My weekly pastor’s desk has always been written in such a way as to correspond with the coming Sunday’s message.  This Sunday I’ll finish preaching through 2 Timothy, last of an eleven week series. 

As I starting pondering over the text (2 Timothy 4: 1-8) and preparing for this week, my thoughts, heart and prayers were drawn to the many tragic things that have taken place this week: earthquake in Haiti - killing thousands; Taliban takeover of Afghanistan; a mother/daughter’s death in car accident traveling to first day of college; four young teens killed in traffic accident on their way to one last trip to the ocean before beginning school!   Listening to the tragic news unfolding, I  questioned - Lord, should I be preaching on this text?!  As I begun to exegesis the text (interpretation of the text), I had my answer -yes.

The setting of 2 Timothy is Paul in a Roman prison awaiting his execution and fellow followers of Jesus enduring persecution outside.  And what is Paul’s focus?  The gospel - preach the word, in season and out of season! 

Certainly this was out of season for Paul and the gospel.  These were not favorable circumstances, humanly speaking, for the gospel.  But Paul as he was sitting in that cold, damp cell awaiting execution, understood there was a greater spiritual reality - Paul new that people were going into an eternity lost without Jesus Christ!  Paul reminds us that it is “the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead.”  Jesus said, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 11:28).

None of us know how our life on earth will end, we only know that it will come one day and that we need to be ready!  I feel so helpless of the tragedies that are going on in our Nation and world, but I can pray!  I can witness.  I can preach the good news of Jesus Christ in good times and not so good times!  As follower’s of Jesus Christ you and I too can stand upon His promises “but the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4: 17-18).

“To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

“The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Grace be with you. Amen.”

Pastor Rodney