Peace in Unrest

2 Timothy 2:19

12Jan2020

The Stability of God’s Engagement

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.”—2 Tim 2:19

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.—1 Cor. 3:10

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,—Eph. 2:20

but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.—1 Tim 3:15

The Seal of God’s Approval

bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”—2 Timothy 2:19

 

“I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day“—Zech. 3:9

1. “ The Lord knows those who are his.”

• God is familiar with His people, because they have communion with Him and intimate company. God approves His own and consequently preserves them.

2. “ Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

• “Those whom free grace chooses, free grace cleanses. This is a sweeping precept as to the thing to be avoided: let him “depart from iniquity” —from all that is unrighteous or unholy. Get away from evil.

Wonder Working Prayer

Acts 12:1-12

05Jan2020

Shield in Pointless Disaster

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.—Acts 12:1-4

When enemies have chance to get hold of us, they will destroy us as fast as they can.

Produce Perfect Peace

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. —Acts 12:5-6

When we place our concerns in God’s hand, He knows how to work it well.  In His disposal He has perfect time, abundant resources, and absolute power.  If we rather pray and  trust Him in prayer instead of worry; we’ll have perfect peace and not distress.

Provide Perfect Deliverance

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.—Acts 12:6-7

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. —Acts 12:12

God alone provides perfect deliverance and total triumph without difficulty because, nothing can stop the working power of His will.

Hope in Christ

20 Oct 2019

 

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.—1 Thessalonians 1:3,4

 

Central Idea: Paul, Silas, and Timothy when giving thanks to God, always mention without ceasing the Thessalonians patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ that: Strengthens their resolute waiting for Christ’s return and stimulates their vigorous endurance in hardship.

Strengthens Resolute Waiting for Christ’s Return

• And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.—1 Thessalonians 1:10.
• If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.—1 Cor. 15:19, 20
• For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.—1 Thess. 4:16
• For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth—Job 19:25

Stimulates Vigorous Endurance in Hardship

• Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.—2 Thess. 1:4
• to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life— 2:7
• . . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.— 12:1, 2
• For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.— 8:24, 25