Claimed, gathered and sent

Here are some thoughts on the second lesson for this coming Sunday. This was sent out to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church . I'd like to know what you think. I need some feedback and want to hear what you are hearing from this passage.  2 Timothy 3:14-4:5  14  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it,  15  and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  16  All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  17  so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. 4  In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:  2  proclaim the message; be persist...

This is the sermon I preached last Sunday, 10/13/19 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church . The text was 2 Timothy 2:8-15. Paul tells Timothy to “Remember Jesus Christ” (v. 8). Paul’s gospel, his understanding and teaching about Jesus is what Timothy is to remember. Paul sums up the gist of that gospel: that Jesus is resurrected and that he’s a descendant of King David. In other words, he was part of the royal line, the king that was promised to Israel and he was truly human. Paul contrasts his own situation of being literally chained—experiencing the condition of suffering and death with the power of the living word of God, which is not chained. Paul does not downplay the fact that the gospel entails suffering. Did Paul sit back in prison, thinking about how he could possibly proclaim the gospel now? He was in jail. However, Paul does not allow his own circumstances to become an obstacle to the progress of the gospel. He suffers vicariously—for the sake of the elect, who have be...