Claimed, gathered and sent

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...

Here are some thoughts about this Sunday's second reading. What do you think? Let's talk about this. The reflection was sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-15 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;   12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;   13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.   14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present you...