The following is a sermon transcript from our Sunday Service at The Rock Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Each week, we gather to worship, learn from God’s Word, and grow together. This transcript is provided as a free resource to encourage and equip you in your walk with Christ. While you’re welcome to read and share this content for personal use, we kindly ask that it not be redistributed or published elsewhere without prior written consent from The Rock Church.

Introduction: Man’s Glory vs. God’s Glory

Don’t we all love a story all about man’s glory? Excuse me, what was that? Yeah, you know, it’s overcoming human obstacles, achieving the goals that seemed insurmountable, and of course, never giving up on your dreams.

It’s every politician who promises human progress by saying this: “Guys, if you just vote for me, I’ll tell you, I promise it’s going to be different this time. We’re going to make human progress. We’re going to build a better society. We’re going to work together. There’ll be unity. There’ll be peace in our day.”

But amazingly, every person who’s tried this has failed. And the question is why? I thought the whole point of human existence was to make it better for the next generation.

Well, King Solomon said it well, said this, “What has been will be again. What has been done will be done again. There’s nothing new under the sun.” You know it. It’s the same old story repeating itself over and over again.

What happened in the Garden of Eden is alive and well today. When Satan told Eve that you too could be like God, she fell for it. And that is indeed what is ingrained in the heart of every soul, a desire for glory. Seems unavoidable. We crave the glory.

And then it utterly, subtly creeps into the church. It’s those carefully crafted programs and strategic goals, strategies that are sure to draw a crowd.

Paul’s Example: Weakness Over Strength

But what about the Apostle Paul? Wasn’t he a powerful preacher? I mean, he wrote most of the New Testament. Wasn’t he skilled in the art of persuasion and rhetoric?

Well, read the first few chapters of 1 Corinthians. You’ll be surprised to learn that he knew nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. The church in Corinth was unimpressed, let me tell you, with his paltry demeanor, lackluster oratory skills. Just like us, they wanted something impressive, something shiny, some promise of self-glory. But they got none of it.

Instead, it was the gospel of Jesus Christ, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. But to those who are being saved, it’s the power of God. It wasn’t the form of Paul’s preaching. Rather, it was the substance and the content.

What do I mean by that? Well, it wasn’t his diligence in preparing for every answer. Instead, it was his obedience to the Master and trusting in the power of God as the gospel is proclaimed.

Four Themes in Paul’s Farewell Story

And now we find ourselves at the end of 2 Timothy. He’s making a farewell address. What does he say?

Does he list all his accomplishments? Does he stand before the denomination with loud cries saying, “I planted all these churches. I sent out all these missionaries. And because of what I’ve done, I deserve a seat at the table. Not only have I earned your respect, but I demand it”?

No, no, no, that wasn’t his style. None of the accolades, none of the accomplishments.

Instead, it’s really a farewell story for God’s glory.

And what do we know about God and his glory? Well, certainly he shares it with no other. He gives it to no other. And while man diligently pursues his own glory, God is faithful to humble him every single time.

While man seeks to make a name for himself, we know that God has established his name—the name above all names. It’s the name at which every knee will bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God and not to man.

Big Idea

Tired of stories about man’s glory? Yeah, I am too. I’m a little tired of hearing about another leader in the church or elsewhere that just had to have this huge following, thought that he was above everyone else.

So if you want to hear more stories about God’s glory, it’s not going to be because of us. It’s going to be in spite of us. Apart from Christ, our Lord, there’s no better story for God’s glory than the Apostle Paul. It’s the story of the radiant glory of King Jesus, Lord and Deliverer. It’s the story of strength and weakness, grace over personal glory, and endurance through Christ alone.

So as our custom is—taking note here—write down the big idea if you have time. If not, it’s a bit of a long sentence, so go to the sermon notes on the Church Center app.

Big Idea: Christ’s glory shines through human weakness, faith in his word, not human wisdom or strength.

And we’re going to see four key things as it relates to this farewell story:

1. The power of Christ best displayed in the weakness of man, revealing the glory of the gospel.
2. Deliverance from present evil and confidence in the future hope brings good to the soul and glory to Christ.
3. Christ defines usefulness in his kingdom in a way that differs from human understanding.
4. Christ shows his abundant favor through the gift of faith and the treasure of his word.

Point 1: The Power of Christ Displayed in the Weakness of Man

Verse 17a

“…But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”

Wait a minute, Paul. Here you are at the end of your life, stuck in a prison cell with just one friend. You’re cold, you’re tired, you’re hungry, and yet now you’re thinking about how the gospel must and will go out to all the Gentiles?

I’m wondering, Paul, how might you accomplish that task?

Well, let’s consider again the location from which he writes. It’s Rome. It’s the capital of the Gentile world. In other words, where he is is very important to understanding why he has this desire to spread the gospel to all the Gentiles. In other words, if he can get the gospel out to this group, there’s no doubt in his mind that it’ll spread through the ends of the earth.

Weakness as God’s Strategy

Now, what does this assume about Paul? He certainly has the faith to believe that God is big enough, powerful enough, and also sovereign over salvation.

Yes, God has all power, all knowledge, all presence. But let me ask you a question: Have you ever doubted that God would use you because of the limited resources at your disposal?

Yeah, of course, pastor. I’m just a student. I’m just a stay-at-home mom. I’m retired. I’m working. All these different things that we say, “Well, I don’t know. I don’t think. I don’t really see the Lord using me.”

How could the Lord use me to advance the gospel to the community of South Jersey?

That’s why we always have to come back to God’s strategy, not ours.

God Uses the Weak

Is he looking for those that are strong?
Is he looking for those that have all the answers to all the skeptics’ questions?
How about those that never miss their devotional time?

Of course not.

He’s looking for those who are willing to say:

“Lord, I am weak, but you are strong.”

Lord, you desire to use the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.

But surely there must be a better way. I know—if only I could reach somebody really influential in my community. If the gospel can penetrate his heart, maybe because of his social media following, surely that’ll be it. That’ll be the strategy that God wants to use. Get the famous people to believe.

Paul’s Weakness and God’s Strength

And yet again, we’re reminded of the Apostle Paul. Here is a man who is weak in speech, small in stature, unimpressive with words, and yet Paul believed God. He believed that the Lord Jesus would stand by him and strengthen him.

Do you believe that? Is the Lord Jesus standing by your side to strengthen you? Or is God only going to use you once you get your life together?

Yeah, that’s right. Once you’ve developed your faith into a robust theological understanding of all of the Scriptures…

Think about Paul. He was abandoned by all the people whom he thought would never leave his side.

Christ Never Forsakes Us

And yet it’s a wonderful reminder—you’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating—the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. In fact, Jesus promised that he would be with us even until the end of the age.

You see, that’s the point. Even when abandoned and forsaken by all, Jesus is by our side. He’s by our side in the waiting as we ask:

“Lord, when is this illness going to be cured?”
“When are my relationships going to improve?”
“When is this trial of my life going to end?”

Paul said it before, “Be ready in and out of season” to proclaim this glorious gospel.

Why?

Because it’s when you are at your weakest and your lowest that the Lord shows up to surprise you.

He reminds you that this life is not about you. Sorry, Rick Warren. It’s about God’s glory and fame spreading through the whole earth.

Jonah: Another Story of Weakness and Sovereignty

Let’s consider Jonah for a moment. You may know the story from the Old Testament. Some call it a whale. I’ll just call it what the Bible says: the fish. The fish swallowed him up.

God tells him he is to preach to the Ninevites. It’s these people that Jonah not only dislikes but has some real strong contempt for. Why? Because they’re so wicked.

God, those people? Oh no, they love their sin.

And yet the Lord was challenging him.

And what happened? Thrown off the ship. Swallowed up by a huge fish.

And God uses this incredible story, incredible trial, to teach him as he finally declares this to God:

“Salvation belongs to the Lord.”

Salvation and God’s Sovereignty

It doesn’t belong to man. It doesn’t belong to his decisions, his desires, or his preferences. It doesn’t belong to strategies of human wisdom or strength. It belongs to the sovereign decree of Almighty God, who said that “I will save a people for my own possession.”

And we can get on board with that or we can try to interfere with it. Yeah—see how that’s going to work out. The good news is that none of the plans of the Lord will be thwarted.

Impact of Weak Messengers

So finally, Jonah goes to the city of the Ninevites, some 120,000 people, and he cries out to them:

“Guys, your city is going to be overthrown.”

And amazingly, these wicked, evil, sinful, terrible people believed God.

How could that be? Was it because Jonah was so eloquent? Was he so persuasive? Was it because he loved the people so much?

It had nothing to do with Jonah and everything to do with the Lord.

Yes, dear brothers and sisters, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. God’s power.

Objection: Fear of Being Hated

And the Lord is calling us to do some pretty hard things.

“Pastor, you’re telling me God wants me to warn people about the coming judgment of Jesus? You think they’re really going to believe me? Actually, I think they’re going to hate me. They’re going to say all kinds of evil about me. No thanks. I’d rather pass. Lord, use someone else who doesn’t have as much to lose.”

Nineveh’s Repentance

Well, what happened to Nineveh? That’s right. The king put out a decree. He said, “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.” And he says, “Who knows? God may turn and relent from his fierce anger so that we may not perish.”

And guess what? God did just that. He relented of the disaster that he said he would do to them.

Anthropomorphism

And the question that many might ask about that and say, “Well, that’s interesting. Seems like God is dependent on man in this particular case.” Surely not.

We can understand this only through—I’m going to write this word down, I can never say it—but it’s anthropomorphism. It’s very hard to say.

We’re trying to understand God through the lens of our human understanding. And the best way to do that is to say that God actually turned, but he doesn’t change.

There is no changing of God. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. But he is gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.

Christ Stands with His Weak Servants

But again, just like the Lord stood by Jonah’s side to strengthen him, so he did for Paul. And so he does for us.

Why?

So that the gospel would go out to the whole world, so the lost people might hear it, Paul says.

It matters not how strong we think we are or how wise we think we have our understanding of all of doctrine. Again, the glory of Christ shines through human weakness. He gives grace to the humble. He resists the proud.

Let’s ever be humbling ourselves that God is strong and we are not. That God is wise and we are fools for Christ. That the Lord is all-powerful and is going to save a people for his own possession.

Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Don’t Limit Your Usefulness

Don’t limit yourself. Don’t limit yourself to the stage of life that you’re in, to the limited resources that are available to you.

Look to Paul in a prison cell. He’s talking about all the Gentiles hearing the gospel. Surely he believed that if he could just get the gospel to the prison guards, then the prison guards would take it to the outside world, and the outside world would send it to the ends of the world.

Man, that’s some powerful vision right there.

The power of the gospel is not in the form, it’s not in the style, but in the content. It’s in the message. It’s the power of God in the message. It’s not in the messenger.

Paul’s Dying Wish

It’s our prayer that the ministry of the Lord that he has called us to would be fulfilled. That’s Paul’s dying wish.

“If one more soul, one more lost person could hear this gospel and avoid the wrath to come, it’d be worth it, Lord. I’ll suffer some more for you. I’ll stay in this prison cell. I’ll sit here in the darkness.”

Your Place in God’s Sovereign Plan

Lord Jesus, I want to remind you of God’s plan for your life. Comes to us from Acts chapter 17 and verse 26—you can just take note of that, you don’t have to turn there—but God has determined the allotted periods and boundaries of your dwelling places.

Okay, what did Jesus say? Here’s the deal: The Lord has sovereignly—outside of us, he’s the only sovereign one—sovereignly ordained the time in which you would live and also the place.

Amen.

It’s no accident that you live in South Jersey in 2025. It’s part of the foreordained plan of God before the foundations of the world.

That’s a pretty heavy thing.

No Accidents in God’s Sovereignty

“Pastor, I just wish he could have ordained my place of dwelling in a warmer climate, perhaps Hawaii, a beach, a mountain, something.”

No, no—it’s New Jersey, and you love it.

It’s 2025. It’s during this time and season when the wickedness is rising in the land—we see it—the separation of darkness and light ever growing.

But the Lord is standing by our side. He is with you and he’s also for you because you are in Christ.

His Power Will Fulfill the Mission

The Lord will strengthen you as you proclaim this gospel so that it might be fully proclaimed. In other words, he will fulfill the ministry through you.

It’s God’s promise. If he said he will do it, then we must trust him at his word.

Point 2: Deliverance from Evil and Confidence in Future Hope

Verses 17b–18

“So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Rescued from the Lion’s Mouth

So what else do we learn about Paul’s farewell story for God’s glory?

Well, it’s this interesting phrase that you see in the text: “rescued from the lion’s mouth.”

What is this all about? Was this the king of the jungle that was coming at him in the middle of the night and the Lord rescued him?

No, it’s clearly a metaphor.

But what does the lion refer to then?

Interpretations

Well, there are a few ways that commentators and others have looked to understand this. The lion could have referred to Nero. This is the Roman emperor at the time of Paul. And let’s just say this: He wasn’t a very nice guy.

Rumors were circulating about him being responsible for this great fire, and he turned his attention to blame the Christians.

“Oh, it’s those Jesus followers. They did it.”

What did Nero do to them? Fed them to the lions.

And because of that, he was known as the lion.

But Nero Doesn’t Fit

But wait—if Nero was the lion, then it wouldn’t make much sense because just in a few more weeks, Paul’s about to get beheaded. Maybe he doesn’t know that. Maybe he does.

Sure sounds like Paul’s life was in grave danger.

Spurgeon said it really well. He said:

“Paul’s life was in danger, but never in peril.”

What does that mean?

Security in Christ

I want you to consider your security in Christ. Is there anything that can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ?

Is there any way that you can lose your salvation?

If salvation is of the Lord, then it’s not of you. It’s not of me. It’s not of man, and it cannot be lost.

Satan as the Roaring Lion

So we come back to this rescue from the lion’s mouth, and we must ask: Is this Satan?

1 Peter 5:8—we read, “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, how does he prowl? Like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

That must be it then.

Okay, Paul has been delivered from the roaring lion, Satan himself.

Surely Satan cannot destroy our souls. He may deceive us. He may make false accusations against the believer night and day, but he has nowhere near the power and authority of the Lord Jesus.

Delivered from the True Peril

Here’s the best way to consider this phrase: Every believer has been delivered out of the most imminent peril of death.

Yes, our bodies will die, and that is due to sin. Even though this world is full of danger and difficulty, we have been rescued from the penalty of sin and death.

That’s the peril we are free from.

We can be in danger and pain and suffering, but the peril of the wrath of God has escaped every believer in Christ.

That is amazing news.

Paul’s View of Death

Paul’s life was in danger, but never in peril.

Paul never got worried about his own death. In fact, he said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Death is only the transition stage to glory.

We can be sure of this: God protects those who are his. That doesn’t mean that God keeps us from all temptation and danger. Instead, it’s a promise to protect our souls from destruction.

“There is no fear in death because it has no more sting.”

It has been swallowed up in victory.

Victory in the Resurrection

The victory of Christ who shines his glory through the power of the resurrection and life eternal.

So then what does Paul mean when he says that the Lord will rescue him from every evil deed?

I want you to consider all the charges brought against Paul. There are a number of them that he could have been accused of.

False Accusations

Interestingly enough—take notice, if you’ve been sleeping, you might perk up here—the first is this:

Cannibalism.

He could have been accused of cannibalism. That is because the Christians were feasting on the body and blood of Christ. Gross, disgusting, cannibalistic. That was one charge.

Even more strangely, he might have been charged with atheism. That’s right, because he would not worship Caesar as God.

And then, of course, there’s the accusation of being partly responsible for the great fire.

Divine Vindication

But here is the reality: None of these charges will hold up in the courtroom of heaven. Jesus vindicated Paul of all the earthly charges because the righteousness of Christ has been applied to his account.

So clearly Paul was saved from every evil deed, every charge brought against him, all the wrongs that were committed against him.

Deliverance from Wrath to Come

This is the wonder of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ—Lord and Deliverer. He delivers us from the evil of this present world and the wrath to come.

Not earthly wrath—the wrath of God, the wrath of Christ, the punishment against all sinners, against all those that have rejected him.

Not Promised Earthly Escape

So it’s not that Jesus is telling Paul, “I got you, brother. I’m going to safely deliver you from danger. Don’t worry. It’s cold in there. I’m going to take you out. I’m going to set you on a beach, pop a corona for you. You’ll be good.”

Of course not.

We will face dangers, persecutions, trials, many woes. We don’t come to church to be given false hope here.

But once our time expires on this earth, we have a faithful Savior who’s going to transport us safely into his kingdom.

There’s nothing and no one that can stop that.

Christ Will Bring You Home

The journey from this life to the next is secured by the Lord Jesus.

That’s why Paul could say in Philippians 4:12–13:

“I know how to be brought low. I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I’ve learned the secret…”

No, not The Secret—the book—the secret.

“…of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

And here’s the verse that we love. We love to just grab it up right out of this part. Just kind of pull it up:

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Context Matters

We love to quote that. But the reality is it doesn’t apply to your personal dreams of success and glory. That’s the American gospel. It’s the wrong one.

It’s not about peace and prosperity, but knowing the Lord Jesus will strengthen us to do what he wants us to do.

He’s going to stand by our side. Why?

That we might proclaim this glorious gospel to lost people.

Assurance in Christ Alone

We’ve been saved from the guilt of sin and the wrath of Almighty God. Because of this, we have assurance in Christ alone—not human wisdom or strength—but that we have a future hope, a secure citizenship in heaven, the place of perfect order and peace and no more sin and no more sorrow.

And if that doesn’t bring good to your soul, come talk to me afterwards. Let’s pray together.

It also brings glory to Christ. It’s his work. He owns it.

Point 3: Christ Defines Usefulness Differently

Verses 19–21

“Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.”

Ordinary Names, Extraordinary Purpose

Now, you might be—your first thought when you consider this point—“I’m not sure what these verses have to do with being useful in the kingdom of God.”

Well, allow me to explain.

Who are these people? What are they talking about? Why is it important for Paul to mention them? What significance do they have?

Prisca and Aquila: A Ministry Team

Let’s start with Prisca and Aquila. Husband and wife team. And what’s interesting is that Paul names the wife before the husband.

Why would he do that? Well, I don’t know. It’s not clear.

But here’s what I can say:

As a husband to my beloved wife, how important it is that we are together in all things—that she encourages me, that I encourage her, that she offers me wisdom, that I listen to her when she has concerns.

Listen to your wife. I’m telling you, the Lord uses them. That was a last-minute thing that came through.

And I would say that is for sure certainly true with Prisca and Aquila.

Biblical Example of a Strong Couple

You may recall back to Acts chapter 18, verse 26. It was this great man of God, Apollos. He’s preaching repentance. He’s heard about John the Baptist. He knows some Scriptures.

But what does this husband and wife team do?

They come to him and they say—first—they take him in.

Secondly—they expounded unto him the ways of God more perfectly.

In other words, they helped Apollos understand the gospel more fully.

Marriage as Ministry

And as Paul thought about the people who were useful to him, these were on the top of the list. They risked their lives for Paul. They helped bring the message of the gospel to the whole world.

And the consideration for the married couples of our church is to ask the question:

“What does usefulness in Christ’s kingdom look like for us?”

It’ll be different for each couple.

Some might think, “Well, that means we have to do it all together.” That would be our natural, maybe possible reasoning or understanding. Or thinking the husband has the greater role.

But I would submit to you that they both have an important role together.

The Ministry of the Home Matters First

It’s the wife who sacrifices her time and energy in the home or even has to make income outside of the home. It’s the husband who has to serve and protect and love his wife as Christ loved the church.

But any effective ministry begins in the ministry of the home.

Few couples have been effective for the Lord when their marriage is in shambles.

And it’s our first goal and priority to focus on the ministry of the home. Because when that’s not in order, nothing else will go well.

Erastus: Useful Even When Left Behind

How about Erastus? Here’s another companion to Paul, and yet he remains in Corinth.

How could Erastus be useful? He was left behind.

It’s another question that we don’t have an answer to. But here’s what we do know:

God has sovereignly decreed it. It’s according to the plan and purpose of God.

And Paul doesn’t complain about this. He doesn’t get angry or upset with God asking why he had to stay behind.

“Why, God? Why? I need people. Come.”

Trophimus: God’s Sovereignty Over Sickness

And then there’s, of course, Trophimus.

He’s left sick. This is yet another challenging thing to understand.

Here’s the Apostle Paul. I mean, he did great miracles. Guys, Acts chapter 19, you might recall the story. There were handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul, okay?

Just… touched him.

People grabbed those handkerchiefs and aprons and brought them to people who were sick, and they were healed.

Now, you will go to TBN or other stations and you will find that: “Take your cloak. Got this cloak. Got this apron. Man, buy this right now. You’ll get your healing. Pot’s right here.”

No, no, no.

But the point is the incredible stuff that the Lord had used Paul to do—to heal these people that touched just an apron or his handkerchief.

So Why Didn’t Paul Heal Trophimus?

So why didn’t he heal Trophimus? Why was he left ill at Miletus?

It’s a great question.

Here’s what we know:

It is God’s will to leave some sick.

Challenging the Prosperity Gospel

“Wait a minute, pastor. I’m out. I don’t think I can get on board with that. In fact, I’m claiming that by his stripes I am healed.”

And yet Christ defines usefulness in his kingdom quite differently than us.

How could the Lord possibly use someone who is sick? They seem useless, stuck in a bed, can’t do much.

And yet God decreed it. And since he allowed it, we have to embrace it as part of the plan.

Usefulness in Weakness

And maybe it was God’s will for Trophimus to be stuck sick so that he could pray. So he could pray and pray some more and pray again.

I don’t want you ever to underestimate your usefulness just because you’re sick or cannot physically do something.

You are useful in the kingdom.

Never underestimate the power of prayer from your sickbed. Never think you’re unuseful because you’re physically unable.

God Uses Every Season

We talked about it. God has ordained the place in which you live and the time in which you live. With all different seasons that we go through—some that we feel, “Man, I feel useful. This is great.”—and other seasons where we don’t feel useful, we feel a hindrance and ashamed.

That’s not part of the plan. It’s for Christ to be formed in us. It’s that we would draw near to Christ.

We’ve got to stop thinking this prosperity gospel that we’ve got to avoid every difficulty and trial.

How Long, O Lord?

“Stop it, Lord. Don’t let them suffer.”

That’s part of the plan.

“How long, O Lord?”
“How long?”
“I know.”
“How long do you want me to be sick?”
“How long do you want me to endure this?”

I know. The Lord knows.

But he wants you to be useful in the kingdom.

Paul’s Heart for Timothy

And yet again in verse 21, Paul makes it his earnest plea before Timothy: “Come to me soon.”

Yeah, there are many brothers there. There’s Eubulus, there’s Pudens, there’s Linus, there’s Claudia, but I really could use your presence here, Brother Timothy.

“Don’t forget the cloak. It’s getting cold. Bring the parchments.”

Redefining Usefulness

I challenge you to reconsider how you might define usefulness in the kingdom of God. Some seasons are fruitful; others are not.

But through every season, we trust the Lord’s faithfulness to work all things together for our good and his glory.

Point 4: Christ Shows His Favor Through Faith and His Word

Verse 22

“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.”

Closing Benediction

It’s the closing remarks of the farewell address before leaving this earth.

What do you say?

How do you conclude 30 years of faithful ministry for the glory of God?

Do you conclude with some law?

“Hey man, do this. Better do that. Better stay faithful.”

Or do you close with grace?

Grace Over Law

You close with a promise of God.

Clearly, Paul closes with the promise.

Now, is he saying, “I hope the Lord is with you always”? No. He knows that. He knows that he’s with his people. He’s never going to leave them.

So what does he mean, “The Lord be with your spirit”?

Spirit: The Rational Part of Man

Consider this word “spirit.” It’s the rational part of our being. It’s how we can hold on to the Lord and his promises.

Emotions and different things are competing and false things, but we focus our rational part on the things of the Lord, on that which is eternal.

It’s believed to be the highest and noblest part of a man. As one commentator put it, it’s the house where faith and God’s word rest at home.

Grace Changes Us

Consider that for a moment.

What is God’s grace? Well, we know we’re talking about the favor of God. It’s every spiritual blessing. It’s the Lord’s goodwill to us because we’re in Christ. It’s his loving kindness. It’s his long-suffering. It’s all those good things. No small thing there.

When that reality penetrates the spirit, something special happens.

It changes us. It changes how we think and how we live.

Grace Is Not Owed

And so the question is, “So was God required to give us this? Am I owed this, all this good stuff?”

No, of course not. We know that. Mercy and grace, by definition, are not owed. They’re not merited. They’re not earned.

God gives freely to whom he wills and how he wills to do.

The Gift of Faith and the Treasure of the Word

What better gifts than to think about is the gift of faith that we’ve received through Christ and the treasure of his word to know more.

We know that it’s impossible to please God apart from faith.

So does that mean that we need more faith?

“You gotta have more faith. You gotta believe. You just not have big enough faith to believe these promises.”

It’s not quantity of faith.

No, it’s faith. It’s the God who gave you the faith, and you embrace it. You say, “Lord, it’s from you. I’m holding on to it.”

Object of Faith Matters

But the most important thing of this faith is where the object of it is placed.

Not here, but to Christ.

And you don’t have to have much faith at all—just enough for the size of a mustard seed. You know the story.

Paul’s Legacy

Here’s what we know about Paul’s life: He received grace from Christ, and he returned the glory to Christ.

Was it about Paul? Was it about his inherent goodness? Did he have something in him that separated him from the rest of the pack?

It’s grace upon grace.

It’s grace in weakness. It’s grace in sickness. It’s grace in frustrations and setbacks. It’s grace through and through all the way to glory.

Grace for the Weak

Don’t think God is waiting for you to get it all together, to have enough faith, to perform better, to believe better, to do all your Christian duties better.

He simply wants us to open our hands and say, “Lord, here I am. Send me. Yes, weak me. Lord, send me with your strength to proclaim this glorious gospel.”

Faith That Transforms

“Lord, I want this faith that was once delivered to the saints to transform me, my whole spirit, my rational being. I want your word to renew my mind and to set me free from wrong thinking and living.”

“Lord, I want the abundance of your glorious grace working through my life.”

That is indeed Christ’s abundant favor.

Warning Against Prosperity Thinking

It’s not some vain desire to have his favor so that we can achieve our personal goals and dreams.

I get a little tired of the American gospel. I think that’s coming through.

God gives his glory to no other, and if someone is trying to take that glory, he will humble them.

Look at all these prosperity guys. Look at what they’re doing.

I’m saying he will humble them. That’s all I know.

Confession on Faith

Couldn’t say it better than chapter 14 in the Baptist Confession on saving faith, paragraph 3. See it on the screen:

“This faith may exist in varying degrees so that it either may be weak or strong. Yet even in its weakest form, it is a different kind of nature, like all other saving graces, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers. Therefore, faith may often be attacked and weakened, but it gains victory. It matures in many to the point of full assurance through Christ, who is both the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

Weak Faith and Crisis Moments

That’s a lot to say there, but let me just bring it in.

I think you’d all agree that there are times in your life when your faith was weak. When you’re doubting God, all of his promises.

It’s when you ask the question, “Lord, how could you have allowed this evil to happen in my life or the life of someone that I love?” Some even call it a crisis of faith.

Charles Templeton: A Temporary Believer

I want to tell you a story about a temporary believer named Charles Templeton.

He was a contemporary of Billy Graham. He spoke to crowds of over 30,000 people.

Boy, that sounds like a wonderful ministry.

But deep in the shadows of his mind was an ever-growing doubt. He began to question God’s Word, and ultimately, he ended up abandoning the faith altogether.

Interview with Lee Strobel

How could this happen? How could someone who’s so successful in ministry end up leaving the faith altogether?

Well, it was just a few years before he passed that Lee Strobel interviewed him. Templeton spoke about how Jesus was the most important man that ever lived. He recounted all the wonderful things that Jesus did in the world.

He said, “I even miss him.”

But there’s something about that conversation that struck me.

All Templeton appreciated of Jesus was his humanity and none of his deity. He didn’t see Christ as the Savior of the world for whoever would believe.

Faith Fixed on Christ Alone

See, that’s the point of faith, according to our confession: that God works through our lives through faith—that even though we may have a weak faith or a strong faith, our assurance will grow as we keep looking to Christ.

As we look to the faithfulness of God in Christ, we’ll never be put to shame.

May we ever behold Christ, truly God, truly man.

May we ever receive the abundance of his favor through the gift of faith and the treasure of his word.

Conclusion: Farewell Story for God’s Glory

So as we close and conclude the farewell story for God’s glory, I pray that you’re encouraged.

I may have offended you at some point during the sermon. That’s a good thing in some sense, because that means I’m sticking to the truth.

Be encouraged that even though you feel weak, God is faithful to show himself strong.

Christ is faithful to show himself strong through you and stand by your side. He’s going to save a people for his own possession. And that reality does not rest upon human wisdom or strength.

Three Anchors

Christ’s glory shines through human weakness.
It shines through the faith that he’s given us.
It shines through the word as he illuminates it to us.

I’d encourage you to first behold Christ and all of his promises before you think about any way that he wants to use you or minister that he’s called you to.

That’s where we got to start.

Hope in the Next Life

I’d encourage you not to have a hope that things will get better in this life because they may not. I don’t want you to put your hope there. You might not like that.

But I want you to consider your hope surely in the next life, in the safe arrival into his heavenly kingdom.

Redefine Faithfulness

Consider how Christ defines faithfulness in his kingdom, not how you define it.

And lastly, receive from Christ his abundant favor. Receive it. Receive it through faith and through his word.

Practical Application: 10-10-10

And in application to that—meditate on the promises of Christ. Meditate on them.

The Puritans did a 10-10-10. They did:

• 10 minutes reading
• 10 minutes meditating
• 10 minutes praying

Pretty simple.

But meditating on the promises of Christ will transform your life.

Call to Confession

That’s all I got.

Let’s take a moment now. Let’s confess our sin. Let’s confess, as hard as it may be, if you’re feeling a bit prideful and strong right now, confess and humble yourself before the Lord and say:

“Lord, I want to be brought low so you can be brought high.”

Let’s confess to him that we’re tired and weak, that we’re broken and weary.

Let’s confess that we’ve tried to be wise in our own abilities rather than trusting in the person and work of Christ.

Closing Prayer

Gracious God, we come to you only because of Christ, only because of your mercy in the cross, only because of your grace that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldliness.

We come as children. We come to sit at the table with you at the head. We come to receive food from you, the words of life from you. We come to receive strength and mercy. You would build us up in the faith.

We come as weak people, as broken people, as people that have been hurt and as people that suffer with illness and pain. Lord, we need you. And that’s what you’re trying to tell us through all of it.

We need you more. More of you.

Lord, we’re reminded what James said in his epistle, that friendship with the world is hostility with God. Enemies of God.

Lord, we want to be walking by your side, enjoying you, strengthened by you, you using us to proclaim this gospel.

Lord, you’re coming soon. We know it. There’s an urgency. There’s a desperation for the youth in America. Lord, save them. Strengthen your church by whatever means.

If you need to bring persecution to strengthen us, so be it. That you build your kingdom.

We’re not playing Christianity here. We’re not playing church. We’re not giving false hope or prosperity promises. We want to see your glory known.

And that’s it, Lord. It’s a scary prayer to pray, but do what you will with our lives.

We receive it now, and we ask for your blessing.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Ready to Take Your Next Steps at The Rock Church in Mount Laurel?

The Rock Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey exists to help people know God, follow Jesus, and make disciples who multiply. Whether you’re new or already part of our church family, we’re here to help you stay connected! Plan your visit to experience a Sunday with us, or download the Church Center App to stay updated, join a group, register for events, and more.