2 Timothy 4:1-9

In the church many are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. If you do not like what I am saying, I want to ask you something. Think about the company you run with. What do they talk about most" God and the love of God, or other things" You decide that. Many Christians today will not endure sound doctrine. Paul described these people as having "itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3). They did not like sound doctrine, but they were Christians. They...

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Peter 3:1-12

We are seeing that meekness is not a natural quality, but a spiritual one, and by reason of this all Christians should possess it. Over the past couple of days we have examined the importance of meekness and seen something of its nature; today, we examine what meekness is not. First, meekness (or humility) is not...

For Reading and Meditation:     2 Timothy 4:1-8

There can be no doubt that the Bible presents the death of the ungodly as being terrible. How differently, however, does it portray the death of the righteous. Even a hireling prophet like Balaam, bad as he was, recognised that there was something different about the death of the godly. Listen to his words in

Doubting one! thou hast often said, "I fear I shall never enter heaven." Fear not! all the people of God shall enter there. I love the quaint saying of a dying man, who exclaimed, "I have no fear of going home; I have sent all before me; God's finger is on the latch of my door, and I am ready for him to enter." "But," said one, "are you not afraid lest you should miss your inheritance?" "Nay," said he, "nay; there is one crown in heaven which the angel Gabriel could not wear, it will fit no...

"…them also that love his appearing." For many years I thought that this expression referred to those believers who had kindly, sentimental feelings about the coming of the Lord. They would be rewarded with a crown of righteousness because their hearts glowed warm when they thought about the Rapture.

But surely it means more than this. To love His appearance means to live in the light of His coming, to behave as if He were coming today.

Thus, to love His appearing means to live...

2 Timothy 3:14 to 2 Timothy 4:5

This letter to Timothy, the last product of Paul's pen - was written from the prison at Rome. In his desire to encourage the young evangelist, he gave him much counsel - counsel which is as valuable for the Christian today as it was for Timothy.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, “Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.” His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that...

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. § Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? § Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me. § God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.He who...

The sting of death is sin. § Now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him...