The Story of Dudley Ting “Let us all stand up for Jesus.” “Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone, The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own; Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer, Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.” 2 Timothy: Paul’s Last Letter To Timid Timothy “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So, do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. … What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1v7,8,13) “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2 v5) Why Was It So Important For Paul To Remind Timothy To Stand Up For Jesus? TIMOTHY HAD ISSUES. -Timothy had drama at home. (Acts 16 v1, 2 Timothy 1v5) -Timothy had health problems and emotional issues. (1 Timothy 5 v23; 2 Timothy 1 v 7,8; 1 Corinthian 16 v10,11) -Timothy may have experienced some moral/spiritual failures in the past. (2 Timothy 2 v22-24) -Timothy was no Paul. (2 Timothy 2 v20-21) Why Was It So Important For Paul To Remind Timothy To Stand Up For Jesus? TIMOTHY LIVED IN HOSTILE TIMES. -The church was experiencing a time of open hostility and persecution. (2 Timothy 3 v10-13) -Some brothers were so intimidated by the opposition that they had given up. (2 Timothy 1 v15; 4 v16) -There were deserters on the inside, and enemies on the outside. (2 Timothy 3 v12-14) -In the face of hostility, Paul exhorts Timothy to stand up! (2 Timothy 4 v1-5) -Paul insists that it is important to keep the right focus. (2 Timothy 2 v14-15) -We also need to stand up with the right attitude. (Win people, not arguments.) (2 Timothy 2 v22-26) Why Stand Up For Jesus? -We believe in the power of the Gospel. “…But God’s word is not chained” (2 Timothy 2 v8-9). -We believe that Christ is faithful to us. He stood up for us. How can we do less for him? He died for me, I will live for Him. “I know whom I have believed…” (2 Timothy 2 v11-13)
- We know what is in store for us in the future.
“…I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness… (2 Timothy 4 v6-8) “Let Us All Stand Up For Jesus!”