This month, we have been enjoying a great revival during our Sunday morning services. We would love for you to come join us during our services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday morning!
Our first Revival speaker was Bro. Danny Williams (7/5/09). He serves as director of the Free Will Baptist Children's Home (check it out at http://www.fwbhome.org/).
2 Timothy 4:6-8
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
What gives Paul his confidence?
1. The Present - In verse 6, Paul says, "I am ready..."
a. Ready to be offered
Paul understood sacrifice (Philippians 2:7)
He knew what it meant to live for Christ (Romans 12:1-2)
b. Ready for his departure
Paul knew that he was ready for death because he had confidence in his relationship with Christ. Are you ready?
2. The Past - in verse 7, Paul says, "I have..."
a. I have fought a good fight
Paul was confident that he had fought for a worthwhile cause and that he had done his best.
Check out Ephesians 6:13-18 for the Armor of God that we all need to fight that good fight.
b. I have finished my course
Each of us has a course that God has planned for our lives. Every course is different, and we all have to learn to run the race with patience.
*There is no more noble way to die than to be running the course God has set for us.
c. I have kept the faith
We should always stay faithful ( 1Timothy 4:12 "...be thou an example unto the believers in faith...")
3. The Future - In verse 8, Paul awaited his rewards
a. There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness
Our crown is set aside just for us! Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
We get to wear the VICTOR'S crown, not the ruler's crown, because only God is worthy of the ruler's crown.
b. The reward shall be given "at that day"
We will be rewarded at the day of the Lord's return
c. The reward will be given to "ALL of them also that love his appearing"
We all can earn a crown in heaven - but when we receive our crowns, it will not be for the things that WE did...it will be about the things that we allowed Jesus to do THROUGH us.
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