1 00:00:11,300 --> 00:00:14,900 Well, we have arrived to the last portion of second Timothy 2 00:00:14,900 --> 00:00:18,200 together, and we trust that the Lord will help us. 3 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:22,700 See Christ, even in these final verses and as we celebrate this 4 00:00:22,700 --> 00:00:26,200 week concerning his passion, so meet me in the book of 2nd 5 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:35,800 Timothy. In chapter 4 beginning in verse 6 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:41,500 19. He's a Paul says, by the spirit. 7 00:00:44,100 --> 00:00:47,900 Greek prisca and Aquila and the household of inessa forests. 8 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:53,600 Erastus remained at Corinth and I left trophimus who is ill and 9 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:57,400 my lead us do your best to come before winter. 10 00:00:58,100 --> 00:01:02,800 You Bullis sends, greetings to you as the Puritans and Linus 11 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:04,900 and Claudia and all the brothers. 12 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:11,400 The Lord be with your spirit Grace be with you. 13 00:01:13,100 --> 00:01:17,100 Heavenly Father, help us, help us with these verses by the 14 00:01:17,100 --> 00:01:19,300 spirit. Lord help us see the value. 15 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:24,700 Help us see the richness of even a text like this and we pray. 16 00:01:24,700 --> 00:01:28,800 Lord, that you would fill us a fresh with a revelation of your 17 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:32,600 wisdom and goodness and that it would transform us Lord even 18 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:36,100 with these verses exalt Christ through them. 19 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:41,300 Let no human words. Interfere with the 20 00:01:41,300 --> 00:01:45,500 interpretation and Content with these scriptures. 21 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:49,800 Oh be glorified, we long for you to be blessed and pleased with 22 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,200 what you hear and more importantly, what you see, as we 23 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:55,000 apply it to our lives. We ask these things in Jesus 24 00:01:55,000 --> 00:02:02,000 name, amen. If we have not yet grasped the 25 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:06,600 love that the Apostle Paul and the special interests that he 26 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:09,400 had four other people fellow believers. 27 00:02:10,199 --> 00:02:14,100 Hopefully these concluding verses in this letter will 28 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:17,500 confirm that truth. Truth that isn't given to us 29 00:02:17,500 --> 00:02:20,600 just for mere admiration. By the way, it's a truth that 30 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:25,100 should cause us to be inspired. These verses are for 31 00:02:25,100 --> 00:02:31,400 inspiration, nine other names. Nine additional names are 32 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:35,300 mentioned in these verses. As this martyr to be is ready to 33 00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:39,900 sign off as he's ready to go home to be with his Lord and it 34 00:02:39,900 --> 00:02:42,000 shows. Is this really just how much the 35 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,200 Apostle Paul was in tune with other people? 36 00:02:45,300 --> 00:02:49,200 It shows us just how much she cared whether it was a desire to 37 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:52,900 make people feel like they were known by his greetings. 38 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:57,100 He wanted to make sure that they were comforted because he was 39 00:02:57,100 --> 00:03:00,900 thinking of them or updating Timothy with the State of 40 00:03:00,900 --> 00:03:05,000 Affairs of ministers that they both knew this this saint really 41 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:08,200 cared for people. He deeply cared for the children 42 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:11,900 of God. And every letter that he wrote 43 00:03:11,900 --> 00:03:15,600 really oozes out, that kind of love that he had for those who 44 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,500 belong to God. And as you look at this, you 45 00:03:18,500 --> 00:03:21,400 might think well, how can someone, who is ready to die? 46 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,200 Be so concerned about greeting people. 47 00:03:25,300 --> 00:03:28,700 Or about translating or about giving information. 48 00:03:28,700 --> 00:03:33,800 To another person, I'm you're about to be executed And it is 49 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,100 no secret. It is not. 50 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,200 It is not some foreign idea to the Bible, Paul himself. 51 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:45,500 Even tells us why he is so attentive, why he is so deeply 52 00:03:45,500 --> 00:03:49,400 aware, why he actually cares for the littlest things in other 53 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:51,900 people's lives and I want you to see it. 54 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:54,900 So go to Philippians chapter 1 very quickly. 55 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:59,100 And look at verse 8, Just backtrack a few books. 56 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,200 And when you go to chapter 1, you will see the secret to this 57 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:06,900 man sentiment you will see the motivation. 58 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:11,600 That he had four people. It's one simple. 59 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,400 Verse in verse 8. Paul says to the Philippian 60 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:17,399 Christians for God is my witness. 61 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:23,800 How I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 62 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:29,000 Paul did not express a human fondness for believers. 63 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,500 He communicated a love that came from God himself. 64 00:04:34,100 --> 00:04:37,700 Even called God to be witnessed to what was in his bosom, how he 65 00:04:37,700 --> 00:04:42,000 had an actual compassion, how he actually had this concern for 66 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:45,700 others, and it could be paralleled, imagine that. 67 00:04:45,700 --> 00:04:50,900 It actually reflects the care that Jesus Christ himself has 68 00:04:50,900 --> 00:04:56,200 for his own, he can call God to Bear witness that what he had in 69 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,600 his heart, for the people of God, is what Jesus himself has 70 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,200 in his heart for those that he has redeemed. 71 00:05:02,500 --> 00:05:06,100 And I read a verse like this And you cannot help, but realize the 72 00:05:06,100 --> 00:05:09,800 implications of it, this is very exciting. 73 00:05:09,900 --> 00:05:13,400 This is glorious because of Fallen human being. 74 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:17,900 Like Paul has learned a lot of that was untainted by selfish 75 00:05:17,900 --> 00:05:22,100 ambition. He had a love living inside him, 76 00:05:22,100 --> 00:05:25,400 and that excited him. To joyful. 77 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,600 Sacrificial, living. There is a love that did not 78 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,500 fluctuate based on somebody else's failures. 79 00:05:31,500 --> 00:05:35,800 It was the love of Jesus Christ running through the veins of 80 00:05:35,808 --> 00:05:40,600 this vessel this instrument, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and 81 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:45,200 we would be rightly called foolish for looking at a verse 82 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,300 like this and just smiling at it while we study it. 83 00:05:50,500 --> 00:05:54,100 Should I not cause us to seek the one who inspired this 84 00:05:54,100 --> 00:05:57,000 attitude and Paul to inspire us as well. 85 00:05:58,300 --> 00:06:01,300 Can I ask you a very simple question today as we reflect on 86 00:06:01,300 --> 00:06:04,400 the love of Christ this week, what would your marriage look 87 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,800 like husband? What would your marriage look 88 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,100 like wife? If you both share the affection 89 00:06:09,100 --> 00:06:14,100 of Christ, Jesus for one another what would our friendships feel 90 00:06:14,100 --> 00:06:18,000 like what would they be like if we all mutually shared the 91 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:25,200 Masters tenderness, What kind of Aroma with this church create if 92 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:30,800 every single one of us in this place had Christ's Mercy beating 93 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,800 in each of our hearts. When you look at a verse like 94 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,800 this, it is not just for mere observation, it is not even for 95 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:40,200 admiration. It is for imitation. 96 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:46,000 God Almighty, if you did it with that former terrorist, surely 97 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:49,100 you can do it in me. Oh would you not want to know 98 00:06:49,100 --> 00:06:52,800 what it feels like to have the actual affection of Jesus Christ 99 00:06:53,300 --> 00:06:59,200 Living inside of you? It can happen and there's no 100 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,800 doubt that Paul echoed what the psalmist said in psalm 16 3. 101 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,600 When he said concerning the Saints of the land, they are the 102 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,200 X in the ones in whom is all my delight. 103 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:12,300 But as much as this man was compelled to supervise and 104 00:07:12,300 --> 00:07:15,800 Supply, the emotional physical and spiritual needs of others. 105 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,900 Can I tell you something? He was a human still and Paul 106 00:07:18,900 --> 00:07:25,900 himself had personal wishes. He had desires he had needs. 107 00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:29,900 He had wants. And tucked in beautifully 108 00:07:29,900 --> 00:07:33,400 between these names in the final verses of our book here. 109 00:07:34,500 --> 00:07:37,400 He has a request. Did you see it? 110 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:41,600 Look again. He says here in second Timothy 111 00:07:42,500 --> 00:07:46,300 when he looks forward to his departure to be with Christ. 112 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,500 Verse 21, do your best to come before. 113 00:07:51,500 --> 00:07:57,100 Winter, do your best to come before winter and all this 114 00:07:57,100 --> 00:08:01,300 really is is an echo of to other similar cries in the same book. 115 00:08:01,300 --> 00:08:03,800 Do you remember what he says here in chapter 1 verse 4. 116 00:08:04,100 --> 00:08:10,100 I long to see you Timothy, I long to see you and in chapter 117 00:08:10,100 --> 00:08:13,500 4, he says, even earlier in verse 9, do your best to come to 118 00:08:13,500 --> 00:08:17,500 me soon. But in this final request 119 00:08:17,700 --> 00:08:22,300 though, it sounds similar. There is an additional There's 120 00:08:22,300 --> 00:08:25,400 an additional demand and that is for him to come at a precise 121 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:27,800 time. Timothy, I need you to get here 122 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:31,400 before winter. I need you to get here before it 123 00:08:31,407 --> 00:08:33,700 gets cold. I need you to get here before 124 00:08:33,700 --> 00:08:37,500 the air gets chilly. The question is why? 125 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,600 Let's ask another question. Why does it really matter? 126 00:08:41,799 --> 00:08:43,200 Well, you'll find out in a moment. 127 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,600 The first reason I believe why Paul was so urgent with his 128 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,400 appeal was because travel, what's much more difficult in 129 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:51,600 the winter seasons? All you have to do, is read the 130 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,500 final chapters of the book of Acts to see the great struggles 131 00:08:54,500 --> 00:08:57,500 that Paul had to endure as he was sailing to Rome. 132 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:01,000 And so he calls his young disciple and he gives them 133 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,600 wisdom to say for you to have a more graceful Journey. 134 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:05,400 Would you get here before winter? 135 00:09:05,900 --> 00:09:07,900 I need you to arrive here for your sake. 136 00:09:07,900 --> 00:09:09,300 Yes. And Mine. 137 00:09:09,900 --> 00:09:13,700 Because secondly, Paul here has already communicated that his 138 00:09:13,700 --> 00:09:18,400 departure is near that he is going to be with Christ and it's 139 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,800 coming very soon. And so he makes this call, he 140 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,800 makes this urgent appeal to Timothy get here as quick as 141 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:28,200 possible. And for Timothy if he didn't 142 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,500 come before winter, it was either before winter or never. 143 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:36,400 You need to arrive here. There is a certain timeline that 144 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:39,200 you're working with Timothy. You can't just leave at your own 145 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:41,000 convenience. You can't just delay. 146 00:09:41,300 --> 00:09:43,800 You must come as soon as possible. 147 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,300 Before going to the final point, which will be the focus of our 148 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:49,600 time together. I cannot help but think that 149 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:53,600 this is, this is a worthy place to pause and to consider 150 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,400 principle that applies to all men. 151 00:09:56,100 --> 00:10:00,900 Yes, that's small instruction that urgent call has something 152 00:10:00,900 --> 00:10:03,900 to say about God's urgency for men today. 153 00:10:03,900 --> 00:10:08,100 What do I mean in our brief lives? 154 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:12,000 There are many things that present themselves to us, that 155 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:17,400 cannot be delayed to Acted upon less we forfeit the opportunity 156 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:23,200 all together. In our brief lives, the Mist 157 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,900 that it is, there are certain things that present themselves 158 00:10:26,900 --> 00:10:31,500 as certain times, that demands, that demands an Urgent Response 159 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:35,300 less, we lose that opportunity and it evaporates never to 160 00:10:35,300 --> 00:10:39,300 return again. And I believe the principal one, 161 00:10:39,500 --> 00:10:42,700 the universal one is the call to Salvation. 162 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,800 If Paul here makes an appeal to Timothy to make sure that he 163 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,500 comes before winter. Let's T risks uncertainty. 164 00:10:52,700 --> 00:10:57,000 How much more is it urgent for man to respond to the call of 165 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:03,500 Christ to be saved? That invitation that command to 166 00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:06,300 be saved to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. 167 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:11,100 Listen, it is always always coupled with an immediate 168 00:11:11,100 --> 00:11:15,700 response. There is no place in the 169 00:11:15,700 --> 00:11:18,600 scripture where the spirit of God encourages a postponed 170 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:22,200 repentance. There is no place in the Bible 171 00:11:22,500 --> 00:11:25,500 where you see, even a suggestion that there should be a stalled 172 00:11:25,500 --> 00:11:29,400 surrender to his lordship, you will never see the Lord Jesus 173 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:32,400 Christ preaching, you'll never see the apostles preaching and 174 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:38,400 saying, repent and believe tomorrow, today is the day of 175 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,900 salvation. You must respond. 176 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:43,200 Now, you are held accountable with the news that you have 177 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:46,300 received this glorious, good news of his love. 178 00:11:47,300 --> 00:11:49,600 And you even think about Jesus Christ who was approached by 179 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,200 different men who expressed a desire to follow him, but they 180 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:55,700 had their own terms of timing. Remember, let me bury my father. 181 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:00,800 And each of those individuals Christ, did not even take them 182 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:05,200 seriously. Because they fail to realize 183 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:10,100 just how much of a priority is to deal with that information 184 00:12:10,100 --> 00:12:14,300 when it is given to you. I'm not saying that men should 185 00:12:14,300 --> 00:12:17,100 not pause and consider the cost of discipleship you should, but 186 00:12:17,100 --> 00:12:20,900 you shouldn't wait too long. Because tomorrow is not 187 00:12:20,900 --> 00:12:23,500 promised. And if today, you're in this 188 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:25,900 place, maybe you've heard the gospel a thousand times. 189 00:12:25,900 --> 00:12:28,500 Maybe this is your first time whether it's a thousand times or 190 00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:31,700 the first time you have to make a decision. 191 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:36,800 As soon as possible, you have to come to Jesus before winter. 192 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:41,900 Not literally, of course, but the principle of it before your 193 00:12:41,900 --> 00:12:46,200 time Runs Out. You must say yes to him. 194 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,900 Less you forfeit. The opportunity all together. 195 00:12:49,700 --> 00:12:51,400 But what about if you have said yes to Jesus. 196 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:53,200 What if you're a believer in this place is that I have 197 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,100 responded to that wonderful call? 198 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:57,400 I did not delay. I've been living for him. 199 00:12:57,500 --> 00:13:01,500 This this concept of taking advantage of the opportunity 200 00:13:01,500 --> 00:13:03,200 time. Still applied to the redeemed. 201 00:13:03,300 --> 00:13:06,000 Yes. And in many ways and I cannot 202 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:07,300 help. But think when I look at the 203 00:13:07,300 --> 00:13:10,500 Urgent appeal, You're here for Timothy of the wise words of 204 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:13,700 King Solomon, when he spoke in that glorious Book of 205 00:13:13,700 --> 00:13:17,000 Ecclesiastes, that really sobers you and how you view this world 206 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:20,000 and he says that they're in Ecclesiastes 12 one. 207 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,200 Does he not remember, also your creator in the days of your 208 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,100 youth. Before. 209 00:13:28,700 --> 00:13:33,300 Paul said to Timothy come before winter and here's Solomon by the 210 00:13:33,300 --> 00:13:37,600 spirit saying to the young reader, remember your creator in 211 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:40,200 the days of your youth not before winter? 212 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:44,300 But before the day's, the evil days come and the years draw 213 00:13:44,300 --> 00:13:46,800 near which you will say. I have no pleasure in them. 214 00:13:47,900 --> 00:13:53,800 I have no pleasure in them. The Holy Spirit, turns his 215 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:57,600 attention to the young reader and he calls him to remember God 216 00:13:57,600 --> 00:13:59,700 in his youth, why? Because young people often fail 217 00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:02,100 to consider God and their thinking, and in their planning. 218 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:06,700 It is usually those who are seasoned and life. 219 00:14:06,700 --> 00:14:08,400 It is. Usually those who experienced 220 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:11,600 the disappointments of life and are approaching death where they 221 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:17,400 contemplate God in eternity. And so there is a call here that 222 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:21,400 in the prime of your life. Don't think that you have so 223 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:24,900 much opportunity ahead of you don't think that there is so 224 00:14:24,900 --> 00:14:28,200 much for you to experience. I can tell you this that the 225 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,500 youth are arguably one of the most difficult demographics, to 226 00:14:30,508 --> 00:14:33,500 convince that this life is transient and that the things of 227 00:14:33,508 --> 00:14:37,200 this world offers are meaningless And the Holy Spirit 228 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,700 knows that, that's why he says you young people and that season 229 00:14:40,700 --> 00:14:45,500 of strength. Remember your creator before, 230 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:51,500 before what the son of your strength sets before you have to 231 00:14:51,500 --> 00:14:56,000 face the various difficulties of a limited body before you have 232 00:14:56,000 --> 00:15:00,100 to experience the struggles of your schedule being filled 233 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:02,500 because of growing responsibilities that come with 234 00:15:02,500 --> 00:15:06,300 life. The world is fully aware of The 235 00:15:06,300 --> 00:15:08,600 Young and the potential that they have. 236 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:12,800 And even good-hearted, people try to disciple their children 237 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:14,600 teachers. Well, nowadays you question 238 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,700 their integrity, most of them, but good-hearted, teachers, 239 00:15:17,700 --> 00:15:20,900 God-fearing teachers, also, will look at the Young and they will 240 00:15:20,900 --> 00:15:26,300 say, use this time to study. Use this time to travel use this 241 00:15:26,300 --> 00:15:30,800 time to invest use this time to do things even take risks if you 242 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:34,100 need to. But I wonder how many parents, 243 00:15:34,100 --> 00:15:36,900 how many teachers look at their children. 244 00:15:36,900 --> 00:15:42,300 Look at their teens and say, remember God, serve God, give 245 00:15:42,300 --> 00:15:45,600 him all that, you have now it only gets harder and harder as 246 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:50,600 you grow an aged Reserve these Seasons Reserve this time and 247 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:54,700 give it to him. Before winter. 248 00:15:56,100 --> 00:16:00,000 Before winter. I'm trying to show you today how 249 00:16:00,100 --> 00:16:04,200 God encourages the believer to consider every season of life. 250 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:07,400 And to ask ask him to maximize the opportunities in every 251 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:12,600 single one before winter comes before he comes. 252 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,800 But we look here in Paul's urgent call for Timothy to come 253 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,300 before winter and there is one other reason, I believe among 254 00:16:19,300 --> 00:16:20,800 many. And that is the reason that you 255 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:24,500 and I will focus today. It is connected to verse 13. 256 00:16:24,700 --> 00:16:31,400 He says come Before winter. Because in verse 13, He says 257 00:16:32,300 --> 00:16:36,300 when you come bring the cloak that I left with carpus at 258 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:40,600 Troy's, also the books and above all the parchments. 259 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:46,300 Seems trivial, doesn't it? I don't think I've met somebody 260 00:16:46,300 --> 00:16:48,300 who says, you know, I was meditating on that verse where 261 00:16:48,300 --> 00:16:53,800 Paul said, bring me my cloak. And bring me my books and don't 262 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:57,300 forget the parchments. You won't really find a verse 263 00:16:57,300 --> 00:17:02,400 like that in your devotional 365 day and night, maybe you will, 264 00:17:02,500 --> 00:17:08,700 if it's Spurgeon. What does this have to do with 265 00:17:08,700 --> 00:17:10,500 us? What is this personal request 266 00:17:11,099 --> 00:17:14,800 have to do with my life? What is this? 267 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:19,200 Transitional verse have to offer me in my walk with the lord. 268 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:26,000 Well, a Spurgeon said, Let this cloak warm you today, as you. 269 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:31,000 And I consider how these things. These items these personal 270 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:35,200 belongings to a man who lived thousands of years ago, hundreds 271 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,500 of years ago has something to do with you. 272 00:17:37,500 --> 00:17:42,500 And I today, so let us consider thoughts from Paul's cloak. 273 00:17:43,900 --> 00:17:47,400 I believe, when you see this. You see this request? 274 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,500 You see a sad thing. You see a sad thing here? 275 00:17:50,500 --> 00:17:53,400 Because last week, we learned that no one attended Paul at his 276 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:55,700 first defense. Nobody came to his hearing and 277 00:17:55,700 --> 00:17:59,500 that news was especially sorrowful because it is believed 278 00:17:59,500 --> 00:18:02,000 that Paul was in prison in Rome. It is believed that he wrote 279 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:05,500 this letter in that great City and you know that there was an 280 00:18:05,500 --> 00:18:09,000 entire glorious epistle, a theological Masterpiece that was 281 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,700 delivered to Christians who are already in Rome that were not a 282 00:18:12,708 --> 00:18:16,700 result of Paul's Evangelistic efforts is most likely These 283 00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:19,600 Roman Christians were saved at the day of Pentecost because 284 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:21,600 there are Romans who were there in Jerusalem. 285 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:25,100 And so Paul, as you see in chapter 1, he longs to see them 286 00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:28,500 face to face, and he gives this awesome piece of work. 287 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:35,400 Where were they? Not one could have showed up to 288 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:39,100 his hearing not one out of those band of people that he mentions 289 00:18:39,100 --> 00:18:42,300 in chapter 16 of Romans could have come to at least be an 290 00:18:42,300 --> 00:18:46,100 encouraging presence. I want to, I want you to see the 291 00:18:46,100 --> 00:18:49,800 enthusiasm that these Romans believed our had when Paul first 292 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:53,400 arrived at Rome, an axe. So, turn their quickly in Acts 293 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:56,100 28 verse 14. I just want you to see the 294 00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:58,600 contrast. How what we've been hearing week 295 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:05,600 after week is so true, that men change. people change Christ, 296 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:17,600 doesn't acts 28 verse 14. Luke writes, there we found 297 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,900 brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days 298 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:24,000 and so we came to Rome there it is. 299 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:26,800 They arrive to Rome. Here's the chronological 300 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:29,200 recording of it. And what happens when they come 301 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:33,100 to Rome verse 15 and the brothers there, when they heard 302 00:19:33,100 --> 00:19:37,500 about us came as far as the form of APS and three taverns to meet 303 00:19:37,500 --> 00:19:40,600 us on seeing them. Paul, thank God and took 304 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:44,400 courage. So these men heard that this 305 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:47,900 Paul who wrote this, Letter to them years before, perhaps has 306 00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:51,900 now arrived in to their land and so they come to meet him as he 307 00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:55,600 comes and they escort him into the city like royalty. 308 00:19:57,700 --> 00:20:00,500 They robed him with honor and dignity. 309 00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:06,300 And this man who went through a hell Of a ride through the sea 310 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:10,500 was, was thinking, God, and he took courage, I have brothers 311 00:20:10,500 --> 00:20:14,300 with me in Rome, do they heard? And it says, even hear that they 312 00:20:14,300 --> 00:20:17,300 came as far. They traveled long and far to 313 00:20:17,300 --> 00:20:19,900 make sure that Paul will not arrive, without people who are 314 00:20:19,908 --> 00:20:23,500 ready to host them and love him and lead him into this new land. 315 00:20:25,700 --> 00:20:30,600 as Paul arrived to Rome there was that great eagerness and as 316 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:34,700 Paul is ready to depart out of Roman to Glory, They're not 317 00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:37,800 there. Where are they? 318 00:20:39,300 --> 00:20:41,600 Where is that enthusiasm? Where's that excitement? 319 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:44,100 Wears that great sacrifice, you were willing to walk and travel 320 00:20:44,100 --> 00:20:46,800 so far to make sure that he was greeted. 321 00:20:47,300 --> 00:20:54,100 What about now as he lays in a cold stinking dungeon You and I 322 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:55,500 thought it was heartbreaking to see that. 323 00:20:55,500 --> 00:20:56,800 Nobody came to his first defense. 324 00:20:56,800 --> 00:21:01,700 Let me add something to it. Nobody thought as the seasons 325 00:21:01,700 --> 00:21:07,900 were transitioning. maybe Paul is cold and that cell we should 326 00:21:07,900 --> 00:21:12,300 close him appropriately. Nobody thought maybe we should 327 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:17,100 cover his bruised and scarred back with a layer of clothing so 328 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:19,200 that he can endure. We may not be able to get him 329 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:22,600 out, maybe we did Skip his first hearing, but let's at least drop 330 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:28,100 off some articles of clothing. Nobody even thought that this 331 00:21:28,100 --> 00:21:32,300 man, perhaps just needed something warm to sleep with. 332 00:21:35,300 --> 00:21:39,000 This Old Saint, as he sat in the cold dark. 333 00:21:40,100 --> 00:21:43,400 Hole. Awaiting his execution. 334 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:49,700 Did not have any visitation. Did not have anybody who cared 335 00:21:49,700 --> 00:21:53,700 for him to bring a cloak. And so, what did he have to do? 336 00:21:53,700 --> 00:21:58,000 He has a send a letter to ask for that cloak, that was hidden 337 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:00,600 away by trust, worthy disciple, named karpis. 338 00:22:01,500 --> 00:22:05,700 So Out Of Reach so far and we don't know why, we don't know 339 00:22:05,700 --> 00:22:08,100 why it was left behind in triage, but it really spoke 340 00:22:08,100 --> 00:22:10,300 about the kind of life. He lived that it doesn't not the 341 00:22:10,300 --> 00:22:13,200 quality of life. This man's life was so 342 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,300 unpredictable. Filled with suspense. 343 00:22:17,700 --> 00:22:20,000 He's here then he's there then it goes back here. 344 00:22:21,700 --> 00:22:23,700 I mean there was no permanent place for him to reside, it was 345 00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:27,900 too dangerous and so that saintly had laid on on various 346 00:22:27,900 --> 00:22:30,200 types of materials. And I can tell you most of them 347 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,400 were not comfortable. And his possessions went with 348 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:36,000 him. One day, they're here. 349 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:39,800 One day, they're there. He did not know the comfort that 350 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:43,100 you and I and I and I know with a routine in life with a 351 00:22:43,108 --> 00:22:46,700 permanent residential place that you can call home. 352 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:51,300 This man was just on the go his service to the Lord, Jesus 353 00:22:51,300 --> 00:22:53,700 Christ, cause them to live with such suspense. 354 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,900 And we think to himself to ourselves is that the kind of 355 00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:01,100 life, I would be willing to live for my Lord. 356 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:04,800 I look at a verse like that where he asked for his cloak 357 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:10,400 miles away and I think what, how can I complain This man served 358 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:14,300 you and he did not waste one portion of his letter to murmur 359 00:23:14,300 --> 00:23:19,200 about his material lack. He did not try to receive pity. 360 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:24,400 He was very simple and very quiet, a true Bond slave of 361 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:30,200 Jesus Christ with every meaning The sense of the meaning and 362 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:33,500 like any Earthly, save would tell you, there was very little 363 00:23:33,500 --> 00:23:36,600 possessions that Paul could claim exclusively for himself. 364 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:39,400 In fact, the longer you serve Jesus, the more he seemed to 365 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:43,400 have lost in this life, don't you forget who this apostle was? 366 00:23:43,500 --> 00:23:48,400 This was the great revered honored Saul of Tarsus. 367 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:53,600 The man who had a reputation that commanded respect from 368 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,300 every sphere of society, the man who had an Entourage when he was 369 00:23:57,300 --> 00:24:01,900 traveling to Damascus, the man who had a very important vote, a 370 00:24:01,900 --> 00:24:05,000 vote that can that can actually make you either. 371 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:10,400 Dead or alive. And that same Saul of Tarsus 372 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:17,500 now. Is alone old shriveling shaking 373 00:24:18,100 --> 00:24:23,200 in asking for a cloak. With all that he had owned, 374 00:24:23,500 --> 00:24:26,500 including that wonderful reputation, it was all given 375 00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:28,900 away. And to the person who does not 376 00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:33,400 have the eyes of Faith, they might look a Paul in his 377 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:36,600 condition now, And feel sad for him. 378 00:24:37,700 --> 00:24:40,600 But Paul again would not demand such pity because the same man 379 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:43,300 who demanded a cloak knew that very, very soon. 380 00:24:43,300 --> 00:24:45,700 He was going to be robed with eternal comfort. 381 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:50,600 And he was going to be crowned and he was going to be given 382 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,800 Treasures. That would put all the Earthly 383 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:57,900 accolades to shame. Paul had a perspective, that 384 00:24:57,900 --> 00:25:01,900 many Christians do not have and so he did not look here for some 385 00:25:01,900 --> 00:25:06,000 kind of pat on the back. He was very very in control. 386 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:09,600 Paul was a tough man. I'm telling you today many 387 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,000 Christians have a low tolerance and suffering. 388 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:16,000 A very low tolerance. There are willing to serve the 389 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,200 Lord, but the moment things get difficult. 390 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:22,400 They squeal. All this menu, could not beat 391 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:27,300 the courage out of him, you could not freeze him into 392 00:25:27,300 --> 00:25:30,600 surrender. All he did was request for a 393 00:25:30,608 --> 00:25:34,000 cloak. And that comes to this second 394 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:37,900 Point regarding this garment. The first one was the fact that 395 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:43,000 he was forgotten by those that he remembered every detail about 396 00:25:43,300 --> 00:25:47,700 and secondly, this this call for his cloak reminds us that 397 00:25:47,700 --> 00:25:51,500 Servants of God are not spared from natural course of action in 398 00:25:51,500 --> 00:25:55,600 life. You and I will be sadly mistaken 399 00:25:55,600 --> 00:26:00,200 and greatly disappointed. If we think to ourselves that as 400 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:04,800 we follow Jesus Christ, that there will never be moments of 401 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:08,100 waiting that as we pursue our desires. 402 00:26:08,100 --> 00:26:11,200 Hopefully, they're righteous. That they will be void of 403 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:15,700 disruptions. It is a very detrimental frame 404 00:26:15,700 --> 00:26:20,600 of mind to think that if I choose to give myself to God and 405 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:23,900 I choose to understand his promise of provision, that 406 00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:27,700 includes the exemption of common challenges, discomforts and 407 00:26:27,700 --> 00:26:31,300 delays. This man. 408 00:26:32,900 --> 00:26:36,100 This man here who was an instrument of Mighty miracles. 409 00:26:37,500 --> 00:26:42,000 Who is revered even by? Demons is sending a letter for a 410 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:48,600 jacket. Sounds very human because he is. 411 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,900 And that should help us as we look at these Giants in the 412 00:26:52,900 --> 00:26:58,600 faith to realize that they were not exempt, from normal 413 00:26:58,600 --> 00:27:04,600 procedures in life like making appointments and making requests 414 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:07,600 and sending things and waiting for things. 415 00:27:08,300 --> 00:27:12,500 Paul was normal. Paul was human. 416 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:16,800 Paul did not receive special treatment and Paul didn't 417 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:19,500 receive special treatment. What makes you think that you 418 00:27:19,500 --> 00:27:23,000 and I will go through this life without things that will cause 419 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:26,800 us to wonder. Lord, are you with me? 420 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,300 Could not have God materialize, a jacket out of thin air for 421 00:27:31,300 --> 00:27:35,100 Paul? Could you have not just woven 422 00:27:35,700 --> 00:27:37,300 the rags that he was wearing there? 423 00:27:38,500 --> 00:27:41,200 Cannot have God done, a miraculous work and his body, 424 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:46,300 where his heat arose and regulated though. 425 00:27:46,300 --> 00:27:49,900 The dungeon itself was freezing could not have got appear to a 426 00:27:49,900 --> 00:27:53,900 saint and roam like he did with ananias after Paul's conversion 427 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:57,900 and command them go and see that man and provide him a cloak, of 428 00:27:57,900 --> 00:28:03,300 course, God could have. He's God Like, with many things. 429 00:28:04,600 --> 00:28:07,100 God doesn't always Implement his Supernatural. 430 00:28:07,100 --> 00:28:12,600 Means For his servants, just like, God can heal every disease 431 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:16,500 but oftentimes he doesn't and Supernatural fashion. 432 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:21,800 Look at verse 20, do you see it? And second Timothy 4, I left 433 00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:24,600 trophimus, who was Ill at my letus. 434 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:30,100 Why? Paul, you have Apostolic 435 00:28:30,100 --> 00:28:32,400 Authority. You've raised the dead. 436 00:28:32,700 --> 00:28:35,500 You've healed so many. In fact, you were so anointed by 437 00:28:35,500 --> 00:28:37,200 the power of God. At one point, that didn't even 438 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:38,600 need you to come to the location. 439 00:28:38,700 --> 00:28:41,800 They just wanted your handkerchief and they laid it on 440 00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:43,800 the sick, and they were delivered and demons were cast 441 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:47,100 out. And Paul, you're telling me the 442 00:28:47,100 --> 00:28:50,100 man that I saw and was inspired by throughout that book of Acts 443 00:28:50,700 --> 00:28:53,400 left his friend sick and my letus. 444 00:28:53,700 --> 00:28:56,500 Why do you command for his well-being? 445 00:28:57,400 --> 00:28:59,400 Why didn't you command for his healing? 446 00:29:00,400 --> 00:29:03,400 When you put an end to his suffering once and for all 447 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,300 because, as much as Authority Paul had, he was still 448 00:29:07,300 --> 00:29:09,400 surrendered to a sovereign. God, who knows? 449 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:13,200 What is best? And there are times in which God 450 00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:16,000 in order to prove his power and his love. 451 00:29:17,700 --> 00:29:22,000 Will heal instantly. Like he saw eutychus raised from 452 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,200 the dead, after he fell asleep in a church service. 453 00:29:25,900 --> 00:29:28,200 And God's miraculous power so created. 454 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:29,700 That is not limited to your body. 455 00:29:29,900 --> 00:29:34,400 It's even, it's even applied. If he Wills to the very thing 456 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:36,400 that covers your body. Do you remember the Israelites 457 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:38,200 were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years? 458 00:29:39,100 --> 00:29:41,500 Do you know what? Deuteronomy 29 5 says, let me 459 00:29:41,500 --> 00:29:43,900 read it to you. God says, I have led you 40 460 00:29:43,900 --> 00:29:46,100 years in the wilderness, your clothes. 461 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:48,900 Your clothes have not worn out on you. 462 00:29:48,900 --> 00:29:51,300 And your sandals have not worn off your feet. 463 00:29:52,100 --> 00:29:54,400 When we think of the Miracles in that Journey, we think about the 464 00:29:54,408 --> 00:29:56,800 Manna From Heaven, the water coming from the raw, the sea 465 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:58,300 splitting. Have you ever considered the 466 00:29:58,300 --> 00:30:00,500 fact that they wore the same shoes for 40 years and it didn't 467 00:30:00,500 --> 00:30:05,500 have any mark? They wore the same outfit and it 468 00:30:05,508 --> 00:30:07,600 was in perfect condition as though they had just bought it. 469 00:30:10,300 --> 00:30:13,700 And there are times in which God has proven that he can heal, he 470 00:30:13,700 --> 00:30:17,300 can raise the dead, he can even command your shirt to stay the 471 00:30:17,300 --> 00:30:22,700 same, but there are also times in which sickness seems to stay 472 00:30:24,500 --> 00:30:26,600 Like his friend here in my leaders. 473 00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:29,900 And there are times in which even the most faithful of God's 474 00:30:29,900 --> 00:30:33,300 servants. Need a cloak. 475 00:30:34,500 --> 00:30:37,600 And it's not at their disposal. I'm sure. 476 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:42,000 Paul made a request for God to perform the same miracle for the 477 00:30:42,100 --> 00:30:46,900 remnants of those Israelites. But, no, he also knew that God 478 00:30:46,900 --> 00:30:50,100 works through human procedure and means and Providence. 479 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:53,900 And so, he does what you. And I would do send a letter for 480 00:30:53,900 --> 00:31:00,600 a friend, to bring a jacket. I also see with this request for 481 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:02,500 a cloak that contentment of Paul. 482 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:05,700 The contentment. Don't you see how concrete it 483 00:31:05,700 --> 00:31:08,000 is? Do you see how this man is? 484 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:09,600 So humble? So simple. 485 00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:12,500 He lived his life with such ease. 486 00:31:13,100 --> 00:31:15,900 Why? Because when he says, make sure 487 00:31:15,900 --> 00:31:18,400 that you bring the cloak that I left with carpets at Troy as he 488 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:19,800 didn't say. Bring me a new one. 489 00:31:21,700 --> 00:31:24,300 Hey, on your way to Rome. Would you stop by the store and 490 00:31:24,300 --> 00:31:28,900 get me brand new cloak? He didn't make unrealistic 491 00:31:28,900 --> 00:31:34,100 demands for certain goods and services Paul was so, so so easy 492 00:31:34,100 --> 00:31:38,300 to please. He didn't struggle with that 493 00:31:38,300 --> 00:31:42,900 that poison of covetousness. You do not live his life, always 494 00:31:42,900 --> 00:31:46,000 wanting. He was not high maintenance. 495 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:50,200 Paul was so calm because there is a calmness that you and I 496 00:31:50,200 --> 00:31:53,500 inherit when we are satisfied in Jesus Christ. 497 00:31:55,700 --> 00:31:59,600 I want to tell you that this Grace, this Grace were Paul just 498 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:01,800 says, can you bring what I already have? 499 00:32:01,900 --> 00:32:06,600 Please just, just make sure you. Don't forget it that quietness, 500 00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:11,700 that, that simple attitude is learned. 501 00:32:12,300 --> 00:32:16,000 Even this giant had to learn it because he says in Philippians, 502 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:18,800 does he not and Philippians 4:11? 503 00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:22,100 I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 504 00:32:22,100 --> 00:32:25,700 I've learned that, that's not intrinsic, that's not That you 505 00:32:25,700 --> 00:32:28,500 and I have automatically. That's something that we are 506 00:32:28,500 --> 00:32:30,900 discipled into that some of the Holy Spirit. 507 00:32:30,900 --> 00:32:35,500 Teaches us, overtime, and Paul had it in every situation. 508 00:32:35,800 --> 00:32:40,400 I'm to be content. My requests are very minimal. 509 00:32:41,400 --> 00:32:46,800 I enjoy whatever God has determined for my life, whatever 510 00:32:46,800 --> 00:32:50,900 season I'm in. Look at this man and I think to 511 00:32:50,900 --> 00:32:52,100 myself. Oh, oh. 512 00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:58,800 To be so calm and such confining circumstances with the authority 513 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:01,200 that he had, he could have made demands on people. 514 00:33:01,500 --> 00:33:07,000 He could have exercised Pride, he could have acted, like, many 515 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:12,000 people do today and Ministry. Putting demands for high 516 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:16,600 honorariums, on people putting a number on their service for 517 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:19,500 Christ as preachers. I cannot even fathom the thought 518 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:24,600 Jeremiah Burroughs who was a Puritan wrote in the rare Jewel 519 00:33:24,600 --> 00:33:27,400 of Christian contentment. Listen carefully, quote, 520 00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:33,100 contentment is not by addition. But by subtraction seeking to 521 00:33:33,100 --> 00:33:35,900 add a thing, will not bring contentment instead subtracting 522 00:33:35,900 --> 00:33:38,700 from your desires until you were satisfied. 523 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:41,600 Only with Christ brings contentment. 524 00:33:42,500 --> 00:33:46,100 He goes on to say my brethren, the reason why you have not 525 00:33:46,100 --> 00:33:49,800 gotten contentment in the things of the world is not because you 526 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:52,400 have not enough of them, that is not the reason. 527 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:56,900 But the reason is because they are not things proportionable to 528 00:33:56,900 --> 00:34:00,700 that Immortal, soul of yours, that is capable of God himself. 529 00:34:03,300 --> 00:34:07,100 You will never be content and adding more because what only 530 00:34:07,100 --> 00:34:09,699 can fill that void is the one who made it. 531 00:34:12,300 --> 00:34:15,500 And Paul learned that more and more and more. 532 00:34:17,100 --> 00:34:20,699 If you are not growing in the Years with a knowledge of how 533 00:34:20,699 --> 00:34:23,699 Christ satisfies you and I are not doing it right? 534 00:34:24,400 --> 00:34:28,699 If we started out in our walk with the Lord greatly satisfies 535 00:34:28,699 --> 00:34:31,699 and you know that if you truly been born again, nothing else 536 00:34:31,699 --> 00:34:34,000 seems to have mattered at that season, right? 537 00:34:34,300 --> 00:34:39,900 But if you've left that and now you are starting to get edgy And 538 00:34:39,900 --> 00:34:44,000 and becoming ungrateful. Something happen along the way 539 00:34:44,100 --> 00:34:48,800 because Paul learned it. As he went on, Paul grew and 540 00:34:48,800 --> 00:34:53,100 greater contentment. Reverse Christians were 541 00:34:53,100 --> 00:34:56,900 groaning. Greater discontentment Then we 542 00:34:56,900 --> 00:34:58,900 are not knowing satisfaction in Christ. 543 00:34:59,500 --> 00:35:01,100 We have to go back to the basics. 544 00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:05,000 Bring me my cloak. Who would have thought that 545 00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:08,100 would have been so much, but what about the books? 546 00:35:08,500 --> 00:35:11,400 What about the parchments? What we're on those books. 547 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:14,400 What what did they carry? What kind of information you can 548 00:35:14,400 --> 00:35:16,600 imagine? It's not told so there's great 549 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:19,900 speculation about it. Some would say that when Paul 550 00:35:19,900 --> 00:35:22,300 requested for the books, what he was asking for was blank 551 00:35:22,300 --> 00:35:24,700 material so that he can write more letters before his 552 00:35:24,700 --> 00:35:28,600 departure some would say that it included some of his already 553 00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:31,500 writings and he wanted to preserve them and pass them on. 554 00:35:32,300 --> 00:35:34,000 And some would even suggest no, no. 555 00:35:34,100 --> 00:35:37,600 Paul was a learned, man. He was aware of his culture, he 556 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:39,300 was aware of philosophies and Poets. 557 00:35:39,300 --> 00:35:42,400 And so he just wanted different genres so that he can educate 558 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:46,200 himself. That is Up For Debate. 559 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:49,200 But one thing that there is a general consensus on is the 560 00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:53,800 parchments the parchments he says oh would you make sure 561 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:56,100 especially that you bring the parchments? 562 00:35:56,600 --> 00:36:00,900 Why? Well the books or Papyrus? 563 00:36:00,900 --> 00:36:04,100 There are more readily available but the parchments were much 564 00:36:04,100 --> 00:36:06,300 more expensive. The material was made out of 565 00:36:06,300 --> 00:36:10,500 animal skin and that understanding helps people 566 00:36:10,500 --> 00:36:15,400 realize that what he's probably asking for most likely For the 567 00:36:15,400 --> 00:36:19,600 Hebrew, scriptures. And perhaps some recordings of 568 00:36:19,600 --> 00:36:21,400 the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. 569 00:36:22,100 --> 00:36:25,300 Bring me. The scriptures. 570 00:36:26,300 --> 00:36:29,500 I want to hold them in my hand, I need them. 571 00:36:30,300 --> 00:36:34,100 You see when he required the cloak, that would preserve and 572 00:36:34,100 --> 00:36:37,700 protect his body, but when he asked for the parchments, those 573 00:36:37,700 --> 00:36:39,500 would be the means to warm his soul. 574 00:36:42,300 --> 00:36:46,600 Are we all that surprised that Paul in these dire conditions in 575 00:36:46,600 --> 00:36:50,000 the midst of such tense circumstances wants to study the 576 00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:55,400 Bible? Wants to read and meditate and 577 00:36:55,400 --> 00:36:59,200 grow in the knowledge of God in his word. 578 00:36:59,300 --> 00:37:01,800 Although this man felt a chilling Breeze because of the 579 00:37:01,800 --> 00:37:05,500 absence of his friends, he knew that there would be a fellowship 580 00:37:05,500 --> 00:37:09,600 that would come from the Living Word of God, bring the 581 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:14,400 parchments to me. Because the word of God is a 582 00:37:14,408 --> 00:37:17,000 primary means in which God consoles, your soul, my brother, 583 00:37:17,500 --> 00:37:20,200 the word of God is God's. Primary means for you to have 584 00:37:20,200 --> 00:37:22,600 the armor necessary for Spiritual battle. 585 00:37:22,600 --> 00:37:26,700 It is the window in which you and I look through this world 586 00:37:26,700 --> 00:37:31,500 and see Christ and fellowship with him and him fellowshipping 587 00:37:31,500 --> 00:37:35,700 with us. I've heard from some people that 588 00:37:35,700 --> 00:37:37,700 they can't get themselves to read the Bible because they're 589 00:37:37,700 --> 00:37:41,800 not much readers themselves. But I can't read the Bible 590 00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:44,500 because I don't read. I'm not much of a reader and 591 00:37:44,500 --> 00:37:48,700 some of those people if they're honest who say they can't read 592 00:37:48,700 --> 00:37:51,300 the Bible, they can't get themselves to focus seem to do 593 00:37:51,300 --> 00:37:56,300 just fine with news articles. And memorizing sports stats. 594 00:37:58,500 --> 00:38:00,600 For some reason, when it comes to the Bible, they can't give 10 595 00:38:00,600 --> 00:38:05,000 minutes of attention to it. If that is you, if you're a 596 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:07,200 person who says, you know, I just, I don't know why. 597 00:38:08,300 --> 00:38:12,600 Doesn't really Draw Me In. Let me just ask one simple 598 00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:14,800 question just one very simple question. 599 00:38:15,100 --> 00:38:19,600 If God in his Heavenly wisdom has ordained that his means of 600 00:38:19,600 --> 00:38:23,200 communicating with this world. Would be through a book even 601 00:38:23,200 --> 00:38:25,200 though there are other means. And even though there would be 602 00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:29,900 developing Technologies to come if God has determined for all of 603 00:38:29,900 --> 00:38:36,000 time that my will my person, my character, my nature, my person 604 00:38:36,100 --> 00:38:39,700 would be known through a book. Wouldn't that be enough for you 605 00:38:39,700 --> 00:38:40,900 to say? Let me read it. 606 00:38:44,500 --> 00:38:46,000 Would not be enough for you to say. 607 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:51,300 I will honor his method and I will read him and know him. 608 00:38:53,400 --> 00:38:57,000 Think about it. If it is true that the 609 00:38:57,000 --> 00:38:59,500 parchments were the scripture, is this is a very powerful 610 00:38:59,500 --> 00:39:01,100 statement Paul is making, you know why? 611 00:39:01,500 --> 00:39:04,200 Because before he makes that request, he emphasizes the 612 00:39:04,200 --> 00:39:08,200 parchments, he said, especially the parchments, which means in 613 00:39:08,207 --> 00:39:13,900 the Greek, chiefly most of all above all you see, Timothy he 614 00:39:13,900 --> 00:39:16,900 could have forgotten the cloak, he could have left behind the 615 00:39:16,900 --> 00:39:20,200 books but there's one thing he could not fail to bring in those 616 00:39:20,200 --> 00:39:23,700 were the parchments. If Timothy only had limited 617 00:39:23,700 --> 00:39:26,500 space and he had to choose Who's out of all the items? 618 00:39:26,500 --> 00:39:31,600 One Paul would be satisfied. If he only came with those 619 00:39:31,600 --> 00:39:36,800 parchments, Paul was willing to endure the winter season without 620 00:39:36,800 --> 00:39:39,200 a cloak as long as he had the book. 621 00:39:42,300 --> 00:39:45,700 When I think about that, I wonder this past few weeks, I've 622 00:39:45,700 --> 00:39:48,700 been challenged by the love of Paul for people, but would you 623 00:39:48,700 --> 00:39:50,500 open your heart to another love that he had? 624 00:39:50,500 --> 00:39:52,800 And it was a love for the written word of God. 625 00:39:55,300 --> 00:40:00,200 Bring me the parchments. As we close this book. 626 00:40:01,300 --> 00:40:04,600 As we? Put an end to the series in 2nd 627 00:40:04,600 --> 00:40:06,900 Timothy. What visual are we left with? 628 00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:10,700 You know, what you and I are left with a lonely worn out, 629 00:40:10,700 --> 00:40:14,700 man. Shivering in a dungeon awaiting 630 00:40:14,700 --> 00:40:19,900 his unjust execution. Eagerly expecting the Speedy 631 00:40:19,900 --> 00:40:22,800 arrival of one of his most faithful disciples to hopefully 632 00:40:22,800 --> 00:40:27,600 bring a jacket, a few books and portions of the scriptures. 633 00:40:29,500 --> 00:40:32,500 And to the unbelieving mind or to the spiritually immature, 634 00:40:32,600 --> 00:40:36,100 they would look at this and they would see something that is 635 00:40:36,100 --> 00:40:42,800 quite disheartening and sad. Paul. 636 00:40:44,800 --> 00:40:47,800 You could have become someone as a Pharisee of the Pharisees man. 637 00:40:49,200 --> 00:40:53,300 you had such an advantage, unlike very few in Israel, you 638 00:40:53,300 --> 00:40:58,100 could have really, really made it the connections, the 639 00:40:58,100 --> 00:41:02,000 resources, the respect that you had, and you threw it all the 640 00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:07,900 way for what To be in this. This is what serving an 641 00:41:07,900 --> 00:41:14,600 invisible Messiah gets you. That is the world's perspective. 642 00:41:15,900 --> 00:41:18,100 That is the carnal understanding. 643 00:41:19,100 --> 00:41:23,900 Heaven has a completely different idea of what we see 644 00:41:23,900 --> 00:41:28,000 here with Paul and it is found in our final text this afternoon 645 00:41:28,000 --> 00:41:33,900 to Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews 11 teaches us, what 646 00:41:33,900 --> 00:41:36,400 faith lives like what it looks like. 647 00:41:37,800 --> 00:41:42,800 What it does. And Hebrews 11 36. 648 00:41:44,900 --> 00:41:47,200 About those who have lived, a life of faith in Christ. 649 00:41:47,200 --> 00:41:51,200 You know what it says others suffered mocking and flogging 650 00:41:51,600 --> 00:41:55,100 and even chains and imprisonment they were stoned. 651 00:41:55,600 --> 00:41:59,200 They were sawn into, they were killed with the sword. 652 00:41:59,300 --> 00:42:02,700 They went about and skins of sheep and goats destitute 653 00:42:02,700 --> 00:42:05,600 Afflicted mistreated pause there. 654 00:42:06,700 --> 00:42:09,200 This material is not speaking about luxurious clothing. 655 00:42:12,700 --> 00:42:16,700 Speaks about miserable conditions, like Paul. 656 00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:19,300 This is what faith will get you. Yes. 657 00:42:19,300 --> 00:42:21,400 Sometimes you will be able to close the mouths of lions and 658 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:25,000 you will see great, armies flee, but the Bible is very honest. 659 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:27,700 You want to live for Christ, this is how it can end up for 660 00:42:27,700 --> 00:42:30,900 you. And then look what it says in 661 00:42:30,900 --> 00:42:33,700 verse 38 of whom, the world was not worthy. 662 00:42:36,300 --> 00:42:40,400 Of whom the world was not worthy wandering about in deserts and 663 00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:43,000 mountains and in dens and caves of the earth, it's as though the 664 00:42:43,000 --> 00:42:45,900 holy spirit is trying to say something as you reading this 665 00:42:45,900 --> 00:42:50,800 list of things that nobody would dare to volunteer to endure. 666 00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:56,600 God wants to make sure that these who have experienced this 667 00:42:56,600 --> 00:43:00,700 outcome of their faith. The world is not worthy of them. 668 00:43:02,800 --> 00:43:05,700 The world would scorn them the world would shrink from them, 669 00:43:05,700 --> 00:43:09,700 but from Heaven's perspective, Christ and All His angels look 670 00:43:09,700 --> 00:43:13,800 down and say, they do not understand who is walking in 671 00:43:13,800 --> 00:43:18,200 their midst. They do not understand the honor 672 00:43:18,200 --> 00:43:20,100 that they will have, when they come into my presence. 673 00:43:20,100 --> 00:43:23,200 They do not understand, how they will be esteemed for all of 674 00:43:23,200 --> 00:43:26,000 eternity. The world is not worthy of such 675 00:43:26,000 --> 00:43:30,000 men of such who of a man stuck in a jail cell, forgotten and 676 00:43:30,000 --> 00:43:31,900 abandoned. Yes. 677 00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:38,700 The world is not worthy. and you and I as we close this book, 678 00:43:38,700 --> 00:43:44,500 have to consider That the end of this thing for you may be very 679 00:43:44,500 --> 00:43:49,800 similar. And if it is Remember that you 680 00:43:49,808 --> 00:43:54,400 can do contentment. You can know a concrete comfort 681 00:43:54,400 --> 00:43:57,900 from Christ. And though the world may see you 682 00:43:57,900 --> 00:44:01,400 as a waste, as a loss of potential. 683 00:44:03,200 --> 00:44:05,800 Christ through his word says they're not worthy. 684 00:44:06,400 --> 00:44:10,400 They're not worthy, they do not realize, who is among them. 685 00:44:11,500 --> 00:44:16,100 But we thank you for your word. We thank you for the mention of 686 00:44:16,100 --> 00:44:18,000 the cloak, the books in the parchments. 687 00:44:18,500 --> 00:44:20,700 We thank you. That there is so much for us to 688 00:44:20,700 --> 00:44:22,300 consider of own lives through them. 689 00:44:24,300 --> 00:44:31,400 Lord with this time together. through stammering lips and a 690 00:44:31,408 --> 00:44:34,800 limited vocabulary Lord, we trust that your word would have 691 00:44:34,800 --> 00:44:39,200 its effect in our hearts. But we worship you that there is 692 00:44:39,200 --> 00:44:43,400 not one detail of your word. That is without purpose. 693 00:44:44,100 --> 00:44:47,000 You speak to us in all things and we pray that you would open 694 00:44:47,000 --> 00:44:49,000 our eyes to see these things in your word. 695 00:44:50,100 --> 00:44:52,400 Well, we thank you for our time and second Timothy together. 696 00:44:52,400 --> 00:44:54,000 Thank you for all that. You've taught us. 697 00:44:56,100 --> 00:44:58,800 And Lord, we just pray that as we as a church move forward to 698 00:44:58,800 --> 00:45:03,000 another book. You would lead us perfectly into 699 00:45:03,000 --> 00:45:06,000 that book. Whatever it is that you long to 700 00:45:06,000 --> 00:45:09,200 teach us as your people. Please lead us perfectly in it. 701 00:45:10,500 --> 00:45:13,700 The Lord before then, we worship you for what you've given us 702 00:45:13,700 --> 00:45:16,300 now. We worship you for the past few 703 00:45:16,300 --> 00:45:19,000 weeks, and months how you've spoken to us through this 704 00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:21,400 precious epistle and we give you all the glory. 705 00:45:23,100 --> 00:45:26,200 Lord, we magnify your name as we worship you today. 706 00:45:27,400 --> 00:45:30,600 In Jesus name, we pray. Amen, let's stand and Worship 707 00:45:30,600 --> 00:45:31,400 the Lord shall we?