It’s good to be back in the pulpit this week as we continue our study of Timothy.  This Sunday, we’ll continue looking at “discipleship in action” from 2 Timothy 3.  As we’ve seen in 1 & 2 Timothy so far, Timothy is battling false teaching and the destructive consequences that it brings.  And one of those consequences is the issue of suffering ­ where it comes from, why it comes to us at all, and why, of all things, is suffering promised to us?

Well, first of all, we have to understand that this isn’t ordinary suffering that everyone experiences ­ the suffering that comes from experiencing loss, heath issues, relational issues, or economic issues.  This is the suffering that comes from being a follower of Christ.  As Jesus Himself said, John 15:20, “A servant is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” 

So if that’s what Jesus has said, we need to ask, “How will we view this?  How will we stand firm against it?  How will we stand in and for the truth when it comes?  And How will we show forth the gospel in the midst of it?”  Those are the hard questions we’ll be looking at this Sunday. 

We live in a day and time when it’s easy to hate the culture when it seems to hate us.  But that’s not what we’re called to do.  We’re called to point people to the God of Truth, the Spirit of Truth, the Word of Truth, and the Gospel of Truth.  We do that by speaking the Truth … even when they hate us for it.  Should make for an interesting Reformation Sunday.  See you there, Dr. Dave