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Well, good evening, everyone. 
It's good to see you once again. You can turn with me your Bibles 
to the book of 2 Timothy chapter 2, sorry, chapter 1. 2 Timothy chapter 1. We're gonna look at verses 8 through 
12 this evening, but I will read all the way to verse 18 to set 
the context. So 2nd Timothy 1, we'll begin 
reading at verse 8. but share with me in the sufferings 
for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us 
and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but 
according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to 
us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed 
by the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has abolished 
death and brought life into mortality to light through the gospel. 
to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of 
the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer 
these things. Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, 
for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able 
to keep what I have committed to him until that day. Hold fast 
the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith 
and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which 
was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in 
us. This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from 
me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant 
mercy to the household of Anesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and 
was not ashamed of my chain. But when he arrived in Rome, 
he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant 
to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that day. And 
you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus. 
Amen. Well, let us pray. Our Lord of 
hosts, thank you, O God, that you turn the sands of time. And 
we're thankful, O God, for the clarity with which you give us 
in the scriptures concerning the realities of your people. 
We know, O God, that we are elect exiles in the land. We know that 
this world is not our home. And we know, O God, that you 
promised through many tribulations we shall enter the kingdom of 
heaven. Thank you, O God, that you prepare us for sufferings, 
that you prepare us for persecution. And we're thankful, O God, that 
we can rejoice in such times because we are found in Christ. 
Thank you, O God, for this gospel that saves. Thank you, God, for 
this gospel that changes. Thank you, God, that our Savior 
has defeated death and brought life and light. And we pray, 
O God, that we would consider Christ altogether lovely and 
chief among 10,000, and that we would even be faithful unto 
death because of our great and glorious Savior who died for 
us. And we know, O God, that we need strength to do so. We 
know that we need your power. We need your spirit. And even 
today, O God, as we walk this world, we know that we need your 
spirit to help us in our daily battles. And so we ask, O God, 
even tonight, that you would send forth your spirit, that 
you would speak to us concerning these things, that we would not 
be ashamed of the gospel, that we would not be ashamed of those 
who suffer, that we would not be ashamed of your worship and 
who you are, O God, that we'd seek to stand fast in such trying 
times. We also pray, O God, that you'd 
be pleased to save sinners and call them out of darkness into 
marvelous light, for you are a God who is mighty to save, 
and you save great sinners because you are a great Savior. So we 
ask, O God, that you'd send forth your Spirit, be pleased to bless 
the preaching and the teaching as it goes forth, And we pray, 
oh God, in all things you would be glorified. And we pray these 
things in the name of Christ. Amen. Well, perhaps sometimes 
for the church in North America, perhaps sometimes we like to 
romanticize suffering. Perhaps we sometimes like to 
romanticize persecution. Wouldn't it be great to suffer 
in such a way like other people do around the world? Maybe you 
don't think that way, but sometimes I have thought that way in the 
past, and it's absolutely wrong thing to think. And perhaps even 
we read church history as well, and we read perhaps the ones 
who did not stand up in such times, and we think, I would 
never ever do what they did. I would never kowtow. I would 
never bow down. Well, brethren, it's best we 
never say the I would nevers, because the time we say the I 
would nevers is usually when God teaches us a very important 
lesson. And you see, even though we aren't 
supposed to go looking for persecution, we're not essentially looking 
for pain and suffering, nonetheless we need to be prepared for it 
when it does come. Persecution in the body and the 
mind is extremely painful. I don't know that I know what 
that's like personally, but when you read about what the Brethren 
go through around the world, it's trying, it's difficult, 
and what others have said concerning it. And I don't have a lot of 
hope in man, because we've had a bit of a precursor, haven't 
we? We've had a bit of a test. We've had finally oppression 
from the government, from without, and most people bent the knee 
and bowed to Caesar. Even if it was just a threat 
of a fine, threat of psychological social shame, in this instance 
the Church has failed. I must confess I'm going to be 
a bit candid this evening because we need to be candid concerning 
suffering and shame and what that looks like. We need to be 
reminded who our Christ is and what the gospel says and how 
we are called to suffer and told we are going to suffer for such 
a cause. And the only way that we stand 
firm in such times is not by our own strength but by the power 
of God most high because we in reality are going to suffer for 
the sake of the gospel. That's what Paul has done. That's 
what Paul is doing right now as he writes his last letter. 
The last letter, the last thing that Paul writes is while he's 
about to face the death penalty and have his head lopped off. 
And as he writes, there's two main themes we see in 2 Timothy, 
namely the themes of suffering and the themes of succession. 
And the one who's going to succeed, Paul, namely Timothy, is also 
going to suffer just like Paul did as well. He's giving Timothy 
a warning before that comes. And when it comes, he will face 
suffering, but he gives him his marching orders and he gives 
him encouragement as this time does come. And that really is 
the main problem that we see, especially in these verses in 
2 Timothy. The problem of suffering and 
shame for Christ. That's why it's important for 
God's people to be prepared. Isn't God good that way? He prepares 
us and gives us clarity and tells us we're going to suffer. We 
suffer in many ways, dear brethren, but perhaps the suffering tonight 
we can draw out is the suffering of persecution, even shame to 
the extent of imprisonment. We need God to help us in such 
times, God to strengthen us to endure such suffering. We need God to be near us to 
stand firm in such times when our lives, livelihoods, and reputations 
are threatened. That's what we see here in this 
exhortation, in these five verses. Paul exhorts Timothy to what? 
Not be ashamed. And he gives us two things we 
ought not to be ashamed of, which are our main points. The gospel 
that shames in verses 8 through 10, and we see one who suffers 
shame, or we can call an example of suffering in verses 11 and 
12. So we're going to see the gospel that shames in verses 
8 through 10, and an example of suffering in verses 11 and 
12, and there's a lot of suffering in this book as well, but we'll 
draw in on these verses this evening. So first of all, the 
gospel that shames, and notice we see that commandment there 
for us in verse 8, therefore do not be ashamed. And he's already gone on to talk 
about, or prior to, in verse seven, he says, for God has not 
given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love and of a sound 
mind. We already have a spirit given 
boldness when we suffer, and perhaps the opposite effect of 
fear. Interesting he says that, right? 
We're not supposed to have a spirit of fear. We're not supposed to 
fear men, which unfortunately, I must confess, sometimes I do, 
and I perhaps surmise that you do as well, but we're not supposed 
to. We're supposed to not fear man, not fear suffering, but 
fear God, and recognize what power that we do have, the power 
of the Spirit, the power of love, and the power of sound mind. 
It only comes from the power of the Holy Spirit. You see, 
Paul, even before he gets into the exhortation in verse eight, 
reminds Timothy of what he has already in the Savior, what he 
has already as that gift and down payment of the Holy Spirit. 
And the Holy Spirit shall be with all of us in this Christian 
life, and also when we suffer as well. He goes on to say in 
verse 14, talking about the pattern of sound words he must hold to, 
not innovation, not anything new, but the words that have 
been handed down, he says, that good thing, which was committed 
to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. So it only 
comes from the Holy Spirit. We have the Spirit of God, and 
as such, we ought not to have a spirit of fear. That's what 
the therefore is there for. Therefore, verse eight, do not 
be ashamed. Now in the Graeco-Roman world, 
the common currency wasn't so much finances, although that 
played a part, it was the idea of honor and shame. And we see 
that a lot in our modern context as well, peer pressure. Whatever 
the world says, we kowtow to it. Let's be honest, we feel 
that pressure sometimes, don't we? to wear something, to inject 
something. You have personal choice, I believe, 
in those areas. But when it's coerced, you feel 
that pressure, don't you? Peer pressure, the world determines, 
culture determines what is shameful and what is honorable. And that 
same language and that same idea was also found here in the Graeco-Roman 
world as well. That's why he says, therefore, 
Timothy, do not be ashamed. And the implication is there's 
going to be things that he's about to mention for which people 
are ashamed of. He's going to talk about the 
gospel, and he's going to talk about servants who suffer. Sometimes people are ashamed 
of those two things, and as such we ought not to be. And this 
idea of suffering and shame, or the words for shaming, does 
come up again in verse 12 and in verse 16. We'll unpack that 
a little bit more as we go through, but the reality is we're going 
to face ridicule and rejection for the following things. And 
notice those two things that we ought not to be ashamed about, 
but things we will face shame and ridicule over. He says, therefore 
do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. This is that reference 
to the gospel and its message in its entirety. This is that 
deposit that has been handed down that Paul and Timothy and 
the ministers of God's word must pass down regardless of the situation. What's interesting is later on 
in the book in 2 Timothy 4, he says, preach the word in season 
and out of season. You know what that means? when 
it's convenient and when it's inconvenient. And when the police 
come knocking on the door, that's an inconvenient time, isn't it? 
To be preaching the Word of God. And so what are we supposed to 
do? Preach the Word of God and not waver or kowtow or pander 
the message of the state. We must preach Christ in all 
its glory. And even too, when you think 
about that idea of honor and shame in the Graeco-Roman world, 
when we think about Christ's death and what that meant, and 
the shame that he went through at that time. Brethren, he suffered 
as a terrorist, didn't he? There is a question answer in 
the children's catechism that says, what kind of death did 
Christ die? Painful, shameful of the cross 
is Lucy's answer. painful, shameful of the cross. He hung on that cross naked, 
dear brethren, and everybody walked by, so that when they 
saw that, they would not do the same thing. And so this message 
really is scandalous, isn't it? This message is a stumbling block. 
When Paul would go preach Christ, you mean the guy who died as 
a terrorist? It brings great honor and great joy, sorry, it 
brings great shame when you consider what he did and how he died. 
Bearing shame and scoffing rude in my place, condemned he stood. This gospel is shameful, but 
it's also a gospel for which God's people shall be shamed 
over as well, and it's something we ought not to be ashamed of. 
For only in it is there eternal life. Only in it is there hope. Only in it is there true peace 
that comes from above. So we ought not to be ashamed 
of that testimony of our Lord, but notice also what he says, 
nor of me, his prisoner. We ought not to be ashamed of 
those servants of Christ who are thrown in prison, right? 
Think about all that we went through this past year. Think 
about all that some men went through this past year, and think 
about that in the context of what's going on. Perhaps there 
were heretics at that time, men who called themselves Christians, 
would have said, Paul must be cursed because he's in prison, 
right? He doesn't have the blessings from on high. Look what's happening 
to him. He's in prison. We ought not 
to believe that message. In fact, that's the main issue 
in the book of 2 Corinthians. These super apostles, so to speak. That's why Paul writes and tells 
all that he went through for the sake of the gospel. All the 
suffering that he went through for Christ and him crucified. 
He's not some super apostle. Suffering is part and parcel 
of the Christian life and part and parcel for one who is called 
to be a minister of it as Well, they would say, Paul has no influence, 
but Timothy, you must know, those who are Christ's shall suffer, 
and those who do not waver in that truth shall suffer. So do 
not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me. Christians shame other Christians, 
right? When we don't like what they're 
doing. And maybe we shame them because we perhaps recognize 
we don't have such faith as they do have. Think about James Coates. Did you hear a lot of references 
to him as one who was arrogant and selfish and one who just 
wanted attention? Yeah, because he loved being 
away from his family for a month. That was wonderful. Not being 
next to his wife and children. He did not do it when you read 
his, see his interviews, same with Tim Stevens. They did not 
do it for fame and attention. They did it for Christ and him 
crucified. And God's people were ashamed 
of them and called them arrogant and called them ones who just 
did it for power and for notoriety. Brethren, Paul warns us here. 
Do not be ashamed of the testimony, nor of me, his prisoner. That 
is reality. Those who are called God's people, 
those who name the name of Christ, are gonna shame one another. 
And we thankfully there's forgiveness and mercy when we do such things. 
Christ is good. But brother, we ought not to 
be ashamed of his prisoner. And notice that, his prisoner. No amount of prison is going 
to separate him from God. Guthrie says, men might imprison 
his body, but they can never enslave his spirit. To whom does 
he belong? His prisoner. He is, do not be 
ashamed, Timothy, of these things. And you see in verse 15, this 
you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among 
whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. There were men who were ashamed 
of Paul and what he stood for. So Paul tells Timothy, do not 
be ashamed of these things, but notice the succession of suffering 
in verse eight, but share with me in the sufferings for the 
gospel according to the power of God. The reality is, Timothy, 
you're gonna suffer just like I am for this message. If I suffer 
such things, so too will you suffer such things. Most assuredly, 
you'll be in chains like me. In fact, he says that, And two, 
three, you therefore must endure hardship, or perhaps similar 
word for sufferings, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. The 
soldier enlists to serve the master and do what the master 
says. And as such, one may suffer and 
is likely going to suffer for such things. Share with me in 
the sufferings for that gospel, for that Christ, and notice how 
we do it according to the power of God. That's the only way we 
can stand up, dear brethren, in such times, the only way. 
When you hear men who have great faith and great might, we must 
recognize that it was a great God who upheld them. I'm sure 
they had their moments where their knees were a-knocking. 
Brethren, we did not have the same amount of crackdown that 
you guys had here, but we did have one knock one Sunday, and 
I admit my knees were shaking, and I felt terrible that my knees 
were shaking at such times. Sometimes we do fear man, but 
brethren, we ought to fear God more. We ought to trust in Him 
and look to Him and recognize that He warns us we are going 
to suffer in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power 
of God. And we do it by God's grace and 
mercy and power. And then in verse 9, notice he 
goes, the reason why we suffer such things. He says his glorious 
gospel in verses 9 and 10. Notice the salvation that comes 
from God Almighty. This is why we suffer. There's 
nothing more glorious than Christ in him crucified. Do we truly 
value him above all things? Have we treated him as the king 
he is, even before COVID hit? Those are things we have to consider. 
And so notice the plan. He recalls who saved us and called 
us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to 
his own purpose. and grace which was given to 
us in Christ Jesus before time began. It's almost like he can't 
contain himself anymore. He goes on to talk about now 
the plan of God, saved us and called us. It is Christ who saves, 
not us. It is Christ who works, not us, 
dear brethren. And what's so interesting, too, 
I think sometimes as we're formful, because we're so focused on election, 
which is true, and we believe it, we forget the personal nature 
of it, don't we? Christ died for me. If you believed on Jesus Christ 
and confessed your faith in him, you can have assurance that Christ 
died for you. That is not a wrong thing to 
think. And he says that, who has saved 
us and called us. The power of Christ's Gospel, 
the power of the Word, saves sinners, saves individuals, calls 
them forth out of darkness into marvelous light. And we can be 
assured of such things. It is by God's grace He has called 
us and set us apart to live a holy life. Not our life, but His life 
that He's called us to live according to His ways, not according to 
our ways. But let's be honest, sometimes 
we'd rather live our ways than Christ's ways, wouldn't we? We'd 
rather live in ways that please ourselves than God, but we are 
called to live a holy calling in a holy way. So notice, he 
says that, not according to our works, but according to his own 
purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before 
time began. God had a plan to save. And that 
includes all the sufferings that God's people go through. So notice 
we see that plan of salvation, but notice its revelation in 
Jesus in verse 10. God's plan eternity revealed 
in history, God's plan of salvation promised, God's plan of salvation 
fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It is manifested, has now been 
revealed in this one, the appearing of our savior, Jesus Christ. 
What's interesting, that word appearing is only found six times 
in the New Testament, mostly in the past orals, three times 
in 2 Timothy. And in 2 Timothy, we see it talking 
about his first coming and also about his second coming later 
on in 2 Timothy chapter 4. But this first part talks about 
his first coming. It is that accomplishment that 
is found in Christ the Lord. When he comes, there is revelation 
about salvation. Accomplishment, that there is 
forgiveness for sinners, and this one who suffered a costly 
life for his people. He accomplished, and notice what 
he does when he comes, who has abolished death and brought life 
and immortality to light through the gospel. He has abolished 
death, but it is not as though death that we will not face death. Death has lost its sting, that's 
why we don't need to be afraid in the face of death. Sometimes 
we are afraid in the face of death. We ought not to be. There 
is no bridge over the river of death, dear brethren, but once 
crossed, we are at that celestial city. To live is Christ, to die 
is gain. We ought not to fear what the 
world may do. The world can kill the body, 
but it cannot kill the soul. Christ has come and abolished 
such things and notice he's brought life and mortality to light through 
this blessed gospel. Christ is life, Christ is light, 
Christ is perfect, Christ is glorious, and Christ in his gospel 
has defeated death and brought life for his people and a life 
that shall not end. Even though we die, we shall 
live with Christ forever and ever. That's why Paul can say, 
I'm not ashamed to suffer such things, because I know who my 
Savior, Jesus Christ, is. And again, we are sometimes afraid 
and timid. Dear brethren, that's why it's 
only by God's grace we stand, even when there is oppression 
from without. Brethren, you really ought to praise God for your 
pastor who stood up in such times, such difficult situations, the 
ridicule, the public shame. He stood up to honor his God, 
but also to feed his flock and to feed his people, to make sure 
you didn't spiritually starve. I praise God I have such a mentor 
like him as well. I know he's not a perfect man, 
dear brethren, but he was not afraid to die. and not afraid 
to suffer such things because of Christ. Christ brings life 
and light and immortality through his blessed gospel. That's why 
we're not supposed to be ashamed of one another and ashamed to 
suffer. And again, there is mercy and 
forgiveness in the times that we are fearful, but God Nonetheless, 
we are called not to be ashamed of our brethren. If you stand 
fast and do not waver, you will be ridiculed, you will likely 
suffer, you will have emotional, relational, physical things that 
may be trying, but there is a Christ who walks with us. God will be 
our help. God will be with us every step 
of the way. Towner says, what the Spirit 
provides is power to endure the stress that comes from bearing 
witness to God, not a removal to some safe place. I guess another 
way to say that would be a safe space. But in any case, God is 
the one who is with us. He walks with us through the 
fires. He walks with us through the 
valley of the shadow of death. His rod and his staff, they comfort 
us. But it's very clear that we shall 
walk through such difficulties and trials. We ought not to be 
ashamed to suffer. We ought not to be ashamed of 
our brethren. That's why we read about voice of the martyrs too. 
Hebrews 12 talks about we must remember those who are in chains. If you want to be convicted about 
this, listen to anything by Albert Martin, but specifically his 
four sermons on remembering the prisoner. Very convicting and 
eye-opening. What those people go through. 
Physical, emotional pain. Even point out the fact that 
husbands separated from wives for a long time, Away from the 
marriage bed for such a long time? Away from their family 
for such a long time? Torture for such a long time? 
It's not an easy thing, dear brother. Again, God must give 
us strength to endure such things. That's why it's important we 
read the atrocities that our brethren go through, even if 
it's unsavory for our North American context. We must remember our 
brethren who are in chains. We ought not to be ashamed of 
this gospel that does But we also ought not to be ashamed 
of those who suffer. And notice in verses 11 and 12, 
we see an example of suffering. To which I was appointed a preacher. 
He was appointed to preach. He was appointed as an apostle 
and as a teacher of the Gentiles. To which I was appointed a preacher, 
an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. And notice where 
his authority comes from. This is important, isn't it, 
in that modern context. To whom do pastors serve above 
all? God, Christ. To the point pastors must be 
prepared to be fired to do what's right according to Jesus. The 
soldier enlists to serve the master. And hopefully as he serves 
the master, then he then can serve his flock in such a way. Our allegiance and the pastor's 
allegiance is not to the government, but to Jesus Christ. He says 
that, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a 
teacher of the Gentiles. Perhaps the designations highlight 
that he is the one who preaches his message, not his own, as 
was reminded during the reading. He's an apostle appointed by 
God. He's been given authority and a purpose to spread the message 
throughout the Gentile world. He's also a teacher, one who 
teaches sound doctrine, even if people don't like it. He warns 
about there's going to be people who heap up and maze up men that 
they want. Men who perhaps are weak, men 
who perhaps pander, men who preach touchy-feely things rather than 
the message of Jesus Christ. He warns about those things. 
It's not just the pastors, but the people in the pew. That's 
why we always, all of us, have to be on guard and ever watchful. But Paul has been appointed, 
to which I was appointed, a preacher, an apostle, and teacher of the 
Gentiles." These specific things. This is why I suffer. This is 
why I'm not ashamed. He goes on to say that in verse 
12. For this reason, I also suffer these things. The message is 
scandalous. People are not going to like 
what he says. Again, that link with verse 8. He's prepared by 
the risen Lord in Acts chapter 9. Sinners don't want to hear 
this message. You're a sinner and you need 
Christ. You're a wretch and you need 
Jesus. It is the greatest message and the greatest message of love 
we've ever heard. The sun come down. But people 
don't like that sin part, right? They want to earn their way. I'm a righteous person. It's 
about myself. It's about self-expression. Think 
about calling someone, even our modern context. That's all it's 
about, my own self-expression. So when you come and say to them, 
hey, you can't live like that. What are you doing? You're attacking 
their very personhood, according to them, so to speak. That's 
why there's such volatility and hatred. And that's going to only 
increase. When you challenge someone on their personhood, 
they will view that as a threat. That's why we're like, why are 
they tearing down statues of John A. MacDonald and statues 
like this? Because they're threats to their 
ideas now. It's not just we don't know history, 
there's a reason they're doing what they're doing, because their 
very personhood is threatened. And when someone's personhood 
is threatened, even by our message, it's going to be one that brings 
shame, and perhaps one that brings persecution as well. And so he 
understands he suffers for these things. Nevertheless, I am not 
ashamed. Paul still says this in prison. 
And as he faces death, I am not ashamed of my Christ and who 
he is and what he has done for me. He says a similar, it's the 
same word used in Romans 1, 16 and 17, concerning that gospel, 
for I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power 
of God to salvation for everyone who believes. He's not ashamed 
then when he's perhaps not under persecution, and he's not ashamed 
of it when he is under persecution as, well, he's persuaded of it. 
And he goes on to say, for I know whom I have believed, and I am 
persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to 
him until that day, regardless of what the elites say, regardless 
of what the government says, regardless of what people might 
say. His allegiance is to God and Christ alone. There is this 
famous quote from Martin Luther, the one where he says, here I 
stand, although we don't know if that's actually in the original, 
if he actually said that. But nonetheless, it was in the 
context, they were asking him, Luther, why aren't you towing 
the line and just doing what we've always done? This is his 
response. Since then, your majesty, in 
your lordship's desire, a simple reply, I will answer without 
horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by scripture 
and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, 
for they have contradicted each other. My conscience is captive 
to the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant 
anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God 
help me. Perhaps your I stand was there. 
Amen. He knows that gospel and he stood 
for it and he paid dearly for it as well. But he knew what 
that gospel was and was persuaded of whom he has believed. And 
notice even Paul is persuaded of this message. And he's persuaded 
as well that Christ will keep it no matter what the church 
goes through. There shall always be a true 
church in this world, dear brethren. Again, I know we sometimes go 
like, boy, the church doesn't look so good. There's always 
going to be a true church in this world, always. There's always 
going to be that gospel that goes forward. And notice, which 
is, I have committed to Him until that day. Until Christ comes 
back, there will always be a true church. Regardless of how fearful 
and how crazy the world gets, there's always going to be true 
churches. There's always going to be salvation. 
There's always going to be saving grace. There's always going to 
be that gospel that goes forward. Think about in countries like 
China or Afghanistan, in places where you go, how in the world 
are there churches there when there's such hatred? God shall 
always have his church. And even too, it's in the context 
that he uses of eschatology. Isn't eschatology so wonderfully 
practical? When you think about the hope 
that we look ahead to, and even in the context that there shall 
always be a true church until that day. And even in that context, 
that day perhaps there is some allusion back to Zephaniah chapter 
1. In Zephaniah chapter 1, perhaps, it's talking about the coming 
destruction for the Old Covenant people in 586 under Babylon, 
but destruction is a precursor in type for the Day of Judgment 
when Christ comes back. And a few times he says in that 
day, he prays that the Lord would grant him that he may find mercy 
from the Lord in that day, verse 18. Or later on, as he's about 
to die, he says, he knows there's going to be a righteous judge 
laid up for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord 
will give to me on that day. Even though he dies, he knows 
what he's going to receive on that day. And it isn't because 
he is good, it's because Christ is glorious and merciful and 
kind. I have committed to him, that 
good deposit, that word of commitment is similar to what we see in 
620 and 114 as well, at which I was committed, that good thing 
which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit. And he says 
that in verse 12, that he knows that it shall be committed until 
that day. The truth shall be handed down. 
There shall always be a true church. Kingdoms rise and fall. And Paul understood too, even 
though he was a gift to the church as a pastor, a preacher, apostle, 
teacher, he knew that it would continue. He knew that it would 
advance. And he knew it would be handed 
down. And he took great confidence 
in that. Because the gospel has unsurpassed value, doesn't it? 
There is nothing more glorious and good than Christ and all 
that He has done. And it is for this gospel that 
God's people will suffer. The basis for our suffering is 
that the gospel is of eternal value, and thankfully the sufferings 
and persecutions do not compare to that eternal weight of glory. 
We have to so be reminded of that. The sufferings of this 
present age, and God's people go through a lot of suffering, 
even without persecution. We all have daily sins, daily 
battles, daily sorrows that we all go through. but they do not 
compare to the eternal weight of glory that awaits God's people. 
The creation groans for the day of redemption. God's people groan 
and sigh for that day of redemption. We all have to be reminded of 
the cost of suffering for the sake of knowing the eternal King. It's the reason for which we 
suffer. This is where I'm going to deal with some of the arguments 
perhaps we've heard during COVID. If I make you feel uncomfortable, 
I'm really not that sorry. Because we have to be reminded 
and think about these things that come about, so we're prepared 
for the next time that it will happen. Think of some of the 
things you've heard. Perhaps one you've heard is, 
well, they're not saying we can't preach the gospel. and we're 
only supposed to suffer for the gospel's sake, and that is true. 
But do you remember Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 5? Suffering 
for righteousness' sake. And that includes worship as 
well. Even when we gather Hebrews 10, 
25, do not forsake the assembly, even as you see that day approaching. And how many of our forefathers 
did not forsake the assembling, even though they were being encroached 
on by the government and told not to do such things. Mark 10, 
Jesus says, many will have left father and mother and family, 
not just for the gospel's sake, but for my sake. Think about 
our forefathers, the particular Baptists, when the Confession 
was being written. 1677 is when it was actually 
written. 1689 was the act of toleration. But before that, it was the act 
of uniformity. You had to conform to the Church 
of England. And you know what our brethren 
were called? The non-conformists. And what's interesting is they 
were buried in shame at a place called Bunhill Fields. And perhaps 
I've mentioned that before. It'd be a great place to be on 
the Day of Redemption, or the Day of Salvation. That's where 
John Owen is and John Bunyan are. I remember we were there 
a couple of years ago. And all these people, it's in a business 
district, they're walking through Bunhill Fields. And they have 
no idea what they're walking under right now. I'm like, I 
can't believe this. All the history that's here, 
all of these men went through. And they're all just walking 
by, like no big deal. They were the non-conformists. So that's not a very great argument. 
We suffer for righteousness' sake. And throughout history, 
people have suffered for the sake of worshiping and gathering 
together. Perhaps another one you've heard 
is, well, they aren't targeting Christians, so it's not persecution. 
Read about the Roman Empire, dear brethren. If you towed the 
line, you wouldn't be persecuted. What was the problem with the 
Christians? They didn't tow the line, so they were persecuted, 
weren't they? And perhaps you hear some churches 
say, well, if we just do what the government says, we're not 
gonna be persecuted. Yeah, that's true. If you do what the government 
says, you're not going to be persecuted, which leads or raises the question, 
what leads to persecution, dear brethren? I think it's disobedience 
to the world, including the government, for the sake of obeying Christ. Isn't that what persecution is? 
And whether it's persecution or not, we obey God above all. Whether the government is encroaching 
or not, we obey Christ above all. Christ is our King. And dare I say, closed churches 
became state churches. You want to know what they did, 
dear brethren? They starved the sheep to appease the goats. Didn't they do that? Is that 
loving your neighbor? There's another argument that 
comes up, doesn't it? Love your neighbor. Loving your 
neighbor is more than just putting on a mask. And in fact, I would 
dare I say the first neighbor we ought to love are our fellow 
brethren. That's the first neighbor that we love and care for. Does 
not Jesus say, they will know you by your love for one another. 
Doesn't he say that? I'm not saying we don't care 
for the world in proper situations, but love your neighbor. Isn't 
this one be all and end all? Shouldn't it be good to love 
our neighbor to gather so that the sheep do not starve? Shouldn't 
it be good to love our neighbor so that God's people aren't wavering, 
so that people can find hope and peace in the Christian message? 
Or even think economically. Apparently, lockdowns did 282 
times more damage than COVID. Is that loving our neighbor, 
dear brethren? There's a lot of things to think about, isn't 
there? It's not just a one size fits all, be all and end all. 
And dare I say, when you consider everything that went on in this 
past situation, I don't think they hold up. We have to obey 
God rather than man. We have to obey Christ rather 
than men. And perhaps we all need to ask 
ourselves, myself included, prior, during, and after COVID, did 
we? And do we highly prize Christ, 
His gospel, and His people? We ought to pray now in times 
when there's peace, not to be complacent. That happens. I mentioned that this morning, 
not to be complacent. That's when it happens, when 
things are good. Okay, it's fine. We can do this out of the other. 
Pray now, when before the government begins beating down our doors, 
that God would help us stand in such times. We've got to pray 
with more fervency in times of peace that we do not fall in 
times of oppression. And thankfully, again, there 
is a good God and a patient Christ when we are fearful, when we 
waver. He is merciful and good. But 
thankfully, he caused us to stand in such times. If you're an unbeliever, 
this is the reason that many Christians are persecuted. In 
fact, they're the most persecuted minority in the entire world. 
It's because of Christ and his gospel, hatred toward the king, 
but they love Christ and value him above all. I pray that you 
look to him, believe on him, have everlasting life, know that 
he has abolished death and brought immortality and peace that surpasses 
all understanding. And that can't be found in any 
message, but in Christ alone. Believe on him, you shall be 
saved. And for God's people, may he 
help us not to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or 
of his prisoners. Let us pray. Our God, we are thankful that 
you cause us to stand in difficult and trying circumstances. We're 
even more thankful, O God, for the message of your word and 
your gospel and what that means for your people. Is Christ altogether 
lovely and chief among 10,000? And we know, O God, that we can 
only say such things and think such things because of your work 
and because of your spirit. And so we ask, O God, that you 
would forgive us for the times we are ashamed. We are ashamed 
of your message and ashamed of your prisoner. And we ask, O 
God, that you'd help us to not be ashamed of your message or 
your prisoners. Thank you, O God, that you cause 
us to stand. Thank you, O God, for clarity 
and reminders of your word and your truth and what it means 
and what it considers. We pray, O God, that we would 
stand in such times because of that message. And we know, oh 
God, only you can cause us to do so. So help us, encourage 
us, give us strength that only comes from on high. And we pray, 
oh God, that you would do a mighty work to save sinners and call 
them out of darkness into marvelous light. Thank you for your grace 
and for your love towards your people. We pray these things 
in the name of Christ, amen. We'll close with a brief time 
meditation. The piano's finished, you are dismissed.