With Him...

Introduction

Let us cry out our War Cry. Let us stand firm in the Lord. Let us not back down. Let us realize that we are here for a time such as this. We endure for the sake of others. We endure with Him. We have victory with Him. We find our hope with Him.

Focus Passage

2 Timothy 2:8–13 (Wordstudy KJV)

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I [suffer trouble,] as an [evil doer,] even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure [all things] [for the elect’s sakes,] that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we [be dead with] him, we shall also [live with] him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also [reign with] him: if we deny him, [he also] will deny us: 13 If we [believe not,] yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Outline

Remember Jesus Christ (v.8a)

2 Timothy 2:8a (Wordstudy KJV) 8a Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David...

1. “Remember Jesus Christ” is our war cry - ‘...Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David...’

This phrase should be stated, Remember Jesus Christ. This is the war cry of the church. As Paul revere rode his horse through the colonies yelling, the British are Coming. Just as the words of Patrick Henry spoken at the 2nd Virginia Convention, Give me liberty or give me death. Just as the words that came Sam Houston as he lead the Texas army against Santa Anna's army on the banks of the San Jacinto River with cries of “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! God and Texas!”. Paul cries out to young Timothy, Remember Jesus Christ. I stand before you and cry out the same war cry, Remember Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus Christ is the war cry of His bride, the church of God. We are to never forget who Jesus is, what Jesus did. It is in these two promises and truths that we find the power to keep fighting to keep persevering. We find encouragement in our Lord. We find strength in our Lord. We find hope in our Lord. Let us never forget who Jesus Christ is to us.

2. Remember Jesus Christ is the Captain of our salvation

Hebrews 2:10 (Wordstudy KJV) 10 For it became him, for whom are [all things,] and by whom are [all things,] in bringing many sons unto glory, to [make the captain of their salvation perfect] through sufferings.

It is Jesus Christ who first bled and died for us. It was He who created all and sustains all, that died on the cross that brought us to a point of reconciliation with the Lord through His righteousness. At the point, He became the captain, the chief cornerstone of our salvation.

3. Remember Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith

Hebrews 12:2 (Wordstudy KJV) 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was [set before] him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is [set down] at the [right hand] of the throne of God.

Brothers and sisters, many are living defeated in life because they have taken their eyes off Jesus. The author of Hebrews reminds us to put our eyes on Jesus. In fact, he states, look intently, concentrate on with great care, Looking unto Jesus. The Psalm wrote...

Psalm 121:1–2 (Wordstudy KJV) 1 I will [lift up] mine eyes unto the hills, [from whence] cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Many in the church today, need to learn to take their focus off their circumstances and place their focus back on Jesus. As Paul wait for his execution, called out to Timothy this war cry, Remember Jesus Christ!

The Word of God Marches Forth (vv.8b-9)

2 Timothy 2:8b–9 (Wordstudy KJV) 8b ...was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I [suffer trouble,] as an [evil doer,] even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

1. We magnify Jesus Christ through the word of God - ‘…was raised from the dead according to the Gospel...’

2. Persecution does not stop the word of God - ‘…Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds...’

3. The word of God marches forth - ‘…but the word of God is not bound...’

Psalm 147:15 (Wordstudy KJV) 15 He [sendeth forth] his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

Acts 12:24 (Wordstudy KJV) 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

As the prophet Isaiah wrote...

Isaiah 55:11 (Wordstudy KJV) 11 So shall my word be that [goeth forth] [out of my mouth:] it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish [that which] I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

A Heart for Others (v.10)

2 Timothy 2:10 (Wordstudy KJV) 10 Therefore I endure [all things] [for the elect’s sakes,] that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

1. We endure pain and trials for the sake of others - ‘Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes...’

Paul told Timothy, we endure for the whole army, the whole family of God. We do not do this for ourselves but others. We endure, so that we can encourage and prod others in the faith, when they face trials and tribulations.

2 Corinthians 1:4 (Wordstudy KJV) 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may [be able] to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Paul writes, the elect’s sake. May we understand that the elect are God’s chosen people. These are those that have been chosen, called, and accepted that call of the Holy Spirit.

2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 (Wordstudy KJV) 13 But we [are bound] to [give thanks] always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

One must not realize this truth. You cannot come to the saving faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ, without God first calling you. So when the Holy Spirit is drawing you in, answer. Do not fight, resist, and quench the Spirit’s call on and in your life. For one day it will be too late and that drawing, that call will no longer be there.

2. We endure pain and trials for the salvation of others - ‘...that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory’

With Him…(vv.11-13)

2 Timothy 2:11–13 (Wordstudy KJV) 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we [be dead with] him, we shall also [live with] him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also [reign with] him: if we deny him, [he also] will deny us: 13 If we [believe not,] yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

1. Our statement of faith should begin with, With Him - ‘…with Him...’

Of all that we are and all that we have, it is With Him. Paul writes, It is a faithful saying. This phrasing was probably part of the early church’s statement of faith. We find it written throughout the Pastor Epistles...

1 Timothy 1:15 (Wordstudy KJV) 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 4:9 (Wordstudy KJV) 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

Titus 3:8 (Wordstudy KJV) 8 This is a faithful saying, and [these things] I will that thou [affirm constantly,] that [they which have believed] in God might [be careful] to maintain good works. [These things] are good and profitable unto men.

Brothers and sisters we are nothing apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. It is With Him that we find victory. It is He (Jesus Christ) who is in us that we find and are promised victory.

1 John 5:4 (Wordstudy KJV) 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory [that overcometh] the world, even our faith.

2. With Him we find life - ‘…For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him...’

3. With Him we have victory - ‘...If we suffer, we shall also reign with him...’

With Jesus Christ we have life and we have victory despite our persecution. He is to be our all. The one warning that Paul gives is...

4. Do not disown Him for in this is death - ‘...if we deny him, he will also deny us...’

Conclusion

Jesus does not need you, If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself. He is not dependent upon our faith, our faithfulness, or belief in Him. He exist outside of time, space, and matter. He does not need us, but we do need Him. He has not called us, nor has he chosen us out of necessity, but rather has called and chosen us out of great love.

Romans 5:8 (Wordstudy KJV) 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, [in that,] while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Will you not accept that great love this morning? Will you not accept his calling today? You come! For as Paul writes...

2 Corinthians 6:2 (Wordstudy KJV) 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Today is the time accepted. Today is your day of salvation. Won’t you come and accept His great promise of hope, comfort, peace, strength, and above all else, salvation.