SUNDAY LESSON, 8/9/20
“AM I SURE ABOUT THIS?”
2 Timothy 1:11-12
“He loved this world” (2 Timothy 4:10). That is the reason Paul gave for Demas, a one-time faithful servant of the Lord, deserting him and leaving the service of Christ. Somewhere in his Christian walk Demas pondered the question: “Am I sure about this?” And he wasn’t!
On the other hand, Paul was so sure about who Jesus was and confident in his relationship with Christ that he was willing to die for Him. On the day of his execution by the order of Nero, the infamous emperor of Rome, I think the question “Am I sure about this?” may have crossed the apostle’s mind. “Is Jesus worth dying for?” “Is He really the Son of God?” “Is there really life after death?” “Is there really a place called ‘Heaven’?”
The last letter that Paul wrote was to Timothy, his “child in the faith”, to assure him that despite his impending execution he still believes that Jesus is the Son of God and that his faith in Him is still worth dying for. In fact, Paul is so confident about who Jesus is that he urges Timothy to “Preach the Word” to those who can teach others so that the message of Christ will pass down to generation to generation (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Paul wanted everyone to have the same opportunity as he to confidently know that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.
2 Timothy 1:11-12
11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.