Paul gives to us God's prescription to combat the evil of these perilous times.

In the days ahead, the escalation of violence against the church of God by the kingdom of darkness will intensify. We are to stand strong- we are to practice discernment, we are to rely on the Spirit.

A survey of this chapter shows how demanding the work of ministry is giving us a composite portrait of the ideal Christian Laborer. By God's grace, we should aspire to be all that we can be, to accomplish all that is pleasing to Him.

Paul seems to be hammering home this truth- that blessing comes through endurance, fruit comes from toil, life through death, and glory through suffering. Wildly unpopular in our day, but it is an invariable law of Christian life and service.

Sometimes people move beyond self-examination to self-excommunication at the Lord's Table.

I want to exhort you to life-long loyalty to the One who loves you supremely.

Let us examine the first two verses of 2 Timothy, which are foundational if a ministry is to be perpetuated.

Stories of bravery inspire us. Human nature tends to shrink away from danger and suffering. We need great examples and stirring encouragement. In the face of suffering Paul's charges Timothy to remain loyal to the truth of the Gospel.

Paul realized his life and ministry would soon be over and in this intimate letter he passes the torch to his son in the faith. He urges him to persevere in strength and faithfulness.

I must admit that in my 40 years of ministry I have never spoken on the topic of racism. But like other important issues modern man faces, the Bible does have much to say on this issue of which we will only be able to skim the surface in this sermon.