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Advent 2024: Hope - 1 Timothy 4:9-10 · Providence Baptist Church - Sermons

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Thank you, Ben. And thank you, Nathan, for such a great introduction to Advent. I can totally skip my introduction, so we'll save time.
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! So please turn with me to 1 Timothy chapter 4. 1 Timothy chapter 4.
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We will be talking about hope, the hope candle.
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And with Advent, you have hope, joy, peace, love, and then Christ.
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But I'm going to change it a bit, and I'm going to change it to more of a hopefulness.
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And as we go through the text, I hope that becomes more clear why that's the case.
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So hope, hopefulness, and being in a state of hopefulness during this season and in this life, this present life.
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So before you do, consider, and as you turn to 1 Timothy 4, we're going to be in just two verses.
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I'll be reading from 6 through 10, but we'll just be looking at 9 and 10 together this morning.
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So as you turn there, I want you to consider, how would you define being hopeful right now?
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Would you see it as temporal? Do you see it as more temporary?
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What I mean by this is, is hope based upon your current circumstances?
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Or do you see it temporal as hope that can come and go depending on you or others?
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Is it fleeting?
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Or do you see hope as more of something that's in the future?
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Maybe you say things like, I will be more hopeful when?
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Fill in the blank.
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Or maybe it's something that feels distant.
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Do you feel hopeless in your situation?
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Well, I hope you are encouraged this morning with our text.
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Because real hopefulness is something that is not distant.
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It is not based on your current circumstances or future circumstances or others around you.
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But it is founded upon God for those who have faith.
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And that is real hopefulness.
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So please, look with me in the text to 1 Timothy chapter 4.
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I'll be reading 6 through 10.
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And I'll do a slower reading.
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I'm going to make some comments as we go through to catch us up to verses 9 and 10.
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So look with me.
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If you put these things, that is, he's talking about in context,
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the sound doctrine and healthy teaching outlined above in the previous chapters.
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If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,
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being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
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This is Paul writing to Timothy.
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Have nothing to do with irreverent silly myths.
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This is classic Paul where he's saying, not that, but this.
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So have nothing to do with irreverent silly myths.
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And here's the but this.
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Rather, train yourself for godliness.
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For while bodily training is of some value, think limited, idea of limited,
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godliness is of value in every way, unlimited.
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As it, meaning godliness, holds promise.
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This is looking forward to our text in verse 10.
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As it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
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Notice the contrast of not myths, but godliness.
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Limited value versus unlimited value.
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promise and hope in our text.
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In this present life, the life to come.
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Verse 9.
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The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
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For to this end we toil and strive,
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because we have our hope set on the living God,
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who is the savior of all people,
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especially of those who believe.
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So, the big idea here.
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Those who believe, or those who have faith,
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are hopeful people.
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Or are in a state of hopefulness.
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So, my outline, if you are a note taker,
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there's three points,
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and the second point has three points.
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So, hopefully that makes sense.
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But there's three main points,
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and it's, the first one is hopeful word.
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I'm sorry.
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Fateful word.
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The fateful word is first.
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Second is fateful hope.
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Hope.
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The third main point we'll be looking at
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is fateful assurance.
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So, those are the three main divisions
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I've divided this text up into.
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And it's fateful word,
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fateful hope,
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and fateful assurance.
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Now, the second,
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fateful hope,
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I'm going to divide that into three.
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And it's a how,
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what,
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and who.
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Three points.
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The fateful hope is going to be,
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we're going to divide that up.
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Into how, what, and who.
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So, I know what you're thinking.
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At the very end,
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what in the world does that mean?
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But please,
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don't be distracted.
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We'll get there.
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So, if that's what you're thinking,
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if you looked at the text
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during this week,
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you were like,
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I wonder what he's going to say.
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But hold on.
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Let's have hope as the center.
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And so,
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look with me in the text.
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The first,
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first point is fateful word.
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The saying,
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or the word,
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is trustworthy.
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Or we can say fateful.
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It's trustworthy,
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faithful.
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And deserving of full,
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or complete,
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acceptance.
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That's,
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that's the fateful word.
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So, in this,
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there are two things
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that the saying is.
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The saying is both
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trustworthy,
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and full,
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deserving of full,
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acceptance.
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So, the first,
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trustworthy.
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So, the reason why I
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put fateful,
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fateful,
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fateful,
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is that,
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the faith language,
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is used in the first word.
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So,
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trustworthy,
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is faith.
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Trust,
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belief.
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It's that word.
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It's a small word,
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but has massive implications.
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It's a big,
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theme in scripture.
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So,
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when you see faith,
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trust,
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belief,
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in,
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in,
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the Bible,
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think,
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of the,
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it's probably
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the same word.
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So, for example,
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the first word is,
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it opens with,
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trustworthy,
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in our text,
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and it ends,
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the last word,
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those who believe,
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or,
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those of faith.
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It's the same word.
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And so,
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it's two bookends.
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And in the middle,
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is hope.
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So,
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it works out perfect.
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Paul is very,
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very clear,
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and I really appreciate it.
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So,
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faith,
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think,
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faith,
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belief,
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trust,
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they're all related.
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And I challenge you to,
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as you read scripture,
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look out for that small word.
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The second thing is,
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full,
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or deserving of full,
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and complete acceptance.
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This evokes a response
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to something perceived,
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to have value.
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It has value,
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it deserves something,
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and it deserves an action,
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and that is acceptance.
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The saying,
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or the word,
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is trustworthy and faithful.
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Therefore,
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the saying and word
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deserves to be accepted
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on its own terms.
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So,
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but what is the identity
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of this faithful saying?
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What's the saying?
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Well,
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it's debated,
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but it could be talking
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about something previously,
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verse 8.
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It could be talking about
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just verse 10,
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or it could be both.
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But I,
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I'm going to say
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verse 10,
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based,
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it could go either way,
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but I just couldn't
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preach verse 8 also.
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You'd be here for
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even longer.
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So,
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we'll just have to
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wait for that sermon
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in the future.
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But for,
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the reason I picked
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verse 10,
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so,
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I'm,
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I'm taking the faithful saying
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pointing to verse 10,
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is in chapter 1,
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you can flip there
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if you want,
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of 1 Timothy.
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Chapter 1,
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15,
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verse 15,
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he points forward
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in using the exact
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same phrase.
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So,
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look with me
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in verse 15,
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chapter 1.
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The saying is
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trustworthy
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and deserving
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of full acceptance.
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Sounds familiar.
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That,
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Christ Jesus
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came into the world
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to save sinners
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of whom I am
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the foremost.
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So,
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this,
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he's pointing forward
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to that Christ Jesus
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came into the world.
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And he's using
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this faithful saying,
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this trustworthy saying
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in that way.
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And also,
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for verse 10
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that we're about
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to launch into,
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he uses four,
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which is a direction.
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So,
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that's why I'm taking
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these 9 and 10
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together.
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So,
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let's think about this.
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With this verse,
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the saying is
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trustworthy
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and deserving
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of full acceptance.
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In this small verse,
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we should,
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the text forces us
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to stop
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and to ask
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ourselves questions.
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So,
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as you read scripture,
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as an aside,
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when you are provoked
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by the spirit
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to stop,
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ask questions
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of text,
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please do.
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So,
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here,
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we could say,
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we could ask ourselves,
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how often do you dwell
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on the faithfulness
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of God
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and his word?
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Do you see faith
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as
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when you just read it
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through
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and don't dwell on it?
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Or do you
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see faith,
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trust,
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belief
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here
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as something
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that draws you
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closer to the Lord?
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Does it provoke
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a response
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of fear
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and awe
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that draws you
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closer to him?
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Are there things
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in your life
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that are preventing
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you to connect
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both knowing
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that God's word
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is faithful
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and also
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evoking a response
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in your daily life?
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Is there something
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that's preventing you
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that you know
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immediately
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when I ask that question?
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Ask yourself
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these questions.
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Ask them,
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answer them,
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and bring those things
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to the Lord.
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That's what the text
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forces us to do here.
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So,
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next,
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verse 10,
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faithful hope.
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That's the big point
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and this is the first
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of three points
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of faithful hope.
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So,
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look with me.
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this is the how,
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the how of hope.
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For to this end,
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or we could say
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for this reason,
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we toil
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and labor.
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Toil
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or labor.
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And
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strive.
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Or we could say
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engage
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and struggle.
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So,
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for to this end,
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we toil
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and strive.
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Now,
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I'm going to
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give you
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an
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alternative
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translation here
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that I really like.
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I tend to
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use this
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for toward
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this,
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we work
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and compete.
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For
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toward
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this,
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pointing
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to the next
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point
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of hope.
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For toward
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this,
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we work
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and we
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compete.
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And
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I like this
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because it
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captures the
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direction,
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the preposition
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for this.
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for this
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could be
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a direction
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moving forward
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to our next
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verse,
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or the next
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part of the
12:42
verse.
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For toward
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this,
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we work
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and compete.
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So,
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these two
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verbs,
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it's one
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idea,
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but there's
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two verbs.
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They have
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two different
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nuances,
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but the same
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idea.
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So,
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let's look at
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both.
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Toil.
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Toil,
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we could say
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labor,
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we could say
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work.
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This is
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more of the
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idea of
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laboring
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to the
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point of
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exhaustion.
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And this
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has an
13:08
emphasis,
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if you take
13:09
notes,
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this is
13:10
importance.
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You could
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say,
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you could
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write
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external
13:12
above it
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if you
13:14
would like.
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This has
13:16
an external
13:17
challenge
13:18
to the
13:19
nuance.
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So,
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let's think.
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What's
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external
13:23
challenge and
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struggle?
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Marriage,
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it could be,
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it could be
13:28
parenting,
13:30
it could be
13:30
providing.
13:31
the list
13:33
could go
13:33
on.
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Your
13:34
workplace
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could be
13:35
an external
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struggle and
13:37
work for
13:38
you.
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The next
13:40
verb is
13:40
strive.
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Strive could
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be struggle,
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engage in
13:44
struggle,
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compete.
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This is
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metaphorically
13:49
used for
13:50
athletic
13:50
competition,
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but in
13:53
context,
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this is more
13:54
of a moral
13:55
struggle.
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So,
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this is
13:57
involving
13:57
oneself,
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and this
13:59
is,
13:59
if you
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want to
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write,
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if you
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wrote
14:02
external
14:02
above
14:03
the
14:03
first
14:03
verb,
14:04
second
14:04
verb,
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you could
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say
14:05
internal.
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This has
14:07
an internal
14:08
challenge to
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the nuance.
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So,
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think about
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fighting sin,
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repenting,
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godliness,
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sanctification.
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These two
14:19
verbs repeat
14:20
for emphasis
14:21
the idea
14:22
that the
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Christian life
14:23
is a
14:24
work and
14:26
struggle,
14:27
whether due
14:28
to internal
14:28
or external
14:29
challenges.
14:29
challenges.
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And we
14:32
could stop
14:32
and we
14:33
could easily
14:34
see some
14:35
application
14:35
here.
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So,
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toiling,
14:37
external
14:38
struggle,
14:39
striving,
14:40
internal
14:41
struggle.
14:42
And,
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ask yourself
14:44
this question,
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do you
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over or
14:46
under
14:47
emphasize
14:48
one or
14:49
the other?
14:50
Do you
14:51
think more
14:51
about your
14:52
challenges
14:52
that are
14:52
external to
14:53
you?
14:53
or do
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you think
14:56
about the
14:56
challenges
14:56
that are
14:57
more
14:57
internal?
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We are
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called to
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balance
15:02
both.
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I like
15:05
the
15:06
metaphor
15:07
that
15:07
Acts
15:08
uses for
15:09
the
15:09
Christian
15:09
life
15:09
as the
15:10
way
15:11
or
15:11
the
15:12
road.
15:14
And if
15:14
the
15:14
Christian
15:14
life is
15:14
a road,
15:15
there are
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two sides
15:16
of every
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road.
15:18
And there
15:18
are two
15:18
ditches
15:19
to this
15:20
road.
15:21
And we
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could have
15:23
good
15:24
intentions,
15:25
but we
15:25
could
15:25
overemphasize
15:26
things to
15:27
where we
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become more
15:29
in one
15:29
ditch than
15:30
on our
15:32
road of
15:33
the Christian
15:33
life.
15:35
So,
15:35
we need
15:36
to avoid
15:37
toiling in
15:40
our external,
15:42
making our
15:43
external life
15:44
godly,
15:46
but not
15:47
emphasizing the
15:48
internal struggle
15:49
of our
15:49
internal sin.
15:51
And vice
15:52
versa.
15:54
But,
15:54
I want to
15:55
be careful.
15:56
We do
15:56
not bring
15:57
about hope
15:58
ourselves.
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None of
16:00
this toiling
16:01
or striving
16:02
is really
16:03
only to
16:06
us.
16:07
We do
16:07
not hope
16:08
to this
16:08
end because
16:09
of our
16:10
work.
16:10
But Paul
16:11
is pointing
16:11
out the
16:13
struggle in
16:14
this present
16:15
life.
16:15
He's
16:15
acknowledging
16:16
that this
16:17
is hard.
16:19
Hoping
16:19
in God
16:20
is
16:21
difficult
16:21
in this
16:22
present
16:22
life.
16:24
But,
16:25
be encouraged.
16:27
Notice
16:27
the,
16:30
notice that
16:31
I said
16:31
that we
16:32
work and
16:33
we compete.
16:36
There's a
16:36
we here,
16:38
which means
16:39
you are not
16:41
alone.
16:42
You are in
16:43
community,
16:44
and the church
16:45
is a community
16:45
of sinners,
16:47
and we
16:47
are both
16:48
trying to
16:48
walk that
16:49
narrow way
16:49
together.
16:50
So,
16:50
be encouraged
16:51
you are not
16:52
alone in
16:53
this struggle.
17:01
We have
17:03
our hope
17:03
set on the
17:05
living God.
17:06
And here's our
17:07
central,
17:08
if we're going to
17:08
be in the
17:08
middle,
17:09
this is our
17:09
middle.
17:09
because we
17:15
have our
17:16
hope set
17:17
on the
17:18
living God.
17:20
Another
17:20
translation can
17:21
be because we
17:22
have hope
17:23
based in
17:24
God who
17:26
lives.
17:28
And then
17:29
the one I
17:30
like,
17:31
just to mix
17:31
things up,
17:32
is that we
17:33
are hopeful
17:35
upon the
17:37
living God.
17:38
That we
17:39
are hopeful
17:39
upon the
17:40
living God.
17:41
And this is
17:41
the middle
17:42
central of
17:44
our text
17:44
here.
17:46
And there
17:46
are four
17:47
sections to
17:48
this,
17:49
and we'll
17:49
take one
17:49
by one.
17:51
So,
17:51
let's look at
17:52
because.
17:54
I like that
17:55
more of
17:56
because.
17:58
Think of
17:58
less of
17:59
because,
18:00
but more of
18:00
the idea of
18:01
that.
18:02
And when I
18:02
say that,
18:04
small
18:04
nuance,
18:05
but it's
18:05
important.
18:07
We are
18:07
to be
18:07
working and
18:08
competing
18:09
toward this
18:10
objective,
18:12
that we
18:12
are hopeful
18:14
upon the
18:15
living God.
18:17
And that
18:17
right there
18:17
is that.
18:18
And then
18:19
second,
18:19
we are
18:20
hopeful.
18:21
That's the
18:21
second division
18:22
here.
18:22
We are
18:23
hopeful.
18:24
And here
18:25
is the
18:25
verb that's
18:26
in the
18:27
middle.
18:28
We are
18:28
hopeful
18:29
is in
18:30
a form
18:32
that
18:33
is more
18:35
of a
18:35
state.
18:36
It's a
18:37
state
18:37
of
18:38
hopefulness
18:39
with regard
18:41
to expectation.
18:42
So,
18:42
think of
18:43
state of
18:43
hopefulness.
18:45
The point
18:45
is not
18:45
that we
18:46
have hoped
18:47
and continue
18:48
to hope,
18:50
but that
18:52
we who
18:52
have faith
18:53
are in
18:54
a hopeful
18:55
state.
18:57
As hopeful
18:58
people in
18:59
our orientation
19:01
toward
19:02
God.
19:03
You see
19:03
the state
19:04
of being
19:04
hopeful.
19:05
And then
19:06
you see
19:06
toward
19:07
God.
19:09
We are
19:09
hopeful.
19:12
The verb
19:13
suggests an
19:14
existing state
19:15
of hope
19:15
in God
19:16
based upon
19:17
the promise
19:18
of life.
19:19
And remember
19:19
the promise
19:20
in earlier
19:20
verse that I
19:21
pointed out.
19:22
And think of
19:23
a more
19:23
complete hope,
19:25
state of
19:26
hopefulness,
19:27
than an
19:29
ongoing hope.
19:31
And that's
19:31
where hope
19:33
is not
19:34
fleeting.
19:36
Hope is
19:36
not
19:36
depending on
19:38
your circumstances,
19:39
but it is
19:40
always there
19:41
in God.
19:43
So,
19:44
the third,
19:44
look at me,
19:46
set on,
19:47
set on,
19:48
based in,
19:50
upon,
19:51
the living
19:52
God.
19:53
So,
19:53
set on
19:54
is metaphorically
19:56
applied to the
19:57
placing of
19:58
hope upon
19:59
God,
20:00
or set
20:01
on the
20:02
living God.
20:04
And this,
20:05
the fourth
20:06
and final,
20:08
the living
20:08
God,
20:10
is kind
20:10
of odd.
20:11
We don't
20:11
normally say
20:12
the living
20:13
God,
20:14
but I
20:16
believe that
20:16
Paul adds
20:17
a small
20:18
detail to
20:19
remind us
20:20
that God
20:20
is who
20:22
both is
20:23
life and
20:24
gives life
20:25
to his
20:26
followers.
20:26
followers,
20:27
and he
20:28
is a
20:29
God who
20:29
is involved
20:30
in our
20:31
lives,
20:31
and he
20:32
brings
20:32
life.
20:35
Small
20:36
word that
20:36
we could
20:36
easily pass
20:37
through,
20:39
that he
20:39
is the
20:39
living God
20:40
in our
20:42
daily lives.
20:44
So,
20:44
it might be
20:44
summarized like
20:45
this,
20:46
the what
20:46
and the
20:47
content of
20:48
our hope.
20:50
Might be
20:51
summarized like
20:51
this,
20:52
the content
20:53
of our
20:53
working and
20:55
competing is
20:56
a hopefulness
20:57
toward God,
20:59
that God
21:00
will do
21:00
what he
21:01
has promised.
21:04
And God
21:05
will do
21:05
what he
21:05
has promised
21:06
because he
21:06
is the
21:07
living God.
21:12
Do you
21:12
see the
21:13
Christian
21:13
life,
21:14
your life,
21:15
if you
21:16
have faith,
21:18
as marked
21:18
by being
21:19
in a state
21:20
of hopefulness?
21:22
Do you
21:25
see hope
21:26
as something
21:26
only in the
21:27
future,
21:28
like we
21:28
asked before?
21:30
This text
21:30
teaches that
21:31
it is a
21:32
perpetual
21:32
state of
21:34
hope that
21:35
is in the
21:36
present,
21:37
that is
21:37
now.
21:39
I hope
21:40
that's
21:40
encouraging
21:40
to you.
21:43
As you
21:44
know and
21:45
see the
21:45
work of
21:46
the living
21:47
God in
21:47
your daily
21:47
life,
21:49
let this
21:49
text remind
21:50
you that
21:50
we who
21:51
have faith
21:52
and trust
21:52
in God
21:53
are a
21:55
hopeful
21:55
people today,
21:56
no matter
21:57
what our
21:58
circumstances.
22:00
So,
22:01
how would
22:02
this might
22:04
be applied
22:04
to our
22:05
life?
22:06
We
22:06
actually
22:06
have a
22:07
concrete
22:08
example of
22:09
applying this
22:10
teaching,
22:11
this saying,
22:13
to a
22:13
specific
22:13
situation
22:14
in 1
22:15
Timothy.
22:16
So,
22:16
turn with
22:17
me to
22:17
the end
22:18
of 1
22:18
Timothy,
22:19
chapter 5,
22:21
Real
22:21
quick.
22:24
1
22:25
Timothy,
22:25
chapter 5,
22:26
and we'll
22:26
be reading
22:26
verses 3
22:27
and 6.
22:30
And this
22:30
is specific
22:31
instructions
22:32
from Paul
22:33
to Timothy
22:34
in the
22:34
church.
22:35
And that
22:36
notice,
22:37
he applies
22:39
this text,
22:40
or,
22:40
well,
22:40
we could
22:41
say,
22:41
the women
22:42
in the
22:44
church
22:44
have already
22:45
applied this
22:46
in their
22:47
life.
22:48
So,
22:48
read with
22:48
me.
22:49
Chapter 5,
22:50
verse 3,
22:51
honor widows
22:52
who are
22:53
truly widows.
22:55
But if a
22:55
widow has
22:56
children or
22:56
grandchildren,
22:57
let them
22:57
first learn
22:58
to show
22:58
godliness
22:59
in their
22:59
own
22:59
household,
23:00
and to
23:00
make some
23:01
return to
23:01
their parents.
23:02
For this
23:03
is pleasing
23:04
in the sight
23:04
of God.
23:06
She who
23:07
is truly
23:08
a widow,
23:08
left all
23:09
alone,
23:10
has set
23:11
her hope
23:11
on God,
23:13
and continues
23:14
in supplications
23:15
and prayers,
23:16
night and
23:17
day.
23:18
But she
23:18
who is
23:18
self-indulgent
23:19
is dead
23:20
even while
23:21
she lives.
23:22
Notice,
23:24
she who
23:25
is truly
23:26
a widow,
23:26
left all
23:27
alone,
23:29
has set
23:29
her hope
23:30
on God.
23:33
This is
23:33
an application
23:35
of what Paul
23:36
has already
23:37
taught Timothy
23:38
in the
23:39
previous chapter.
23:41
Are you
23:42
in a life
23:43
circumstance
23:43
that leaves
23:44
you feeling
23:45
alone?
23:48
Be
23:48
encouraged.
23:50
Hopefulness
23:50
toward the
23:51
triune God
23:52
leads to
23:53
continuous
23:54
supplication
23:56
and prayer
23:57
for God's
23:58
glory,
23:59
even in the
24:00
midst of
24:01
loneliness.
24:03
Be
24:03
encouraged.
24:05
You can
24:05
have a
24:06
state of
24:07
hopefulness
24:08
that is
24:08
outside your
24:09
circumstances,
24:11
but only
24:12
upon the
24:13
living God.
24:14
hope.
24:15
Now for
24:17
the third
24:18
and final
24:18
point of
24:23
the second
24:23
of the
24:24
fateful hope
24:25
point.
24:26
So,
24:27
who?
24:27
The who?
24:29
Who is
24:30
the Savior
24:30
of all
24:32
people?
24:34
Who is
24:35
the Savior
24:35
of all
24:36
people?
24:36
God?
24:37
You might
24:38
have some
24:39
questions about
24:40
the very
24:40
end of
24:41
verse 10
24:42
when it
24:42
says,
24:43
especially
24:43
of those
24:44
who believe
24:44
or even
24:45
of all
24:46
people.
24:48
And to
24:48
understand this
24:49
correctly,
24:50
we'll have
24:50
to ask,
24:52
who is the
24:53
Savior in
24:54
this verse?
24:55
And what
24:56
does the
24:57
Savior mean?
24:58
And we'll do
24:58
this right
24:58
now.
24:59
So,
25:00
Savior in
25:01
this context
25:02
is God.
25:04
Pretty simple.
25:04
But,
25:05
he actually
25:06
repeats this.
25:07
So,
25:08
if you flip
25:09
over to
25:10
chapter 1,
25:11
verse 1,
25:12
the very
25:12
first verse
25:13
of this
25:13
book,
25:14
1 Timothy,
25:15
if you flip
25:15
there,
25:18
it says,
25:20
Paul writes,
25:21
Paul,
25:23
an apostle
25:23
of Christ
25:23
Jesus,
25:24
by command
25:25
of God,
25:26
our Savior,
25:28
and of
25:29
Christ
25:29
Jesus,
25:31
our hope.
25:34
Notice,
25:35
Paul is
25:36
connecting
25:36
Jesus with
25:37
hope as
25:38
well as
25:39
God is
25:40
our Savior.
25:42
If you
25:42
turn to
25:42
chapter 2,
25:43
flip over,
25:45
chapter 2,
25:46
verses 3
25:46
and 4,
25:49
he writes,
25:49
this is good
25:50
and it is
25:50
pleasing in
25:51
the sight of
25:52
God,
25:52
our Savior,
25:54
who desires
25:54
all people to
25:55
be saved
25:55
and to
25:56
come to
25:56
the knowledge
25:57
of the
25:57
truth.
25:59
And you
26:00
don't have
26:00
to turn
26:00
here,
26:01
but in
26:01
John,
26:02
you can
26:02
write this
26:02
down,
26:03
John,
26:04
chapter 4,
26:06
39 and
26:08
42.
26:09
This is
26:09
Jesus and
26:10
the woman
26:11
of Samaria.
26:12
I'll read
26:13
this for you.
26:14
Many
26:14
Samaritans
26:15
came from
26:16
that town,
26:17
believed in
26:18
him because
26:18
of the woman's
26:20
testimony.
26:21
He told me
26:22
all that I
26:23
ever did.
26:25
So when the
26:25
Samaritans
26:26
came to him,
26:26
they asked him
26:27
to stay with
26:27
him,
26:27
and he
26:28
stayed there
26:28
two days,
26:29
and many
26:29
more believed
26:30
because of
26:31
his word.
26:32
They said
26:32
to the woman,
26:33
it is no
26:33
longer because
26:34
of what
26:34
you said
26:35
that we
26:36
believe,
26:36
for we
26:37
have heard
26:37
for ourselves,
26:39
and we
26:39
know that
26:40
this is
26:41
indeed
26:42
the Savior
26:42
of the
26:43
world.
26:44
This is
26:44
just one
26:45
of many
26:45
examples we
26:47
could come
26:47
up with.
26:48
But notice,
26:49
Paul uses
26:49
the same
26:50
title for
26:50
God
26:51
in 1
26:53
Timothy
26:53
as John
26:54
uses for
26:55
Jesus.
26:56
So you
26:58
see this
26:58
Trinitarian
26:58
means here.
27:02
So what
27:03
does Savior
27:03
mean?
27:05
This requires
27:05
a close
27:06
reading of
27:06
scripture,
27:07
so let us
27:08
be close
27:09
readers now.
27:11
So it
27:11
may sound
27:12
universal,
27:14
especially
27:15
all people,
27:16
but God
27:20
can mean
27:20
two things
27:21
in this
27:22
verse.
27:22
It can
27:22
either be
27:23
God can
27:24
be the
27:25
preserver
27:25
and sustainer
27:26
and giver
27:27
of life.
27:30
This is
27:31
good,
27:31
and it
27:32
is true,
27:33
and it
27:33
is biblical,
27:34
but not
27:34
from this
27:35
text,
27:36
not in
27:37
the context
27:38
of this
27:38
letter.
27:40
So the
27:40
actual
27:40
context,
27:41
if we
27:41
think about
27:41
it,
27:41
Paul is
27:42
speaking to
27:42
those who
27:42
are rejecting
27:43
the good
27:43
doctrine from
27:44
God to
27:45
the apostles,
27:46
and in
27:46
turn,
27:47
he's talking
27:48
to Timothy
27:51
and those
27:53
rejecting the
27:53
gospel message.
27:54
So this
27:55
forces us,
27:58
Savior,
28:00
I propose,
28:02
means one
28:03
who saves
28:04
or saves
28:05
or potentially
28:06
saves all
28:07
people.
28:08
So you
28:08
see this
28:09
actuality and
28:11
potentiality
28:12
concept here.
28:16
He is
28:16
actually the
28:18
Savior for
28:18
those who
28:19
believe,
28:19
and he
28:21
is
28:21
potentially
28:22
Savior for
28:24
those who
28:25
have yet
28:25
to believe.
28:27
And that's
28:27
how he
28:28
can say,
28:29
God,
28:29
who is
28:30
the Savior
28:30
of all
28:31
people.
28:34
So,
28:34
of all
28:35
people,
28:35
or humanity,
28:36
let's look at
28:37
that.
28:38
This cannot
28:38
mean not
28:39
each and every
28:40
human within
28:41
humanity.
28:42
It cannot
28:42
mean that.
28:43
Now,
28:44
I don't know
28:44
why I did
28:45
this to myself,
28:46
because last
28:46
time I did
28:47
an Advent
28:47
sermon,
28:47
it was
28:48
John 3.16,
28:48
and this
28:49
same concept
28:50
came up.
28:51
So,
28:52
this is
28:53
straight from
28:54
my sermon
28:54
two years
28:54
ago.
28:55
But,
28:56
all is
28:57
a very
28:57
important
28:57
word in
28:59
scripture.
29:00
We have
29:00
to be
29:00
careful,
29:01
because
29:01
all does
29:04
not mean
29:06
all,
29:07
and that's
29:07
all all
29:07
means,
29:08
if you've
29:08
heard that.
29:10
It's actually
29:10
not true in
29:10
the biblical
29:11
sense.
29:12
So,
29:12
we have to
29:12
be careful
29:13
with this,
29:14
because that
29:15
could lead
29:15
us down
29:15
some
29:15
interesting
29:16
roads.
29:17
So,
29:18
all
29:18
without
29:20
exception,
29:21
or does
29:22
it mean
29:22
all without
29:23
distinction?
29:25
So,
29:25
all without
29:26
exception
29:26
would be
29:27
each and
29:27
every
29:28
individual
29:28
human.
29:30
But,
29:30
I think
29:32
that Paul
29:32
and John
29:33
and a lot
29:34
of other
29:34
texts,
29:35
when it
29:35
says all
29:35
in this
29:36
universal
29:36
language
29:37
that's
29:37
being used,
29:38
it's more
29:39
of an
29:39
all without
29:40
distinction.
29:43
And that
29:43
is the
29:44
gospel message.
29:46
Think about
29:46
it.
29:46
In this
29:47
context,
29:47
Jew,
29:48
Gentile.
29:51
Gentiles
29:51
coming to
29:52
know
29:52
the Lord.
29:54
This is
29:55
the whole
29:55
book of
29:56
the message
29:56
of the
29:56
book of
29:57
Acts
29:57
that they're
29:57
dealing
29:58
with.
29:58
Massive.
30:00
That's why
30:00
the Great
30:01
Commission
30:01
is such
30:02
great news
30:03
to the
30:03
nations.
30:07
And we'll
30:08
continue.
30:09
We'll go
30:09
straight into
30:10
the next
30:10
section,
30:11
because it's
30:12
made even
30:12
more clear
30:13
by those
30:14
who believe.
30:17
So,
30:17
the third
30:18
and final
30:19
point is
30:20
faithful
30:20
assurance.
30:22
So,
30:22
this is
30:23
especially
30:23
those who
30:24
believe.
30:26
I'm going
30:26
to take
30:26
this.
30:27
Especially
30:28
is totally
30:29
fine.
30:30
But,
30:31
when you see
30:33
especially here,
30:34
if you write
30:35
in your Bible
30:35
or you take
30:35
notes,
30:36
put particularly.
30:37
that's more
30:39
of the
30:39
ideal.
30:41
It's to
30:41
be precise,
30:43
or namely,
30:43
I mean.
30:45
That's,
30:46
I would
30:48
have rather
30:48
seen particularly
30:50
those of
30:51
faith.
30:52
That makes
30:52
more sense.
30:53
Especially,
30:54
it's okay.
30:54
You can trust
30:55
your Bibles.
30:56
But,
30:57
being close
30:57
readers of
30:58
Scripture,
30:58
we can say
30:58
particularly.
31:01
So,
31:01
particularly
31:02
captures
31:03
Paul's one,
31:04
it's Paul's
31:05
desire that
31:06
all humanity
31:07
be saved,
31:07
his desire,
31:08
and we see
31:08
that in
31:09
chapter 2,
31:09
we just read.
31:10
And also,
31:11
Paul's
31:11
recognition that
31:12
it is those
31:12
of faith
31:13
who will
31:14
be saved.
31:16
This is
31:17
the work
31:19
and competition
31:20
we've seen
31:20
earlier,
31:22
that Paul
31:22
directs
31:23
Timothy
31:23
and potentially
31:25
others of
31:26
faith to
31:26
be engaged
31:27
with.
31:29
So,
31:30
to those
31:31
of faith,
31:32
if you have
31:33
trust in the
31:34
Lord,
31:34
this is a
31:35
reminder of
31:36
the Lord's
31:37
grace and
31:38
his patience
31:38
towards us
31:40
in this
31:40
present life.
31:43
Remember that
31:44
the Lord
31:45
has been
31:46
patient towards
31:47
you.
31:48
But,
31:48
if you
31:49
do not
31:50
have trust
31:50
in the
31:52
Lord,
31:53
if you do
31:53
not have
31:53
faith,
31:55
do you
31:55
believe that
31:56
God is
31:57
Savior?
31:57
Do you
31:58
believe that
31:59
God is
31:59
the living
32:00
God?
32:01
This is
32:02
calling you
32:02
to believe
32:03
and trust
32:04
in the
32:05
only Savior.
32:07
This text
32:07
today.
32:09
And you
32:09
can do
32:10
this by
32:11
turning from
32:12
yourself
32:13
repentance
32:14
and turn
32:16
to the
32:17
triune,
32:18
living God
32:19
who saves
32:19
with your
32:21
whole heart,
32:23
with your
32:24
thoughts,
32:25
your desires,
32:26
and your
32:27
choices.
32:27
So we
32:30
could summarize
32:30
this,
32:31
this way.
32:32
The faithful
32:33
statement,
32:33
the faithful
32:34
saying,
32:35
is this,
32:38
that our
32:38
struggle is
32:39
to be as
32:40
those who
32:42
are hopeful.
32:44
That our
32:45
struggle is to
32:46
be those who
32:46
are hopeful
32:47
that the
32:48
living God
32:48
is not
32:49
just the
32:50
potential
32:51
Savior of
32:52
all,
32:53
but actually
32:54
the Savior
32:56
of those
32:56
who believe.
32:59
See how
32:59
this belief,
33:00
trust,
33:01
faith language
33:01
is so
33:02
central to
33:02
hope.
33:06
So let's
33:06
conclude.
33:07
The main
33:08
idea,
33:09
as we've
33:09
said before,
33:10
are those
33:11
who have
33:12
faith,
33:13
those who
33:13
believe,
33:14
are a
33:15
hopeful
33:15
people,
33:16
and we
33:17
are in a
33:17
state of
33:18
hopefulness.
33:19
We have
33:20
seen through
33:21
the faithful
33:21
word,
33:22
the faithful
33:22
hope,
33:23
the how,
33:24
what,
33:24
and who,
33:25
and now
33:25
the faithful
33:26
assurance.
33:30
Now,
33:30
one last
33:31
place I
33:32
want you
33:32
to turn.
33:33
We actually
33:33
have an
33:34
example of
33:35
this played
33:35
out again
33:36
in 2 Timothy
33:37
chapter 4.
33:38
So turn
33:39
with me.
33:41
2 Timothy
33:42
chapter 4
33:42
is at the
33:43
very end
33:44
of Paul's
33:44
life,
33:45
in Paul's
33:46
last days.
33:49
He knows
33:50
he will be
33:51
killed
33:52
soon.
33:53
and he
33:55
writes to
33:55
Timothy
33:55
this letter.
33:56
And at
33:56
the very
33:57
end,
33:59
in 2 Timothy
33:59
chapter 4
34:00
verses 6
34:01
through 8,
34:02
I'll read.
34:05
For I
34:06
am ready,
34:08
for I am
34:08
already being
34:09
poured out as
34:10
a drink
34:10
offering.
34:12
Think
34:12
toiling and
34:13
striving all
34:14
his life.
34:16
And the
34:16
time of my
34:17
departure has
34:18
come.
34:19
I have
34:20
fought the
34:21
good fight.
34:21
I have
34:23
finished the
34:24
race.
34:25
I have
34:26
kept the
34:27
faith.
34:29
Henceforth,
34:30
there is
34:30
laid up for
34:31
me the
34:32
crown of
34:32
righteousness,
34:33
which the
34:34
Lord, the
34:35
righteous judge,
34:37
will award
34:38
to me on
34:39
that day.
34:41
Think
34:41
hopefulness
34:42
in the
34:43
living God.
34:44
And not
34:44
only to me,
34:45
but also to
34:45
all who
34:46
have loved
34:47
his appearing.
34:49
Think
34:50
to those
34:51
who have
34:51
faith and
34:52
belief and
34:53
trust.
34:55
Look at
34:55
that.
34:56
There's
34:56
three verbs
34:57
here in
34:58
verse 7.
34:59
Fought,
35:00
finished,
35:02
kept.
35:04
We toil
35:05
or work
35:06
and strive
35:08
or fight
35:09
today so
35:11
that we can
35:12
say with
35:12
Paul,
35:13
I have
35:13
fought the
35:14
good fight.
35:16
I have
35:17
finished the
35:18
race.
35:18
faith,
35:19
we as
35:20
with Paul
35:21
can only
35:22
do this
35:22
by having
35:23
faith,
35:24
belief,
35:24
trust in
35:26
the living
35:26
God who
35:27
saves and
35:28
is the
35:29
only source
35:30
of our
35:30
hopefulness
35:31
in this
35:32
life as
35:33
well as
35:34
to the
35:34
life to
35:35
come.
35:37
He's the
35:37
only source
35:38
of our
35:38
hopefulness
35:40
in this
35:41
life as
35:42
well as
35:43
the life
35:43
to come.
35:44
Pray with
35:47
me.
35:48
Pray with
35:47
me.
35:48
Pray with
35:49
me.