I Know Him

TEXT:  2 Tim. 1:12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL GOES BACK TO vs. 8, AND TO HIS SUFFERING WHICH MIGHT BE

          CONSIDERED A SOURCE OF SHAME.

B.      BUT HE IS NOT ASHAMED.  WHY NOT?

I.      FOR I KNOW HIM WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED.

A.      THE ONE BELIEVED - JESUS OF NAZARETH.

          1.       It was belief in Jesus that moved Paul to preach and endure( 2 Cor. 4:11-14 ).

          2.       Belief in Jesus is our part in justification( Rom. 5:1-2 ).

          3.       Saving faith for the Christian is more than acknowledgment( Heb. 11:6 ).

                   a.       It involves believing what the Bible says about God.

                   b.       It is confidence in him and trust - Is Jesus truthful and able?

B.      I KNOW HIM, oida, "1.  know...suggests fulness of knowledge."( Heb. 11:1 ).

          1.       substance, assurance, upostasis, "lit. a standing under...hence, the quality

                   of confidence which leads one to stand under, endure, or undertake anything." 

                   "that steadiness of mind which holds one firm( 2 Cor.  9:4 )'Faith is the title-

                   deed of things hoped for.'" A.T.Robertson.

          2.       Conviction, evidence, elegmos, "a proving of( or conviction about )

                   unseen things." A&G

          3.       Belief that leaves no room for doubt.

II.     AND I AM PERSUADED.

A.      "I STAND CONVINCED!" peiqw, "to apply persuasion, to prevail upon or win over,

          to persuade, bringing about a change of mind by the influence of reason or moral

          considerations." VINE

B.      OUR FAITH IS NOT TO BE BASED ON WISHFUL THINKING.  NO LEAP OF

          FAITH HERE!

          1.       Romans 10:17.  Faith comes of hearing the word of God.

          2.       The word is the best evidence( John 20:30-31;  1 John 1:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:16f ).

          3.       We have reasons for believing what we do( 1 Pet. 3:15 ).

III.    THAT HE IS ABLE.

A.      THE POWER OF JESUS DEMONSTRATED TIME AND AGAIN.

          1.       His ability to heal, perform impossible feats, and raise the dead( Acts 2:22 ).

          2.       Miracles a sign of spiritual powers( Mark 2:10-11 ).

          3.       We have promise of these spiritual feats

                   ( 1 Cor. 10:13;  2 Pet. 2:9; Phil. 4:4-7 ).

          4.       And a like promise in our text.  phulaxai, "to guard against robbery or any

                   loss." ATRobertson.( 1 Pet. 1:5;  John 10:27-28;  Rom. 8:31f. ).

B       HIS POWER TO PROTECT IS LIMITED TO THAT WHICH IS COMMITTED.

          1.       "Literally, 'my deposit,' as in a bank." ATR.

          2.       Jesus will not guard that which he is not entrusted with.

          3.       "Commitment" means "given to Jesus."

                   a.       "He leaves all in God's hands with perfect confidence." BWJohnson.

                   b.       Involves a sacrifice of wills( Gal. 2:20;  Luke 9:23 ).

                   c.       Involves priority of doing what God wants( 1 Pet. 4:19 ).

                   d.       Jesus is the boss( 1 Pet. 3:15 ).

C.      AGAINST THAT DAY.  A PREOCCUPATION FOR HEAVEN ( 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:13 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPRESSION OF HOPE.

B.      WE CAN ENDURE ANYTHING IF WE WILL COMMIT OURSELVES TO HIM.

C.      IS JESUS THE BOSS IN YOUR LIFE?