The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so powerful. As you observe at the world around you, it’s easy to look at certain people and assume they will never find Christ. Think of the Muslim extremist or a Buddhist monk, a die-hard atheist or even a Satanist. As Pastor Danny explains in today’s message, the inhabitants of Crete would have drawn the same assumptions. They were wicked pagans – yet the Gospel was taken to them and infiltrated their hearts, transforming them into Children of God.

The Gospel does not discriminate based on culture or background. It can cross borders and connect with the hearts of people on either side of any dividing line. As Pastor Danny reminds us in today’s study, the message you carry is a powerful, counter-cultural one. It took Saul, a persecutor of Christians and set him on a course towards becoming one of their most influential leaders. In the same way it can take any one of us and transform us from sinner to saint.

Before God spoke the world into existence, He knew the future. He knew humans would sin, and He knew He'd have to have an alternative. God was aware of the problems that were going to arise, and yet, He CHOSE to create you! In today's message, Pastor Danny will remind you that Jesus dying on the cross for your sins was the plan from the very beginning! God created you to be part of His Kingdom and to have eternal life with Him, and so He was willing to do whatever it took to give you that option!

As Pastor Danny finishes up in the book of 2 Timothy today, he'll introduce you to some of the people mentioned by Paul. One of these is Mark. A man who had abandoned Paul on the mission field. God wasn't done with him because of this though. He restored Mar and renewed the call on his life, giving him another chance to make an impact for the kingdom. You too may have walked away from your calling but God is not done with you yet. He is a God of restoration and He still has a plan for you.

The Church is fully capable of failing. We fail at upholding our duty to serve each other just as we fail to live lives that reflect the grace we’ve been by God. Gratefully, your salvation is not based on your performance, but, as Pastor Danny challenges you in today’s message, you should desire to do your absolute best to serve God as well as the people around you. Even if the Church fails you, you can stand up in the knowledge that God never fails you and He will give you the strength to persevere.

Sin has eternal consequences - whether it’s committed by a believer or an unbeliever. Those consequences are drastically different, but still, the believer is exhorted to live a life that glorifies God and builds His Kingdom. As Pastor Danny continues to lead us through 2nd Timothy, you will be reminded that anything that detracts from that mission robs you of the fullness of joy that Christ desires for you. Ultimately, you will stand before Him, and you want to hear the words “well done.”