to pass through centuries, multiple generations, languages, translations, etc, and yet maintain the nature of “not being bound?” Let’s answer that question from God’s Word.

1) The Gospel Is Essential

Paul reminds Timothy that the gospel he has been preaching and enduring much affliction over is the KING’S GOSPEL!

This gospel belongs to someone who has conquered death through His resurrection.

Here is the caveat! This very gospel was the reason Paul was thrown into prison!!!

Paul is enduring agonizing pain.

His integrity, character and motivation was misjudged.

He has reached the point of impossible physical reach.

If anyone had reason to doubt their mission had be cut short, it was Paul.

It is amazing what/whom we will sacrifice our heath, sleep, wants, money, self interests for!

Sadly today, the gospel message mission is the last thing we sacrifice or inconvenience ourselves for.

Think of the excuses: It’s too early, too late, I’m tired, my kids want something else, I’m uncomfortable, it’s just not my style, etc.

Here is an exercise that will help you remove the excuses: Imagine yourself as Jesus Christ receiving these excuses from those whom you were tortured and died for.

Here is the place where our minds must be rooted into the very nature of God’s Word

Paul’s perspective is not shaken on being effective for His Lord. This is due to understanding that the bars that confined him had NO HOLDING POWER over the Word of his ministry!

Your resources, facilities and budget may not be as glamorous as the church next door, BUT YOUR MESSAGE is worth whatever you have to give in order to make it known to others!

What did Paul tell the Philippians about the power of the mind?

Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

2) Many Will Believe

This “therefore” is a must place of arrival for the gospel solider!

As I have always said, “What you believe determines how you behave.”

“For the sake of the “elect”

I am NOT speaking that the future belief of many is based on some decree on some to irresistibly believe while others are damned.

Election rests in the sphere of Jesus. Whomever is in that sphere (by faith) is considered “the elect.”

Jesus is the “elect one.”

To be “in Christ” is equal to being “elect.”

Paul is speaking about those who would be “chosen” based on their faith “in Jesus.”

All “predestination” and “election” when pertaining to individuals rests “in Christ.”

What a wonderful statement of compassion for those who would believe.

Question: What are you doing for the sake of the “elect.”

Christ asked nothing more from you than what the Father asked from Him.

Christ gave His life as a sacrifice to REDEEM lost souls. Jesus has asked you to give your life as a sacrifice to REACH lost souls.

Jesus has called you, gave you an example to follow, a plan to execute and power to get it done!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???? GO GO GO!!!

3) God Is Immutable

Notice what verse 13 says, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

In other words, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful...”

“with eternal glory”

1 Peter 1:4 “4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

1 Peter 5:4 “4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

Paul shares some very important “if then” propositions.

“if we be dead with him”

New life down here and eternal life UP THERE!

“if we suffer” (or endure)

in the dungeon down here and near the throne UP THERE.

“if we deny him”

To deny or disown down here is to reject favor and blessing from UP THERE.

“if we believe not”

To slip in our faith in Him has no effect on Him who is UP THERE.

Conclusion

Notice verse 14. Due to what God’s Word is, will you choose to continue to waist your life on things that are not eternal?

From this moment forward, who becomes the priority in your life? Why would you not make the ONE whom prioritized the cross for you sake your main reason for living?