JUNE 5, 2024
Topic: ASSURANCE OF THE KINGDOM
Text: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8
Memory Verse: “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7.
Paul, (whose Hebrew name was Saul) was born in Tarsus of Jewish parents and of the tribe of Benjamin.
He was a rigid Pharisee (Acts 23:6) and studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22: 3). He was present when Stephen was stoned to death. (Act 8:1). He became an agent of the council in Jerusalem in his attack of Christians (Act 9:1 – 2)
Paul had an encounter with God on one of his missions to arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem. This was the turning point in his life. (Act 9:5). After his redemption, he had an acceptability problem with both the Christians as well as the Jews. (Act 9:26). Barnabas, son of consolation came to his rescue by introducing him to the church in Jerusalem. Paul joined the church at Antioch, where he became a worker. Paul and Barnabas were later commissioned to become missionaries in response to the declaration of the Holy Spirit. (Act 13:2). He went on three missionary journeys and he worked mainly among the gentiles
Paul sincerely served the Lord with great zeal under difficult situations. His ministry was a tried ministry. He wrote about thirteen letters to the many churches God used him to establish. Toward the end of his ministry, Paul gave an eloquent and confident testimony that touches the points he had endeavoured to pass to Timothy such as: confidence in the grace of Christ, faithful transmission of the faith to others and the steadfast reliance on the blessed hope. Paul was calm in facing his imminent death as an offering in the service of Christians and faith. His statement as declared in our text implies his assurance of victory over death.
In your service to God, can you boldly declare as Paul did when your ministry is winding down here on earth? Will you be confident to face death with calmness of soul, knowing deep down in you that victory over death is already secured? May the good Lord help us!
Prayer: My dear heavenly Father, I pray for grace, for pure motive and perseverance to serve you faithfully so that at the end of my life on earth, the assurance of my victory over death will be sealed In Jesus’ name Amen.