DCLM Higher Everyday 13 November 2023 — Hold God’s World Fast
Topic: Hold God’s World Fast
Text: 2 Timothy 1: 8-13
9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12For the which cause 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 that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Key Verse: “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
Message
Evangelical Christianity reels as shock wave after shock wave of high profile Christians declare they are abandoning their faith. Former pastors now proclaim themselves atheists. According to Anchors way Statistical Sheet on moral / spiritual condition of today’s culture, 80-90% of Christian students lose their faith by the time they graduate from college. According to the same study, 64% of born-again Christians question some aspects of the word of God. The study was conducted in USA and was published in Christianity Today, August 2010.
There are many reasons why people who previously believed the word of God and express faith in the Lord Jesus Christ eventually waver in their faith. In our text, Paul recognized the afflictions of the gospel and the shame of the testimony of Jesus as possible causes. It is possible that some of those who lost their faith never really had faith to begin with. Some had faith, but the roots were shallow. And when exposed to a crisis and trial, their faith crashed. To hold fast to the word of God, you must be fully persuaded. And you must keep that good thing which was committed unto you.
Quote: You must be fully persuaded
Challenge: Will your anchor hold?
Prayer for today: Lord, I believe your word.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
