In continuing Part IV of our sermon series: “Endure”, we see that Paul encouraged Timothy, his “son in the ministry,” to keep going. To Continue. In verses 1-7, Pastor Wallace shares with us the things that are needed for Timothy and you to continue on. They are: 1) The Pattern of a Godly Life (vv. 10-11); 2) The Price of a Godly Life (vv. 12-13); 3) The Perseverance of a Godly Life (vv. 14-15); and 4) The Provisions of a Godly Life (vv. 16-17). Simply stated, Timothy had to LIVE IN the Scriptures – live, move, and have his being in the Scripture. And more importantly, he had to LIVE OUT the Scripture – continue to walk and live in the truths of the Scripture. Why: Because the Word of God is profitable. A Christian who ignores the Word is like a fish that ignores the water. We will never continue and finish well without prioritizing God’s Word. Before we can ever continue, we have to make sure we have actually started! AMEN

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In today’s message, Paul is telling Timothy to receive strength, to be strengthened. The source of that strength is not in Timothy. He did not tell Timothy “be strong by believing in himself.” He did not say, “be strong for me.” He said: “be strong in the grace.” The source of strength is in Christ Jesus. Pastor Wallace challenges us to think about two critical questions: 1) Why do you need to be strong and 2) How can you be strong for yourself and others? These two questions are answered as Paul gives earthly examples in v. 2-7. There are so many life-storms that come, and we need to be strong! The first reason Timothy had to be strong was because he had to carry on the ministry. The second reason and the focus of today’s message is that Timothy had to suffer like a good soldier. Through different life pictures of a soldier, and athlete and a farmer, we can get an idea of how to be strengthened. We will be strengthened through serving and trusting in Jesus Christ, because of His grace to us. Amen.

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-7 (NIV)

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In today’s passage, Pastor Wallace teaches about the Apostle Paul’s charge to his son in the ministry, Timothy to spare nothing to protect the gospel message. Though hardship would come, Paul wanted Timothy to continue in those things he had learned. He challenges Timothy and us to endure in the faith, even to the point of death. Clearly, as believers we are in the midst of trying times. Notwithstanding, when we strive to live for Christ, finding hope in difficult times will give us the perseverance to move forward. Just as Paul encouraged Timothy, we too must press on and continue for the Lord. So, Paul encourages Timothy to “guard the good treasure.” The Good News for us today is that God offers His divine assistance enabling us to fulfill the responsibility He has given us. Praise God!

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 1:8-14 (NRSV)

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Today, we begin our summer sermon series on the Book of 2 Timothy entitled: “Endure,” and today’s message is “Fan the Flames.” Though hardships would come, Paul wanted Timothy, his son in the ministry, to continue in those things he had learned, drawing on the rich heritage of faith that had been passed down to him. The theme of 2 Timothy is faithful endurance to the Lord even amidst difficult circumstances. Although, our circumstances are different in many ways, and yet they are similar as well. Thus, just as Paul encouraged Timothy, we too must press on and continue for the Lord! Pastor Wallace reminds us of what Paul told Timothy, “You keep fanning the flames! Its going to take power, love, and self-discipline to accomplish the task that God has assigned to us. Believers can be certain that God has not called you to a task for which He has NOT equipped you for! Therefore, in light of your heritage in faith, in light of your gifting in ministry, and in light of the resources God has entrusted to us…REKINDLE YOUR FAITH.

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The cross and resurrection of Jesus is the hope of the world. It is what brings changes and new life. The cross provides us with hope on our journey through life. It and it alone can give us spiritual and eternal life. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace reminds us of what St. Paul told the Corinthians that the Gospel isn’t about the preacher, it’s about the message of the cross of Christ. There are two kinds of people in the world: there are those who are perishing because of their sins and those who are being saved. Those are the only two options. There’s nothing in between. And the difference between them is the “word” or the “message” of the cross. Today’s message about the cross will challenge you to hold to the message of the cross so that you might leave behind the foolishness of the world’s wisdom and be witnesses of God’s greatness to all of us who call upon His name. Amen

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In a Christian’s life, there must be change, there must be growth, there must be transformation, because that is the grace of God in your life. Today, drawing from insights from Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, Pastor Wallace is going to examine if the grace of God is intended to change a believer’s life, how are we to respond to the intention, to the grace of God in our life? Is there something we need to know, is there something we need to respond to, in order for the growth or the spiritual formation in us to be maximized? Pastor Wallace believes there is and in today’s passage, he shares three words that will help us understand what we need to do: KNOW, RECKON, and YIELD. Knowing deals with fact. Reckoning deals with faith. Yielding deals with function. The goal of this message is to help Christians find their identity in the cross, to die to self. And to experience the power of Christ in their daily lives. Do you know Jesus personally? If not, you can pray to Him today by asking Him to come into your life. AMEN.

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The cross and resurrection of Jesus is the hope of the world. It is what brings change and new life. The cross provides us with hope on our journey through life. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace teaches from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In this epistle, Paul wanted the saints in Ephesus and us, above all else, to see the far greater spiritual blessings they had, and we have in Christ. Therefore, it is important for us to know how blessed we are in Christ Jesus. There are five things that Pastor Wallace wants us to know: 1) The Source of These Riches; 2) The Spirituality of These Riches; 3) The Sufficiency of These Riches; 4) The Sphere of These Riches; and 5) The Security of These Riches. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” AMEN

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Happy Easter! Today is the celebration of the highest and holiest victory of all eternity and our Christian faith. Because He lives, everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ will live as well. In our Scripture text today: Matthew 28:1-10, we proclaim the mystery of the faith: Christ is Risen! Today’s message is centered around a proverbial question: “So what?” He is Risen! What does it really mean for your life, for our community, and for our world? Pastor Wallace teaches us about the most important point for us to remember and that is: the angel did not move the stone in order to let Jesus out, but in order to let the world in and see that Jesus was no longer there. As a result, we are called to be witnesses to others about a Risen Savior. The church’s mission is Jesus’ mission: To seek and save the lost. We are commanded to go and tell, go and make disciples, go and love unconditionally, go and serve, go and sacrifice. Have you told someone that the tomb is empty and that their sins are forgiven!

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