June 28, 2021: SOAP #4225:  Amos 1-3; Psalm 80; 2Timothy 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

OBSERVATION:  Paul worked in the awareness of two continuous realities.  The realities had their beginning in the past, were in the present, and would reach into the future.    
-The first was the continuum of his life.  He had “fought the good fight… finished the race…kept the faith.”  Now he would continue his life in the presence of the Lord who would reward him.  
-The second was the continuum of the church.  That for which Paul had been living his life would continue long after his departure (death).  Timothy needed to be prepared to continue serving the church. 

APPLICATION:  I need to see my life in relationship to the same continuous realities.  How I live my life now will affect how I live after my physical death.  It was a birthing process that brought me into this world, and death will be the birthing process that will take me into the continuation of my life in God’s eternity. 
-I need to see my ministry in relationship to the continuing church.  The environment will change, but the church will remain, and God’s truth will remain.  I must give understanding and application to the message in God’s word.  God’s word remains truth across all cultures and all times.  The part that is true in the USA is just as true in Asia and Africa.  What is true in Bangladesh is just as true in Pakistan and USA.  What was true in Moses’ day remains true today.  What is true today will always be true. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to be faithful in continuing to love and serve you. …to love and serve your . Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!