October 9, 2016
21st Sunday After Pentecost Year C

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 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. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

2 Timothy 2:8-13

“The perseverance of God’s people, v10, 13. One of the most worrying things we face as a Christian is the possibility that in the last day Jesus will say to us “I do not know you, depart from me.” We will always face the danger of having our faith undermined by false teaching. An emphasis on law-righteousness, on doing rather than receiving, can undermine a believer’s faith. Salvation is by grace through faith, not works of the law. Our unfaithfulness does not annul Christ’s faithfulness.

Sharing in the reign of Christ, v12: We can put up with hard times when we are sure of a good result. Our future is to rule with Christ in eternity. The rough and tumble of life prepares us for our rule with Christ. Once we have this perspective, it is easy to endure.” (Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.)

The words of Paul, “Our unfaithfulness does not annul Christ’s faithfulness” comes as a welcome message in a broken world. So many of us have been battling for many, many years: fighting against disease, against deterioration, against sinfulness, and against evil. These battles can take us away from our ability to live the Christ-like life simply because they wear us down. And, when we do not receive the earthly blessings that prosperity theologians like Joel Olsteen try to peddle to us, then we begin to believe that G-d has it out for us, if G-d doesn’t just downright hate us.

But G-d doesn’t hate anyone. Period. G-d hates sin, but G-d does not hate people. And, we have the Grace of G-d that comes through the cross of Jesus Christ that reminds us how much G-d loves us. So, when we are faithless, Christ is faithful; when we are broken, Christ makes us whole; when we are defeated, Christ wins the battle. And then, as Paul says: “If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him…if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” This reality helps us endure the battles of this world, so we can live with Christ in eternity.

Pastor Dave