But God - Lesson 3

Sujo John Story

Immigrant to U.S.

Worked in NYC - life was improving

Something Bigger Than Yourself

2 Timothy 2:8–9 NIV

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

But God’s word is NOT Bound!

God’s word is NOT bound!

Paul is in prison toward the end of his life when he writes this letter. He had spend a good amount of time mentoring and developing Timothy. He’s giving him some final words of encouragement and instruction.

It was not GOOD that Paul was arrested. At some point, Paul was under house arrest. But the point is, he was still a prisoner. He couldn’t travel freely.

Shouldn’t it be terrible news that Paul, this incredible missionary who brought the gospel of Jesus half-way across the known world and whom wrote more books of the New Testament than any other Biblical author is imprisoned?! Sure! But that’s not how Paul see’s it.

He recognizes that his life is running out of time/options, but he sees the big picture. He see how God is up to something bigger. He sees that even though He may be a prisoner, God’s word is not bound! The word of God is NOT a prisoner. It goes on. God’s word is bigger than Paul.

Get involved with what God is doing!

Paul’s advice to Timothy is also important to us. Basically, here is what Paul is saying: Now is YOUR time. So Get involved with what God is doing.

2,000 years since Paul, God’s word is still not bound. Guys, I believe God wants to use YOU to be his messenger. Do you believe that? Do you believe God gave you a purpose?

I do! Have you even thought about how many opportunities you have to be God’s messenger? Did you know, if I’m working at the school as a substitute, I can’t start a conversation with you about Jesus or the Bible? I won’t explain all the what-ifs… but basically, when an adult is interacting with people under the age of 18 at a public school, they aren’t supposed to to share their beliefs with students. I could get in a lot of trouble and so could the school!

You know what’s interesting. YOU as a student have way more rights and permission! You are allowed to talk about what you believe, you are allowed to bring your bible to school and even read it at school. As long as you’re not distracting other students during class-time, you are allowed to be a Christian at school. So, what if you took advantage of those opportunities?

The world is against God, But God loves the world.